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by MAMANDO PAIN
Not PNG culture to rip elders
IN his Talking Point column on March
14, Dr Michael Unage questioned the leadership of Sir Michael
Somare and the coalition government led by the National Alliance
(NA).
It is unfortunate Dr Unage used only two cases – the amendment to
the NCDC Act and Moti affair – to criticise the Government and to
predict that Sir Michael will lead the country into turbulent
waters if he becomes Prime Minister again.
The two cases are insignificant when compared to the Government’s
achievements.
While I agree that the amendment to the NCDC Act is not within the
spirit of democracy, it is far-fetched to suggest that it would
cause serious damage to the Government on a national scale.
The National Capital District is not PNG and the Act does not
affect every province.
It is not a nationwide piece of legislation but one that is
confined to the NCD alone.
Many fear that the Act gives political and administrative powers
to the NCD governor but the person who holds the post is not the
leader of PNG.
At the end of the day, the governor will still dance to the tune
of the national government of the day.
The current Government is a good one and any body part of this
government will be good because it is the head and not the tail
that leads the way.
The Moti affair is too small to warrant the removal of the Prime
Minister and the Government.
It is unfortunate that Dr Unage is examining the issue from a
purely legal perspective, which is a narrow-minded analysis.
We must have room to consider other equally important facts such
as the politics played by our neighbours in the Pacific region.
In international politics, powerful countries always have an
advantage over the weaker ones in anything they compete or bargain
for.
This is the reality and it is the name of the game.
The Moti saga is not a local issue but an international one that
involves four countries: PNG, Solomon Islands, Fiji and Australia
which is obviously more powerful than the others.
From an international political standpoint, the Moti saga may be a
political ploy devised by Australia to topple our Government.
Those who are using the Moti affair against the Prime Minister and
the Government must consider whether they are representing foreign
interests rather than national interests.
Divide-and-rule tactics have been employed by powerful countries
before.
We also must bear in mind that the Moti saga has caused all the
citizens of PNG to be guilty, including Dr Unage.
Only tourists and foreigners living and working in PNG are
innocent in the Moti saga.
To say that Sir Michael is no longer fit to be Prime Minister is
to disrespect the founding father of modern PNG.
Sir Michael is my father and he is also the proud father of Dr
Unage.
In fact, Sir Michael is our father, PNG’s father.
My elders in my village taught me not to mistreat my biological
father especially during his old age even when some of his actions
are abnormal.
I was told to respect and treat him well so that he can die
peacefully.
If the children mistreat the old man, I was repeatedly warned,
then the children can expect nothing but curses. The reverse is
also true.
This is part of my culture but I am sure it is the same elsewhere
in PNG, if not universal.
Respecting the elderly is one of the hallmarks of any civilised
and developed society.
We should apply cultural wisdom to analyse the political
leadership of the founding father of modern PNG.
In fact, in our national pledge, Papua New Guineans pledged to be
united as one nation, and to pay homage to our cultural heritage
which is the source of our strength.
If we respect our cultures, we have to respect Sir Michael as our
father as our PNG culture dictates.
Sometimes, our cultural values may go against the democratic
values of the Westminster system of government but we have to
embrace our good cultural values against the Western values.
In that light, I would suggest that we let the Grand Chief rule
again and if he wants to retire, let him do so freely and
peacefully without any force, coercion, or intimidation from his
children.
If the Grand Chief is given the proper fatherly treatment in his
last years of his political career, then I believe PNG would
receive the fatherly blessing to prosper in every aspects of the
nation.
Dr Unage went on to discuss the four deputies who should replace
Sir Michael after the election.
Finding a replacement is a different issue brought forward at the
wrong time.
Even discussing a candidate at this stage to replace the old man
is an insult to our father.
Also, Dr Unage’s hypothesis that Sir Michael is warming the Prime
Minister’s seat for his son Arthur is baseless.
During the 32 years of Sir Michael’s leadership, he was never been
a dictator.
Sir Michael was a victim of democratic process in 1980 and 1986
and he gracefully accepted the defeat which is a testimony to his
strong beliefs and commitment to the ideals of democratic
leadership in PNG.
In a democratic society such as ours, it is not possible for a
father to hand over the Prime Minister’s post to his son or
daughter.
The decision will be made by the National Alliance leaders in
consultation with the coalition partners when the time is right.
If Arthur were to become prime minister, then the position will
not be inherited, as done in any undemocratic or totalitarian
regimes.
It would follow a normal democratic process of forming a
government which would subsequently lead to the appointment of a
prime minister.
Given the above, I reaffirm my position that NCDC Act and Moti
saga are insignificant to question or bring down the NA-led
government in the coming national general election.
I believe the ruling coalition must continue because there are no
better alternative party which can possibly perform its
achievements.
Note: The writer is a former research
consultant and tutor at the University of PNG and University of
Southern Queensland. He is currently teaching at the International
Training Institute in Lae. The views expressed here are his own
and does not reflect the position of the institute.
 
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