Democracy is being swept under the carpet
15 May 2010
PNG democracy proudly
raised its head with peaceful public demonstrations against the so-called Maladina
Amendment, which will gut the corruption-fighting capacity of the Ombudsman
Commission.
The big issue now is whether this justifiable and intelligently executed public activity will achieve any lasting effect.
Clearly it is the intention of prime minister Somare to sit tight, tough things out and wait until the storm passes by.
Sir Michael has claimed that, since parliament has already passed the Maladina Amendment, it is too late to listen to the will of the people.
Of course, as he should know, in a democracy it is never too late to embrace the people’s will.
As in many other cases of scandal and political bastardry in PNG in recent years, the prime minister is depending on noisy talk being followed by apathy and inaction: a pattern that allows him to continue uncontested rule.
So the burning question is whether the Somare government will be allowed to get away with it again.
Opponents of this base government need to understand that the only approach likely to yield positive results is a continuing, consistent and well orchestrated campaign that keeps up the pressure.
Unfortunately the PNG Opposition, whose job it is to maintain a continuing articulation of a better alternative, seems to operate only in fits and starts.
In truth, unresolved issues never go away; but they can lie dormant for a long time while much collateral damage is incurred.
If pressure eases following the recent public demonstrations and petitions, it will be easy for Somare to again sweep the Maladina matter under the carpet.
But the damage will continue.
As head and boss of the State, Sir Michael Somare has yet to make his public stand clear on whether he is against or for the so-called Maladina Amendment.
Up to now, there is no clear statement on his stand being made known to the people of PNG, but we infer that he is accepting the Amendment just by observing his actions and responses on the issue.
One recent and shocking action was the sacjing from office of the country’s legal head, Justice Minister and Attorney-General of PNG, Dr Allan Marat.
Dr Marat was sacked for opposing the Amendment by making the statement, “Maladina is lying", and speaking against the LNG deal regarding employment opportunities for the local Papua New Guineans. He also made a statement relating to the Ramu Nickel Project and the environment, health the safety of the people of that area.
As far as we, the people of PNG, know, those issues raised by Dr Marat are in the best interests of the common people and the silent majority who do not express themselves. We thank Dr Marat for taking a bold stand on these issues.
We know such actions are rare in a country like PNG, which is rooted with corruption. Dr Marat really came out for the good of the nation and it cost him his job. We believe God will comfort him and take him to higher altitudes and experience new things in his career.
The action taken by Sir Michael really hurts the people of East New Britain and the rest of PNG. Though he never made his stand clear, we know from his sweeping and shocking actions that he is opposing anyone who is against the Amendment.
This puts fear amongst government MPs preventing them from exercising their democratic rights on such issues. If they are conscious about the nation and its future, they would come out like Dr Marat did.
The voice of PNG was raised a couple of weeks ago through guided and controlled demonstrations exercising democratic rights as per the Constitution.
Although the Amendment is already part of the Constitution, in a democracy it is never too late to embrace the people’s will. People have every right to oppose the Amendment even after it is passed. This country is for the people and not for particular individuals.
So called MPs, Ministers, PM and Opposition must stop, breathe and think twice before making a decision that may affect the lives of the majority that they represent.
The people are sick and tired of so called numbers game and the sweeping decisions of the Parliament. Too many times the democratic voices of poor Papua New Guineans have never been heard when it comes to decision making.
Posted by: Joe Wasia | 16 May 2010 at 04:16 PM