A special enconter with Sir Michael

TRIBUTE

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
THE first death anniversary of late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare brought memories of former Deputy Police Commissioner for Administration Francis Mugugia’s encounter with him during Mugugia’s days in the Police Force.
There were many encounter with late Grand Chief in those days leading up to the self-Government and independence.
But one that really stood out and must be told is that, late Grand Chief didn’t remove him as the Port Moresby Metropolitan Commander when he, as the Police Association President, led a protest against late Grand Chief’s s decision to appoint late Philip Bouraga as the Police Commissioner.
“In 1977 I was then the Metropolitan Superintendent of Police for the National Capital District. The occasion was a protest by the Police Association over the government’s appointment of Mr. Philip Bouraga as an outsider as Police Commissioner.
“I in fact; led the delegation that included Sergeant Major Semel Buka as the President of the Police Association with a couple of his executives; inclusive of Sergeant Thomas Manus. Also in the delegation was the Police Chaplain; the then Fr. Brian Barnes, who later became the Archbishop of Port Moresby and a police woman, then named Joan Mokis.
“My personal involvement was not by design; but as a matter of jurisdictional responsibility as that event was taking place within my area of command; and of course as a member of the Police Force and its association as well.
“I was only providing leadership and not for personal gain from that particular situation. We (reps) got to the top of the Pineapple Building; as it was called (now Sir Manasupe House); where the Prime Minister’s Office and the Department were located at that time; and were guided to the conference room.
“As soon as we were seated the Prime Minister late Grand Chief and Minister for Decentralization (now Department of Provincial Government and Local Level Government) Mr John Momis entered; and after the normal protocol of standing; and the Chief after eagerly observing us for couple minutes, quite sternly asked, “who is your leader here; and what is the reason for all of you here?”

I raised my hand and answered his question.
He looked at me and said, just a superintendent Mr. Francis Mugugia; where are your Chief Superintendents; Assistant Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners?”
He then turned to the Chaplain (then Fr. Brian Barnes) and asked who he was and what he was doing with us.
After Fr Brian’s explanation, grand chief told him … Good Patere you should be concerned for the policemen and their family members’ souls and not matters such as this.
He then pointed his finger at the group; and in a stern but not oppressive voice alluded to this effect: “You all should consider yourselves lucky that this is not South Africa, when you would be in front of the firing squad.”
He then reaffirmed the appointment of Bouraga as the new Police Commissioner; stood up and walked out on us.
We sat there lost, loss of morale with our heads hanging low; and left the building in our own directions.
Me back at the office was still frustrated and worried about the possible repercussions against me personally for leading the protest.
A wasteful exercise in fact as the Prime Minister and the National Executive Council could not have withdrawn their decision at all despite the protest.
However, before close of business that day for me; something interesting happened.
Sub-Inspector Stewart Nigints, the then permanent personal body guard for the Prime Minister came to me in the office with the instruction for me and him to see the Chief at dinner in the official residence at 7pm that day. We did so accordingly.
Me of course still with a curious mind due to what had happened earlier during that day.

The Chief was already seated with a number of guests when Stewart and I arrived.
As we approached him with the normal disciplinary protocol; he pointed a finger at me and started laughing.
“Yupela ol Sepik ol big het lain lo igo pas long olgeta samting (you Sepiks are stubborn people and likes t to take the lead in everything). Whether it’s your personal business or not. Olsem na mi laikim yu long kam na mi laik tok sori long yu long women samting ibin kamap tude (that’s why I want you to come so that I can say sorry to you of what happed today).”
He told as a leader I was bound to face the responsibility of my troops’ behavior and conducts one way or another; and he saw my role during the day as one such example.
He then advised me to go and clear my name with the new Police Commissioner as a no-nonsense former colonial kiap immediately; or else to face the brunt for his objection.
Which I in fact did so two days later with Bouraga’s uncompromised acceptance. Uncompromised, because of my perception and the curious paradox of the man’s character (his personality).
In essence however the Chief’s admonishing and advice were spot on.
As to the total exoneration of me by Bouraga could only be as matters of subjective inference; conjure and history now.
The wisdom; knowledge; insight and the tact parted to me by the Chief however still lives on as a legacy of a great man with me; even to this day.