Political Commentary By Waigani Observer The Marape government remains popular amongst many Papua New Guineans. But does the government deserve this reputation? Many point to actions such as refusal to renew Barrick's license as well going tough on gas negotiations as evidence of the Take Back PNG agenda. Let's take a look at the Marape government's actions and/or in-actions that totally contradict their Take Back PNG slogan. Firstly, we've seen from the recent Supreme Court ruling that this government has not been shy to thrash the Constitution. The case allowed woke Papua New Guineans to see the trickers of the matrix reveal their cards as they failed terribly to justify their illegal actions. Treasurer Ling-Stuckey have been caught passing out bad cheques to try and bribe Members of Parliament to not leave government, and now the cheques have bounced and Marape is in crisis. Over half a billion Kina in cheques were printed prior to the Parliament sitting in December. These cheques were even caught on video at the Loloata Camp being passed out by Finance Minister Rainbo Paita. Then after Parliament had risen, these cheques bounced in the week before Christmas. Minister Ling-Stuckey is screaming at the bureaucrats, but the truth is that Marape and Ling-Stuckey knew that there was no money to back the cheques up. But they gave the cheques out to members of Parliament who they convinced there was money to be paid. This corrupt plan has now fallen apart really badly because the Supreme Court will decide in the coming weeks if Parliament will resume to properly hear the Vote of No-Confidence in Marape. Political Commentary by Sam Samson There are two scenarios here if PM Marape does not master the required numbers to pass the National budget. 1. Marape Resigns 2. Marape faces the Opposition Scenario 1. If Marape Resigns Considering that he has no support from the Parliamentarians, the humble thing for him to do is resign from the PM Post. If Marape resigns, there will be many political camps who will vie for the PM post within the Government as well as from the opposition. More likely the opposition camp will be dismantle as there are many leaders who want to be the PM. From the Government Camp, there will be
From the Opposition there are many desperadoes who want the chair.
Commentary By David Lepi Those who could still remember the Sandline Crises, an event that shook Papua New Guinea in 1997, may also remember the heroes who stood up to the call. They say history remembers kings and not soldiers but among those brave men one soldier, arguably an unsung hero, worth mentioning is Captain Belden Namah of the Papua New Defense Force. A student studying at the University of Papua New Guinea at that time recalls in a published article supported by Phil Fitzpatrick Writing Fellowship, "..there were five defence force officers heading the protest: Major Walter Enuma; Captain Bola Renagi; Captain Belden Namah; Lieutenant Michael David; and Second Lieutenant Linus Osaba." "These soldiers played a crucial role in stopping the mercenaries from going to Bougainville to kill and murder the BRA high command." "Every time Namah took the podium in his full military regalia to deliver a speech he looked like the Napoleon Bonaparte that we had read about in history books." Political Commentary by Nickson Waiyo This article stems from Dr. Lino, voluntarily putting his hand up to relinquish the Ministry. He is not alone in this fight. There was one Engan who risked everything for the sake of PNG and the people. It was none other than Don Pomb Polye. Cared little about perks and privileges. He lost the Treasury Ministry and the World Bank Chairmanship. He knew but ploughed a lonely furrow trying to take up the cudgels and risk everything for the country by refusing to sign the controversial UBS loans. Bypassing parliamentary approval was not only morally and ethically wrong but callously breached the constitution. He paid a hefty price loosing the Ministry, Chairmanship and the seat. No other members of Parliament were willing to take the calculated risk except an Engan son. Political Commentary by Brian Folock PMJM WAS REMOVED ON FRIDAY 13TH NOVEMBER 2020 AND IS AS GOOD AS GONE! The long awaited case on the election of Prime Minister James Marape will find its verdict anytime this week. His election as PM on the 30th of July 2019 was marred with legal controversies. His changes of wining this matter is slim - I give him 0.001% changes of winning. If Prime Minister James Marape wins, it is not the end. He will face another legal challenge on Wednesday 25th November 2020 - thats this week Wednesday! My view is that Prime Minister James Marape is 'NO LONGER' the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea. He has the PM title but is good as gone - 13th November 2020, the date he was removed. A good number of government MPs including Political Party leaders of his Coalition government left him in a show of having LOST CONFIDENCE in him and crossed over to the Opposition. "Stand down with dignity and Integrity and no longer fight, as we have lost this battle through the ballot box" Grand Chief Sir M T Somare to his children By Arthur Somare I fought that good fight along side Patrick Pruaitch in the battle grounds of the Supreme Court in 2011 and the 2012 National General Election in the hope that the good people of PNG would have empathised with us in the one all important and honourable cause to preserve our Constitutional Democracy and all that that entails. Many more of my colleagues who took this stance suffered the same fate as me! Patrick was one of a very few who survived the massacre carrying the battle scars and the memories of that fateful day and still today cares for the Grand OldMan who is in his retirement with love and affection. It was Grand Chief who said to his sons and daughters to stand-down with dignity and integrity and fight no longer as we have lost this fight through the ballot box. He chose peace and harmony instead of emotions and foolish pride. With Grand Chief’s council Patrick conceded and lowered the NA banner to secure and ensure peaceful transition in elected government which was the desire of the OldMan. Wisdom supersedes knowledge as the philosophers say and politics in PNG is fluid. Combine these two elements and what do you have, you guessed it correct: Anything can happen in PNG because it is the Land of the Unexpected. We admire the words of wisdom from Sir Julius Chan; one of our founding fathers and ‘the last man standing’ in politics in PNG. He was cool and of composure during the press conference when he spoke to the media last week regarding the latest changes in government due to the defection of government MPs to Opposition benches. Many of our leaders today lack this rare and special attribute only possessed by a few politicians predetermined by Almighty Adonai. As clearly depicted by the good book; for many are called but few are chosen. This immortal adage is deeply rooted in clear commonsense and rational thinking which should prevail and guide the dictates and conscience of our parliamentarians as they begin their horse-trading during these few remaining weeks leading up to the climax on December 1St when PNG government sits for the close of business. For the man on the street perspective, here are some brief matrixes that should guide the facts from fiction when incumbent prime ministers are nominated in the forthcoming VONC or shall we say should it ever happen: The Opposition has its prime ministerial candidates or nominees ready and from observation, potential candidates are:
Yet to see substantial reasons from our MPs joining the opposition bench why PM James Marape should step down. I am not supporting Hon James Marape but I'm impressed by his approach in leading this nation forward. I'm a fan of leaders who are strategic, revolutionary, and radical in transformating this nation forward than mere political sweet talks or change that are temporary and motivated by benefiting self. I am also not comfortable with leadership that are traditional and colonial. I believe in revolutionary spirit. I believe in inch deep and mile wide approach for long term transformation than what matters here and now. For both present and future are crucial in terms of nation's development and growth. By: Alois Jerewai The Organic Law on the calling of Meetings of the Parliament. This relatively little known Organic Law has seemingly put a lid over the boiling pot of mass Parliamentary rebellion against the Executive Government of Prime Minister James Marape. According to the letter of the law, namely section 2(a)(i) being the relevant provision, rendered the actions in the Parliament on Friday 13th. November , invalid. Especially the adjournment to 1st. December. Section 2(a)(i) says: "2. CALLING OF OTHER MEETINGS. (1) In relation to any meeting of the Parliament, other than the first meeting after a general election, the time and date for the meeting- (a) shall- (i) be fixed by the Parliament on motion without notice by a Minister;....." |
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