Lawyer calls on public to vote out MPs, back fresh faces

By Malum Nalu
Lawyer Paul Paraka has urged people to get rid of all 111 MPs and replace them with new ones.
His message came at the opening of his Grass Roots United Front (GRUF) Party office at Apex Park in Port Moresby yesterday.
It was attended by a big crowd that packed the park to capacity.
Paraka said the grassroots people of the country were stifled and trampled on over the last 41 years and could not develop themselves.
“They (MPs) are forgetting about the grassroots people of this country,” he said.
“The power is now in our hands.
“The only way that we can change this country, the only way that we can change thousands of people in this country in each individual village, is that we change and replace the 111 nembers of parliament this year.”
The lawyer said if he became prime minister, which he intended to do, he would spearhead a revolution for change among the grassroots people of PNG.
He said a case in point was the many unemployed young people wandering aimlessly around in towns and cities.
“I am the man who can give all your children a better future,” he said.
“We can give our children a better future by changing all 111 MPs and replacing them with new people.
“If I get to lead the next government, our children will have a new lease of life and not become a lost opportunity.
“I’ll make sure your children go to school in America, I’ll make sure your children go to England because Paul Paraka has been to school in America and England.”
Yesterday’s office opening marked the beginning of several major events for the party in the lead-up to this year’s general  election.
The party will be launched in a two-day event  today and tomorrow at Unagi Oval, Gordon, with people from Gulf, Central and the National Capital District to attend.
This is expected to be another big event with traditional singsings from all 22 provinces to be on show from 10am to 2pm on both days, with Paraka to make a keynote address from 2.30pm to 5.30pm.
The party will also hold fundraising dinners at The Stanley Hotel and Sir John Guise Stadium today and tomorrow.
“The national convention for the GRUF Party will be held on Wednesday,” Paraka said.
“During the convention, the party’s 100 policies will be unveiled.”
The party will hold regional launches at Eriku in Lae on Thursday in an all-day event from 8am to 6pm, Pope John Paul Oval in Mt Hagen on April 14 in an all-day event and at Paul Paraka Field at Baiyer River in Western Highlands on April 15.
Paraka said launching dates for the New Guinea islands and other provinces would be advised.
He said after the issue of writs on April 20, the party would showcase its 111 candidates.