Leader Of The Year

Opinion

Readers chose a young and dynamic leader whose country stands on the threshold of immense

regional power.

FOR THE FIRST time in the 58-year history of Pacific Islands Monthly, the magazine’s many thousands of readers have been asked to select the man or woman they feel has best guided the destiny of a nation or an organisation. They have responded by ‘electing’ as 1988 Pacific Leader of the Year Papua New Guinea’s energetic and formidably intelligent young Prime Minister, Rabbie Namaliu.

Nominations for Rabbie Namaliu outnumbered those for other Pacific leaders by a comfortable margin; and they came not only from Papua New Guinea itself but from Australia, New Zealand, other island nations . . . even from the United States, Canada and Europe. In fact, there were more from PlM’s far-flung readers than there were from PNG a reflection, certainly, of that country’s understandable caution about a Prime Minister who came to power through a vote of no confidence, and one who manifestly lacks the charisma of his predecessor.

Instead, ‘voters’ from PNG as well as from other parts spoke of Mr Namaliu’s devotion to the task that lies ahead of him; of his intellect and powers of formulating policy; of his persistence; and, indeed, of his absence of political showmanship: his, they felt, is a talent that manifests itself in accomplishment rather than demagoguery.

Nevertheless, Rabbie Namaliu has yet to demonstrate that his accom plishments so far will last, and that they will be given the chance to bear fruit. He appears to have the co-operation of the Opposition in his plans to amend tne Constitution, to remove the potentially disastrous possibil ity of a no-confidence motion bringing down a Government before it has had time to find its feet. The Opposition, of course, has its own interests well in mind in this case: for wnat is good for today’s Government will stand tomorrow’s of whatever political stripe in equally good stead.

He has seen more of the world in which politicians and businessmen operate than many of his fellow parliamentarians. He knows there is no simple solution, but he recognises that even the most humble solution will not work unless and until the people of PNG are better educated.

No matter where the circle is entered, the course remains the same: better education means greater awareness of social responsibility; better education means awareness of social responsibility and identity on a national rather than village, regional or tribal scale; national awareness means a better appreciation of national opportunities rather than self aggrandising policies. Realistic policies in turn mean an appreciation of wnat can be attained, over the longest possible time and for the benefit of the greatest number of people . . . and the realisation that such myopic policies will not be accepted by a better-educated electorate.

Despite his inexperience in the cut and thrust of contemporary PNG politics, it would appear Rabbie Namaliu has the vision to work for the good of his country by creating that circle. He has eschewed ‘develop ment’ as a panacea; he has contracted the previous Government’s plans to flood the nation with schemes for income generation. Instead, he has grasped the difficult policy of providing a better standard of education not to hold out a promise of wealth and opportunity (a promise that cannot be met, and that will not be met for some time), but to make his countrymen aware of what they can achieve for themselves.

Fewer than 15 years after Independence, Papua New Guinea has discovered it possesses resource wealth that could make it the most powerful nation in Oceania. If the readers of Pacific Islands Monthly are proved right in their judgment, Papua New Guinea also possesses a resource of a richer kind: a leader who can use his country’s wealth in the service of enhancing its human potential. □