‘Decision will help preserve culture’

EAST Sepik Governor Sir Michael Somare says he is thankful that the destruction of cultural craft at Parliament House was declared unlawful in court.
“I was extremely happy with the decision,” Sir Michael said.
“We cannot undo what has already been done, but we can seek redress and that was the path I followed in taking the matter to court with the support of the national museum.”
Sir Michael said many young people would not know that the emphasis at independence was the preservation of PNG’s identity through artistic expression influenced by its cultures and traditions that existed before Christianity.
“When designing the national parliament, we looked at our diversity as a country recently united. We agreed on the round house of the Highlands which houses the restaurants and function room of Parliament and with the Maprik House Tambaran at the public entrance to the main chamber,” he said.
“We commissioned the country’s artists to decorate the internal and external features and awnings of the great house.”
Sir Michael said some work in the building belonged to artists such as Bega Mula (Western), Cecil King Wunge (Madang), Jakupa (Eastern Highlands), John Mann (Chimbu), Martin Morobubuna (Milne Bay) and Matias Kawage (Chimbu).
“The judiciary has ruled to protect the intellectual creations of our artists such as the 19 faces of our 19 provinces that existed at the time depicted on the torn down lintel,” he said.
“The decision (by the court) that one person’s will cannot be imposed on another is the basis of our freedom and responsibilities. I will take the necessary steps to ensure that these types of abuse of privilege by those in authority do not go unchallenged.”
The National Court last Monday declared that damaging and removal of the cultural objects at Parliament House instructed by Speaker Theodore Zurenuoc was unlawful and unconstitutional.