PNG needs fresh vision to transform

Letters, Normal

IT will be interesting to see how the Opposition pulls off a vote of no-confidence against the Prime Minister.
MPs cannot act unilaterally but only collectively in support of their respective party resolutions whether or not to change Government leadership.
The law against such change has been revised. 
The Organic Law on Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates was designed to disallow “no-confidence” motions to maintain, among other things, political stability. 
In theory, it is to ensure continuity of administration and Parliament so development can be delivered without any disruption.
There were some concerns expressed then and they have now proved that errant governments will govern for five years without being challenged.
PNG laws warrant some adaptation like in other countries to allow impeachment of political leadership.
At present, when coalition parties see their perks or comfort zones being threatened through a change in administration, they will simply vote against a change in leadership. 
This will see PNG continue to be stuck in a predicament until the next election. 
A way out for this must be found somehow.
In a worse case scenario, the Vice-Regal, as head of State, must be empowered by law to democratically change an errant (if highly corrupt and compromised) Government through legislative changes. 
If need be, the Governor-General must immediately dissolve Parliament for early elections rather than prolong the people’s suffering through bad governance.
It is time for some serious and honest thinking to pick the best person to lead PNG after the present Prime Minister leaves politics. 
The people just want the best man or woman for the job. There are always some MPs who are ready in all respects to take the reins of political leadership if given the chance.
We have some good MPs like Deputy Prime Minister Sir Puka Temu and Dame Carol Kidu to mention a few.
They are committed, hard working and diligent and take their parliamentary duties seriously.
This envisaged leadership succession plan may come about before the polls. 
I say this because after the election, a different outcome can be expected for the present coalition as other competing factors come into play in forming future governments. 
Before and after elections, big money politics will certainly dictate final political outcomes.
Elections have, unfortunately, promoted “big-money” politics. 
Winning candidates forget ethics, personal honesty or integrity. 
Here, party insiders see money change hands between special interests and “soon-to-be MPs”.  They unashamedly accept offers they cannot seem to refuse or will themselves buy loose alliances (and compromises) to keep “the glue on different players together” and, hopefully, form governments.
PNG politics, unfortunately, is not for the faint-hearted God-fearing Christians. 
If an aspiring person to a public office refuses to play by the rules of the (special interests) game, all doors will immediately close.
That aspiring candidate will not even get close to the action (where money is being used to seduce leaders and close minders).
That person will be denied access to the inner circles of who is “sleeping with whom in politics and business”. 
This is why political corruption is hard to stop in PNG because the very people voted into public office are part of the process of stealing from the State. 
I strongly believe we can stop corruption if we vote for strong honest leaders with the political will to critically address this issue with the support of all citizens.
This is why successive governments find it an almost impossible task to deal with corruption in general. 
It is an open secret in PNG that many good decent people started out seemingly honest but later became compromised in office. 
They looked the other way when money changed hands behind the scenes with their full knowledge. 
These people are either bought off by special interests or they themselves buy their way into positions of power, privilege and influence.
We can no longer ignore this and what we need is a clear vision and strong leadership to take us to a new level. 
Otherwise, it is only a matter of time before we are brought to our knees.
If things do not change for the better soon, the prolonged social frustrations will push our people over the edge. 
PNG desperately needs a fresh new vision to reform our politics and transform our people and country. 

 

Reginald Renagi
Port Moresby