"I support my Ministers and Deputy Speaker" Prime Minister

Editorial

PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare was in a foul mood yesterday. He lashed out at his favourite whipping posts – the media and civil society organisations over a number of issues, principally the amendments which Parliament passed to the Environment Act last week. For the occasion he was flanked by lieutenants Don Polye (Works, Transport and Civil Aviation Minister), Ano Pala (Justice) and Paul Tiensten (National Planning and Monitoring).

Even escape artist and robber William Kapris seemed to have attracted the prime minister’s ire as well. The PM’s outburst and anger was extraordinary. He criticised the civil society and the media for, as he put it, “taking the amendments (to the Environment Law) out of context”. Then he went on to describe the reasons for the amendment and that revelation was so astounding it beggars description.

The prime minister said he had personally gone to China to invite the company that has committed US$800 million into developing the Ramu nickel/cobalt deposit. He said the law had been passed to ensure that the project achieved its targeted deadline without unnecessary delay. “This project has a target and we have to achieve it,” he said in defence of the law change.

He might as well give a government guarantee for the project to be profitable. Here is the prime minister telling the nation that a company he has invited will have to remain and meet its targets and if it means changing the law, he is willing to do that. This is arrogance and pretty dangerous when it is applied in this manner. The law must never be changed at the whim of any individual from the prime minister down. Going by the reasons the prime minister gave yesterday, Parliament might yet pass another law to ensure that the LNG project meets its targets.

This project is investing more than 10 times the money spent on Ramu nickel mine. Moreover, the state has almost one fifth interest the project. Any delay – and construction and early works is already delayed – will impact on the state’s component in penalties applicable. All the more reason for the state to pass a similar law to negate all the landowner pressure and any other action in order that the PNG LNG meets its late 2014 first shipment deadline. The other subject he raised which raised a few eyebrows was the matter of the convicted escapee and serial bank robbery suspect Kapris.

“He is a criminal,” the prime minister said. “He goes to jail and says what he likes. And you believe it and print it on your front pages. “He accuses three of my ministers. Kapris is a murderer. He is a looter. He is lucky we have got good laws where he can say what he likes. In any other countries, he would have been shot dead.” Quite apart from the fact that the prime minister might have pre-empted the courts in several of his pronouncements, we are alarmed that he will automatically go on the defensive. The good name of his government, his cabinet and this Parliament has been called into disrepute.

The claim by Kapris is so extraordinary that it cannot just be swept under the carpet.
Two of those whom Kapris named, suspended finance and treasury minister Patrick Pruaitch and Correctional Services Minister Tony Aimo have denied the allegations. Deputy Speaker Francis Marus is yet to issue a statement. We would expect the head of government to actually call for a full and public explanation by the three men named. Following that, should the suspect behind bars be found to have told a blatant lie, then additional charges of perjury and for defamation should be filed.

In being named, the three have had their good names and those of the offices they hold, their people and their government brought into disrepute. From the prime minister’s statement yesterday, we deduce that he has instituted private investigations which have cleared his ministers. If that be the case, the next best option should be to file appropriate charges against Kapris. That should ensure he does not see freedom for the balance of his life.