Prime minister and Sir Julius clash over governance issues

PRIME Minister James Marape and New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan have clashed over the current state of affairs and leadership of the country as Parliament prepares to sit this month.
Sir Julius, on Thursday, called for a change in Government when Parliament resumes on May 28, during which a motion for a vote of no confidence is expected to be moved.
Marape said Sir Julius, a former prime minister, should know that motions of no confidence had been disrupting national development since 1980.
He said Sir Julius was the one of those who moved the first motion of no confidence against the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, which started a chain reaction.
“Our country is littered with the sad legacy of numerous votes of no confidence, many of them totally unnecessary and which have held the country to ransom, since Sir Julius changed Sir Michael back in 1980,” Marape said.
“Sir Julius was there for only two years, as in 1982, Sir Michael came back into power after the general election. Sir Julius, perhaps, can enlighten us on how much a prime minister can do in one or two years.”
Marape said Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines had shown significant progress because of sustained political stability.
“Papua New Guinea experienced notable advancements during Sir Michael’s nine-year tenure. But its potential for further development was hindered by the constitutional crisis of 2011.”
But Sir Julius said a vote of no confidence was part of the country’s democratic system of “checks and balance that allows leaders to weed out incompetent and mismanaged governments like that led by Marape”.

“Leaders must secure confidence in our words and actions to deliver what we promise.
“A vote of no confidence is an integral part and procedure of a democratic Parliament.
“I have explained my position and my rights to exercise my constitutional rights and opinion. I leave the rest to the public to decide,” Sir Julius said.
Marape said he would present a report on his achievements since taking office in May 2019 when parliament resumed.