Practise what you preach

IT is important that our leaders have and operate with principles, values and beliefs.
But the consistency of words and deeds is fundamental if they are to be believed and trusted.
Our people have become wary of politicians who preach morals, principles and religion but then fail conspicuously to live what they claim to believe.
In a couple of his public appearances recently, Prime Minister James Marape focused on his faith and beliefs – seeing taking the pulpit to preach the Gospel – but his declarations on human dignity at these events sit at odds with his own behaviour.
At the community development centre opening in Imbonggu, Southern Highlands, last week he described Ialibu-Pangia and Imbonggu as the oasis of peace and some peaceful places left in the Highlands.
Yet, he brought in an additional police units based in Chimbu’s Kundiawa to provide extra man and fire power and to beef up strength of his usual close protection officers.
Why did he do that?
Imbonggu and Ialibu are not like his own stone-throwing and violence prone Tari-Pori.
Papua New Guinea still remember the stones thrown at the father of the nation, the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, in Tari.
They will remember the disrespectful acts shown to Sir Michael.
Marape further declared that Ialibu-Pangia and Imbonggu act to morally enhance the peace of others, which ultimately serves to enhance their own peace and peaceful coexistence. In a way, he acknowledged the leadership for the fact that society rises and falls on the kind of leader.
Subsequently, meaning the leaders of Ialibu-Pangia and Imbonggu are better than his own violence prone Tari Pori.

David Lepi