OTTO Q MORAMA | Balcony Perspectives

I STATED MY POSITION CLEARLY from the outset when political horse trading began. I stated that neither Peter O’Neill nor Belden Namah should be prime minister.

Why? For the simple fact O’Neill has wheeling and dealing at the National Provident Fund and the K40 million Public Service Housing Scheme hanging over his head. The most noble and honourable thing for him to do is to initiate a Commission of Inquiry and clear his name.

On the other hand, I still feel that Namah lacks the character of a mature leader. His outbursts and backlashes in the media lately and his approach to addressing the legislature – judiciary stand-off were acts of a person without restraint.

He needs more time and must be groomed and nurtured by some elder statesman for the top post.

That said, I have now come to understand and appreciate views of some Papua New Guineans as to why they would like to see Namah as prime minister.

Their argument is simple, short and to the point – corruption - the misuse and abuse of office and institutional property for personal gain, through bribery, extortion, cronyism and other means.

If you look at the big fish in the small pond in Alotau, you see that certain wheeling and dealing being undertaken by some of these big fish seems unscrupulous and demands that these leaders must tell the nation the truth behind things.

Look at Cayman Island deals, mysterious K40 million in a Singapore bank account, K40 million public service housing deal, Moti saga, Finance inquiry, Taiwan diplomacy scandal, fugitive Tjoko Tjandra affair and National Provident saga.

You look at all these cases and Namah has a clean slate without any wheeling and dealing or touching public monies.

That is the rationale behind Namah taking a solo stand. Unlike the Japanese invaders of WW2 who launched an unsuccessful assault to capture Port Moresby, will Namah succeed? Even if he does not, will he inflict heavy loss and casualties?

Whether he succeeds or not, the question is beyond the formation of government, going to morals, credibility, character and, most of all, the right motive to be in government.

Even if the whole world abandons me for standing up for righteousness, truth and transparency, I’ll stand knowing my conscience does not tell me otherwise and at the end the world will remember me for being an advocate for what was right.