Independent but dependent: PNG 34 years on

On this Independence Day, GELAB PIAK, in an extract from a longer paper, concludes that the nation-building task in PNG is still incomplete

Today, 16 September 2009, marks the 34th year of our independence.

We, as Papua New Guineans, are proud of our nation, but at the same time are troubled by a torturous thought. What are we really celebrating?

Yes, we are celebrating our freedom and our independence. But there is a nagging question: what is freedom?

Freedom is the power to express thoughts, words and rights and to act without objection or intimidation, unless we violate the law of our land.

Last month, metropolitan police superintendent Fred Yakasa, stopping a political march, said that the police actions were to protect the people’s rights. What rights were the police protecting? In fact, contradictorily, they deprived people’s rights and freedoms.

The people have the right, under the law of the land, to express freedoms such as freedom of speech and the right to express their thoughts, actions and words without objection.

The people also have the right to services and the elected Government has the obligation to provide services. When the Government doesn’t do what it is obliged to do, then civil society has to stand up.

The vibrancy of any democracy depends on the freedoms and the liberation of its civil society to exercise its rights. When civil society’s freedoms are suppressed, a nation’s democracy is under threat.

The opposition has on several occasions cried foul about Parliamentary democracy not being exercised. Are these tell-signs of suppression and oppression at the highest level?

What is independence? Being independent is being able to fend for oneself, to meet one’s own needs. Put that way, it is very hard to see the PNG Government providing for the needs of its people, now or in the future.

Members of Parliament need to stop their corrupt practices and gain a true nationalist feeling. Nation building is not an overnight job. It takes many people much heart and many years.

It takes the courage to change.

If the politicians are not serious about building this nation, Papua New Guinea, then who is?

Together, we need to build a Papua New Guinea nation, then we will have something to celebrate.

Comments

[Trevor Freestone.]

I recently visited the Eastern Highlands and found that living conditions in the village have not changed much since 1975.

Many children don't go to school because they can't afford the school fees. Most schools don't have computers allowing students to enter the modern world.

Education should be free to every child by now. Just where does all the Australian money go? Certainly not to providing for the local villagers and their children.

Where does all the money go from the sale of PNG's resources? Certainly not to providing the support the local villagers need.

Papua New Guineans and Australia need to stamp out corruption, for the country has the potential to be the best in the Pacific. Shame on those few who selfishly feather their own nest.

[Reginald Renagi]

Steve - Like most governments in the world, the PNG government pampers to 'big business' and 'special interests', and ignores its own people.

The people will one day soon rise up to throw the rascals out of the spirit house.

This reminds me of a joke: What's the difference between a porcupine and politicians? At least with a porcupine, the pricks (quills) are on the outside!

[Steve Gallagher]

The government can't just amend the law to deprive the landowners rights to their land. It is better to get people's view before going any further.

Whose interest is Somare and the mob serving?

[Steve Gallagher]

We should elect candidate from Social Democratic Party in 2012 election. We want Powes Parkop to be the PM. I hope u agrees with me?

[Bruce Copeland]

Reg,

PNG parliament does not have hansard. Just talking to the wind.

[Steve Gallagher]

What is integrity? Integrity means doning the right thing even if nobody is watching you.If we live by this principle, I think we will move our country forward.

PNG is run by corrupt and self interested politicans, however, not only the politicans are corrupt, there are some individuals also practice corruption.

Sinc independence, we are still living in poverty. The services and development only took place in towns and citis whereas rural people are suffering from basic services.

When the democratic government fails the people, the people suffer. So when there is no trust in democratic government, the people turn for another type of government. The goood example is fiji today. I think the by now we should leave these democratic capitalist government and look for Millitary or socialist type of government so that resources should be equally distributed.

There should be at least some control of peoples movement. I believe Fiji is hearding towards right direction.

[Colin Huggins]

Phil - Very well put! However, I doubt if anyone will listen. Money seems to be chasing money - probably all the way to lovely Swiss bank accounts.

I think Australia just should pull the plug, at least until there is a change and those "knights" who are in charge are removed!

[Phil Fitzpatrick]

The recent revelations from Rowan Callick and the Commission of Inquiry into Corruption indicates that the young educated elite in PNG (lawyers in particular) are very good at devising sophisticated schemes to rip off public money.

Presumably, as the education level increases, the schemes will become even more subtle to the point where, as in Australia, they go largely undetected.

At the moment the corrupt politicians and public servants are not very good at corruption. How stupid and blatant is demanding 10% commission for government cheques?

When the currently crude corruption methods fade and the public is unaware of being ripped off PNG will be able to claim it is a truly sophisticated country.

[Kaiam Bees]

Thanks, Steven. Yes PNG needs young leaders who are focused on the current growth of economy and globalisation.

It's not how many qualifications they have that will make difference in the country, but a positive mindset and integrity of people who will provide good leadership for PNG.

[Steve Gallagher]

2012 is time for the young elites. It is the right time for all the citizens to vote in new and highly educated leaders to fight against corruption.

The leaders we elect to parliament are not to represent Waigani to us but to represent us at Waigani. However, it is the other way around.

Enough is enough. By now we should look at young and highly educated Papua New Guineans who have seen and experienced the situation that we are facing today, so that they can make a better decisions for us and the future.

We must elect people who are educated, not because they have wealth, big man, chief or wantoks. An educated man can understand questions and respond to quickly.

Our choice determines our future. God bless PNG.

[Reginald Renagi]

Great comments Steve, and I wholly agree with you.

The last reading of the Private Member's Bill was 83-0 in favour, so either 26 abstained from voting or conveniently were not in the chamber at the time.

Regardless, the parliamentary Hansard will show on record that the other MIA MPs probably got cold feet?

Regardless, they are a gutless bunch. It's time for the good people of PNG to throw the b-----ds out of the Haus Tambaran by 2012. We don't need them for they have miserably failed their people and country.

Personally I do not have any more respect and trust for these pollies any more and want to see a fresh new leadership after the next polls.

[Steve Gallagher]

Some opposition MPs are so vocal in parliament when an amendment is proposed by other MPs. This is when they see that it best suits the public interest and them as well.

But when it the current situation of the Malamendment bill, no one stood against it. Well, PNG politicians are always like that and will always be if the civil society, the citizens and NGOs are so passive in response to this practice.

I write to argue with some MPs who said that they have not been well informed about the Maladian bill to curve the OC’s power. This is a big fat lie, and Papua New Guineans are not stupid enough to accept this excuse.

We know that every politician, in the opposition and government, are under the compass of the OC. So when the Maladina Bill was introduced, all the politicians voted for it knowing that it will protect them from their corrupt practices.

My question is, where were Sir Mekere, Bart Philemon, Sam Basil, Sir Julius Chan and others in the opposition stronghold during the first reading of the Mal bill?

Were all of you not present at that time? Such people like you, well educated and so vocal in other matters concerning the country, there is no excuse to say that you were not informed well!

It seems that the opposition has lost confidence and is incompetent in its duties. It is known that the society is good but the people corrupt it, so I think the proposed bill is to corrupt the society since no MP is to be held accountable for his actions.

Where are we heading now? Are we heading towards a dictatorship, a totalitarian regime? Whatever decisions we make today will affect us and the next generations in the future.

For a common good, we PNGians should wake up and fight against the bill to promote corrupt practices. God Bless My Country, PNG.

[Steve Gallagher]

What my room mate Gelab Piak have said is very true. Papua New Guinea is no longer a democratic country but becoming more like guided or democratic dictatorship. Steve Gallagher

[Mr. Wizard.]

If you are so concerned about corruption, have a close look at the state of anything that the criminal Mr [name deleted] has anything to do with.

Maybe question why the departments he deals with have large shortfalls in funding, and operate on nothing. or why they are unable to fulfill their public obligations or their charter, regardless of how honest and hard working the department workers are.

[Gelab Piak]

Dear Mari,

What you have said is very much true. With good leadership, I believe PNG can progress and become the type of nation that Australia, and those who have connections with PNG, want it to be. There has to be good leadership coming from leaders who have won the trust of the people and no bought them. It is more true, than just a fairly tale, that in PNG any thing can be bought. A position in a workplace or an office, a vote, even opinions, free choice, trust, Sirs, love, mistresses, and life or lifestyles. Lifes’, livelihood, and lifestyles are bought when companies pay compensation for damage to traditional way of life, habitat, destruction of forest, a source of their food supply, building materials and a place where they are close with nature. As for Sirs, few good people who do real work to help PNG, but they receive certificates, not awards etc. E.g.: Dr Calvet, who worked in the Gulf all her life, her aid post was less than a one room building, no medicines, equipment for more than 45 years. Never did she give up and leave PNG, now that is a real hero who has love and heart for a nation. Yet why did we not recognize her. If I was Prime Minister of the Sovereign State of PNG, I’d knight her and make her a Sir or Madame, which ever way it goes.
I have a dream, that’s to see PNG be like Australia. I don’t care if it takes my whole lifetime, I know two things. Firstly, PNG has the money to make that dream come true, and secondly, I believe I CAN make it happen.
The first challenge is to change the mindset of every Papua New Guinean. This will require radical campaigns and those who carry out the campaigns must not be afraid to name those who are corrupt, lay every corrupt pasin (ways, or deeds) on the ground so that people see what is corrupt and know who is corrupt and thus vote for the right person who wins and not buys trust.

It may take many years, but the PNG you’ve all been waiting for is coming. It is a dream we all share, but one man has to realize it, then we’ll all stop dreaming and live it.

Cheers,
Gelab Piak

[Mari Ellingson]

Hi Gelab,
Sometimes it pays to continue hammering at these issues because the symptoms manifest themselves in various forms and intensities. Each time and in each case the people entrusted with the mandate to lead mistake that mandate for a self-serving career. Then all the problems that you highlight and there are plenty more,rear their ugly heads. There are a lot of Papua New Guineans who just want to get on with their lives and what a PNG that will be when there is a mentoring and supportive spirit, without a price tag, in the leadership wherever it stands - local or national. By mentoring, I mean guiding, supporting and leading not handing out - stealing to hand out - which creates another kind of dependency and that may I say is the worst kind. Why? Because it means that whoever is holding your trust is not the right person to be holding that trust as the value of that trust is defined only in terms of what money can buy. Value-based leadership is scarce nowadays so we need to look hard when the opportunity comes up again at the next elections.
I too continue to reflect on this 34th year of PNG's journey into nationhood.
Keep up the good work.

[Gelab Piak]

Dear Pat,

What you have mentioned is everything there is to mention. I find it had to go on, especially when I think, 'Is this country gonna make it out? Is this country gonna stand on it's two feet? Many times, I lose hope and feel like giving up, but realize, that if I give up, who else would take up this fight. I will fight, by bring out every evil that prevails in the House of Parliament, Port Moresby. My weapons are a pen and a paper, and fear nor favour any man. I only pray for the guidance of God, for if I have to, in pursuit of the truth, reveal things that endanger my life, I will not backdown, nor give up. For no man can run from the truth, it is hidden in his own lies and since his lies are apart of him, he can not hide from the truth.

Cheers everyone.

Gelab Piak.

[Pat Byrne]

Hi Gelab

I want to take up the corruption theme which I note is not an uncommon theme in this blog. It is about the opportunity costs of corruption and the sad result of that lost opportunity.

My family and I walked the Kokoda Track in early April this year. I was born and raised in PNG and my father fought in PNG in WW2. So I have a deep affinity with the place.

We (my wife and I – our daughters carried their own gear) used porters from Kokoda Trekking Limited (KTL), most if not all of whom were from Oro Province.

Now some of the porters in our group were so very young, not much older than my teenage girls. All the porters and leaders were just wonderful people I might add. I compared them to my daughters and their education and opportunities. Now the younger ones without exception could have been anything they chose to be given the right circumstances. Doctors, engineers, environmentalists, business owners, whatever! BUT ... they weren’t given that opportunity because the education system is simply not delivering.

And that is the opportunity cost. Every year that goes by without students continuing their education is another year of lost opportunity for PNG ... not just those individuals.....a lost opportunity for PNG to have its own large medical fraternity, its own large teacher fraternity, its own large engineering fraternity .... and so on.

I found it more than a little sad and feel somewhat helpless.

There are many many people all over the world I am sure, but particularly in Australia who wish PNG well .... but remain equally sad that it hasn’t progressed as well as it perhaps could have or should have.

all the best
Pat Byrne