Tomuriesa outlines traits of an ideal PM

LEADER of Government Business Douglas Tomuriesa says one has to have a top-level understanding of economics, governance, diplomacy and, more than anything, understand the priorities of the people to be the prime minister to lead the government.
Tomuriesa said there had been a lot of commentary in the media and sensationalism on social media about the next Parliament sitting.
“Let’s put this all into perspective,” he said in a statement yesterday.
“There are 24 members of the Opposition, and James Marape’s (Tari Pori MP) group of four independents who do not know where they sit.
“Sir Peter Ipatas (Enga Governor) confirmed at his news conference last week that he and the People’s Party are with the Government.
“Sir Peter and Davis Steven (Esa’ala MP) left PNC to re-join the People’s Party, as had been agreed with the prime minister before the election.
“Marape and three others have resigned from PNC as part of a misjudged power play, and their resignations have been accepted. They will not be at any future PNC caucus as they are no longer part of PNC.
“Marape is also making all sorts of claims about the Finance Department, but until two weeks ago he was the Finance Minister. Is he saying that he had no control over his own ministry? That is a question that he needs to answer.
“If he could not properly run his department, how could he ever aspire to higher office?
“Inexperience has led James Marape down this path and I think he realises he has seriously miscalculated.
“The facts of the matter are that the governance of this nation is not a game, it is not a TV show where you can wake up in the morning and decide you have the numbers to change the government.
“I have not heard any of the Opposition talk about education, healthcare, infrastructure delivery or pressing issues such as the Bougainville referendum and the empowerment of provinces and districts. All they are talking about is personal power grabs and are being exposed as selfish and greedy individuals looking only at their own self-interest.
“Belden Namah, as an example, has threatened news media, saying if he was in government they had better watch out.
“This is one of the most anti-democratic statements I have ever heard from a politician. This is the same person who stormed the Supreme Court, which was an attack on the independence of our judiciary.
“So in summary, we are seeing a minority of members grabbing for power, with no alternate policies and questionable character and capabilities to lead.
“The behaviour of James Marape is like Ben Micah in 2016 when he made a similar attempt to grab power, and he and his few supporters later realised they had made the biggest mistake of their careers.
“There is a reason why there has not been a successful vote of no confidence in a quarter of a century, and that is because our people are not interested in personal power grabs.
“They want strong and sensible leadership and political stability.”