Chief Justice says, some of our laws are not good for PNG

by TODAGIA KELOLA

NOVEMBER 10, 2023

Chief Justice says, some of our laws are not good for PNG 

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“Parliament must make good laws for the good and benefit of all, not just a few. Laws passed should not be for personal interests of a few.

Laws passed must and should be for collective safety of people, easy to understand and enforce and be

applicable to everyone. Some of our laws, dare I say, are not good laws for the country.

“Laws like the District Development Authority Act, there is already the three tiers of government like the National Government, Provincial Government and Local Level Government.

Now we have the District Development Authority, who are the members, the chairman. For whose benefit was

that law enacted?

“Then the Kumuls Holding Act, all SOEs have their Boards but this law creates another Board, for whose benefit was that law enacted?

“The PNG Sustainable Law or Contract, that has now locked up landowners monies in Singapore – whose benefit was that law and contract for?”

As for due processes Sir Gibbs gave an example of a Police complaint that he personally made.

“Start with my own experience. I filed a complaint against a then government minister to the Commissioner

of Police to have the minister charged for certain alleged offences.

My letter was confidential to a head of State agency. That letter got intercepted and posted on social media platforms and ultimately this complaint of mine never got attended to. Some four years later, it remains

unattended. I have since given up in our systems,” he said.

Police Commissioner David Manning was also at the forum and delivered a presentation before the Chief Justice. Sir Gibbs said: “The courts recognise that the weak implementation and reform of laws impacts on the effectiveness of due process, the effective administration of justice and the rule of law in the country.

All of which pose negatively on PNG’s

Papua New Guinea declares Christian identity in constitutional amendment

Papua New Guinea legislators overwhelming voted in favor of the constitutional amendment to recognise the Melanesian nation as a Christian state. Photo: Supplied

Papua New Guinea's Parliament has passed a constitutional amendment formally recognising the nation as a Christian country.

The decision, made on Tuesday (March 12), saw an overwhelming majority of 80 votes in favour and only four against.

The amendment introduces a declaration in the preamble of the Constitution, stating: "(We) acknowledge and declare God, the Father; Jesus Christ, the Son; and Holy Spirit, as our Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe and the source of our powers and authorities, delegated to the people and all persons within the geographical jurisdiction of Papua New Guinea."

In addition, Christianity will now be reflected in the Fifth Goal of the Constitution, and the Bible will be recognised as a national symbol.

Prime Minister James Marape, a vocal advocate for the amendment, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome.

"I am happy," he said.

"This constitutional amendment finally recognises our country as a Christian country. This reflects, in the highest form, the role Christian churches have played in our development as a country."

The amendment follows extensive consultations conducted by the PNG Constitutional Law Reform Commission in 2022.

Communities, churches, and civil society groups across the nation were engaged in discussions, with widespread support for the change.

Marape emphasised the historical and ongoing contributions of Christian churches to Papua New Guinea's unity and development.

"With so much diversity, languages, associated cultures, and tribal affiliations, no one can dispute the fact that Christian churches have anchored our country's unity and togetherness," he stated.

He also highlighted the role of churches in providing services in areas where government presence is limited.

Marape also clarified that the amendment does not infringe on the rights of individuals practicing other religions.

Section 45 of the PNG Constitution, which protects freedom of conscience, thought, and religion, remains intact.

THE BILL TO DECLARE PNG A CHRISTIAN COUNTRY, FELL SHIRT BY 7 VOTES IN PARLIAMENT

The importance of passing the bill would NOT have infringed the rights of other religions or individuals but on the contrary, would have shown to the world that our Parliament and leaders are prepared to declare publicly  the Lord Jesus and the Father God who sent him and the Triune God has the official God if the nation PNG so that on that day God will declare PNG was truly a Christian nation before His angels publically.

Luke 9:26 (KJV)  For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.

It would not be a new idea but a law to consolidate together all other similar events concluded in the past by the PNG government such as...

1. Father of the nation, Grand Chief Somare signed a Covenant declaring PNG a Christian God in writing in 2007.

2. Placed the 400 year old KJV Bible inside the Parliament in 2015.(No Koran or any other Such document inside parliament beside the bible).

3. Declaring the Nation Day of Prayer (to the Christian) God in 2016. 

4. And very recently, PMJM rightfully and wisely opened new PNG EMBASSY in Jerusalem amidst similar opposition both nationally and globally.

I commend the Prime Minister James Marape for taking a bold stance with the majority of his cabinet and caucus members 71 in total to support this bill even as part of his presentation declared an emphatic " Choose you this day whom you will serve.." quoting part of Joshua 24:15. As vulnerable as any human being with shortfalls, PMJM made this bill his second most important contribution toward placing God before the eyes of the globe as truly a Christian country. 

The first was when he declared Jerusalem as the Capital of the State of Israel, despite facing similar opposition.

If this agenda is his second major task to accomplish during his tenure as PM of thus God's nation, he will prevail to see this through amidst the pending VoNC.

I sincerely encourage the opposing 10 MPs to change your mind and vote for this bill. As explained by PMJM, the rights of other religions or persons have not been infringed upon by this legislation.

Do what is expected if the silent majority before God and support it. The blessings are in the unseen realm to be manifested in the natural realm over time.

This legislation supposed to consolidate these long confirmed position accepted by the majority of the populace in PNG. Leaders are supposed to respect the views of the majority.

Those who voted against the Bill need to rethink or your names will be heralded as those who hold differing views on the Christian faith.

Abstract views away from generally accepted faith view expressed numerous times as mentioned must be respected by our leaders.

In so doing, we also profoundly declare and place the destiny of this volatile nation into the hand of the only Living God of Israel who is able to deliver PNG out of its various socio-economic problems it is facing today. 

Some people with no faith or little understanding of the principles of the Bible should refrain from commenting on highly spiritual matters as this one.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

(Romans1:16kjv)

Pastor Tom Watinga. BSc MBA & Evangelist/Pastor.

I forward summary of Parliament response to the second reading of the proposed amendment to declare PNG A Christian country as summarized by article by Solwai Emmanuel Mambei.

CHRISTIAN NATION BILL HALTED

By Solwai Emmanuel Mambei 

01st June 2024 

The Parliament on Wednesday 29th May 2024 voted on whether the Bill to have PNG declared a Christian Country would become law. This was the second reading of the Bill. If the Parliament had voted in favour of it, it would then go on to a third reading before becoming Law. 

Parliament needed 79 votes to have the Bill move on to a third reading before becoming law, but fell an antagonizing 8 votes close, with 71 MPs agreeing to the amendment and 10 MPs opposing the Bill. 

As a result of the rejection of the Bill,  the Constitution will not be amended. The constitution will continue to recognise that each of us is free to choose our own religions, be it Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism , etc. 

The Prime Minister though, in a move seen as wanting to keep the Bill alive, moved a motion for the results of the vote to be rescinded, which means the Bill will live to fight another day in Parliament, instead of being dead and buried. 

What are your thoughts on the Bill to have PNG declared a Christian Nation?