Disappointed with flight arrangements

I WAS disappointed to see Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare’s casket put into the cargo hull of the Q400 aircraft.
He was not an ordinary cargo to be loaded in that manner.
That was very disrespectful.
Sir Michael has done a lot for Papua New Guinea and has ensured that we have the freedom we enjoy today.
Have some respect and plan things properly.
We thought the casket was going into the passenger section of the plane.
We were told later on Facebook that the aircraft’s door was too small for the casket.
The Government could have planned this two weeks ago and the aircraft could have been taken to Australia and have its door adjusted to fit the coffin.
If not, we can seek help from friends such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the United States.
I thank Sir Michael’s children Arthur and Betha for negotiating with the Australian government to have the Australian Air Force Hercules airlift our father, grandfather and great grand chief to his resting place.
I thank the Australian government for the logistics support.
If it wasn’t for the Australian aircraft, things would have turned out differently.
I commend the people who were at Jackson International Airport to farewell Sir Michael for ensuring that Sir Michael wasn’t put in the cargo hull as a sign of respect for all he had done for us.
My deepest condolences to Sir Michael’s family.

Matilda Pilacapio,
Advocate
Human and Environment