A sacrifice worth the nation’s admiration

By Busa Jeremiah Wenogo

It saddens me to hear the news that the UPNG Council has made a decision to suspend semester one (1) of the academic year for an indefinite period; basically affecting the education of some 4000 plus students. This decision was reached after the student body made its stance to continue the boycotting of classes until the PM steps down. This week will be their 4^th week of protest against the incumbent government over various issues of national importance. Call it what you may about their actions but the students took on the fight on behalf of the silent and reluctant majority to demand the government to respect the law of the land.  This is not asking too much it is just speaking the truth to the PM and the lot that as public office bearers who have taken an oath to serve the people of this country; they are obligated under the law to show utmost dedication to the rule of law. Is standing up for the truth worth the sacrifices that they are about to make?

Now that these future leaders of our country are faced with an uncertain future I realized that we have all failed in our own little way to stop this nation from reaching this point. I feel just as guilty and responsible for allowing the students to make a stand in my stead. This is not about an individual or a group of students this is about our nation and its future. This is something that we should all be passionate about and not taking it easy. Imagine how the parents or guardians of these students at UPNG are feeling right now. If there were to be a national course that unifies this nation against a common obstacle this could be it. The UPNG Council and the National Government should not take their decision lightly. Their actions will have repercussion on the nation’s future and they have to be prepared to live with it. The council’s decision is unprecedented. First they called in the police and now they have virtually thrown the students’ future out of the window. Is this a sign that our democracy is dying? 

Unfazed by the odds stacked up against them the students have now vowed to take on this fight to the length and breathe of this nation. Surely there are politicians who are by now convinced that this battle is not going to come to an end anytime soon. As elected leaders they are now required to make a statement whether in support or against the UPNG Council’s decision. No issue requires their urgent attention than this. Their deafening silence does not make them look good.

The bold statement by the PNG National Doctors’ Association and its sister unions to take on the fight of the students could signal the opening of a new front in this battle.  The medical fraternity has been one of the victims of the government “reckless” management of the economy that has seen their budget slashed significantly.  Now there are talks that the government is looking at adjusting salaries for top public servants. The battle between the Fraud Squad and the government has clearly revealed that there are police officers who are honest and dedicated to bringing justice. The recent defection of Hon Richard Mendani, member for Kerema to the opposition camp over what he term as “loss of confidence in the PM” demonstrates that there are MPs who are just as fed up with the way the government has manage the economy and the affairs of the nation. On social media and on the street the public disgust at the government’s conduct is evident. In this backdrop the students’ led nationwide awareness could unleash a “domino effect” that may eventually lead to the triumph of our rule of law over dishonesty.

The students’ sacrifices deserve the nation’s admiration.  Their resolve to conduct a peaceful protest is to be commended. They have thrust their young shoulders against a heavy cross. Now that they have reached the zenith of their journey the nation needs to step up and carry on the cross. Make 2017 general election count. Write a new destiny for this nation and prove to our students that their sacrifice is not for naught. Let’s hope that the Electoral Commission’s reluctance to conduct a referendum in both UPNG and UNITECH is not a sign of things to come when we proceed to the General Election. 2017 general elections compared to all other elections is posed to determine our nation’s future. It is “now or never”; PNG you decide.