Temu calls for accountability as mover of No Confidence motion
Abau MP Sir Puka Temu expressed dissatisfaction in the current government’s leadership, when reading his motion of no confidence in Prime Minister James Marape, today at the court ordered parliament session.
“I rise today not with joy, but with a heavy heart. Heavy from the weight of broken promises, from the cries of a grieving nation, and from the silence that has gripped this Parliament for far too long,” Temu said when reading the motion.
“When Prime Minister James Marape took office in 2019, we watched with hope as he declared the vision to “Take Back PNG” - a powerful phrase that stirred the soul of this nation. A million hopes were pinned to that phrase.
“He told us we would become the “richest black Christian nation on earth.” We believed him. We believed because we wanted to believe - that at long last, a leader had come to bring dignity, opportunity, and justice to our people.
“But today, that belief lies shattered.”
Sir Puka who was the mover of the motion against PM Marape said this was not a vote of ambition but one of accountability and conscience.
The veteran politician questioned the role of government, considering the current state of the economy and the lack of service and major developments in PNG.
Temu observed that under Marape’s leadership, government have made numerous promises that had no outcome.
“Under this Prime Minister, we have seen betrayal after betrayal. He promised jobs: Yet youth unemployment remains one of our greatest ticking time bombs.
“He promised food security: Yet we import over K2 billion worth of rice each year, while our land - some of the most fertile in the world - is idle.
“He promised justice, yet corruption has become institutionalized. ICAC remains toothless, and major scandals - remain unresolved.
“He promised safety, yet our women are raped, our children murdered, and our towns turned into battlegrounds. And still, the government shields itself behind amended laws and calls the people’s pain “fake news.”
Sir Puka said three separate motions of no confidence were submitted in which all were blocked by the Private Business Committee.
“This Prime Minister did not just fail. He changed the rules to protect himself from the consequences of failure,” the Abau MP said.
“They failed to protect the Constitution. They failed to protect this, Parliament. And worst of all, they failed to protect the people of Papua New Guinea.”
Temu said his speech was not aimed at attacking the PM but to reveal the truth. “And the truth is simple: he has failed.”
Temu brushed aside the GDP figures [K79 billion, K111 billion] boasted by the current government, stating that it was unrealistic.
He said the billions government has borrowed have not translated into real, measurable improvements in the lives of ordinary Papua New Guineans.
The Abau MP urged Marape to do the honorable thing by stepping down from his leadership role in dignity and allow for a change of government.