CHANGE IN GOVERNMENT MUST NOT BE FOR MERE CHANGE.

Commentary by Mickey Sio - Facebook

Members of Papua New Guineas 10th National Parliament are under immense pressure and scrutiny from the over eight million citizens for a change for the better in the looming vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Peter ONeill.
The cries, calls, demands and pleas have received favourable hearing, at least from some concerned Members of Parliament (MP) who have acted responsibly.

The Opposition led by Patrick Pruaitch and its allied party leaders, Kerenga Kua, Belden Namah, Dr Allan Marat, Joseph Lelang, Garry Juffa and Bryan Kramer must be commended for their solid and steadfast stance to remain together.

The mass exodus of MPs from the current Government started after the November 2018 APEC Leaders Summit by Kerema MP Richard Mendani over extravagant spending at the expense of suffering citizens.

This was followed by Governor Eastern Highlands Governor Peter Numu over non-release and/or misuse of much-needed grants for coffee and other impact agriculture projects for his province.

In more recent weeks, the Governments chief finance and legal advisors, Finance Minister James Marape and Attorney General Steven Davis left to join the Alternate Government side over reasons including lack of consultation and breach of laws.

Days later, three pillars of the Government, Governor Sir Peter Ipatas (Enga), William Powi (Southern Highland) and Philip Undialu (Hela) withdrew their support in the Government.
The Alternate Government group led by James Marape camped at Laguna Hotel, the original Opposition moved into the Sanctuary Hotel.

The Government based its members at Crowne Plaza Hotel while, People Progress Party and its allied MPs moved into Ela Beach Hotel.
On the afternoon of May 7 2019, the Alternate Government gave Parliament Speaker Job Pomat the notice for a Motion of no confidence in Prime Minister Peter ONeill.

James Marape was named as the alternate PM, but the notice of motion was withdrawn.
Marapes has stated publicly that he withdrew because his names was mentioned in the report by the Ombudsman Commission on the Union Swiss Bank (UBS) $US1.2 billion for 10 percent stake in the ASX-listed Oil Search.

The loan did not have PNG Parliament approval leaving PNG with huge loses and UBS earning at least $US120 million in fees and interests.
On Friday (May 24 2019), United Resources Party, a coalition in current Government moved into the Laguna camp boosting the numbers to 63 in the Alternate Government.

For a Government change, 56 is he required number in the current Parliament.
The Alternate Government will soon name the leader who will lead PNG to next general election.

To all concerned MPs who have demonstrated conviction to put their people and PNG ahead of their personal, parochial and political interests, congratulations and commendation.
PNG is experiencing some of the most difficult times in all fronts.

Well done for MPs who decided to be part of that team that will save the country from financial bankruptcy and total economic collapse.

Apart from being political genius, politicians are reminded that to truly serve they must possess high and appropriate moral values to participate meaningfully and honestly in the too important decisions that are vital for the good of PNG and wellbeing of its citizens.

The Alternate Government camp is comprised of well educated, intelligent, experienced professionals as well as successful individuals in their own fields before entering politics.
From the group, guided by wisdom and good sense a candidate will be chosen through consensus in the true Melanesian spirit.

Taking into consideration the serious mess PNG is in today, the change in the nations top political post must not be for mere change.
The change must be for the betterment and wellbeing of this and future generations of PNG.

The most fundamental reason for change must be to clean the current mess and put the country back on the path of growth and recovery.

It must be made very clear that there is no new money or tool to carry out this mammoth clean-up exercise, but to use the same money and tools in a different way to do what must be done.

In short, this means the incoming Government will have to use the same money and tools PNG has now, but spend/use differently to fix the problems.

The incoming Government should consider among other recovery measures to:
Immediately enforce strict rule of law and compliance by adequately funding all State law enforcing agencies;

Establish a high-level probe, preferably a Royal Commission of Inquiry headed by non-PNG person with wide-ranging powers to fully investigate all the well-known controversies and scandals;

Review all existing project agreements between State and private companies;
Enforce the Proceeds of Crime Act to repossess all monies properties and investments in PNG and abroad that were acquired using public taxpayer funds;
Engage specialist tax auditors to investigate and recoup billions outstanding in corporate tax by defaulters; and
Institute reforms to make all State agencies and statutory authorities to perform better.
Above are few suggestions the new incoming Government to consider to help PNG address the current socio-economic problems and challenges.

The problems PNG is experiencing today far are more serious than those of the late 1990s under the Peoples National Congress (PNC) Government of the later Sir William Skate (1997-1999).

In the two years after the 1997 general election, inflation rose from 4 to 22%; interest on Treasury bills shot from 9 to 28%; foreign exchange reserves fell from US$535 million to US$89 million; and the US$ exchange rate for 1 Kina plummeted from 71 to 28 cents.

In July 1999, when the Government of Sir Mekere Morauta took office, this is what it inherited from Skates PNC Government.
The statistics were grim, but they also tell an important lesson, which is how fragile the economy can be, and how quickly and easily it can be wrecked.

As the results of the massive reconstruction effort in the two and a half years of the Morauta Government, inflation had fallen from 22 to 9% and Treasury bill rates from 28 to 9%; foreign reserves had increased almost 5-fold to US$413 million; the exchange rate had stabilised and appreciated to 31 cents.

This improvement in the macroeconomic indicators was achieved without the benefit of the very high commodity prices.

During Sir Mekeres time, the price of oil ranged between US$13 and $20 a barrel - not the $67 to $69 in the last few years. Gold in 2000 was US$240 an ounce it is now over $1,200. Copper was 70 cents a pound. The PNC Government has been swimming in money.
The magnitude of problems today under another PNC regime are far worse than the late 1990s.

The current socio-economic problems and issues are well known and we need no reminder.

But, what the MPs must be reminded of is that hundreds of thousands of PNG citizens have and will continue to will miss out only because of the greed of few individuals and stupidity of others who have succumbed to political bullies.

While political bullying is perceived to be the order of the day, the nation cannot be expected to be proud of some major decisions.
As long as political bullying continued there will be no consensus and no democracy at National Executive Council (NEC) and Government level.

True political democracy should mean elected leaders, in this case NEC Members and all MPs to do their best they could to protect public discourse.

Many MPs seem to have forgotten the Fourth Point in the National Goals and Directive Principles - To decide and protect the resources for the wellbeing of this and future generations?

If few individuals in NEC and Government have hijacked any process or provisions of any law, in deciding on any project or important decisions involving peoples money/wealth, they should be held responsible and made to account their actions/inactions.

Leaders have been vested with insurmountable powers to protect and promote the wishes and aspirations of the majority their represent and not their own greed and selfishness.

They are duty bound and more importantly have morally obligation to listen to the cries of their electors - ordinary grassroots majority citizens who call PNG home.

The over eight million citizens of Papua New Guinea await to witness how their MPs will respond to their prayers in the next few days ahead.