Peter O'Neill is the new Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, being elected by an overwhelming majority of 74-24, just minutes ago.
He is now being transported to Government House to be sworn in by Governor General, Sir Michael Ogio.
O'Neill was nominated by Opposition Leader, Belden Namah, when Parliament resumed at 2pm today, and seconded by sacked Petroleum Minister, William Duma.
Bulolo MP Sam Basil closed nominations.
Forests Minister Timothy Bonga walked out in protest.
Several Government Ministers and MPs moved over to Opposition ranks today.
Ministers included O'Neill, Internal Security Minister Mark Maipakai and Minister Assisting Prime Minister Charles Abel.
He is now being transported to Government House to be sworn in by Governor General, Sir Michael Ogio.
O'Neill was nominated by Opposition Leader, Belden Namah, when Parliament resumed at 2pm today, and seconded by sacked Petroleum Minister, William Duma.
Bulolo MP Sam Basil closed nominations.
Forests Minister Timothy Bonga walked out in protest.
Several Government Ministers and MPs moved over to Opposition ranks today.
Ministers included O'Neill, Internal Security Minister Mark Maipakai and Minister Assisting Prime Minister Charles Abel.
I think we are not out of the woods yet as the election of Peter O'Neil as the new Prime Minister of PNG could be challenged in the court by Abal's team as there are constitutional issues hanging over the election issue. How long this is going take is another issue.
ReplyDeleteAmen..amen..So the Chief is out..Thats a relief.... Abal should not be fighting for Pm seat.. As long as one MP gets it other than the Chief is a news to be celebrated.. Not long to go..So give O'neil a chance..Both O'Neil and Abal are Highlanders so come on..Why go to court..Unless yupela pawa hungry. I would not mind having either Abal or o'Neil...Come on..Stop fighting na taim blo celebrate the seat thats given to one Highlands country...
ReplyDeleteCheers na wanbel stap wantaim yupela ol Highlands leaders
Nalix Yet
Land Down Under
Are the ‘Novice’ Power Brokers Playing into the hands of the ‘Grand’ schemer?
ReplyDeleteThere is this saying ‘to catch a thief one’s got to think like a thief’. Similarly to counteract the Chief’s plans, our young politicians got to put themselves in his shoes. Think of him as just another ‘normal’ politician.
A starting point is to follow the Human-Life Cycle in the context of a ‘normal’ PNG Political Leader. Starting aspiring politicians enter politics with all the right intent, and a common conviction is ‘thinking less of themselves and more of others’. But once they had a taste of the forbidden fruit it becomes the case of ‘what you see is what you get, what you don’t see is what I get’. Thinking more of themselves now, their focus shifts and they will scheme to ‘get rich quickly’ or ‘build a dynasty’. The Chief is not a first time politician and is more probably interest in the later. In the contemporary modern Melanesian society ‘paitim bros’ has taken precedence over service and humility.
As is with human, fathers would want the best for their children and in the waning years people tend to look inwardly within the family circle to ensure the survival and continuation of their genes or the legacy of their success. The Chief in his mind has probably schemed to have his son carry on the Somare legacy, not as an ordinary politician but as a next future Prime Minister. Like father, like son. And wouldn’t that make him proud. Planti ol kain lapun olsem ino save tingting stret. Ol save tingim biknem na namba ya. Seeing one of their own succeeding them is their ultimate satisfaction in their retirement.
By ignoring the NA constitution and appointing Sam Abal, The Grand Chief, sowed the seed for divide and rule. The highlanders are exposed by fighting it out and has made a negative impression to the nation of how power hungry they are. This could have already alienated the coastal politicians and their constituencies who are already thinking more along the lines of regionalism now.
Attention has shifted from the younger Somare who with the NA Coastal and NA Island candidates could go into 2012 elections riding on people’s sympathy.
Only time will tell.
I prefer O'Neil. :)
ReplyDeleteForget Somare, let O'Neil be PM.
ReplyDelete