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By HARLYNE JOKU
DEPUTY National Alliance leader (Highlands) Don Polye exuded an obvious
air of disappointment yesterday at being displaced as deputy prime
minister but declined to publicly voice his emotions.
He told The National in an interview after the swearing-in at Government
House in Port Moresby that the appointment of ministers and the deputy
prime minister was the prime minister’s call.
But he did say that his Highlands bloc of NA was obviously disappointed
with the make-up of the new cabinet.
He said his group felt overlooked although they had the largest number
of MPs in National Alliance Party after recruiting 12 independents from
the region to join the party.
“We had to sacrifice to accommodate the interests of other parties in
the coalition,” Mr Polye said.
When asked if he was disappointed about his demotion from deputy prime
minister to just Minister for Works, Transport and Civil Aviation, he
responded that he was happy that his Highlands group of NA sacrificed to
keep the coalition together.
“We believe in the solidarity and unity of our party. I am not
disappointed that I was not given the deputy prime minister’s job
because the appointment is the prerogative of the Prime Minister and I
respect his decision.
“Obviously the NA Highlands bloc is disappointed and that would be a
problem but we have to understand that the issue is manageable,” Mr
Polye said.
He further stressed that leaders must not become obsessed about what
positions they would get in cabinet but focus on how to serve their
people.
“Focusing on positions and power is dangerous for our country. We
leaders must focus on worthwhile causes for our people,” Mr Polye said.
His loss of the deputy prime minister’s post is compensated with the
Works Ministry being added to his Transport and Civil Aviation
portfolios.
 
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