Are Trumpian winds of political change stirring in PNG?
08 May 2017
BUSA JEREMIAH WENOGO
LAST year, as part of an article on the 2017 Papua New Guinean general election, I was asked by the writer if there was likely to be a movement in PNG similar to what happened with the election of Donald Trump as United States’ president or the United Kingdom Brexit shock.
Certainly Trumpism took the world by storm. We read of the downfall of “the establishment” as a result of dissatisfaction among the populous about unfulfilled promises and lack of empathy to issues affecting them.
My immediate response to the question was that such a movement is highly unlikely in PNG due to the bulk of the voting population being located in remote parts of the country and being starved of the information required to make informed decisions.
I contended that the 2017 general election will be like any other, with the outcome primarily driven by ‘lamb flaps’ politics and personality more than party politics.
I based this view on the premise that until education and literacy levels in PNG significantly improve, general elections will be dominated by bribery and tribal or wantok politics.
But I did mention that last year’s unrest and shootings at the University of PNG had the potential to bring about the demise of the ruling People’s National Congress.
Now, as I look back on what has unfolded in PNG since the issue of writs, I wonder if I was wrong.
Stories of voters attacking sitting parliamentarians with some going to the extent of preventing their nomination makes me wonder if the writing is on the wall, that there is a Trumpist-like movement brewing in PNG.
Such a development may have been unthinkable in previous elections but that there is evidence of overt dissatisfaction with the political class should make parliamentarians, candidates and the so-called elites sit up and take notice.
These are signs that show that people are frustrated over lack of service delivery and continuing rampant corruption that is crippling the nation. Politicians should see this as a sign of an awakening consciousness that deception and injustice are intolerable.
If these indeed are signs of what is yet to come, then we could be in for a shock election.
Donald Trump rose to power defying the odds. He defied disbelief within his own political party as well as the Democratic Party, media and the establishment. He found favour among disgruntled, marginalised voters who catapulted him into the highest office of the land and most powerful position in the world.
If there is one thing PNG needs it is a change in the way the people of this country have approached general elections since independence in 1975. We also need a change in the attitudes of our elected leaders.
The people of this country have been suffering in silence for too long, time and again placing their trust and hopes in individuals who care more about building their own personal empire at the expense of teir people.
The wind of Trumpism is certainly blowing and it seems just a matter of time before its presence is felt in our nation. If not in this election, then the next.
Yes Paul, it will be worth waiting and we also hope for the best.
Posted by: John K Kamasua | 08 May 2017 at 01:04 PM
The attitude of voters in this national general election is certainly changing. Slowly, surely and obviously.
Posted by: John K Kamasua | 08 May 2017 at 11:03 AM
If indeed the winds of change are blowing the results could well be very interesting. The cumulative efforts of social media may well be having an effect.
Since there are no national polls being quoted at the moment or even realistically possible, maybe the word has finally got around via the mobile phone?
In PNG terms, politeness could well be causing the lack of active argument on the hustings while those who will cast their vote have done some deep thinking.
If there is really a groundswell building, any leadership of this movement after the election hopefully might well change the direction of PNG politics. We 'outsiiders' are holding our collective breath and hoping for the best.
Posted by: Paul Oates | 08 May 2017 at 09:44 AM
I was in Kandep during nomination week and there was not much fanfare. Only lawyer Alfred Manase staged a very big rally when he nominated. He is planning another to receive Peter O'Neill whose PNC party has endorsed him to challenge Don Polye.
O'Neill recently went to Sirunki in Laiagam to campaign there but a majority of people refused him to speak on the grandstand prepared for him.
The PM 'escaped' to the Sirunki Lodge and said whatever he had to say there and then left in a hurry.
Many parts of the province is quiet. Candidates seem to have gone underground - campaigning from house to house perhaps. Only Wabag town has seen some open campaigning but not intense.
Nobody has even challenged the government or the sitting MPs yet.
Candidates appear very careful, choosing their words well and not disturbing each other's rallies like in the past.
People seem to sense that this election is very special. Nobody wants to spoil something that could be brewing it seems.
It will be interesting indeed to see what the outcome will be.
Posted by: Daniel Kumbon | 08 May 2017 at 07:55 AM