ISOLATE PNC
Former
Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta today urged all newly-elected
independent Members of Parliament to join the Independent Team or
friendly parties in Opposition, but not PNC.
“Peter
O’Neill and PNC have tried every possible trick to rig the election,”
he said. “Despite this, Opposition candidates have made strong gains –
witness the sweep Pangu is making in Morobe, while other Opposition
parties and Independents are leading in most seats.
“These
MPs-elect have fought strong campaigns against the odds and won. PNC is
out-numbered 2-1 in the declarations so far. Opposition parties have
joined together to provide a very clear alternative to Peter O’Neill.
“But
the fight is not over yet. Mr O’Neill is trying to stall the
Opposition’s gains by slowing counting and attempting to lure
independent candidates.
“It
will not work. People are not blind to Mr O’Neill’s tactics; people are
sick of his abuse of power and are calling for change.
“Already
PNC strongmen are looking to defect or to change their leader. They
know that Mr O’Neill and his sidekick James Marape won by dubious means,
with Sunday voting, more ballot papers than names on the electoral
roll, and so on.
“PNC
members realise that Mr O’Neill and Mr Marape could well lose their
seats in the Court of Disputed Returns. The disputes are already
registered.”
Sir Mekere said Mr O’Neill had a record of gross mismanagement of the economy and public finances.
He
had also infiltrated and politicised important institutions that were
set up to promote and uphold transparency and accountability.
“Look
at what has happened to the Electoral Commission, the Police, the
Defence Force, the Treasury and the Finance Department, the Bank of
Papua New Guinea,” he said. “Look at how he has starved the Ombudsman
Commission and the Fraud Squad of resources, and abolished Task Force
Sweep after starving it completely.
“Mr O’Neill has muzzled the media. He has virtually outlawed public protest. Where is he going to stop?
“Papua
New Guinea cannot allow an O’Neill Government to come back to power.
That guarantees disaster for the nation and the burial of our young
democracy.
“I
appeal to all independent Members-elect to remain independent and join
other independents to move strategically as a group. Let the numbers in
the political party landscape take shape then move as a group to
influence the making of a new Government.
“By
moving individually now you lose that independence and the benefit of
combined influence. You become a newcomer to the core group of a party
and will be treated as such. Your fate will be determined by the fate of
the party that you join prematurely.
“In
a group of independents you retain your freedom, but have the advantage
of the power of a group. If you choose to join a party immediately,
join one of the parties in Opposition. Do not join PNC.”
Sir Mekere said Papua New Guinea’s future was at stake.
“All
Members-elect, whether Independents, or from parties, must listen to
the cry of the people, who are worried about the future,” he said. They
want and are praying for a change of government.”
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