#PNGSUN #editorial: What transpired at Nipa-Kutubu’s Sermin village last week does not have a place in modern PNG settings. It is indeed a bad precedent set for the country.
Sadly, the country has witnessed all these dramas days after its 50th Golden Jubilee fanfares. We are now on MV PNG for the next 50 years. We have to create a homogenous society, a mutual blend from good cultures of western and our own. Tribalism mentality is our worse enemy. Every time disputes happen, solve it through lawful means, other than tribal retaliation. Over to you, tribesmen!
Drawing from tribalism, people were intimidated, roads blocked and threats issued following the suspension of their son Wapu Sonk as the managing director for the Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited. We understand where they were coming from especially in cultural context—be there for your loved ones in bad times. The other argument is Mr Sonk is one of the best performing bosses in the petroleum sector.
One good example set by Engans is, when Ambassador Isaac Lupari left as the Chief Secretary to Government when the position was abolished through a Cabinet decision, his relatives or the people of Wabag did not protest the decision then. The government of the day hires and fires or makes decisions which affect individuals.
But the vandalism of State property (i.e. trench dug across the road) and holding businesses and innocent people at random should be condemned at its strongest possible terms. We have noted local MP, Dr Billy Joseph and other prominent leaders of Southern Highlands condemning it and have called for lawful means to settle the position dispute.
All the public service positions including the Managing Director, Secretary and Director-General posts are administered and governed by laws. They are all subject to the rule of law, no one is above the law as they say. These laws are there to ensure there is accountability, transparency and good government drawn from their management of affairs over the organization one is in charge of. To ensure leadership oversight, boards are higher authority in the government entities.
When Mr Sonk was implicated in the NRL Bid deal recently, he should have done the noble thing by voluntarily resigning from the job. He can resume duties when he clears himself from the allegation. That is what all the MDs, Secretaries or any other public office holders are required to do. When he did not do the right thing, the new board suspended him to protect the integrity of the office and the sector as a whole.