MIRRORS AND SHADES IN POLITICS

 

By Sylvester Gawi 

In 2019, Late Sam Basil didn't defect from the O'Neill government till the eleventh hour. He was the middle man.

Kerenga Kua was cooking something at Dream Inn while the National Alliance faction was camping at Sanctuary Hotel.

James Marape the then Minister for Finance and a member of the ruling PNC party was the first to resign from the cabinet in April 2019. Marape claimed that the country’s economy was not improving and the books have been decorated to impress investors, the business community and the people of Papua New Guinea.

Marape moved out along with Hela Governor Philip Undialu, Southern Highlands’ William Powi and other Ministers including Defence Solan Mirisin and Health Dr Puka Temu.

The next major crack in the then government was created when O’Neill’s staunch supporter and PNC strongman Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas withdrew from the government. He brought with him Jiwaka Governor Dr William Tongamp and Attorney General Davis Steven who were members of his former Peoples Party (PP).

Rainbo Paita, John Rosso, Dr Kobby Bomareo, Late William Samb, Robert Agarobe, Henry Amuli were the only six PANGU Pati MPs camped at Bully Beef base. There were called the Seal Team Six.

Late Sam Basil, James Marape, Philip Undialu and others were invited over to Bully Beef and negotiations took place.

Late Sam Basil with advise from an Indian associate broke ranks with PANGU Pati and joined Bernard Narakobi's Melanesian Alliance at MRDC House downtown.

Late William Samb broke down in tears. Both Basil and Samb had resurrected PANGU Pati from the thrash can of PNG politics. 

Basil and Samb brought PANGU into the 2017 National General Elections and won 7 seats in Morobe, 2 in Madang and 1 in Central.

1. Hon. Sam Basil – Bulolo

2. Hon Thomas Pelika – Menyamya

3. Hon. Kennedy Wenge – Nawaeb

4. Hon. Kobby Bomareo – Tewai Siassi

5. Hon. Renbo Paita – Finschafen

6. Hon. Koni Iguan – Markham

7. Hon. Ginson Saonu – Morobe Governor

8. Hon. Bryan Kramer – Madang

9. Hon. Chris Yer Nangoi – Sumkar

10. Hon. William Samb - Goilala

Leading up to the formation of government, more MPs joined PANGU Pati.

The new MPs that joined PANGU were;

1. Hon. John Rosso – Lae

2. Hon. Lekwa Gure – Rigo

3. Hon. Robert Agarobe – Central Governor

4. Hon. Henry Amuli – Sohe

5. Hon. Sir Mekere Morauta – Moresby North-West

6. Hon. Dr Lino Tom – Wabag

7. Hon. Peter Sapia – Raikost

PANGU Pati was then the second biggest coalition partner in the Opposition with 17 members. It was also a major player in debating policies with the government.

A couple of months in the Opposition and information have been leaked within the party caucus that Basil will be moving over to the government. Three new members of the party disputed the proposed move and remained with the Opposition.

These MPs were;

1. Hon. Bryan Kramer

2. Hon. Sir Mekere Morauta

3. Hon. Dr Lino Tom 

Basil took with him eight MPs to Melanesian Alliance. Ginson Saonu was recovering from medical treatment and  wasn't part of the negotiations. Saonu was now the acting PANGU Pati leader.

Seal Team Six went to Laguna Camp and were joined by Saonu. Marape broke ranks with O'Neill when he was offered PANGU Pati leadership.

Bryan Kramer never voted for Marape to be the Alternate PM.

The National Alliance faction want Patrick Pruaitch to be the Alternate PM. They wanted to settle the score with O'Neill on what he did in 2011 when PNC took over from NA.

On the day when parliament convenes O'Neill did the honorable thing and resigned as PM. The Laguna faction didn't go back to camp, instead they went to Grand Papua hotel that day.

O'Neill, Basil and others walked over from Crowne Hotel to Grand Papua and negotiated the decision for Marape to be unanimously voted as PM.

The Sukundimi Manoeuvre by Pruaitch, Allan Bird and Belden Namah didn't work out.

In 2021, Late Sam Basil was lured to the Vanimo Camp by NA with a promise to become PM only to found out that the Opposition was infiltrated with egoistic leaders. Pruaitch, O'Neill,  Sir J, Basil, Namah were all up for the top job.

Basil moved back to the Marape government on the floor of parliament and was given the Deputy Prime Minister post.

William Duma will always move with the majority. He cannot be trusted for obvious reasons. 

For now, let's get to the drawing board and prepare for 2027. You change all these veteran politicians with serious allegations leveled against them and then you'll find a new crop of leaders to move this country forward.

Let those without sin cast the first stone. 🙏💙🇵🇬