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Date Posted: 13:39:58 01/18/00 Tue
Author: Anonymous
Subject: INCLUDE CHIEFS AND BIGMEN -Cyberfox's view
In reply to: 's message, "CW's ANSWER TO MAKING A BETTER PNG" on 07:51:46 01/17/00 Mon

Dear CW
The attributes you mentioned; honesty, hardwork, consideration of others, and dedication are prerequisites for any good government or entity, but even more so for PNG right now.I also wish to make some more comments.

Imposing of the Westminster system of government on societies with disparate and diverse values lay the foundation for the conflicts that we now see. The style of leadership required of leaders within this foreign system conflicts with our pre-existing systems, such as the wantok system or the ‘big-man’or the chief-led systems of rule, where benevolence and the gift giving were part and parcel of these independent entities. The current crop of tyrants have bastardised these systems to justify their ‘bribes’ and blackmail, made even worse by their access to RDF funds.

Relegation of traditional systems to the back ground after statehood has reduced 80% of our people to mere spectators, to the point where it has created a “them” and “us” attitude or the ‘don’t care’ mindset.

Statehood has bundled together a country consisting of people with disparate and divergent values resulting in this presnt state of catharsis. Whose values do we adhere to? Whose law?

Some re-affirmation of the clan-based systems can be seen in the highlands where some clans have resorted to arming themselves with high powere rifles bought by some prominent figures, to be able to fight the government forces or enemy tribes. Such a practice, while illegal under state laws, are the only source of security and recourse to justice that people are willing to recognise, in the face of mounting police brutality and tribal fights.

The wantok system, while beneficial under the right conditions, has now been abused to the extent that it is detriment to growth, transparency and fighting crime. In retrospect it merely contrasts the conflicts of values between the two systems. When threatened, people will stick top what they know best; what has served them through thousands of years.

In his book, The Bougainville Campaign Diary, Yauka Liria mentioned that, “Papua New Guinean’s loyalty are first to their immediate family, then to the clan, village province and finally, the country, in that order.” This about sums up the problem with PNG. Why would anyone be willing die for PNG if PNG cannot protect one’s family from crime or if the politicians are not willing to lead in a way that creates and instils national pride in us all?

We must give recognition to pre-existing systems because this is what people understand, then incorporate these into decision-making processes from the ground up. Most changes so far have adopted a top down approach, which as you and I know, has not moved us backwards.

The voting process must be changed to ensure that true representatives of the people are elected, not some misfits that sneaks in by the hair on their nasal tip.

The ICAC must be set up without due delay in order to compliment the work of the Ombudsman and and to ensure honesty is enforced within the executive arm of government. The continued delay in setting this commission up must mean that some people in power are doing their best to ensure that this never eventuates.

Em tasol lilik mauswara bilong mi.

Cheers
CF

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