The riots: Bigman, gavman & planti giaman tumas

The second part of a special feature analysing recent attacks on Chinese businesses in the major cities of Papua New Guinea.

Observers of PNG politics say allegations of a rise in Chinese organised crime and corruption involving PNG officials has generated a seething grassroots community anger that boiled over in the recent anti-Chinese riots in some of PNG’s largest cities.

“Resentment builds up through the spoken word and is not being publicised,” says long-time resident and PNG citizen, Graham Pople. “Asians seem to have no respect for our laws and way of life. They seem to think they can do whatever they like and, if they get into trouble, can buy their way out by bribery.

“PNG nationals are sick and tired of these people coming here and doing this when, historically, it has seldom been done by waitskins who, instead of doing the job to the detriment of the nationals, normally concentrated on training them to do their job. The Asians do not do this. They seem to want to keep the jobs for themselves.

“They have moved into reserved occupations such as kai bars which are reserved for PNG nationals but, when advised they are in the wrong, normally bribe PNG Government officials to turn a blind eye.”

Journalist Ilya Gridneff sees it this way: “There is significant resentment amongst the grassroots and the easiest most visible target are Chinese shop owners who have come in and over the last 10 to 15 years and pulled the carpet from underneath grassroots Papua New Guineans. No one is angry at Australian businesses nor about old Cantonese.”

Graham Pople also draws a sharp distinction between the Asians who arrived in PNG many years ago and the more recent immigrants. “They settled here, made themselves part of the community, have been a very important part in the development of this nation and we should acknowledge that they are completely different from the present influx from Asia that has occurred since independence.

“Those earlier immigrants have helped this country to grow, are marvellous people and call themselves PNG citizens. Please do not classify them as Asians, but rather as Papua New Guineans.

Ilya Gridneff says resentment is also tied to serious allegations of top level corruption amongst public servants, police and politicians allowing illegal business practices and turning a blind eye to organised crime.

“But locally,” he says, “I sense it's the grander narrative of no tomorrow. Grassroots sold out by bigman and gavman and planti giaman tumas.”

Graham Pople feels the same way. “The most recent influx have a complete contempt for the laws of PNG and have faith in their ability, if they do get into trouble, to buy their way out,” he says.

“If this is publicised there will be an enormous backlash by those concerned. But can they face up to a mirror and say that what I have stated is wrong. Not if they are honest.”

Journalist Malum Nalu believes that “Michael Somare, in his mad rush for independence, failed to see he was not in a position to maintain the high standards set by the Australians and is now making the country pay a terrible price.

“A whole generation of ill-educated, sick, gun-toting, drug and homebrew-addicted young men and women have been set loose upon this country. Basically everything in this country has gone backwards since 1975.”

“The government has to immediately attend to the various social problems the country is facing or worse is to come,” he predicts.

According to Graham Pople, one answer lies with the Departments of Labour and Immigration and others involved “doing their jobs much better and checking these Asian enterprises.”

But he sees a problem. “When they try to stop it they will be tempted to overlook it by being offered a bribe. And who can blame them when they accept it and fail to proceed with prosecution. Their ‘leaders of the Nation’ are doing exactly the same.”

“Michael Somare, his family and cronies have to get down from their ivory towers, stop buying mansions in Australia and jet aircraft the country doesn't need, and attend to the very basics such as education and health,” says Malum Nalu.

“It reminds me of the French Revolution and Marie Antoinette.Unless the government addresses the problem right now, we could be looking at widespread unrest all over the country.”

A dismayed Graham Pople agrees: “People who should be languishing in gaol and have their personal assets transferred to the State continue in a position of power,” he says. “Frustration grows.”