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Duo vie for PM post
By HARLYNE JOKU
Two of PNG’s seasoned
politicians meet today in Parliament to vie for the country’s top post
of prime minister.
Sir Michael Somare, 71, PNG’s first prime minister and the leader of the
National Alliance Party, and Sir Julius Chan, 68, a former prime
minister and founder of the People’s Progress Party are both respected
and shrewd politicians.
As young patriots, they led PNG out of Australia’s colonial rule to
independence. Both served in the same coalition following the Third
House of the Assembly elections in 1972, Sir Michael as prime minister
and Sir Julius as internal finance minister. Today, they are opponents.
Sir Michael leads NA and 12 other parties to form government, claiming
over 70 MPs, enough to make him prime minister again, while Sir Julius
is the PM candidate in the alternate government coalition leaving his
door open to the 11th hour.
Sir Michael was born on April 9, 1936, and was prime minister from
independence in 1975 until 1980, then from 1982-85, and again since
2002. His first two terms were as a member of the Pangu Pati.
Sir Michael, a former teacher and broadcaster, contested the Second
House of Assembly elections for Pangu and won. He was PNG’s first
official opposition leader before independence and chief minister in
1972 and prime minister in 1975.
He leads NA, the party with the largest number of candidates elected in
the recent elections with 27 MPs.
He handles issues and crisis with the qualities of a Melanesian chief
fitting to the title of traditional Sana and has an interest in his
culture. Often, he chooses to wear Melanesian than western dress in
Parliament and on special occasions. His political style is of a true
nationalist.
The past five years of his reign saw political stability that boosted
investor confidence resulting in economic recovery and mining and
petroleum growth. He is not new to challenges as his political
experience and background shows.
Negative sentiments rose against the Grand Chief by his opponents over
his handling of the Moti affair and alleged corrupt practices.
On the other hand, Sir Julius is a successful businessman who hails from
Tanga in the New Ireland province.
He is known for his decisiveness and swift actions in crisis situations.
He is the founder of the People’s Progress Party and has been prime
minister on two occasions and finance minister three times after
independence.
Sir Julius said he decided to be alternate prime minister because he saw
Sir Michael’s current leadership and government as wrong.
“The government has become domestic and personalised, indecisive and not
fulfilling their promises thus creating suspicions by non-transparency
in national issues,” he said.
He said he joined the Mekere-Philemon camp because their parties shared
similar policies.
Sir Julius boasted that he was instrumental in the peace progress of
Bougainville.
“Sandline never fired a shot. I have never killed Bougainvilleans and I
saved many lives in Bougainville. The culprits of the Sandline saga have
not been adequately addressed and prosecuted,” he said.
He said the Mirigini Charter and amnesty after the Arawa Peace
Conferences monitored by the peace keeping force contributed to peace on
Bougainville.
His first action after becoming prime minister in 1994 was to seek
personal dialogue with the leadership of the so-called Bougainville
Revolutionary Army. He was recognised for his achievements on
Bougainville peace and was nominated the Islands Business Pacific Man of
the Year award when he negotiated and achieved the South Pacific peace
keeping force in Bougainville.
In 1995, Sir Julius initiated 10 projects – Jackson airport
redevelopment, Poreporena Freeway, Waigani Drive, Motukea and Kopi oil
refineries, Lihir, Tolukuma and Wapolu gold mines, Lae city road
developments, South Bougainville and Bougainville restoration projects.
The results of these projects have benefited the people of this country
as witnessed today.
He returns to politics after a 10-year absence, defeating Ian
Ling-Stuckey for the New Ireland Regional seat.
 
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