But one, Governor Alan Bird of East Sepik Province, has taken to Facebook to explain why he has been reluctant to publicly engage in debate.

His rationale may also explain why the MPs of our country have been silent on the issue.

So here are the thoughts of Governor Bird.

My priority: Funding services & development for the Sepik people

I see some PNGans criticise my stand on the saga involving the foreign affairs minister.

I was one of several MPs who privately asked the Minister to do the honourable thing.

All MPs are equal. None of us are greater than the other.

So if certain districts elect MPs of different values and educational qualifications, it means nothing. A bus driver and an MP with a PhD are both equal in the House.

I don’t agree with big delegations going overseas. In fact I have withdrawn from many large delegations going overseas because of their size.

I will not go overseas on a joyride. That’s my personal choice out of respect for my own Sepik people.

I have zero right to speak of that to other MPs. They were elected by their own people, which makes them equal to me.

As a backbencher in a government, I don’t make policy.

I have been part of a small group in government that has been going against what we consider bad policy.

It is not easy when five or six MPs vote against the whole House on issues, but some of us do so consistently.

Our people elect all kinds of leaders, then they expect people like me to hold our leaders accountable. You had the chance to vote them out, you didn’t.

Many PNGans stopped voting for leaders with principles a long time ago.

Today, people vote for roads, bridges and cargo delivery.

The best MPs in PNG is judged on how many projects they bring to their electorates.

Now you complain about principles and there is an expectation that some of us will do the work for you? Where were you during the election?

If we forgo principles for roads, bridges and cargo, then why do we expect something else?

My priority is to make sure my people get our budget on time and not cut constantly because of my different principles.

I walk a fine line. Either I impose my high-minded values and risk having funding to East Sepik cut, or stay out of issues that do not concern me so my own, very marginalised, people can get the services they deserve.

I don’t have the luxury most people have. Our politics is cut throat. My principles if pushed too hard will have a negative impact on a million Sepiks. That’s too high a price for me to pay.

When I went against the government for two years, I saw the impact on my Sepik people. It’s not fair on them.

So my advice to PNGans is to please take responsibility and hold your own MPs accountable.

It is not the job of the Governor of East Sepik to hold your MP accountable.

I was not elected to make all PNGans happy, I was elected to make sure the connection between Waigani and Wewak is working well.

I make no apology for trying to do right by my own electors.

Don’t ask my opinion of an MP who someone else elected based on their values.

Academia Nomad Comments

This rationale by Governor Bird is both sensible and sad.

Parliament in a democracy has three roles: make laws and policies; provide representation; and hold the executive accountable.

The fact that leaders like Alan Bird are hesitant to speak their minds - that is, hold the executive accountable - is a sad reality of PNG politics.

If he does, his constituents will suffer from withdrawal of funds. Our executive, and the prime minister in particular, have developed strong control over the allocation of state resources.

The executive and the PM dictate who gets what to the point where leaders like Alan Bird are hesitant to perform their constitutional duty of holding the executive accountable.

We can blame the people for not electing good leaders, but the blame lies on the government patronisingly controlling MP behaviour by controlling the funds allocated to their constituencies.

There are two ways around this: either restrict MPs’ function to law making and leave service deliver to the bureaucracy; or pass a Constituency Development Fund Act, which specifically states the amount and timing of allocations to MPs.

This would remove the control of the funds from the prime minister, because what happens now is that the PM, through relevant departments, either delays or underpays the funds allocated to the MPs critical of the government.

The balance of funds is paid towards the end of the year when the accounts are about to be closed, so the MPs cannot access them.

Early the following year, the funds revert to the national coffers.

Let me summarise the positions of the few MPs who have spoken on this issue:

James Marape accepted Justin Tkatchenko’s apology and asked for forgiveness.

Alan Bird privately communicated his people’s views to the PM and government caucus but said the allocation of ministries is the PM’s prerogative and therefore he accepts PM’s decision (calls Tkatchenko one of the hardest working individuals).

Kessy Sawang was offended by Justin Tkatchenko’s statements but calls for forgiveness after his apology and asks the same from PNGans.

Belden Namah called the situation unacceptable and demanded Justin Tkatchenko’s resignation as foreign affairs minister.

Deputy opposition leader Douglas Tomuriesa called for the Ombudsman Commission to investigate claims.

Opposition leader Joseph Lelang called the categorisation insulting, and further called for the prime minister to fire Justin Tkatchenko as foreign minister.

Luther Wenge called for Justin Tkatchenko’s citizenship to be revoked and for him to leave PNG. Promised to raise the matter in parliament.

The rest of the MPs remain silent.

The least our MPs can do is call for the prime minister to sack Justin Tkatchenko as foreign affairs minister. He cannot represent the people, who he considers ‘primitives’, on the international stage.

We have a parliament that is trapped. And we have a reckless executive.

The people continue to suffer whilst MPs and their families take overseas trips to places like the UK.

Good MPs blame the people for voting for the wrong MPs whilst refusing to hold the executive accountable.

Where will the break for good and responsible government come from?