Petition was example of democracy at work
05 May 2010
FIVE THOUSAND people
peacefully demonstrated against the Maladina Amendment in
While this is a very important step in fighting corruption, it is an equally important time for PNG democracy. The organisers of the demonstration should be congratulated.
It will now be very interesting to see what happens in the Haus Tamberan.
And will the people in rural areas now become involved and equally energised? Is this enough to get the attention of the majority of PNG politicians so that they might start thinking about the results of their own actions and not just about themselves?
What yesterday does prove is that PNG can organise a law abiding, peaceful demonstration. Police Commissioner Baki should take note and assist this type of activity in the future.
Perhaps he should also take note of how many people want 'someone' to actually do 'something' about the recommendations for police investigations from PNG's judiciary and the PNG Ombudsman.
Finally, why was it the Opposition Leader accepted the petition and not the government? Could it be that for once government ministers and members were a tad apprehensive of being seen?
Reg, you need someone who understands that politicians are "only human", with all their foibles and weaknesses.
They might be good people in the eyes of many but one musn't be overwhelmed by all the "Sir" titles. They are still just frail human beings.
The leader of the opposition doesn't need "strategies", he just needs to keep a watchful eye on the weaknesses of his opposing number and highlight these weakneses to the public and show how they are badly affecting his governance and the state of the nation.
Julius Chan seems to remind Somare of his weaknesses whenever he has a chance. Somare should have been out there to accept the petition from the people. He shouldn't just snub them.
Let's face it - 83 men voted to try to control the Ombudsman from watching them to see if they were doing anything corrupt.
Oh, for 83 strong minded PNG women to speak out on what needs to be done to stop the rot of corruption throughout PNG today!
Posted by: Barbara Short | 06 May 2010 at 09:14 AM
I agree with both Paul and Barbara. The PM and government have lost the plot and, oh yes, we do need a good opposition.
The opposition is small in numbers but could well put in practice some good strategies to be effective in putting the government on its toes with every parliament session.
It requires good foresight, planning and execution of what it needs to put before the government, parliament and the nation.
The first essential function of the party is to prepare itself for the day when (it hopes) it will become the government. The second job is to keep the government, its policies and activities under keen and constant critical scrutiny.
Sir Mek better come up with some effective strategies he has up his sleeve now that he is in the limelight with the recent turn of events in PNG. Strike the PM and government while the iron is hot, Sir Mek!
Posted by: Reginald Renagi | 06 May 2010 at 08:34 AM
In Australia you can't change the Constitution without a referendum of the people. Surely that rule applies in PNG too.
Someone needs to remind Somare of that!
He's all bluff. He didn't write the Constitution and he knows it!
Oh, for a good Opposition!
Posted by: Barbara Short | 06 May 2010 at 08:04 AM
PNG's PM claims he wrote his country's Constitution and therefore has the right to amend it.
In a clear statement of indignation at yesterday's public demonstration,
PNG's Prime Minister, Michael Somare has expressed his contempt for any other view but his own.
In an article in a PNG newspaper, the PM is quoted as saying: "I wrote the constitution. My name is Michael Thomas Somare. We are legislators. If we find the Constitution is not right, we must change it.
"Some people on the streets are claiming they are representing the people. Who mandated them? My people elected me. If people are not happy, they can exercise that right during elections.
"The Ombudsman Commission, who elected you? CCAC or CSCC or whatever, who elected you? The media, nobody elected them."
He said the 83 votes represent 83% representing the people voted for the Maladina Amendment.
Rather than accepting a genuine concern for a democratic view being expressed by many PNG people, Somare has revealed his true feelings for his country and his people.
Surely these statements indicate that he has in fact lost the plot. He is supposed to be representing the people, not telling them what they must have.
Is there no one who can supply a reality check on this apparently out of control megalomania?
Posted by: Paul Oates | 05 May 2010 at 06:53 PM
Yesterday the streets of Port Moresby were fairly empty as a peaceful public protest march to parliament took place. This has resulted in the Maladina Bill being deffered to the July sitting to re-debate it again with some of the controversial provisions amended to take in the public's concerns.
As the house sitting was also in progress, the PM was very livid at the turn of events as he accused the Opposition of misleading the public over this controversial bill.
The Opposition Leader, Sir Mek and his small band of opposition members were readily available at the front entrance of parliament to receive a petition from the march leaders. As a result, Sir Mek is now in the lime-light as it would normally be the House Speaker to accept any public petitions at parliament.
The PM and government MPs dare not show their faces to the angry marchers outside the front entrance to the sepik man's 'spirit' house for obvious reasons. They are now peceived as the bad guys.
Sir Mek who has been unkindly dubbed as a hypocrite with his other opposition party MPs are now seen being more responsible MPs. They are now concerned and are prepared to review their earlier stance to address the public's concerns at this point in time. So it's a plus for both the opposition and civil society groups.
Posted by: Reginald Renagi | 05 May 2010 at 10:55 AM