Democracy in PNG is weak

THE perception that Government ministers and MPs are corrupt, yet fighting to stay in power, is a symptom of an eroding and weak democracy.
For example, the public’s perception is that the Prime Minister is guilty in the Motigate affair.
The Speaker’s continuous gagging of parliamentary debates has made things even worse.
Is it any wonder that a high percentage of the population, who are well read and informed, believe both the Prime Minister and Speaker are guilty and stand in the way of justice, progress and development?
If you look at mature democracies elsewhere, they are guided by public opinion and their leaders will immediately step down when public opinion reflect a confidence crisis.
They do not even wait for people power to prove they have lost the confidence of the people.
Democracy is people’s power.
Power resides in the people.
But the inability to use that, not only during national elections but whenever necessary, is a symptom of a weak democracy.
In a democracy that is vibrant, the government fears the people.
This is not the case in Papua New Guinea.
The Government does not care about the people. It only cares about itself and fears losing power.
Now, with the Ombudsman Commission losing its power, we will see a few individuals ruling with unlimited power.
Democracy will give way to aristocracy to serve the interest of the minority at the expense of the majority. 

JB Varey
Port Moresby