It always struck a chord of bemusement in me, how everybody seemed to know what was wrong in PNG but no one really wanted to discuss it.
When out and about in PNG when I lived there I soon learnt that nothing killed conversations faster than discussing politics. It was as if it was something done quite separate and beyond the powers of mere mortals.
I also attended quite a few political rallies and was also almost surprised at the way Most political aspirants would shout at their audience as if the audience was either indolent,stupid or hard of hearing.
It’s taken me a while to come to the realisation that it is not how people from my particular area speak to each other except when there is a dispute and I imagine that is the same in most cultures in PNG.
It seems to me that it’s almost as if some politicians lose touch with their social civility and roots when they get into power and then talk down to the population in general about how lacking they all are in addressing problems highlighted by the politician.
They are past masters at the politics of division.
I get that politics is adversarial but there comes a point when constructive cooperation would be in order for the good of a nation instead of this seemingly endless culture of blame which is divisive and creates even more problems.
It is not just politicians but social media commentators now espousing that PNG citizens do more at a local level to ‘take back’ their country.
Personally I think the people of PNG have done quite enough for their politicians and everybody else
I think that reason should prevail and change the tone and language used to re-engage with the general population.
It’s not how loud and forcefully you put forward your message but rather the contents of what you say that is important.
It’s time to take responsibility.
