Lalai proud of role in House

**Sergeant-at-Arms Lalai Vali (left), assistant clerk Ellison Waiut, Deputy Speaker Koni Iguan, deputy clerk Basil Kambuliangen and Clerk Kala Aufa (right). – Nationalpic by HELEN TARAWA.**

By HELEN TARAWA
Lalai Vali, 55, from Imuagoro village in Rigo, Central is the Sergeant-at-Arms at Parliament.
His job is to carry the mace into the chamber at the start of a Parliament session. The mace is the symbol of the Queen’s authority and without it the House cannot meet nor pass laws. It symbolises the authority of the Speaker.
Lalai started as an officer in parliament in 1984. He was appointed the Sergeant-at-Arms in 2003. He took over from Ron Yamuna who resigned to contest the elections.
Lalai attended Vatugoro Primary School from 1973 to 1978, then Kwikila High School from 1979 to 1982. In 2010, he attended the open campus of the University of PNG and the following year enrolled at the main campus.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Business Management degree majoring in public policy management.
He and wife Savaia have five children – four boys and a girl who are all working.
He himself comes from a family of eight. His mother is still alive.
His job is to carry the mace into the chamber to allow Parliament to convene.
“It’s an important symbol representing the Queen. That’s why we have the crown on the mace. I am happy to carry it as the Sergeant-at-Arms, one of the traditional offices in the Commonwealth. I’m so proud and happy when carrying it because it represents the Queen.”
His other important role is to remove any MP if instructed to by the Speaker.

“ The mace is an important symbol representing the Queen. I am happy to carry it as the Sergeant-at-Arms because it represents the Queen.”

“Sometimes when MPs behave in a disorderly manner, we are told by the Speaker to remove them. If the MPs refuse to be removed, the Speaker may suspend Parliament so that the MPs can leave.”
There are two brackets where the mace can be placed.
When Parliament sits to elect a Speaker or when it is in committee, the mace is placed on the lower bracket. When the Speaker is present, it is placed on the top bracket.
“It’s an interesting and challenging role. I also play ceremonial roles and protocol duties. I look after office allocation and sitting arrangements.
“Dignitaries and visitors to Parliament are also my responsibility. I ensure they are taken in to meet with the speaker and the clerk.”
He meets overseas dignitaries who visit Parliament House.
“I liaise with the Foreign Affairs Department to ensure the protocols are in place. It’s quite interesting and I’m so proud that people write to us. We are privileged to look after visitors, students and guests to ensure they obey the rules of the House.
“I’m happy to be here in Parliament and I really love working here. That is why I have been here for a long time. I started when I was 19. Now it’s almost 36 years.”