THE NATION’S PURSUIT OF TRUTH MEANS THE PM MUST RESPECT THE CONSTITUTION

By Busa Jeremiah Wenogo

The justice that we all seek and the truth that we all yearn for is an undeniable right bequeathed to every Papua New Guinean by God almighty and enshrined in our constitution. No one can take that away from us; not even by force. To do so is a treason. When we the people express our dissent against a “democratically elected” government that enslaves our alienable rights through the use of undemocratic tactics; we ought to be heard loud and clear for that is our "democratic right". For the creation of this and any government before, now and in the future was, is and will be by the function of our democratic rights which is a cornerstone of our democracy. What is a government without the governed? What is a leader without the followers? Truth cannot and will not be compatible with lies, deceptions and deceit. What is wrong cannot be made right. When the truth is made plain clear silence will have to give way to dissension. Our silence is by default a result of our ignorance to the truth but when truth is made known our discord and discontentment is our plea for justice.

The denial of the truth has this nation bordering on civil unrest. It’s suppression will only be at the expense of our own people. In such times men of caliber have stepped up to diffuse such tense situation by their acts of valour and self-sacrifice. The current PM being the leader of this country is called to do likewise and set a clear example to the future leaders of this country. His refusal is only sowing seed for a futile future where leaders will not have any respect for the rule of law. The nation’s future should not be forfeited for protecting an individual’s self-interest. PNG belongs to all of us. The position of the Prime Minister is the most public position in PNG. It exists for the sole sake and benefit of the 8-10 million Papua New Guineans. As such it is accountable to all Papua New Guineans regardless of creed, colour, disabilities, socio-economic status, religious affiliation and ethnicity. It is an authority set up by the people of this country to be the defense against internal and foreign threats to protect its every alienable rights from deprivation and exploitation. It does not exist to harbor tyranny and promote an individual or group’s interest at the expense of the majority. The title of “Prime Minister” epitomizes a unified sovereign nation therefore its bearer should at all times endeavour to be the symbol of Papua New Guinea's microcosm - its people, cultures, believes and dreams.   

   

Since the University Students have boycotted their class over serious allegations leveled against the Prime Minister the public have been privy to new information that seems to unravel the “behind the scene” developments that have led to the current political crisis. Thanks to the “internet and mobile phone revolution” social media platforms such as facebook are churning out important information that is informing an “ignorant” public about the details of the current saga. Each new day the public are becoming emboldened by the truth; its suppressor hesitant by its revelation. It is a matter of time before the truth will see the light of day. This year could be a year of reckoning for PNG as a country if all Papua New Guineans stay on the course in pursuit of truth.

To those that argue that it is the PM’s constitutional rights to seek court’s deliberation on his arrest over Parakagate they must realize that he must also respect the rights of every Papua New Guinean to whom he has solemnly taken an oath to protect. His pursuit of his own justice by all means should not disadvantage the nation's pursuit for truth and justice. It is the universal truth that the smaller entity must give up its freedom to the larger entity. That is the only way to maintain one's integrity. This means that the PM should be ready to surrender himself to face the full force of the law as required by the law of the land. When the PM creates roadblocks to derail people's pursuit for truth it is against the "spirit and intent" of the oath he has sworn to uphold. In such a time as we are now in, both sides (The PM and the people of this country) should strive to seek the truth and nothing but the truth to set this nation free from all oppression and its imminent destruction.