By PEARSON KOLO
A Former Member in the House of Assembly from 1968 to 1975, rightfully a founding father of the nation, paid his respect and tribute to late Sir Michael Somare from his remote village in the Western Highlands province on Saturday.
The former MP is Traima Kambyapi, who was then the Member for Baiyer-Kompiam electorate in the House of Assembly, held his haus krai and mourned for Sir Michael in his Kumikama village in Lumusa LLG, WHP.
Mr Kambyapi was joined by his tribesmen and women who joined him in mourning for late Sir Michael Somare.
“I respect and pay tribute to late Sir Michael Somare, who fought hard during the pre-independence period for PNG’s independence and achieved it,” Mr Kambyapi said.
“Even though, I was then the Opposition Whip and had heated debates with Sir Michael on when PNG should gain independence, he won and got independence for PNG in 1975.
“I also acknowledge Sir Michael for clocking in 45 years of active politics in the country remaining as the regional Member for East Sepik province from 1968 to 2017, making him the longest serving Member of Parliament in the country and probably the Commonwealth countries.”
Mr Kambyapi recalled the heated debates he had with late Sir Michael in the House of Assembly when Somare was the Chief Minister in the Pangu Pati led Government while he was the Opposition’s Whip with late Sir Tai Abel Opposition leader under United Party.
“We the Opposition debated that PNG should get independence after 10 years and not in 1975, while Sir Michael Somare and his team debated to gain independence in 1975,” the former MP recalled.
“During one of those heated debates, I said something which angered Sir Michael and he crossed the Floor of the House of Assembly and came over to me and punched me and we heard a physical confrontation before the Sergeant-At-Arms separated us and mediated peace between us.
“That was how serious Sir Michael and the early leaders fought for independence and achieved it and I salute him for that,” he recalled.
Mr Kambyapi who is now 83 years old acknowledged that the country is where it is today because of the dreams and desires of Sir Michael and many other leaders.
“So many changes have taken place in the country since independence and I acknowledge Sir Michael for guiding the country through these changes over the years.” He stressed.
Mr Kambyapi said few former MPs from the House of Assembly who are still around are Sir Julius Chan, Father John Momis and a few others including himself.
“We have entered a transition period in our country’s leaders as we the old ones pass on and young leaders are taking over,” the former MP highlighted.
“And it is of national interest for the young leaders to lead the country into achieving the meaning of independence.”
Mr Kambyapi called on the people of PNG to continue living Sir Michael’s dream for PNG to be independent economically, financially, politically and socially.
He added that the two weeks of national mourning is fitting for late Sir Michael Somare to remember and pay tribute to his great leaders.
Mr Kambyapi lost his seat in 1976 when his Baiyer-Kompiam electorate was dissolved when Kompiam was joined with Ambum for a new electorate and Baiyer became part of Mul while Lumusa was joined with Wapenamanda.
