Hailed for integrity

FORMER Bougainville president John Momis says the death of close friend and colleague, Sir Rabbie Namaliu, is a great loss for Papua New Guinea.
“I worked closely with him in the mid-1970s when he played important roles in the resolution of the 1975-76 Bougainville secessionist conflict,” Momis said.
“Then in the late 1970s, as chairman of the Public Service Commission, he presided over the incredibly complex project of the decentralisation of the public service from the centralised government departments in Port Moresby to the new provincial governments throughout PNG.”
Momis described the death as “a tragic departure of yet another of the core group of people who not only contributed in significant ways to the founding of PNG as an independent and sovereign state, but also continued to contribute to his beloved country for the almost 50 years that followed”.
He said Sir Rabbie was an educated man who was deeply involved in his Tolai society.
He was one of the first graduates of the University of PNG and later earned a Master’s degree from the University of Victoria in Canada.
Momis said Sir Rabbie was always open to new ideas, and worked hard to help change the public service inherited from the Australian colonial government.
“Although he was prime minister at a difficult time for PNG, he was also a great one. He was a true leader, always committed, consultative, inclusive, and truly collegial.”
Momis added that when the Bougainville conflict was emerging as Sir Rabbie took office, he showed a strong commitment to prevent the conflict.
“The conflict did break out in late November 1988 (despite his efforts) but he was committed to resolving it peacefully.”

A visionary business leader: Yates

SIR Rabbie Namaliu was a distinguished statesman and visionary business leader, says Kina Asset Management Ltd (KAML) managing director Syd Yates.
Sir Rabbie, who passed away on Friday, was a founding director and chairman of the investment company.
Yates said Sir Rabbie’s enthusiasm and wisdom had been instrumental in establishing KAML as a strong and proud PNG asset management company, and the first to list on the POMSoX (now the PNGX).
“I had the privilege of working alongside Sir Rabbie in business for many years and know him as a friend, mentor and visionary leader,” Yates said.
“No matter what office he served, he conducted himself with the highest integrity with a focus on the highest standards of governance.
“I observed this throughout his career and he served as a shining light for others in PNG public life.
“Above all, Sir Rabbie was known by his friends, family and people who have worked with him, as a true gentleman and a humble, proud Papua New Guinean.
“He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, colleagues and business and political leaders along with anyone who knew him, throughout PNG and the world,” Yates said.
Sir Rabbie served as the fourth Prime Minister between 1988 and 1992 and Speaker of Parliament between 1994 and 1997.
He served as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade from 1982 to 1984 and he held other ministries, including Primary Industry and Petroleum and Energy since he first entered Parliament in 1982.
Sir Rabbie served as Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister from 2002 to 2006 and Minister for the Treasury from 2006 to 2007.
He left parliament in 2007.
He was chairman of the Public Services Commission from 1976 to 1979.

YWAM mourning Sir Rabbie’s passing

YOUTH with a Mission (YWAM) is mourning the sudden passing of its Papua New Guinean patron, Sir Rabbie Namaliu, who was a former prime minister, it said in a statement yesterday.
Sir Rabbie passed away after a short illness in East New Britain’s Kokopo on Friday.
He served as YWAM Medical Ships programme’s patron in PNG for 11 years, providing invaluable support towards the organisation’s growth and success.
YWAM recently launched its dental trailer programme due to Sir Rabbie’s continuous effort to expand the organisation.
Sir Rabbie also introduced YWAM to the provincial and national governments, securing funding support from Members of Parliament.
The passing of Sir Rabbie will be of great loss to the YWAM as he was the most influential person in the organisation.
His passing is not only a loss to YWAM but also a great loss for his family, the Kokopo community and the nation.

O’Neill remembers Sir Rabbie as humble, hardworking

Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill says Sir Rabbie Namaliu’s countless contributions to the nation in politics, business and in the community combined with his humble way of approaching life will be greatly missed.
“He was one of the great Tolai leaders who became our fourth prime minister. I first met him around 1997 when he became a minister in the Skate government and was immediately aware of his very clever mind and compassion for others,” O’Neill said.
“I, like many of you, also remember the way his face lit up in his trademark smile whenever I saw him. I have always known Sir Rabbie to have been very professional and a hard-working leader who served his people with great distinction.
“Unfortunately, Sir Rabbie retired after General Election 2022.
But he continued to work with Governments as he took on roles in the private sector, particularly in mining and petroleum,” O’Neill added.
“We send our condolences and prayers to Sir Rabbie Namaliu’s family and to the people of East New Britain, especially in Kokopo where he was a Member of Parliament for many years.”