Questions for MPs, voters

AS we approach another national election, there are important questions aspiring MPs and voters need to ask themselves before polling day.
The performance of MPs and expectations of voters in the past clearly show that neither is aware of what is expected of them.
Such ignorance has resulted in MPs not fully functioning as expected, and voters not fully holding their members accountable for their decisions.
Parliamentarians have been seen to take over the work of public servants in their electorates. And in doing so have neglected their primary role.
When members of their electorates or the media feel that an elected leader is underperforming and begins to question him or her, MPs often go on the defensive.
Such was the case when The National published news articles and an editorial comment on the state of infrastructure in one of the National Capital District electorates.
In our mind, the said articles raised rational and genuine questions about what the MP was doing, if anything, about the poor state of the roads in his electorate.
However the articles, we are told, had offended the MP so much that he instructed his lawyers to write to us with a threat to sue for defamation.
What we considered legitimate questions were, according to his lawyers, “damaging to our client’s political support within his own electorate since the 2017 elections are fast approaching”.
They go on to argue that the newspaper had singled out the MP where there were others and their electorates to write about. They even suggested that there were other matters that should have made the news.
The National is generally open to criticism and will willingly acknowledge any erroneous publication that would harm the character and standing of any individual or organisation. But in the case of MPs, there is obviously an exception in that by the very nature of their office, they are subject to public scrutiny and should therefore expect that.
We urge MPs and their voters to ponder on a few pertinent questions as the election approaches:
Do MPs understand their roles and responsibilities? Are they prepared for the sacrifices and do they have the commitment to serve as expected of them?
If the MPs or would-be MPs know what those roles and responsibilities are, how do they intend to carry them out?
Do they understand that they must not only serve their constituents but the country as a whole?
Who are the MPs accountable to – their constituents, supporters or the nation at large? Are MPs beyond criticism?
What do the public expect from an MP? How do we determine if an MP has done a good job?
Having clear answers to the above and other related questions, the voter can be able to make a rational choice in the forthcoming general election.
The treatment given by the PNG media to MPs and other public office holders in this country cannot be compared to what is happening elsewhere around the world.
In the western world particularly, a very active and inquisitive mass media has been responsible for the demise of many political careers.
Leaders in places like the United Kingdom and Australia have simply stood down because their credibility had been called into question.
In contrast, PNG politicians who may be guilty of similar or worse misdeeds, would brazenly hold onto power and would rather the courts of the land prove their guilt.
Perhaps, instead of exposing and shaming MPs, the PNG media has generally shied away from delving too deeply into their conduct. This may have created a veneer of uprightness and accountability.
Changing times call for leaders who have the moral fortitude and are not easily offended when the public questions them.
The issues we raised in the supposedly offending editorial and news articles were, to our judgment, fair questions for the MP concerned.
Contrary to what his lawyers have stated, there has never been any political agenda, or intention to defame the leader.
In fact, in this election time, queries and criticisms relating to the performance of MPs need to be raised to provide a fair opportunity for voters to make their choice for the next crop of parliamentarians.
Those who become MPs must understand fully what their responsibilities are and perform to the expectations of their constituents and the nation at large.