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Independence and Moti
WEDNESDAY’S Supreme Court refusal to
nullify the Moti inquiry or nullify its final report has been
seen by many as a confirmation of the independence of the PNG
judiciary.
Some even see Mr Justice Sakora’s findings as a fitting lead-up
to our 32nd independence anniversary.
We will probably never know what prompted the extraordinary
actions that together led to what has become known as the Moti
affair.
Some of our people, those for whom Sir Michael Somare remains a
statesman, the father of the nation and our most distinguished
politician, will continue to affirm that any alleged actions by
his government must have been in the best interests of PNG.
At the other extreme, there are those who believe that our
veteran leader should have honoured his previous undertaking to
consider retiring from active political life.
They see the Moti affair and the refusal to make public the
findings of either of two inquiries into the matter as evidence
supportive of their point of view.
In between lies the bulk of the PNG population.
It is fair to say that many of them devoutly wish to see the
iconic Sir Michael and his government walk away from this
domestic and international diplomatic wrangle with reputations
intact.
Others are edging towards the belief that the chances of
creating and maintaining an honest and incorruptible PNG
government are fast fading from sight.
Those who continue to believe in the vision and strengths of Sir
Michael and who maintain that he and those around him must have
acted appropriately over Moti are hard-pressed to reinforce
their belief because of a lack of public evidence.
There has never been a diplomatic controversy in PNG history in
which facts have been so scarce or undeniable evidence of
behaviour so scant. Supporting the former government and its
leaders flies in the face of the on-going refusal to make public
any of the facts associated with the incident.
Yesterday, Opposition leader Sir Mekere Morauta and his deputy
Bart Philemon aligned themselves firmly with those who see the
incident, at the very least, as evidence of poor leadership,
inappropriate decision-making and an almost wilful desire to
create waves in the substantial waters that separate PNG from
its southern neighbour.
It is natural that Sir Mekere and his supporters should call
upon the Prime Minister to step aside and it is in their
interests to make such a call. Again there will be those who
dismiss their reaction as opportunistic politics and not
reflective of the
reality of the situation.
But the nature of the inquiry report makes a series of damning
findings against those supposedly involved in the Moti matter.
They are of sufficient seriousness that they cannot, as
Opposition deputy leader Philemon says, “be swept under the
carpet”.
Indeed they cannot.
The findings of the Moti inquiry must be the subject of further
court proceedings simply because they are far too serious, far
reaching and potentially destructive of our democracy to be
ignored.
It is a sad fact that in the past there has been a number of
serious incidents that have taken place within the governments
of the day. They have involved prime ministers, ministers and a
host of elected members.
Some of these matters have galvanised the nation.
Briefly.
For as a people, we tend to flare with anger at dramatic
incidents and then forget them with equal facility and
remarkable speed.
As a result, incidents involving political wheeling and dealing
have frequently been obliterated from public awareness by some
other more exciting or eye-catching events.
Worse, our politicians have learned how to harness this
phenomenon. Troubling political or leadership revelations are
today often accompanied by some highly commendable public
gesture on the part of the targeted individual or group.
The troubling revelations vanish from the national consciousness
overnight.
On the eve of our 32nd year as a sovereign nation, we hail the
many and varied achievements of our people and our leaders. But
if our reputation as a law abiding nation is to be buttressed,
there can be no more prevarication.
The Moti Affair is now public property. There are questions to
be answered.
It’s time.
 
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