Late Sir Mekere Morauta was laid in a tomb as his final resting place on Friday 8th January 2021 at Independence Hill, next to the National Parliament, ending an eight-day State Funeral Program accorded to him by the PNG government.
Sir Mek was farewelled in a ceremonial gun salute and Guard of Honour performed by the PNG Defense and witnessed by his family members, parliamentarians including Prime Minister James Marape and his Deputy Sam Basil, other dignitaries and members of the public before his casket was lowered.
The body of late Sir Mekere flew in from Brisbane on 31st December 2020 and was greeted by State Officials and dignitaries at Jacksons International Airport VIP carpark as the family handed the casket over to the government and the State Funeral Organizing Committee to begin the 8 days State Funeral Program.
On Monday, 04th January 2021, the general public was given the opportunity to farewell their leader as the casket laid in State in the Grand Hall at Parliament House.
“He was a great leader. Sir Mek goes down in history as a senior reformist in the country. We lost a great man that contributed so much to our country’s growth. He deserves to be given that kind of respect and honour. He was a good role model for young men and women. May he be remembered in the way that he deserves,” said some members of the public.
Many tributes came pouring in during the 8 day program and on the final day of his funeral program, from his close associates and friends, fellow politicians and other dignitaries including the Prime Minister James Marape.
“Late Sir Mekere has given his life to providing services for the country, and he served with higher distinction right from the formative years of the country in the 1970s right up to this time.”
“Fighting and removing corruption was again the reason he returned to politics in 2017.”
“He died doing what he loved; serving his country,” said Prime Minister James Marape.
Marape said PNG will forever be grateful for his towering icon of good leadership in our country’s short 45 years.”
New Ireland governor Sir Julius Chan said: “I have lost a great friend and Papua New Guinea has lost a great son.”
“Sir Mek is rare breed of a man, a man who put the good of others, the good of the people, above his own interests and comfort.”
Opposition leader Belden Namah said he was a “great mentor, a role model and a father figure” in PNG Politics.
State Funeral Organizing Committee Chairman and Moresby South MP Justine Tkatchenko thanked the government, his committee members and stakeholders involved in making the State Funeral a success while farewelling late Sir Mek as his casket was lowered into his final resting place.
