Commentary: Why Peter O'Neill really matters

 BY DAVID LEPI

Why O'Neill really matters?

Peter O’Neill dominated Papua New Guinea politics for almost a decade before his ousting 2 years ago. How did he do it, and how much of a shadow does he still cast?

Like a posthumous honour O’Neill is far better celebrated now than when he was in power. People now fully appreciate how better he was until he was gone.

The starling contrast of O’Neill and the current government’s approach to service delivery is a reliable yardstick to measure leadership.

O’Neill’s government suffered an abrupt ending only to appease a fickle mob who gullibly took what political opportunists and lying mongers put on social media as the gospel truth.

His two year absence at the helm of leadership, besieged and in miserable isolation, marked the beginning of the end of infrastructure revolution that awakened the national consciousness and realization of improved assets will lead to economic growth.

Authentic national leaders do not arise often. They are forged more by fate and circumstance than by human design. Two years on, the full implications of O’Neill ’s era – a period in which he acted as the modern Papua New Guinean leader who saw his nation’s aspirations tied to that of the global family and has a role to play in the region it co-exist– have yet to be understood. His most enduring legacy was to build the PNG economy on a strong infrastructure backbone.

For O’Neill PNG an ethnically diverse, tribe-based society and is also an export driven economy integrating rapidly into a globalized world.

The fact that O’Neill today occupies a central place in PNG politics is in no little measure due to the man and his work. His other legacies such as the Union Bank of Switzerland loan may be open to dispute and it may also be too early to pass a final verdict on as there is a commission of inquiry currently underway.

O’Neill growing up as a village boy understood the everyday struggles in the village and to that of PNG an ancient civilization yet a young thriving nation. Thus his policies were relevant and his approach to implementation were pragmatic as life changing.

Like in the parlance, where there is a will there is way, where was no road he built one, one by one a wharf, jetty, bridge, school, university, college, hospital, free healthcare and education and no stopping.

To me O’Neill is the kind of navy diver extols by Billy Sunday in the movie Men of Honour.

“The Navy Diver is not a fighting man, he is a salvage expert. If it is lost underwater, he finds it. If it’s sunk, he brings it up. If it’s in the way, he moves it. If he’s lucky, he will die young, 200 feet beneath the waves, for that is the closest he’ll ever get to being a hero.”

O’Neill detractors would claim that corruption marred his reputation, but to date none of those allegations stood a chance in court.

All is lost because of a lie spewed by a man armed with a smart phone and a personal vendetta. He thought he destroyed O’Neill but he never considered the full implication of his lies and consequences of denying the people the leadership they deserved best and the services now found wanting.

Sir Julius Chan makes a statement in PNG Parliament

New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan makes a statement in PNG Parliament on May 29, 2019. It was during the resignation of Peter O'Neill as Prime Minister

My friends, I just want to say a few words today. 

I have been part of the politics of this country for more years than this country has existed.  I have seen times of crisis, times of danger, times of peril.  But in my more than 50 years of politics I have never seen the kind of hostility, the kind of division, the kind of – and I must use the word – the kind of hatred I have seen in the past weeks. 

That is why – three days ago – I went to see the Prime Minister.  And I talked frankly to him.  I said I felt that the longer he tried to stay in office the more the country would become divided.  And as a friend I suggested that the thing that he could do at this time to show his love for his country was to step aside. 

Peter O’Neill heard what I was saying.  And he agreed to step aside. 

I think we can learn from Peter O’Neill.  Let us put away self-interest.  Let us put away greed.  Let us put away anger.  Because, my friends, we have made a horrible mistake. 

We have fooled ourselves into thinking that Government and Opposition are enemies.  They are not.

Sir Julius Chan makes the statement in Parliament

 We have enemies, but the enemies are those who would divide us, those who would have us attack and slander each other.  And in doing so they prevent us from dealing with the real problems our country faces.  And believe me, we have serious problems we all need to deal with.

A wise man once said “There is no sea more dangerous than the ocean of politics.  And it is when the waves rise to their highest that there is the greatest need of an experienced captain, a good crew, and of a single, unfaltering purpose. “

So today let us act as adults.  Today let us declare ours is not a Government of any one party, or of three or four or five parties.  No…

Today let us declare our Government is a UNION of Papua New Guinea PATRIOTS.   Today let us agree that we will ALL WORK TOGETHER – as Patriots of Papua New Guinea – to take control of our country – to take our country back!! 

Today we can take the first step.  Today we can work together – TOGETHER – to find a captain.  Peter O’Neill has opened a door for us.  Let us walk through. 

Let us all agree on an experienced captain to pilot the Ship of State into a truly prosperous future.  And let us all serve as a good crew, a united crew. A patriotic crew.

Together we can do this.  As Patriots.  As Papua New Guineans. 

Major political power play to oust Peter O'Neill

A political power shift surprises Papua New Guinea at yet another weekend of political lobbying as Prime Minister Peter O'Neill faces a stiff indictment that he must forego his leadership.

The tone was clear for the last two months when several of his senior Cabinet ministers resigned and a breakaway by several coalition MPs took place reducing his government number to just more than 60.

His government defeated a potential vote of no confidence in early May 2019 by adjourning Parliament to the end of the month after successfully winning on majority votes, endorsing motions to change the composition of the members of the Private Business Committee.

He then attempted to ask the court to stay a potential vote of no confidence after the Opposition through Patrick Pruaitch filed a motion of no confidence.

This case apparently couldn't be heard by a three man bench of the Supreme Court, as there was no utility.

It was withdrawn by the Prime Minister's lawyers.

The circumstance was a result of an un predicted twist- while the case was on foot the Opposition withdrew its vote of no confidence motion on the premise that they would change the alternate Prime Ministerial nominee, replacing James Marape.

Two MP's who also defected from Peter O'Neill's coalition to the Opposition also back flipped- the increasing social media audience has described the MP's as "political ÿoyos". 

Peter O'Neill through Alotau MP and Treasurer Charles Abel after a long awaited press conference said the coalition was in tact and would defeat a vote of no confidence.

But it seems in PNG this is not true. In PNG politics one must guard its coalition members well and for O'Neill the trend of events meant he must be cautioned that anything can happen.

There was already a crack when his lieutenant and possibly the most trusted person, then leader of government business and Finance Minister James Marape resigned.

Marape's move has commanded, influenced and became an attraction for other MP's to add to the originally committed 24 Opposition MP's under Patrick Pruaitch.

The team dubbed the alternate government has now confirmed 62 members joining the camp, that is six more MP's than the required 56 MP's to successfully elect a Prime Minister.

Do we have a new government now? 

Their mission was to change the political leadership and end Peter O'Neill's reign of close to eight years.

Peter O'Neill was Prime Minister from 2011 to 2019

After holding firm about 49 MPs in the Opposition,  United Resource party Leader William Duma led his 11 MPs defecting from Peter O'Neill's camp at Crown Hotel and joined them at the Laguna Hotel.

Ministers for Higher Education Minister Pila Niningi, Police  Jelta Wong.

and in fact before all Commerce Minister Wera Mori announced his resignation as Minister and joined the opposition.

The number crunch is 62 and that includes 49 original MPs, then adding Wera Mori, Pila Niningi and 11 URP members led by Hagen MP William Duma.

James Marape says the camp still welcome like minded leaders from Peter O'Neill's side.

There are 111 seats in Parliament and with the Opposition commanding 62 basically means Peter O'Neill now runs a minority government.

Is this the end of his Prime Minister's term after ascending to the role controversially in August 2011?

The hurdles in ousting Peter O'Neill as Prime Minister

Intense lobbying is going on between politicians to muster numbers in electing a Prime Minister through a motion of no confidence against incumbent Peter O’Neill.

The motion is likely to be moved when Parliament resumes next week, May 7.

At this stage, we don’t know who would be the candidate.

Peter O’Neill though has enjoyed a strong and stable Government since his ascension and controversial election as Prime Minister on August 2, 2011.

He then successfully returned as Prime Minister after two national general elections- 2012 and 2017.

Peter O'Neill (right) sitting in Parliament

His ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) party in 2017 mustered majority of the electoral wins and was invited by the Governor General to form government which he did and enjoyed stability and cohesion since.

Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare was the last longest serving Prime Minister who held the post for a record nine years (2002 to 2011).

Despite Peter O’Neill’s much stabilised reign, there were serious and constant allegations labeled against his government for mismanagement, running the economy down, corruption, breaches of law, favoritism in offering contracts- allegations mainly issued by the Opposition, pressure groups and political commentators.

But Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has never been weakened and countered the allegations through some well crafted public relations responses playing down the severity of the allegations and pointing people to increased infrastructure developments.

He was loved, admired, praised and his coalition government numbers increased to a comfortable 86.

But the recent events of resignations by his government ministers’ (James Marape –Finance and Davis Steven- Justice and Attorney General) and MP’s defecting from his PNC party though minor from his standpoint- it’s been rattling and Papua New Guineans with their rationale conclude that things are not right within Peter O’Neill’s coalition.

If we were to prematurely crunch numbers, Peter O’Neill has about 79 members, that includes West Sepik’s Governor Anthony Wouwou who did an unorthodox move courting one anti-O’Neill camp comprising members of the Opposition, made news headlines that he had defected but within less the 24 hours made news headlines again courting his party leader Peter O’Neill and dispelling media reports he left the party.

Tari Pori MP James Marape (right) shaking hands with Morobe
 Governor Ginson Saonu, 

The Opposition has 24 members and excluding the Speaker, the balance of seven dissenting MP’s would most likely vote against Peter O’Neill.

While lobbying and strategic political maneuverings and discussions may not have reached the mass media, surely there are deep discussions behind the scenes.

People everywhere are watching with keen interest through social media, radio, TV, newspapers and online news media.

As it is, there are three options likely to eventuate after all the political hype and lobby against Peter O’Neill is settled within the next possible three weeks.

I say three weeks because a notice of motion to move a vote of no confidence has to be presented to the Speaker of Parliament, a week before it is moved.

The motion will be vetted by a committee chaired by the Speaker and the motion must be signed by several MP’s who also propose the alternate Prime Minister.

So there’s a bit of work to do for any one or group to first muster the magic number of 56 and then get the nod from the Speaker and his committee.

If Peter O’Neill was to survive the vote of no confidence, though he has been confident and firm that his coalition government was intact and as vibrant as ever, he must be reminded that cracks have surfaced from within and he must be at his best than ever to counter.

He must hold strong the 79 he has as turn of events indicate shocking decisions can be made when you least expect it.

He must first ensure he is not voted out in the party caucus meeting.

James Marape has been forthright this week, he wants the PNC party leadership to be tabled-essentially he says he does not want Peter O’Neill to lead the party and be the Prime Minister.

Does James Marape imply he was one of many within the party who desires a change in party leadership?

Peter O’Neill has since responded that Marape was not welcome in the party caucus meeting.

The second option which could work to replace Peter O’Neill as Prime Minister is a major dissent from within the government coalition who votes against him. Again the magic number is 56.

The third which uses a similar modus operandi as the above in the vote of no confidence-the person can be from the coalition government or the opposition but they must convince and secure 56 votes to oust Peter O’Neill.

The first hurdle though is an alternate Prime Minister must have been chosen within the next six days.

While that looms, Papua New Guineans observe with keen interest how this would ­­­­­eventually pan out as lobbying intensifies and THE day gets closer day by day.