Six want to be Papua New Guinea’s PM
News that matter in Papua New Guinea
Six want to be Papua New
Guinea’s PM
PORT MORESBY: Former deputy prime minister Charles Abel
is the latest politician to announce ambitions to be Papua New Guinea (PNG)’s 9th
prime minister in the 11th Parliament after General Election 2022
(GE22).
The other who have
declared their intentions to be the “chief executive officer” of PNG are former
prime minister Peter O’Neill (People’s National Congress – Ialibuu-Pangia),
Opposition Leader Belden Namah (PNG Party – Vanimo Gree), former deputy prime
minister (under O’Neill) Patrick Pruaitch (National Alliance – Aitape Lumi) and
former cabinet member under O’Neill, Richard Maru (People’s First Party –
Yangoru-Saussia).
For now, at lewast five
political political heavyweights want Prime Minister James Marape’s job after
GE22.
PNG Cyber Monitor reproduces below a few GE22 news updates as published by The National:
Six want to be PM
June 28, 2022The
NationalMain Stories
The others who have declared their intentions to be the “chief executive
officer” of PNG are former prime minister Peter O’Neill (People’s National
Congress – Ialibu-Pangia), Opposition Leader Belden Namah (PNG Party – Vanimo
Green), former deputy prime minister (under O’Neill) Patrick Pruaitch (National
Alliance – Aitape Lumi) and former cabinet member under O’Neill, Richard Maru
(People’s First Party-Yangoru-Saussia).
For now, at least five political heavyweights want Prime Minister James
Marape’s job after GE22.
Whatever ambitions the politicians may harbour, they will all have to first
“win their right to stake a claim for the “hot seat” – that is to win the
biggest number of seats in Parliament or the majority, a herculean task in
Papua New Guinean politics.
The leader, whose party wins the most seats, will then be in the pole position
to forge an electoral pact to rule.
As anything is possible in politics, the post-GE22 negotiations and
horse-trading are expected to be intense and the party with the most seats
could also lose out if the numbers are too close to call.
Abel’s announcement yesterday of his ambition is surprising because the Our
Development Party (ODP) leader is contesting the Milne Bay regional seat that
comes with the office of the governor.
Abel is the incumbent Alotau MP, a seat he had successfully defended in three
consecutive general elections.
“I am a political party leader, so naturally I will still eye the prime
minister’s job. Why not, have a go there and have a first Milne Bay prime
minister,” he added.
Abel appealed for unity among the incoming Milne Bay members to support him and
his party to make it happen.
He also urged incoming leaders from Papua to unite and form a political
institution to have a bigger say on national development issues involving
projects in the region.
“Leaders of Southern must be involved in national development discussions,
especially matters on benefits of big projects.
“Not other people deciding for us.
“That must stop. We cannot forever be joining other peoples’ political parties.
“ODP is a national party based on Christian principles.
“But we are also Papuans, we have our interests.
“We have our fish and other marine resources, gold, gas, forests and everything
else that are being exploited today,” he added.
Abel said current issues over the Papuan Gas called on all Papuan leaders to
take interest.
“I am also from Gulf and that is my peoples’ project.
“I am concerned over its future.
“I was involved in its development and I do not care about the current
Government’s talk (rhetoric) about taking PNG back.
“I see it as the best negotiated project,” he added.
Campaigning ends
Friday
June 28, 2022The NationalMain Stories
He also confirmed yesterday that polling would begin on Monday, July 4.
Sinai warned the 3,625 candidates contesting the 118 seats around the country
to complete all campaigns on Friday.
He advised them to respect the rules by stopping rallies and removing hailers
and speakers mounted on vehicles after Friday.
“Our people understand what the election is all about.
“They know who they want to vote for and have already decided on their
preferences,” he said.
He thanked the candidates, people and supporters for a relatively peaceful
campaign period.
“Unlike past elections, we have seen a generally peaceful election campaign
this year, although there were some minor disturbances and disruptions in some
parts of the country,” Sinai said.
Sinai said new Limited Preferential Voting (LPV) system had helped in reducing
violent clashes between candidates as they needed to cooperate and support each
other.
In addition, he said polling stations would have two queues set up – one for
men and the other for women.
“The gender split in both the voter roll and the polling booths is done purely
to protect the rights of female voters to ensure they can cast their votes
without intimidation and undue influence.”
Late MP Nangoi to lie in state
MEMBERS of Parliament
who are in Port Moresby are expected to pay their last respects to their late
colleague, Sumkar MP Chris Nangoi, when his body lies in state in Parliament
today.
Prime Minister James Marape confirmed yesterday that some MPs were away in
their electorates.
“Leaders who are present in Port Moresby will attend to show respect on behalf
of the rest of the (MPs) who are out in their electorates (campaigning),” he
said.
Clerk to Parliament Kala Aufa said details of today’s programme had been sent
out to all MPs.
The hearse will arrive at 9.50am from Independence Boulevard to the front
entrance of Parliament.
Deputy Speaker Koni Iguan will lead the pallbearers into the Grand Hall.
After the paying of respects, the hearse will depart at noon for the family
residence at Kennedy Estate.
The body will be flown on Wednesday to Madang.
Parliament officials will accompany the body to his home in Karkar Island where
he will be laid to rest.
Nangoi was born on Aug 18, 1979 on Karkar Island.
He was first elected into Parliament in 2017.
He served as Minister for Correctional Service from June 7, 2019 to Nov 16, 2020.
Meanwhile, Marape said the Government would also be represented at the funeral
service of the late Sir Peter Barter.
Be wary of sweet words, O’Neill warns voters
MP Peter
O’Neill (middle), being escorted by a crowd of supporters on his way to speak
in support of the four People’s National Congress party-endorsed candidates at
a rally in Popondetta yesterday. – Picture supplied
IALIBU-Pangia MP Peter
O’Neill has warned voters in Northern to be wary of “sweet words” and wantok
influence, when casting their votes.
“Don’t play around with your votes because of the colour of your shirt, or
somebody’s sweet words or because someone is your wantok,” he said.
“You will have your say to vote for change. The opportunity to have your say
comes every five years.”
O’Neill, the People’s National Congress (PNC) party leader was in Northern to
support the party’s four candidates: Allan Mesa for Northern regional, Delilah
Gore for Sohe Open, David Arore for Ijivitari Open and Jackson Ragusa for
Popondetta Open.
He attended rallies in Sasembata, Afore and Popondetta town, telling the crowd
to elect candidates who would ensure that development reached the villages.
“We (PNC) have come with the indigenous people of the land because we are their
guests and we respect them.
“We are sure that they will represent their people and their village is well
taken care of,” he said.
“When we look for people to do the work, we are always let down.
“I wasn’t born in the city.
“I was born in the bushes of Pangia, in a place that did not have a hospital or
medical staff.
“So I understand the hardships that (rural) people go through.”
He highlighted the record of his PNC-led government which was in power from
2012 to May 2019.
“The PNC government delivered free education and free health care, built infrastructure
(including) airports, roads, bridges, jetties, hospitals and schools,” he said.
“We know the areas which the government can improve on.”
He said incumbent governor (Gary Juffa) was the reason “nothing gets done” in
Northern.
Ex-MP vows free education for tertiary
students if re-elected
FORMER Usino-Bundi MP Anton Yagama has
promised to provide free education to all students in the district – if he is
re-elected.
Yagama said he would repeat what he did during his term from 2012 to 2017 when
the district paid the school fees of 7,800 tertiary students in Usino-Bundi.
“Eighty per cent of students who benefitted from the school fees were from
Usino local level government and 20 per cent from Bundi and Gama,” he said.
He is contesting the seat on a People’s National Congress (PNC) party ticket.
“People who voted for me in the last election are there and I am confident I
will make it home this time,” he said.
He said he would promote the party’s strategy on free education.
“I am with the right party.”
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