Grand chief appeals for calm

By ISAAC NICHOLAS
GRAND Chief Sir Michael Somare has called for calm in the capital city in light of the changes which have taken place at the Defence Force headquarters at Murray Barracks.
In a statement yesterday, Sir Michael said since the Supreme Court ruling on Dec 12 last year, his government had done its best to exercise authority as the legitimate government of PNG.
“Our last action was petitioning parliament last week to comply with the court decision. We cannot allow this situation to continue where a rogue government commandeers the disciplinary forces,” he said.
“It is incumbent on the police and army to comply with the orders of the Supreme Court and support the legitimate government which is the minority Somare-Agiru government.
“It is for this reason that my government had appointed Col Yaura Sasa to take control of the PNGDF while we await other outcomes of the court.
“I call on the disciplined forces to ensure public safety by exercising utmost restraint at all times. We are the legitimate government constitutionally formed in 2007 and restored by the five-man bench of the Supreme Court.”
His view was supported by independent commentators such as associate professor of the University of PNG, John Luluaki, who argued that the constitutional law must be upheld.
“Sasa has been appointed by the legitimate government as the new commander of defence and it is the duty of the disciplined forces to protect the Constitution.
“Should anyone be aggrieved, they should go to the same court that has restored the Somare government,” Sir Michael said.