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By FRANK SENGE KOLMA
Chief must prevent discord
INSTEAD of celebrating his
magnificent triumph in the final term of a celebrated 39-year
political career, Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare would have been
agonising these past two weeks over jobs for the boys (and one
girl).
Sir Michael, more than most, would know that the numbers he
mustered at Warangoi, East New Britain, and displayed in
Parliament are just that – a display for convenience’s sake and
holding only until the ministries have been named and other
minor jobs such as parliamentary committee memberships have been
handed out.
Then the discontent and the mumblings and rumblings will begin
in earnest.
Since his best friend Brutus plunged the final knife in the side
of famous Roman Emperor Julius Caesar and elicited the last
words that have survived the span of the ages – “Etu Brute (And
you too, Brutus)”, political leaders down through the centuries
have often faced the worst threat from within their own ranks.
Sir Michael has had his fair share of dipping in the treacherous
waters of friendship and common party affiliations over the
years so he would know.
If it is any comfort to him, he is not alone. His colleague Bob
Hawke had the knife stuck in him once by his treasurer Paul
Keating and now we gather that particular scene is about to be
re-enacted on the Australian political landscape.
Sir Michael first experienced the shock of betrayal when Sir
Julius Chan and the late Sir Iambakey Okuk broke ranks in March
1978 to contest his leadership in protest over his announcement
that leaders declare all business interests and to cease such
businesses until they left the position of leadership.
The two engineered the first successful motion of no-confidence
a year later which saw Sir Julius become prime minister.
Sir Michael next tasted the bitterness of desertion in March
1985 when his trusty deputy in Paias Wingti challenged him for
the leadership and lost but broke away with 20 members of Pangu
Pati with whom he successfully launched a motion of
no-confidence in November of that year against Sir Michael.
The next lot of loyal friends in the late Sir Anthony Siaguru,
John Nilkare, Sir Barry Holloway and Karl Stack deserted him
soon after Wingti left and that weakened him considerably that
Mr Wingti launched a successful motion of no-confidence in
November 1985.
On May 18, 1988, the final cut with the party he co-founded was
made when the last friends, most loyal to him, not only deserted
him but demanded he stepped down as party leader.
On that day, Pangu stalwarts Sir Rabbie Namaliu and Sir Pita Lus
fronted up Sir Michael at his Opposition leader’s office in
Parliament and in an emotional meeting, asked him to step down.
Sir Michael refused and two days later, the Pangu caucus voted
him out and elected Sir Rabbie.
Within a month, on July 4, Sir Rabbie succeeded in a motion of
no-confidence to topple Mr Wingti and Sir Michael wandered off
into the political wilderness where he eventually founded the
National Alliance with Bart Philemon and Masket Iangalio.
In recent times Sir Michael seems to have learnt from his past
experiences.
When he came out of political limbo to lead the nation again
following the 2002 elections he got a number of parties together
to first sign the Gateway Accord and later the Kokopo Accord,
committing themselves to a five-year coalition government.
The principle tenant of those accords – the commitment to stick
together – was torn to shreds within 12 months by Sir Michael
himself as he shuffled first one party and then the other
through the office of the deputy prime minister, creating a
constant atmosphere of uncertainty within the government ranks.
He seemed to have learnt from his past lessons.
Disenchanted parties and others in the Opposition eventually
pushed for a no-confidence motion after the expiry of the
18-month grace period but Sir Michael was able to hold on and
created unprecedented history by surviving a full term in
government.
Towards the end of the last term of Parliament, during the
National Alliance convention in Port Moresby, Sir Michael again
experienced an attack from within.
Co-party founder, national treasurer and deputy party leader (Mamose)
Bart Philemon issued a challenge to the leadership of the party.
This time, however, Sir Michael seemed ready.
The challenge was parried off quite easily and the NA has
emerged from the 2007 national elections stronger than ever.
Sir Michael, more than most, emerges from the events of the last
few weeks with few illusions.
He knows that the coalition that appeared to the world as the
strongest demonstration of strength and solidarity yet – 86
members in government in a 109-member Parliament – is as fragile
as lean glass. It will shatter and scatter in all directions if
not managed properly.
And this is where the rest of PNG has to be on the look out.
There is very real danger.
With the kind of majority the government has now, it can change
legislation at will and often such changes can be done at the
whim of a few and detrimental to the needs of society.
The potential is there for abuse and misuse of powers and
privileges and the usurpation of the independence of important
institutions to feed the bigger demand that will be placed upon
the executive government by the large government back bench.
The full compliment of 28 ministries allowed by the Constitution
is sure to be named by the prime minister.
It is a fair bet that there will be increases in the number of
vice-ministries or under-secretaries, parliamentary committees
and we might see politicians heading the boards of statutory
corporations.
If the latter situation were to happen, this could see a lot of
gains of the past 10 years to depoliticise institutions
reversed.
There is a danger too that the Opposition, such as it is now,
might be disinclined to perform its task because it feels its
numbers are too few and it will make no impact. Here is where
the general population can become ideal allies in speaking out
for what is right.
In the end, the Opposition will mostly be provided from within
government as different factions, parties and interest groups
within government pull off in different directions.
In the twilight of his political career, Sir Michael once again
has a massive challenge – that of holding it all together – his
party, his governing coalition and this country.
Note: The writer is a former editor
of The National and stood as a candidate in the recent general
election.
 
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