Wednesday 24th July 2013 FLASHBACK Page 15 Haiveta challenges report Mr Haiveta, also the Pangu Pati leader at the time added that the second Sandline Inquiry and its report were matters of public and should be subject to criticisms. THEN Deputy Opposition Leader Chris Haiveta had maintained that the second Sandline Commission of Inquiry was nothing but a political witch-hunt and he would not retract nor apologise to anyone for making the statement. He was referring to Chief Ombudsman Simon Pentanu’s caution on Thursday October 8, 1998 from leaders to think long and hard before talking cheap pot-shots at members of the judiciary. HOME & HEALTH Page 14 Headline: YWAM Medical ships in PNG STEAMSHIPS’ employees were invited to come onboard the YWAM Medical Ship for oral health care treatments and education during YWAM’s second annual Port Moresby Outreach. Other Headlines: • NAQIA host training • Water policy on primary heath care facilities YU TOK Page 12-13 Letter of the Day I AGREE with Governor Anderson Agiru and all MP’s who are trying to give Constitutional recognition of PNG as a Christian country. This move could not have come at a better time in light of the plight of Christianity all over the world. For instance, in the USA, the once foremost provider of missionaries to the world, is going through a lot of chaos with sin and confusion being the order of the day. The founding fathers of the US were predominantly Christians who built it on Christian principles but due to the idea of “democracy” and “freedom of religion” and “political correctness”, today Christians are ridiculed, mocked and attacked. Teachers and students are restricted from saying prayers or reading the bible in the public schools, Christmas trees or the crucifix cannot be erected in public places and even the Courts have said that the word “God” in “in God we trust” does not refer to the Judeo – Christian God. These are some of the things that are happening in America because it is ashamed of publicly declaring that it is a Christian country. Governor Agiru’s idea is more relevant to PNG’s case because anthropologists (Keesing, Tonkinson etc) have recognized that Christianity or Christian principles have become part of the cultural heritage of the people of the pacific including Papua New Guinean’s that it will be false to say that our “customs” or “traditions” have not been influenced or affected by it that it has remained the same since time immemorial. Thus, on this basis, it is arguable that since the Constitution of PNG recognises our ‘customs’ and the ‘traditional inheritance’ Christianity and its principle are by default also duly recognised. On the other hand, those opposing this would argue that it contradicts the principle of “freedom of religion” and therefore is against “democracy”. I would respond that “democracy” in itself does not mean exclusive freedom but there are certain instances where it is legitimate to restrict freedom and that occurs in consideration of ‘public welfare’ or ‘public good’. In Papua New Guinea where the majority of the population is illiterate and susceptible to “brainwashing” by foreign interests, it is important that we protect by law indigenous institutions such as ‘custom’ and ‘Christianity’ that can be easily undermined and overwhelmed. Our founding fathers in recognising this, made sure that they created a Constitution which was wholly for the indigenous people of PNG, protecting their institutions, and empowering them to determine their future according to their own ways. In Fiji, indigenous Fijians are struggling to have control in their own country when a more educated and rich minority is pulling all the strings. Just look at their Constitution and you will understand why. We are indeed privileged. God bless PNG! DeLion Page 12 Letters: • Investigate mining in East Sepik • Thank you MP Potape for free quarry service • The government much address teachers plight Page 15 Letter: • PNG must consider development criteria
Posted on: Wed, 24 Jul 2013 00:47:05 +0000
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