Robert@PNG

There is no time like election time in Papua New Guinea!
Literally. Papua New Guineans and especially the Highlanders take their
elections very seriously. Fortunately, it’s an event that only comes around
every five years. Political parties in PNG really mean jack shit. Loyalty is to
the person or persons rather than to the party itself.

This unique blend of tribalism and
democracy is quite bizarre and the energy and effort that candidates expend
trying to get votes is overt corruption at its worst. Once the new round of
politicians is decided, the quality and standing of these newly elected leaders
will, in my opinion, certainly reflect the rabble and chaos of pre-election
time. 

Although they say that people get the
government they deserve, I can’t help but feel for the Papua New Guineans. The
change from a tribal society to one that is desperately trying to join the rat
race is advantaging only a pocket full of ruthless, selfish and greedy
individuals. The plight of the average PNG national in moving to a so called
developed society is marred with struggle, confusion and despair.

Politicians appear to be concerned with
short term gains only. What will be the legacy of this current trend of PNG
politician in 10, 20 or 50 years time? PNG is a unique place with a unique
culture and one of the few places on the planet where people still have a
working knowledge of an ancient way of living, the tribal way. Will progress
and development happen in PNG at the expense of tradition, culture and the
identity of its people? What does the future hold for PNG and its people? 

What about the 2007 elections? I’ll tell
you what I think… Papua New
Guinea will end up with a new set of faces
in parliament but the tune played will remain as is. PNG leadership and
governance will continue to revolve around greed, selfishness and mismanagement
for many years to come.