National Party vows to fulfil Teine’s dreams

THE National Party will fulfil the vision and dreams of its leader, the late Joe Mek Teine, president David Yak said yesterday, The National reports.
While expressing shock at the death, Yak said the passing of the member for Kundiawa-Gembogl would not diminish and discourage the party.
“Indeed, it should en¬courage the party to go out full swing in next year’s general election and win more seats,” he said.
He said this was the dream of Teine and the party executives and supporters would not let the dreams and vision set by their parliamentary leader pass away with him.
He said Teine had put the party in order and had been preparing the party policy and plans for the elections when he passed away.
Yak said the party executives and supporters throughout the country were in shock because they did not believe such a thing would happen.
He said Teine’s death was a big blow to the party and its supporters but that would not prevent his executives from carrying out the work he had initiated as parliamentary leader.
He said Teine was an honest, committed and dedicated leader, who had the heart to serve his people in the electorate, province and country.
Yak said Teine had a big vision to bring the party back to its old glory days.
His father had occupied the same seat for some time in the old House of Assembly 25 years ago.
Since Teine is a sitting MP, funeral arrangements will be done in consultation with parliament.
Meanwhile, Enga Governor Peter Ipatas and Public Service Minister and Esa’ala MP Moses Maladina have sent their condolences to the family and people of Kundiawa-Gembogl.
“I knew him as a hard working, honest, humble and a very committed leader who loves to serve the people not only from his district but the people of Chimbu and Papua New Guinea, his passing is a great loss to all of us,” Ipatas said from England where he is accompanying Governor-General Michael Ogio for his investiture ceremony.
“I extend my heartfelt sympathy and condolen¬ces to the immediate family members, relatives and people of Kundiawa-Gembogl, Chimbu and Papua New Guinea.”
Ipatas said it was a great loss for the people of highlands region as Teine made “significant contributions towards the legal fraternity, business, politics and governance of this country”.
Ipatas brushed aside rumours he had died as well.
People’s Party deputy president Douglas Makana Ivarato confirmed Ipatas had accompanied Ogio to England.
“It is rumours being spread by people with a vested interest,” he said.
Ipatas sent condolences as well to the relatives of the late Madang administrator Joseph Dorpar, who died during Easter weekend.
In his message, Maladina said: “On behalf of the people of Esa’ala, I would like to extend our great sadness over the death of a great man.”
He described Teine as “a good man, a peace-maker and God-fearing leader who had brought Chimbu together as one people”.
“The late Teine provided stable leadership to a province that has produced and lost some of our greatest leaders.
“We have now lost another great leader,” Maladina said.
Maladina said Teine and his team had been in the process of seeking people’s views and making major legislative reforms.
He said the death of the late MP was a set-back for the Law Reform Commission and called on the commission to complete the work started by Teine.
Teine collapsed at 10pm last Saturday and was rushed to hospital where attempts were made to revive him from an apparent heart attack.
He died at 11am on Monday at the hospital.