PPP picks doctor for Chimbu by-election

By ZACHERY PER
THE People’s Progress Party has already set its eyes in the highlands region to make an impact in next year’s general election.
It has started by endorsing former chief executive officer of the Kundiawa General Hospital, Dr John Tonar, as its candidate for the Kundiawa-Gembogl by-election.
Party leader Sir Julius Chan said the highlands region was once a strong base for the party where it had ties with the PNG National Party and had helped to make the late firebrand politician Sir Iambakey Okuk become deputy prime minister.
He said in addition, the PPP had formed a coalition government with the People’s Democratic Party to make Paias Wingti become the first highlander prime minister.
In a bid to revive the party in the highlands region, Sir Julius has endorsed Tonar to run for the vacant Kundiawa-Gembogl seat.
“I am a serious contender under the PPP banner, if I win the by-election I will go into the 2012 election as the PPP leader for the highlands,” Tonar said.
He said PPP was one of the strong political parties that made many highlands politicians realise their dreams.
Tonar expressed confidence PPP “will deliver a good vibrant government after 2012 election because the government is in total disarray and gripped by infighting among the ruling National Alliance Party for leadership”.
On the by-election, Tonar said he had great respect for the late Joe Mek Teine and had spent a lot of time with him.
“Despite this we have to get the best man to the seat to make sure the people get maximum benefits and services,” he said.
One of the two female candidates, Susan Dua Dingi is contesting the by-election to bail out women from being suppressed by men.
She said women and children had suffered in silence from the polygamous life, drunkedness, greed and stubbornness of husbands and fathers.
Dingi said if she won she would establish a safe-house for abused and traumatised mothers and children to get counselling and help.
One of her immediate priorities is to rehabilitate the Kundiawa-Gembogl road to help vegetable farmers in Gembogl to get their produce out.
“Due to bad road condition, fresh garden produce is left stuck and the PMV fare has gone up from K10 to K30 now,” she said.
Dingi wants to complete all development projects that late Mek Teine has left.
She also plans to expand the Kundiawa town boundaries as it is overpopulated and exerting a lot of pressure on limited services.