POLITICAL COUP OF THE DECADE
THEY are, without doubt, the political coups of the decade. Of course, those involved will be disinclined to publicly voice it or even take credit for it. Nonetheless, they shall become coups worthy of mention in the annals of history. With less than one-fifth of parliament, the opposition on Tuesday threw asunder the most stable government in the history of PNG. That was the first coup. The second, of course, was the ascension to the prime minister’s post by Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill. From about sixth position in the line-up for the post, O’Neill has become the dark horse that has stormed to victory in the last 50m. With less than six MPs, the People’s National Congress has triumphed over the NA, the United Resources Party, the PNG Party and Pangu Pati to take the coveted prize. How the two coups took place will unfold in due course but suffice it to say for now that they are quite stellar performances, masterful strokes if you will. The wounds the first coup has opened will, per