Tsiamalili ready to serve

NEWLY elected Bougainville regional member Peter Tsiamalili Jr says he will take a fresh look to Bougainville and national politics.
Tsiamalili, who was sworn into Parliament yesterday by Speaker Job Pomat, said he represented the aspirations of young men and women from the community.
“Today marks a turn in our political landscape on Bougainville,” he said.
“I, historically, will be changing the guard from old generation to the new.
“I will be the first on the floor of Parliament in the new generation taking this responsibility and it gives hope.
“It encourages and inspires the young men and women to step up and take responsibility.”
Pomat welcomed Tsiamalili, saying it was good to have a young leader with great potential to lead the people of Bougainville.
Tsiamalili said the term for a Parliamentary leader was five years and coming in at the back end would be a big challenge.
He said there would be a lot of expectations on Bougainville but he was focused on representing his people in Parliament over the next 18 months.
“I’m pleased to announce to the people of PNG and at home, for the first time, that I have the endorsement of our leadership on the ground to represent them on the floor of Parliament,” he said.
He said he had contested as an independent candidate and would announce which side of the house he would join in “a few days’ time”.
Tsiamalili, however, reaffirmed his support for Prime Minister James Marape and his Government. “I will ensure that I continue to embrace his (Marape) aspirations to make PNG a strong economically independent nation and at the same time embracing the aspirations of our people on Bougainville,” he said.
Tsiamalili said he played the role of a conduit between the National Government and Autonomous Bougainville Government.
“I play a role where you could almost see me as an ambassador, I represent the entire region’s interest here on the floor of Parliament,” he said.