PNG Minister: I don’t like white people
PNG Minister: I don’t like white peoplePORT MORESBY: When a layman makes racist remarks, he or she is not taken seriously because the statement has little influence on the people and country.
Sometimes, the authorities may take action on him or her to curb the growth or spread of racism in social media or the public.
However, what happens when a minister holding a senior portfolio makes racist remarks in public?
His or her remarks are taken seriously as he or she represents the state. And in so doing, it affects the image of the people and country.
Papua New Guinea (PNG)’s Education Research, Science and Technology Minister Nick Kuman had publicly announced that he is a nationalist and that he does not like “white people”.
Does he not think that his remarks affect “white people” and their governments who had been pouring aid into PNG?
PNG Cyber Monitor reproduces below a report by The National on the issue:
Niningi calls on Kuman to apologise over comment
NEWLY appointed Education Research, Science and Technology Minister Nick Kuman says he is a nationalist and that he does not like “white people”.
Kuman made the remarks in the presence of department secretary Fr Jan Czuba, a Catholic priest from Poland, and his predecessor Pila Niningi.
In an immediate response to the media, Niningi, now the Inter-Government Relations Minister of the James Marape-Davis Steven new Government, said: “He (Czuba) deserves an apology.”
The shocking remarks were delivered at a recent ceremony for the handing over of ministry by Niningi to Kuman.
In his address, Kuman said: “Secretary (Czuba) I know you have a lot of good things being said about you.
“For me, I am a nationalist.
“I don’t like white people, am honest with you. I like to work with my own kind.
“You’re a Father (priest) and have done great things at Divine Word University.
“We must let good people continue the leadership.”
Niningi, who found Kuman’s comment offensive, said the Department of Higher Education Research, Science and Technology had been able to function efficiently under Czuba’s management and leadership.
“Father Czuba has a lot of experience that can be utilised to further improve the higher education sector,” he said.
“He deserves an apology.”
Czuba had earlier assured Kuman of the department’s support.
Kuman, among other things, said in his address that he wanted to see more institutions established in the country, given the increase in the number of Grade 12 school leavers every year.
He also wanted to see tertiary fees become more affordable, something the department had already started working on.
Kuman made the remarks in the presence of department secretary Fr Jan Czuba, a Catholic priest from Poland, and his predecessor Pila Niningi.
In an immediate response to the media, Niningi, now the Inter-Government Relations Minister of the James Marape-Davis Steven new Government, said: “He (Czuba) deserves an apology.”
The shocking remarks were delivered at a recent ceremony for the handing over of ministry by Niningi to Kuman.
In his address, Kuman said: “Secretary (Czuba) I know you have a lot of good things being said about you.
“For me, I am a nationalist.
“I don’t like white people, am honest with you. I like to work with my own kind.
“You’re a Father (priest) and have done great things at Divine Word University.
“We must let good people continue the leadership.”
Niningi, who found Kuman’s comment offensive, said the Department of Higher Education Research, Science and Technology had been able to function efficiently under Czuba’s management and leadership.
“Father Czuba has a lot of experience that can be utilised to further improve the higher education sector,” he said.
“He deserves an apology.”
Czuba had earlier assured Kuman of the department’s support.
Kuman, among other things, said in his address that he wanted to see more institutions established in the country, given the increase in the number of Grade 12 school leavers every year.
He also wanted to see tertiary fees become more affordable, something the department had already started working on.
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