The last man standing and founding father Sir Julius Chan has expressed sadness about the current government violating the constitution.
Sir Julius emphasized that he has no choice but to uphold the country’s constitution, which has been in place for the past 48 years.
“I leave all the technical stuff to you, the Opposition Leader, your Deputy, and the alternate PM Allan Bird to handle them, because for the last 48 years the House of Parliament has been without any disturbance.”
“The leaders who were in the house always followed the Constitution.”
“In the last 6 months I have realized that I have never experienced so many amendments to the Constitution.”
Sir J stated that the Constitution is vital for our nation’s stability and has kept peace for a long time, but expressed concern that now whenever there’s a threat, leaders simply change the government.
“It is sad to see young leaders of today are power hungry.”
The veteran politician went on to describe the time he took over from Grand Chief Somare, saying it was “a very calm transition of government”, done in-line with the Constitution they both had a hand in establishing.
Sir J further said: “Once the people ask for change, we cannot continue because this is the people’s house, and we can’t sit idle.”
“We must respond to the Nations call and not allow the government to continue to suffer the people with all kinds of policies that they do not deserve”.
He urges everyone to respect, obey and preserve the rules set by the nation’s founding fathers, and follow the examples set to protect the Constitution.
He said changing the Constitution multiple times must not be allowed.
Initially, the country had around 24 Ministers, but now there are over 30, which could lead to more Ministers than available jobs soon.
“We need to set precedence so that the future generation should not worry when their time comes and they put a wrong person in and make wrong laws, they will know that they have the power to change it.”
“We must compare PNG with our former administration – the Australian Government – who are not afraid to change their Prime Minister any time – and let’s not have the mentality that because we are a nation with different tribes (that) we are different.
“Change needs to come when the Constitution is not upheld.”