By NOBERT KOKE
FORMER Prime Minister and Governor of Western Highlands Paias Wingti has challenged PNG politicians that if they truly want to respect the Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, they must first respect the institution he built.
Governor Wingti who was a two term Prime Minister of PNG said Sir Michael has always respected the three arms of government to operate independently and today leaders must do the same.
Wingti said Members of Parliament must respect all government institutions in this country and must not influence their decision making.
Mr Wingti said the Constitution of Papua New Guinea must be the foundation.
He said Somare was very smart that he gathered likeminded Papua New Guinean who put together our Constitution.
“He gave priority to that, that is where the foundation of this country hangs on.
“Today as we pay our respect to this great man, which I call him chief all the time, we must think about what he laid down for us.
“The constitution is so clear. The executive government, the courts, the parliament. What are their powers? What are their functions? He stated clear in the most detail constitution.
“Somare was clear. The executive cannot interfere with the courts, the courts cannot interfere with the parliament. The separation of powers is clear,” Wingti said.
He said today when we pay respect, we must think about what we are going to do from now onwards.
“We can honor him through this. Prime Minister of the country must know that he cannot interfere with the police force on operation matters, the Prime Minister of the country must know that he cannot interfere with the courts, the Prime Minister of the country must know that he cannot interfere with the public prosecutor, the Prime Minister of the country must know that he cannot interfere with the ombudsman commission. He is the policy maker, he is not supposed to interfere with the operational matters of those institutions that Somare built,” Mr Wingti cautioned.
