Kaupa tells: Why I switched sides

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
Housing Minister John Kaupa says he made a tough decision to join the Social Democratic Party to enable his people to benefit from the Government.
“I had to leave the National Party and the leader Honorable Kerenga Kua to join the coalition in the Alotau camp,” he said.
“Of course, it didn’t go down well with my voters. But then I have already got their votes and have to make a tough decision as their mandated leader.
“Some of my diehard supporters were not happy of my decision. They scolded me, saying that I won under Kua and why did I switch.
“Criticisms were coming from everywhere. But then I had to make a staunch decision. Because campaigning and polling had finished. I had already got the mandate. So I had to stand up and talk like a leader. I decided to join the SDP and join the government. I made this hard decision so that my political career can be safe and I can return after the 2022 national elections.”
Kaupa, is also the Moresby North-East MP.
“Out of the 50 (party) candidates, I was the lucky one. After winning, I was just thinking and assessing the intense political lobbying that was going on. Parties were going in to camps in Kokopo and Alotau. My National Party that was heading to Kokopo was not doing well in the elections. I can’t become a back -encher for another five years. I had struggled for 20 years to contest elections. While I was making my own assessment, I was also getting political advice from genuine political advisers. And I was also thinking of my political career.
“Because my electorate is in the heart of the city where people all over PNG reside in, I had to think how best I can serve them.”