Chimbu mourns Siune’s passing

The National Weekender

By ZACHERY PER
HE was a no-nonsense straight shooter who, from his formative years, took on calls to serve in many capacities and was honoured by the Queen.
Mathew Numambo Siune, GCL, MBE was the latest of Chimbu’s pioneer politicians to pass on.
Notably he rubbed shoulders with his Kamaneku tribesman and firebrand politician the late Sir Iambakey Okuk on many political fronts. In 1972, the two Kamaneku men vied for the Chimbu Regional Seat vacated by ‘Papa blong Simbu’ and pioneer missionary Fr John Nilles after whom the late Siune named one of his sons.
But Sir Iambakey won the seat and Siune reverted to managing the Chimbu Coffee Cooperative Ltd.
On July 19, 1951 Siune was born to his father Siune Robert of Bomaikane clan of Kamaneku tribe from Kurumugl village and Agnes Siune from Konodu clan of Yongumugl tribe of Kandindogo village in Sinasina-Yongumugl district. He spent his early childhood in Kurumugl village and Minj government station in Jiwaka where his father worked as a carpenter for the Australian colonial administration.
He started his education at Minj in the early 1960s but his father left work and the family returned to Kurumugl where he was enrolled at Gon Primary School in Kundiawa town. He completed his primary education at grade six in 1963.
He then proceeded to Goroka Demonstration High School in Eastern Highlands, then attended Sogeri National High School from 1964 to 1966. While in Sogeri he met prominent figures in the likes of former Chief Ombudsman Ila Geno, former Chief Justice Sir Mari Kapi and former Abau MP Jack Genia.
Siune learned of politics when he visited his cousin Okuk who was a senior student at Idubada (Port Moresby) Technical College in 1966.
In 1967 he entered the Bankers College, after passing out he joined the newly established Rural Development Bank which is today the National Development Bank (NDB).
During his tenure at the bank he met Masket Iangalio from Enga who later became the Member for Wapenamanda and State minister. Siune named one of his sons Masket after his friend.
He resigned in 1972 and worked with Simbu Coffee Cooperative Society Ltd at Bem Coffee Factory in Kerowagi with expatriate managers. While working in Kerowagi he met his wife Mathilina Kugla Siune of Silku tribe.
Also in 1972, late Siune first contested the Chimbu regional seat after it was vacated by first regional member Fr John Nilles.The seat was won bySir Iambakey.
In 1977 to 1979 Siune turned to liquor distribution operating his own depots at Barawagi and Kerowagi town alongside expatriate businessmen.
In 1980, he contested and won the then Waiye Constituency seat in the Simbu Provincial Assembly and eventually became the country’s youngest premier at the age of 29.
He served two terms as premier, opposition leader and senior provincial minister.
He later became the chairman of newly introduced Kundiawa Urban Authority then resigned to contest the regional seat in 1997 but lost and re-contested in a by-election in 1999.
In 2002 Siune won the Kundiawa-Gembogl seat and became Deputy Opposition Leader under Sir Mekere Morauta. He was chairman of Parliamentary Committee on Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
After a change of government, Siune was appointed Minister for Agriculture and later Minister for Labour and Industrial Relations.
He was the founding deputy leader of PNG Party but lost the 2007 election and was appointed chairman of PNG Coffee Growers Federation but quit later for personal reasons.
Siune again contested Kundiawa-Gembogl seat in the 2011 by-election and again in 2012 and 2017 national elections but was unsuccessful.
Siune who passed away in Port Moresby on March 23, 2019 at the age of 67.
When his casket was flown into the Kundiawa town the Chimbu on Monday, April 5, the entire town came to a complete standstill with not a single business operating on the day.
The town swung into mourning as the Twin Otter plane owned by Tropic Air circled Kundiawa town just after midday. The casket was received by waiting dignitaries including Governor Michael Dua, Kundiawa-Gembogl MP Willie Gogl, Sinasina-Yongumugl MP Kerenga Kua, Kerowagi MP Bari Palma, provincial assembly members, public servants and people from all over of Chimbu.
School children lined up along the main street from the airport along the town streets to the provincial government building and threw flowers as the casket as it was driven through the street.
Flags were flown at half mask, a Correctional Services bagpipe band played and led the procession as the casket was carried by members of the Correctional Services and the Kerowagi police mobile squad (MS8).
The casket was taken to the provincial assembly hall where he was laid in State before taken out to the front of the Kondom Agaundo Provincial Government Building where his son John Nilles Siune delivered his eulogy followed by speeches from the leaders.
Chimbu Governor Michael Dua described Siune as a colourful leader, mentor and a unique exemplary leader from the village level to district, province and national level.
“I am satisfied at the way the people of Chimbu gave respect to late Sir Mathew Siune. I also thank local MPs who are present to show respect and helped in many ways towards the family,” he said.
Dua supported the family of late Siune with burial and haus krai expenses while Gogl and Kua also supported financially.
One of late Siune’s colleagues during the former provincial government days Edward Bare shared highlights of Siune’s life as a politician and his contributions towards Chimbu and PNG.
Some of Siune’s major achievements revealed by his son Nilles at the State funeral were:

  • Establishment of Simbu Holdings Ltd, the provincial government business arm;
  • Planning and building of the Kondom Augando Provincial Government building;
  • Old Kundiawa Hospital (now education office);
  • Kundiawa town road sealing;
  • Kundiawa Police station and police barracks;
  • Mt Wilhelm Secondary School;
  • Rural health posts throughout Chimbu;
  • Dickson Oval;
  • National Agriculture Development Programme (NADP) and the Green Revolution; and
  • Revival of Rural Development Bank (Now NDB).

His contributions earned him the Queen’s honour in 2010 and a Logohu award in 2016.
“He touched and inspired many people he came across in his public and private life; he left behind a legacy for the love of the people and his country. Rest in peace Grand Chief Mathew Numambo Siune,” son John Nilles Siune concluded his eulogy.
Siune is survived by four sons, two daughters, 34 grandchildren and one great grandchild. His wife passed away earlier.