Former PNG Prime Minister late Sir Mekere Morauta was formally farewelled for the last time in a State Funeral service
By HARLYNE JOKU
IT was a moving farewell given to the late former PNG Prime Minister and senior statesman late Sir Mekere Morauta who was laid to rest at the foot of Independence Hill at Parliament on Friday afternoon, Jan 8.
A blend of Christianity, politics and customary obligations were displayed as the late Sir Mekere’s State Funeral service was conducted in the morning at the Sione Kami Memorial Church and later for burial on Independence Hill.
The Toaripi choir sang beautifully and the funeral procession right throughout was peaceful and orderly. There were no rowdy crowds to disturb the peace but respectful people attended most of whom were Sir Mekere’s relatives from the Gulf province and the Papua region.
Prime Minister James Marape and wife Rachael Marape as well as the Opposition Leader Belden Namah paid their tributes to the respected leader.
Prime Minister Marape in paying his tribute said Sir late Mekere’s passing was a “huge national loss”.
He said Sir late Mekere’s served his country well.
“The late Sir Mekere served his country with distinction right from the formative years of our country in the 1970s with national figures like the then Mr and now Sir Rabbie Namaliu, the then Mr and now Sir Charles Lepani and the late Anthony Siaguru.
“This famous ‘Gang of Four’ plus other pioneer public servants assisted the founding fathers of our nation by laying the foundational stones.
“And his imprints on our national life is huge every step of the way from 1975 up till today; in the public service, also in the private sector and in politics.
“He made history by easily transitioning from public service leadership to political leadership where he reformed and strengthened key institutions of State at the same time fighting graft and corruption,” the prime minister said in his State Funeral address.
Opposition Leader Namah also echoed similar sentiments: The passing of the Rt. Hon. Sir Mekere Morauta has saddened me profoundly. He was a close friend, a fatherly figure, a mentor, a role model, a gentleman, a great national leader and a remarkable international statesman.
Close friends and colleagues of the late Sir Mekere including the former Prime Minister Sir Rabbie Namaliu, Winifred Kamit, and Sir Charles Lepani shared their life experiences with Sir Mekere and told of the exceptional person he was.
The most touching were the lamentations sung in the Toaripi language by his two great aunties over 90 years old and in wheel chairs. They mourned of Sir Mekere’s passing on in the Toaripi language. They told of the great and caring son Sir Mekere who never forgot about their welfare to his death in church and later at the burial site.
Before the late Sir Mekere was buried Gulf Governor Chris Haiveta declared the late Sir Mekere’s graveyard be renamed Sovora Ipi – his traditional clan name.
Haiveta said all customary obligations were integrated into the funeral service and burial sites, including lamentations sung by the aunties and clan farewell songs sung by surviving members at the burial site as part of the clan land to allow burial to proceed.
“Women and girls from both the late Sir Mekere’s mother and father’s side provided mats for his final journey into the residence, the church and the burial site as a sign of respect only reserved for paramount chiefs and people recognized for extraordinary feats or contributions to the clan or tribe,” Haiveta said.
And at the conclusion of Sir Mekere’s burial, Reverend Dr Jack Moha, Senior Minister of the Sione Kami Memorial Church blessed the late Sir Mekere’s tomb.
“Ashes to ashes and dust to dust, the lord gives and the lord takes, blessed be the name of the lord,” Reverend Dr Jack Moha said.
Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the State Funeral, Justin Tkatchenko thanked all for participating while paying his last remarks to late Sir Mekere;
“May his soul rest in internal peace.”