It is disheartening, yet very frightening and sad to see that majority of PNG Leaders have lost their conscience.

Hon. Gary Juffa and Hon. Allan Bird and 31 other MPs, you've all done well with by supporting voted for Ms. Winnie Kiap. You have the respect of silent majority of Papua New Guinea. You've represented your people well. You've represented majority of Papua New Guinea well.

It is disheartening, yet very frightening and sad to see that majority of PNG Leaders have lost their conscience. 

One would wonder whether they have represented their people or represented oneself to please their 'bigman' in the parliament and party affiliation.

It is sad to see that 71 of our national leaders are still trapped in their primitive cultural pasts, including the Prime Minister himself. 

The Nation was awaiting to welcome and celebrate its first daughter to become the Governor General of Papua New Guinea that will set the history and bench mark for the future generations. 

Who are you representing in the Parliament? Are you representing your party affiliation or your people in your districts and provinces? The 71s are displaying and promoting the 'hausman' and 'bigman' culture and leadership type at the National level, which does not truly represent the people of Papua New Guinea well.

Someone must be out of their mind to overlook a woman, a senior citizen with highly decorated accolades with wealth of knowledge and experiences to represent the people of Papua New Guinea and to represent the voice of our Women, girls and daughters at the National level. She is fit for this job by merit.

You all have missed a wind of change, for you all have trapped in your cultural pasts.

With due respect to Sir Bob Dadae, majority of Papua New Guineans are supporting Ms. Winnie Kiaps. These MPs have not represented their electorates and provinces well. Your win reflects their own personal support and relationship with you. Your win does not reflect majority of Papua New Guinean. 

PNG has had enough with Sir Bob Dadae. We need change. When can we change our mindsets to think and act and make decisions as national and global leaders representing our people well? The consciences of majority of PNG National leaders are driven or influenced by outside force.

Read below that Hon. Gary Juffa and Hon. Allan Bird had to say about Ms. Winnie Kiap.

"I pledge the vote of the people of East Sepik to the most highly qualified, dignified and non political PNGan, Ms Winnie Kiap has the support of the Sepik people."

Good morning PMJM and fellow leaders.

With the greatest respect for my PM and the Government Coalition, I will be supporting Her Excellency Winnie Kiap.

By Hon Allan Bird MP | Governor ESP | 19th January 2023 0850am.

I took Sir Michael Somare's place in this House to represent the people of East Sepik.

Sir Michael was an advocate for women in the early days when no one knew what it meant. He stood up for Nahau Rooney and was criticized for it.

Sir Michael never practiced regionalism. He was always about elevating the best PNGans always.

This is the first time in our history we get a chance to elevate a great PNGan who just happens to be a woman of high integrity.

I don't know Sir Dadae at all.
I have nothing against him or for him.
Today I think of our country,
I sense history beckoning,
I may not live past 2027,
I will never get another chance to use the vote of the Sepik people wisely.
I have advocated the rights of women and girls since I set foot in the House.
I will not back down now.
So today, I pledge the vote of the people of East Sepik to the most highly qualified, dignified and non political PNGan, Ms Winnie Kiap has the support of the Sepik people.

"I signed Winnie Kiaps endorsement papers without hesitation."

With due respect to the two other candidates, both very capable, I knew instantly and instinctively Winnie was the best candidate for PNG this time.

Not because she was a woman, though that was certainly great for promoting our womenfolks capabilities and setting important examples for the leaders of tomorrow's PNG..BUT because of her credible and impeccable background of amazing service to this nation AND her staunch dignified character, her incredible poise, intellect and intelligence, her humility and professionalism.

I was not alone. 32 others thought similarly too in parliament.

And so did so many Papua New Guineas...of all walks of life. It is obvious if you discuss this with anyone or browse social media.

For instance, as I walked into parliament today, I asked the workers, various occupations..guards..auxiliary staff, cleaners...clerks...public servants generally...who they wanted as Governor General..every single one...from all parts of PNG by the way...said Winnie Kiap.. they were so hopeful.

So was I..we had an opportunity to gain our peoples respect and confidence..we lost that opportunity sadly.

For once..PNG would have been on the world news for the right reasons.

But I am heartened to know, that there are so many who instinctively know what is right and want that too for PNG.

All is not lost.

PM MARAPE SAYS SIR BOB DADAE RE-ELECTED AS GOVERNOR-GENERAL TO MAINTAIN ‘CONTINUITY AND STABILITY’ 

The Pacific Guardian

APPROVED FOR RELEASE: JANUARY 19, 2023

Prime Minister Hon. James Marape says the ruling Pangu Pati and other members of the Coalition Government supported the reelection of Sir Bob Dadae as Governor-General in Parliament today (Thursday, January 19, 2023) to maintain “continuity and stability”. 

He said this after Sir Bob polled 71 votes to finish ahead of former Papua New Guinea High Commissioner to the United Kingdon, Winnie Kiap, with 33 votes. The other candidate was former Manus Premier, and then Governor, Steven Pokawin.

“For continuity and stability, when our Head of State is working well, Pangu and Coalition partners gave our support to Sir Bob,” PM Marape said.

“Continuity and stability are very important in our Head of State.

“Our Founding Fathers, who wrote the Constitution, saw that in 1975 and gave this office a six-year tenureship with a constitutional provision for second term. 

“This is the highest office of our democracy, and when the incumbent’s work is without disrepute , he as the symbolic head of our country representing our King must continue. 

“It was in this context that Pangu and our Coalition partners,  right from Government formation last August,  gave commitment for Sir Bob’s second tenureship instead of moving on to collect pensions.”

PM Marape thanked Mrs Kiap and Mr Pokawin for their candidacy for Governor-General.

“The two other candidates were a woman and man of high standing, but last year,  even before they  showed interest,  we had resolved for continuity and stability in the office of the Head of State of our country,” he said.

PM Marape stressed that although Pangu and the Coalition had resolved to support Sir Bob, leaders were allowed to vote on conscience, for the candidate of their choice.

“MPs voted for the candidate of their choice through a secret ballot,” he said.

“Even in the Government Caucus, I encouraged all leaders to vote on conscience, and what transpired today was a demonstration of the democratic process at work.”