PNG Leaders (MPs) are Talking Machines (Robots)

Lucas Kiap

By Lucas Kiap
If robots can preach volumes and do nothing, that’s at least what we can described our leaders “the talking machines”. 

I am making this comment not because I like to make comments but it’s because I strongly feel that our leaders are talking a lot and doing nothing on what they preach about. 

Let’s take a look at some of the series of comments made so far by these talking machines:

• Former Deputy Opposition leader Bart Philemon described our politicians as ‘Dirty money’ MPs’. He further claimed that Papua New Guinean politicians are walking on a “minefield” of “dirty money” from unscrupulous people with money, who are hell-bent on influencing political outcomes for their vested interests (The National, Monday September 10, 2007).

• Former Justice Minister and Attorney General Dr. Allan Marat, described corruption in Papua New Guinea as ‘Massive’ and the country is no longer safe (Post Courier, Friday, February 15, 2008).

• Former Minister for National Planning and Monitoring Paul Tiensten told reporters that there is a “10 per cent” syndicate operating out of the Vulupindi Haus, the headquarters of the departments of Finance, Treasury and National Planning (Both Post Courier and the National, Wednesday February 20, 2008).

• Sir Mekere Mourata once described corruption in PNG as “systematic and systemic”. Systematic because it is planned, organised and cleverly exercuted to steal large sums of public money. And they know how to avoid getting being caught. Systemic because the current systems in place or the lack of strict checks and balances fascilitates or is condusive for corrupt practises to flourish in the public service (Rodney Itaki, May 22nd, 2007, Pacific Family Health Journal).

I have read similar concerns time and time again by MPs for the past two decades of my life.

These comments made so far by our leaders clearly indicates that our they are not supposed to be members of parliament at the first place because they are incompetent in making critical decisions to save guard the country. They cleverly identify problems of grave concern and yet they don’t know what to do about it. Leaders supposed to be critical decision makers and find solutions to the problems.

I have been wondering if our leaders (MPs) cannot find solutions and make critical decisions but seen fit in making comments only to please the suffering public, is there a better word to describe their inaction? Maybe they are “talking machines of the robotic generations”.

Lucas uses Social Media to write about issues affecting Papua New Guinea. For more information, he can be contacted on facebook.