Student leader criticises removal of carvings
The National, Friday January 3rd, 2013
A STUDENT leader says the Speaker should not have removed the traditional carvings and totem poles from the Parliament.
University of Papua New Guinea Enga Student Association president Chris Kipalan said there was no logic in removing the carvings and totem poles.
“PNG is one of the unique countries in the world with more than 800 languages and a thousand cultures,” he said.
“PNG is diverse yet God united us to be a country. We must be proud of that and the Parliament House is an icon of national unity and solidarity.”
Kipalan, a grandson of former Wabag MP and Lands Minister Sir Albert Kipalan, said it was an act of vandalism.
“The carvings and totem poles and other traditional decorations and materials in the Parliament are the country’s pride,” he said.
“The devil cannot make them come into life. Evil is everywhere. Evil is not only found and influenced in Parliament.”
Kipalan said it was the responsibility of individuals to make the right choices either to follow God or listen to Satan.
“The Holy Spirit of the Lord strengthens and lives within us to help us make godly decisions and not the influence of carvings and totem poles,” Kipalan said.