Black mark on democracy

WE Papua New Guineans tend to be simple-minded and lack understanding on issues of national significance.
There is no fourth estate or an effective mechanism to provide the checks and balances in our democracy when its very existence is put to the test.
For instance, in 2001 when the Morauta government introduced the reforms to insulate State-owned enterprises and the superannuation industry from Government interference, the country blindly protested.
Years later, we came to reap the benefits of Sir Mekere’s efforts and the once perceived antagonist, is now acclaimed a national hero.
We are slow to think but quick to judge. Today, we have a National Budget, that will affect the lives of 10 million people, passed without the benefit of debate and quality check with the input from the Opposition. The National Budget is an important document that became law through the passage of careful scrutiny is now left to political convenience and expediency.
It amazes me that the country went silent and couldn’t raise a finger to correct this grave injustice because we believed the Government, led by a pastor’s son and seemingly practising Christian, is a government sent from heaven and everything it did was true and just.
We forget the lies and inadequacies of the Government including the K10.2 million robbed right before our eyes but held it against the people whom we think don’t belong in our good books.
Make no mistake, the hijacking of the parliament through the collaboration of the prime minister and the Speaker on pure political survival will be a precedence in our democracy for many years to come.
A day will come when we will lament that we could have traded one good there and then preserved our parliamentary democracy.
This is not about Belden Namah, James Marape, Peter O’Neill or Sam Basil.
This is about doing things right according to law.
I too may have my political affiliations and our opinions may differ but that is not important as far as our state’s interest and democracy is concerned.
This is a time we must act objectively and assess issues without prejudice to the turn of events and circumstances.
A time we must act for the common good. The common good must prevail over anything else.

David Lepi