Miriam says thank you

By LULU MARK
EVERYONE that contested in the election should work with the elected leaders and support them to bring about the change that they have advocated for, Mriam Kias says.
Miriam was one of three women that contested for the Kainantu Open seat in Eastern Highlands. She finished 17th out of 53 candidates.
The other two women were Rhoda Mati Eliab and Lyneth Nenio and they were among the 143 women that contested in the National General Election throughout Papua New Guinea of which only two won; Rufina Peter won the Central Regional and Kessy Sawang the Rai Coast Open seat in Madang.
The decision to contest in this year’s election was not one that Miriam made lightly, but one that took her a bit of time and soul searching to make.
“Change was needed, not for our sake but for our future, our children and the future generations to come,” she said.
“We are obligated as parents to provide the best possible opportunities to our children to enable them to become better men and women than we were.”
Seeing the struggles her people in Kainantu face and the state the district and PNG was in, Miriam dreaded what the future held for the children hence the decision was reached to run. A lawyer with 20 years of experience in the public service sector, this was her first time to contest.
As a first timer in the political arena she did well in the male-dominated race and learnt a lot about Kainantu and the people and now she stands ready to work with the MP for Kainantu William Hagahuno and help the district wherever she can.
“The experience has been eye-opening and has given me the opportunity to see and experience my district. I have been able to witness and assess the level of neglect as well as the opportunities that remain untapped.
“Four to six weeks to campaign and reach every corner of Kainantu was extremely challenging. I could not say I covered it all.
“I could go on, but what saddens me is that our voters remain oblivious/ignorant to what to expect and at minimum demand for in a member elect. Coupled with that the limited understanding, the fibre of our democracy is threatened from within.
“Furthermore, the process and system that is expected to be an expression of our democracy is broken if not very weak, and must be given critical attention by those now elected.
“I will be more than happy to work with the government of the day, the Eastern Highlands Provincial Government and the member for Kainantu to improve the service delivery channels for our people in a different capacity.
Miriam encouraged other candidates who also journeyed in this election in Kainantu to do the same.
“If we join hands we can be the catalyst for change and make a difference,” she said.
Kias thanked her family, community, supporters, friends and colleagues that have stood with her in the journey.
“I want to express my sincere heartfelt gratitude and deepest thanks to a long list of people and communities who have supported me and accompanied me on this trail.
“This list is inclusive and not limited to; my children, my three base hauslain (villages), my campaign coordinators, my scrutineers, my supporters and voters (those who voted and those who could not vote), the Kias family, the Javati family, Stanley and Nancy Kono, my soul sisters, my church family and pastors, my friends and professional family, and the various individuals and business houses who have shown support in kind one way or another.
“Thank you all for sharing and making the effort and journey real for me. I wouldn’t have done it without each of you.
“We did not achieve the desired outcome but one thing is certain; the intention is now clear, we have launched out and set course to be that option and light for the people of Kainantu.
“We will continue to shine, albeit now without the people’s mandate, but certainly with heart, there is a lot that can be done.
“God bless Papua New Guinea and God bless my beloved Kainantu,” she said.
Miriam’s passion was always about serving the country and the people which saw her working as a government lawyer with the Department of Justice and Attorney General (DJAG) since 2003.
At the time she resigned from the public service to contest she was the Deputy Secretary for Legal and Policy Division at the DJAG.
Miriam truly believes that Kainantu, being located at a strategic position along the Highlands Highway, has a lot to offer and contribute to the development of PNG and needs the right person at the helm.