Abuse of process can lead to chaos

PNG adopted the Westminster parliamentary government system since independence, in 1975.
I will explain its core ideals in view of the current political situation to help us understand what is happening.
Parliamentary government is the most common form of democratic rule in the world in which the government is responsible to the popularly elected house of the legislative body, in our case the National Parliament.
The term “parliament” from the French verb “to speak” is regularly used to characterise its sessions at the seat of government.
The ideal was to build a nation based on democratic ideals and principles of an open government to serve and implement the will of the majority of the citizens for advancement and prosperity.
Parliamentary government operates on the assumptions that government derives its powers from the consent of the people during general election and that it exists to implement the will of the majority.
The aim of this political system is to obtain for rulers (men and women) who possess the most wisdom to discern, and the most virtue to pursue the common good of society (public good) and to take precautions for keeping them honourable while they continue to hold their public trust as stewards.
The basic requirement of a parliamentary government is for the head of the government (prime minister) or the entire cabinet (National Executive Council) is dependent on and responsible to a majority in the legislature.
The two principle reasons account for its existence and general acceptance are: it fits well in political systems based on the concept of “popular sovereignty”, and it is widely associated with the concept of “majority-rule government’’.
Distinct features of parliamentary government are: – “collective responsibility”– system in which the entire cabinet, not only the prime minister is responsible to a parliamentary majority and should resign in the event of a motion of no confidence.
“Checks and balances’’ through “no confidence vote” up on the expression by a legislative majority of “no confidence” in the existing leadership, the executive should resign and a new government should be formed.
This vote necessitates new election of a prime minister in the parliament through free conscience and judgment without fear and favours.
Common sense of politicians should come into play in such political event.
That means there is no need to put up political camps to attack, justifying unethical actions and seeking public support.
That is unnecessary and a disservice to the nation.
The tendency of our politicians to grab or cling-on to power for their self-interests to the detriment of the public good has since independence undermined the core principles and cultivated fluid political landscapes and caused serious political problems (instabilities) resulting in socioeconomic turmoils in PNG.
If the madness, our politicians under the pretext of serving national interest, is not done away soon, the writings are clearly on the wall where this country will become a banana republic or a police-state where instrumentalities of the state will be used a to cling on power.
This is a very dangerous trend that could cause fragmentation and disintegration of this great nation.
A common saying is “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, beauty doesn’t exist on its own but is created by the observer.
To make sense of the current political situation, it really depends on what or which angle one sees from.

Yalipa Ipa,
Concerned citizen