Marat accepts loss, will back MP-elect

The National Main Stories

By MICHAEL PHILIP
LAWYER-TURNED-POLITICIAN Dr Allan Marat says he has got nothing to worry about in accepting defeat and is looking forward to continue his profession in the legal fraternity.
“Election is a race. Whoever wins, wins, that is the people’s choice, so let it be,” he said after he lost his bid for a fifth term in Parliament as Rabaul MP.
Marat, though losing by only three votes to Pangu Pati’s Graham Piniau, accepted defeat without making any fuss on Tuesday.
This is a rare gem of a role-model politician, unlike the majority who resorted to violence and bullying to get political power at any cost.
Marat polled 5,189 votes, three short of Piniau’s 5,192.
The electoral battle in Rabaul was waged by nine candidates.
Marat, leader of the Melanesian Liberal Party, said: “I admit, General Election 2022 was a tough one compared with previous elections in the past 20 years. It is the people’s choice and not ours, so accept it.
“It is a good one and I congratulate Graham Piniau Rumet for winning the race and a good contest so far.”
Marat told The National that as an experienced politician in the district and province, he respected the people’s choice and “I will support him on matters of Rabaul’s development”.
“Losing the Rabaul seat does not mean my contributions to the development of my district ends,” he said.
“I will always be here to support and back the sitting MP.
“The relationship here is not about who wins and who loses but to be supportive.”
Marat also thanked the other candidates, supporters and scrutineers of all candidates for a successful election and wished Rumet all the best in his debut year in the 11th Parliament.
Meanwhile, Rumet also thanked Marat for his leadership over the last 20 years and pledged to continue the work left by Marat in the next five years.

O’Neill thanks people for their confidence in his leadership

By PETER WARI
RE-ELECTED Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neil yesterday thanked the people of the Southern Highlands electorate for continuing to have confidence in his leadership.
He became first candidate in Southern Highlands to be declared a winner at the Momei Oval in Mendi. He polled 45,109 votes, or 62.6 per cent of the total number of the votes for the electorate.
The runner-up was Pangu Pati candidate Stanley Liria who had 13,909, followed by ndependent candidate Sam Wange with 5,906.
Counting which started on Sunday afternoon was completed on Wednesday.
“I am thankful to the people of Ialibu-Pangia for having the trust in me. They never lost hope and faith in me,” O’Neill said
“It is the people who gave us (MPs) the mandate and we must respect (that) and deliver services they deserve. I will bring development to them.
“They deserve it.”
He said some MPs who stole the people’s money thus disrespecting them and lost their seats.
“This election was peaceful. People exercised their rights and this is the turning point for this province to move forward after learning from the past mistakes,” he said.
O’Neill remained confident that his party would form the next government in Mendi.

Providing security … Policemen and soldiers providing security at the Momei Oval where the counting of votes for all electorates in Southern Highlands are being held. Counting officials for the Nipa-Kutubu and Mendi-Munihu electorates were question by candidates and supporters on Tuesday and yesterday when their names were called to enter the counting venue. Two candidates for Nipa-Kutubu prevented officials from entering the counting venue and called for a proper selection to be approved by the candidates. – Nationalpic by PETER WARI