Somare faction is power-hungry

THE recent political stalemate is an illustration of power hungry politicians who have no regard for the country and its 6 million people.
It is obvious that those at the forefront of the power struggle were out to get their hands on the government purse to fund their campaign in the upcoming 2012 national elections.
First and foremost the people of PNG should know that Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare did not come to the Supreme Court with clean hands and, therefore, despite the 2-3 Supreme Court decision, the people are still skeptical about his purported reinstatement.
Yes!  The Constitution is supreme but how many times did the Somare regime break the laws of our country just to whet their political egos? 
After the court decision Somare appointed Fred Yakasa as acting Commissioner purposely to use the police to unfasten Peter O’Neill and Belden Namah’s grip on all government assets.
That appointment was hastily done without fulfilling all necessary Public Service requirements and since then Yakasa has been using the media in a desperate bid to stake his claim on the Commissioner’s post.
Policemen and policewomen are not naïve or dumb and they will not allow themselves to be manipulated by self-centered glory seeking individuals.
The position of police commissioner is currently occupied by Tom Kulunga and all the rank and file are receiving orders from Kulunga.
Kulunga will remain commissioner until the government that is in control of all state assets is removed from power in the 2012 election.
While the political impasse seemed to have subsided with the O’Neill-Namah government virtually in control of all state agencies, it seems Yakasa has opted to fight Somare’s battle singlehandedly.
By taking the matter to court, Yakasa is causing unnecessary hurdles for the Kulunga administration who are trying their utmost best to concentrate on preparations for the upcoming election.
Yakasa should be happy because when his acting appointment as Deputy Commissioner was revoked by NEC, he reverted to his substantive rank as Chief Superintendent but being a wise and fair man, Kulunga rewarded him by appointing him as acting assistant Commissioner for the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
Yakasa is over-ambitious. He wants the commissioner’s job and openly defied police protocol, rank and chain of command when he unlawfully ordered members of the now disbanded Armed Robbery Response Unit to seize government house on Dec 12.
 Yakasa’s actions clearly amount to insubordination and mutiny.
By taking Kulunga to court, Yakasa has demonstrated that he is desperate and will do everything under the sun to wrestle the job from Kulunga.
Yakasa should not attempt to cause confusion and anxiety in the hearts and minds of policemen and policewomen by releasing news articles under the pretext of acting Commissioner because by doing so his actions also amount to contempt of court.
 Yakasa is not in control of the police force and is using the media in a desperate attempt to draw people’s attention for his own ambition and ego.
 His actions are also detrimental to the well being of the Royal PNG Constabulary because it has the potential of stirring confusion, anxiety, or worse, disaffection within the organisation.

Concerned observer, Lae