Kalinoe’s legacy

WHEN will the Department of Justice and Attorney General pay tribute to its former secretary, the late Dr Lawrence Kalinoe?
While Papua New Guinea has lost a top bureaucrat and many who knew him in different walks of life sent flowers, cards, condolence messages and contributed in cash or kind, the Department of Justice and Attorney General, which Dr Kalinoe led for 10 years as Secretary until three months ago, failed to accord him the respect he deserved.
Unlike other government organisations, DJAG is a unique and complex department.
To run such department is an enormous task yet Dr Kalinoe built the organisation up from ground zero to make it one of the best central government organisations in the public service.
The recruitment of more lawyers, the introduction of the SDMA, legal clearance and advice and policies, putting village court officials and land mediators on the payroll, the building of the provincial offices and staff houses, community justice service centres and the introduction of the Diploma of Justice Administration at Divine Word University, to name a few, are his legacies.
However, it is sad that despite all his notable contributions, his work has not been acknowledged by the current administration.
DJAG should be the first department to pay tribute to their champion. Until now, DJAG is yet to send a paid condolence message.
My heart is torn into pieces. I believe DJAG owe Dr Kalinoe so much.

Mangi Sepik Wara