Pok: Stability, loyalty key

By MICHAEL PHILIP
ANY political party can run the next government with confidence if stability and loyalty are practised, an official says.
Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates Commission (IPPCC) acting registrar Emmanuel Pok said the formation of the next government depended entirely on candidates’ behaviour and movement during the elections.
“We want candidates to remain loyal and stable,” he said.
“It’s a must they stick to their political party and avoid influential trends to join other parties.
“Loyalty shown to any political party will reduce a high level of political instability.
“Once you become a member of a party, you stick to that party.
“The trend of politics has change and leaders lack loyalty to their party.”
Pok said despite differences between ordinary people and leaders who are members of political parties, the shift in alliance by ordinary people did not affect the prominence of a political party.
He said it was the leaders who affected the prominence of a political party when they shifted alliances.
“In PNG, it’s a numbers game,” he said.
“The number of parties goes up and down is because there is no loyalty shown by the leaders and they are the ones who will determine the next formation of government.”
Pok said their serious concern was to see people forming parties with good intentions to contest the election and after election stay committed to the party and build the party into institutions.
“You form the party, you register the party and you stay with the party,” he said.
“Whether the party wins a seat or not, you must be there because that’s your job.”

PNG Defence Force to have new landing craft: Goina

THE Papua New Guinea Defence Force is expecting to receive its fourth ship – a landing craft – today.
Commander Major-General Mark Goina said they had three ships currently patrolling the Papua New Guinea waters and the landing craft would be used to carry cargo.
“Sea borders are also important and it is part of our job as the custodians of the country to ensure that our sea borders are protected at all times,” he said.
“Even during the election period, the three ships and the new one, will carry out normal operations and assist with election security wherever or whenever the need arises.”
Meanwhile, Goina said that all defence teams engaged under the Joint Security Task Force would be deployed two weeks before polling started.
“Only for the hotspot areas, we have teams on the ground to assist police in creating a safe environment for nomination,” he said.
“But the full operation will begin during the polling period.
“I appeal to the people, the candidates, their supporters and the voters to work in partnership with my men during the election period, take ownership of it and let us work together to deliver a safe, free and fair election.”
PNGDF troops are currently based in Western Highlands, Enga, Southern Highlands and Hela to provide support to police for the nomination period.

Respect party policies: Basil

THE United Labour Party (ULP) Morobe branch has dedicated its nine intending candidates during a service at the Gwem Lutheran Parish in Buang, Bulolo.
Head pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of PNG, Buang Circuit, Yambitung Yasasa, urged the candidates to be true servants
of the people by upholding Christian values in leadership and
commit to delivering the policies of ULP.
Party leader and Bulolo MP Sam Basil said ULP would not be contesting the Lae and Finschhafen open electorates as a token of appreciation and respect to their coalition partner – Pangu Pati.
Basil urged all ULP endorsed candidates to honour the policies of the party when they were voted in.
“All ULP endorsed candidates will campaign on party policies and be practical in telling the people how policies of ULP can translate into improving the current circumstances in the infrastructural, economic and social services sector of the urban and rural communities in the country,” he said.

Former politician urges candidates to revisit Constitution

By YVONNE KAMBIBEL
PAPUA New Guinea’s first brigadier-general and former politician Ted Diro has urged all those contesting in the general election to revisit the Constitution.
Diro, who was a member of the People’s Action Party (PAP), said changes and adjustments should be made in accordance to the Constitution.
He said “there are no bad countries, only rogue politicians”.
Speaking during a recent launching of the “Future of PNG Party” in Port Moresby, he urged all new candidates to visit or revisit the Constitution.
Diro said that would help them find that historical connectivity to enable them to serve in the best interests of the people.
“If you are not able to take risks or spend your own money, then you are not worthy in politics,” he said.
Diro, who has been out of politics for 17 years, also spoke about the new party policies.
He said party policies were people-centered and was similar to those of PAP of which he was still a member.
“I’m impressed just learning about how the party executives plan to implement their policies should one of their candidates get elected into Parliament,” he said.
Diro said it was time new leaders of the nation focused on reform, restructure and revival and to achieve those on all levels, they first needed to revisit the Constitution to help guide their way.
He also spoke about good leadership qualities and some of the key policies that leaders needed to implement once they were elected into Parliament.