Just where is Governor Parkop coming from?

BY PAUL OATES

NATIONAL CAPITAL District Governor, Powes Parkop, has offered to be a 'peace broker' between those opposing the Maladina Amendment and its proponent, Moses Maladina.

He has thus exhibited the traditional practice of a PNG leader - to sit down and talk through a problem. In this, he is to be commended.

Unfortunately what this offer also does is to cloud the central issue to the extent it may be overlooked in an apparent public attempt to create harmony and prevent discord.

Can one assume that Governor Parkop, as a Member of Parliament, originally voted for the amendment in the first place, since there were no dissenting votes?

Could this be an attempt to divert a show of solidarity against the legislation? If the planned protests do not go ahead, who will know what level of opposition there is to the Bill?

It would be helpful to have Governor Parkop's view on what he supports and what he doesn't.

There proposed Amendment definitely needs to be brought to a halt. But the Bill first needs to be withdrawn to allow everyone to take a step backwards.

Proper public and political debate can then take place before any changes are made to the PNG people's last line of defence against corruption and malfeasance, their own Constitution.

Comments

[Reginald Renagi]

An honest broker is needed to defuse the situation and the Governor seized this opportunity. It's happening now because of the recent intense public pressure on the government from a concerned public.

The public is unhappy at the lack of proper dialogue between government and community. There has been no real parliamentary debate leading up to the Bill's' second reading in the 'people's house'.

Notwithstanding, Paul, makes a correct assessment. The good NCD Governor must be clear on where he personally stands on this issue.

There is a good opportunity for him to do this whilst brokering a public discussion between the concerned private member who started the whole thing, and concerned members of the public. His city constituency is watching him with bated breath.