Basil served where it matters

SERVING where it matters most is how many described Deputy Prime Minister and Bulolo MP the late Sam Basil.
The many tributes shared following his untimely death showed him being a vibrant leader who acted on his conviction.
One that stands out is how he single-handedly resurrected the ruling Pangu Pati in 2014.
It was a one-man party then became two in 2015 when the late Goilala MP William Samb, joined Basil to revive this great PNG institution.
Basil led Pangu into the 2017 general election winning six seats in Morobe and others around the country, bringing it back to life.
Basil was a strong leader who did things his own way, a testament of his humble upbringing in the various suburbs in Lae.
Prime Minister James Marape said: “Basil had grit and drive and an unrelentless urge to do things his own way when the system couldn’t meet expectations.
“It was this trait that saw him driving himself that night when I received news of his accident.
“His community projects to empower his rural people are documented.
“Rural electrification, agriculture and livestock are but a few.”
Basil was one MP who travelled the length and breadth of Morobe, especially in his Bulolo electorate.
He was the people’s man.
New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan said Basil was a great politician, and a great friend.
He was a true son and patriot of Papua New Guinea.
Basil was 38 years old when he won in 2007 and was said to be wise beyond his years.
And it has been no turning back.
“The people loved Sam as much as he loved his people” is how Sir Julius puts it. Opposition Leader Belden Namah defined him as a man of peace and calm.
A passionate Member who put his electorate before everything.
Bulolo changed under his leadership across three consecutive terms of Parliament.
A forthright man who spoke his mind and acted on his convictions.
Basil’s political life had been marked by his often exceptional outbursts on national issues, key involvement in changes in governments and his notable alliances with many political parties.
He had dominated the political limelight in the early part of his career with his critical views on issues that sometimes got him into collision with adversaries, portraying the kind of leadership attributes that he had pursued until his untimely death.
He also played a key role in changes of governments over the three-term period.
He was a sharp critic of former Prime Minister late Sir Michael Somare in the months prior to the no-confidence vote that ousted Somare in favour of Peter O’Neill in August 2011, repeatedly assailing the government regarding alleged corruption and the state of Somare’s health.
The latest of such moves by Basil came during the vote of no confidence against Prime Minister James Marape which had been withdrawn in December 2020 through what had been seen as clever play in some respects and some other ploy in another by Basil.
PNG was thrown into political crisis when Basil led a number of ministers and MPs to walk away from the Government to the Opposition.
That was the first surprise salvo in a campaign to knock off Marape as prime minister.
His legacy will live on.
His son Mona Basil shared that regardless of the high office and important roles his father held, he was a family man who wanted the best for his family.
“He wanted us to take full control of our lives and lead an independent lives. And this was because dad’s philosophy was all about Independence and freedom.”
A lesson that Basil leaves behind is his resilient to challenges.
No matter how high the heel was or how long the road was you must work hard to achieve your goals.
Vale, Deputy Prime Minister!