BIGMAN CULTURE, STRONGHOLD OF CORRUPTION IN PNG

Photo courtesy of PNG Electoral Commission 2013 

 

By Tarali Tarlzen Hibuya
      

Introduction
Greetings to you all Papua New Guineans,  especially  working class, good citizens and students who'll be taking Term 2 holiday during the 2022 PNG National General Election (NGE) period (12th May - 01st August 2022).

For students, you will be taking holidays during 2022 NGE (4th July - 15th July)  as usual especially during polling days as revised by Department of Education (refer PNG Loop)[9]. For working class, your employers will give you a day or two to casts your votes. For some, you will be casting votes at your locations, whether institution or work sites. In the following passages, more emphasis is directed at students because, they are our future.

For students, unlike other vacations you've taken in the past,  this one is unique season, which arises every five (5) years. During this season (vacation) you are given a greater task by the almighty laws of this land to make better, wiser and fruitful choices for our future and our children's future. Remember, the life that we live, we borrow from our children and the choices that we make today are for them tomorrow. There are many choices we make in our lives, but this one is where all strings of choices  linked - Politics is where social, economical and other aspects of nation's progress and prosperity is entwined. Thus, we will choose our political leaders in this season to ensure progress and prosperity are realised by us today and generations to come.

Choosing a right leader to lead us and to make our land a better place for future generations is our duty this holiday season.

As we embark on to that important project of choosing right leader, as students, let's close our eyes for a moment and think through.

What is the root cause of ongoing rampant crimes and corruptions in Papua New Guinea?

You may thought of many answers, but mine is only one and that is  systems of "Bigman culture".

In Wikipedia a  big man is defined as "a highly influential individual in a tribe...Such a person may not have formal tribal or other authority ...,  but can maintain recognition through skilled persuasion and wisdom. The big man has a large group of followers, both from his  clan and from other clans. He provides his followers with protection and economic assistance, in return receiving support which he uses to increase his status".  Wikipedia [1]

The American anthropologist Marshall Sahlins has studied the big man phenomenon. In his much-quoted  1963 article "Poor Man, Rich Man, Big Man, Chief: Political Types in Melanesia"[2], Sahlins  revealed that  in bigman system , the  "leadership is not ascribed, but rather gained through action and competition with other ambitious men".

In our own terms, the bigman, as many of you would literally define, it is obviously by the measure of how wealthy a person is with many wives, many expensive cars, or has many scenic and palace-like mansions or one who has many businesses. Or perhaps you might think, bigman is someone with big potbellied abdomen who can buy more cartons of beers and win jackpots in casinos. Or one might define bigman as someone graduated with PhD from a well-known university with higher qualification. Or one might define bigman to be someone who is a CEO of a major company politically appointed. Well, all these definitions of bigman are the reasons why crimes and corruptions are destroying us today. Many  people tend to define bigman by all these means and it has taken roots into our society culturally nowadays, and that's why bigman culture radically thrives and that becomes the stronghold of crimes and corruption in PNG .

However, on the contrary, we forget to define it the other way. Irrespective of one's wealth, stature,  tribal affiliations, qualification or  gender, the  bigman  should be measured by his/her sacrificeable commitments displayed for the collective good of all mankind.  The Bigman should be measured by the production of quality  handiwork through applying his/her productive and corruptless work ethics. The bigman should be defined in terms of  maintaining acceptable personal integrity by upholding cultural, religious and holistic mannerisms. Most importantly, bigman should be defined in terms of selflessness and  steady demonstration of unconditional love for all humankind regardless of gender, qualifications, tribal groupings,  political affiliations, or social status.

In absence of these values, the "bigman" means nothing of importance, thereby bigman culture flourish.

Bigman culture and Political Power

The bigman culture and political power are in hot romance. Curiously bigman culture and political power, can be deduced as one entwined devil who does not believe in institutions of the government. Neither does it believes in the effectiveness of the law of our land. It can be equated that

Bigman Culture + Political Power = Corruption

The bigman in its quest to acclaim political power, creates impetus for crimes and tribal fights in Highlands provinces and rampant Corruptions in PNG. In 2014, Steven Howes, wrote an article about elections in Papua New Guinea, in which he titled "PNG’s elections: the most expensive in the world, and getting worse" [7]. Howes was basing his analysis basing on government spendings only but this also applies to candidates spending spree. Thomson Fafugian in book by R J May et al (2007) [8], reported that the
"...National elections in Papua New Guinea, particularly the Highlands Region, are
something that people look forward to — the educated elite, community leaders,
churches, businessmen and village people alike. Elections are a time when
money, pork and beer flow into the province and everyone wants to participate".

For the rich, politics has become do-or-die affair and so the reasons for violences and the election malpractices.

Another evil effect of this  system of Bigman Culture is that it eats away the greatness in all of us. Bigman undervalue people, because he will see ordinary people as poor or illiterate or valueless. By doing this, bigman depletes the development energy in our country and seriously raise questions about our undertakings of citizenship. This uncalled for divide between the liberated bigman and blinded citizens have led many people to believe that we do not have an equal stake in our country. We seem to forget our rights and self-esteem, and look up to bigman as saviour and provider of all our needs.

Instead of development and progress, bigman culture ultimately breeds, I should say,  devil-upment and regress.

In this country, the bigman has become the government. He loathes over others for simple reason that he can afford a balance diet where millions go cap in hand begging for food. The bigman triumphs because he can afford mansions in a country like this , where countless people are homeless, sick and unclothed. Once again, he doesn't care.

Bigman Culture when in political power, there will never be social security to cater for unemployment, old age or ill-health because he view his followers as valueless and unimportant.

Project eradicate bigman culture

The critical questions to ask ourselves are:

Do we  have the power to cure and eradicate  bigman culture? Do we have the zeal and will power to dismantle and neutralise this equation that breeds corruption?

Our answers should be fatty yes all the way.

Remember, when you stand up against bribery, nepotism, election rigging, etc in this National General Election, you are in actual fact fighting  the systems of bigman culture. Bigman culture will be performing at its best during this NGE with massive convoys of vehicles, massive gatherings, expensive posters, expensive grandstanding and promissory speeches with all credits to one person namely "me, me, me" and that is Bigman Culture at work in its fervent to seizure our rights, our pride and our future. The bigman will give you cash for vote. Bigman will buy you cartons of beer and make you merry all through the period of election. However, the bigman culture acclaiming  Political Power will breeds corruption, crimes, tribal fights etc.

During this holiday, be on a mission to deliver a project: Project eradicate bigman culture. Let's go ford to our small family unit, clans, council wards, districts, and wider provinces to preach about eradicating Bigman Culture which when marries with Political Power, will surely create doom and gloom for us and for our future. Let's take this holiday to resolve and break the epicentre of corruption, malpractices in election, crimes, tribal fights, etc in our society, which is none other than "bigman culture".

We should be prepared to  differentiate who is bigman and who is "right leader" .

I hereby, propose  several mechanisms  to identify our good choices . In doing this, we should be able to promote well being and minimise ill-being. The PNG  system of bigman culture thrives on  persuasions , bribes and intimidations . Hence, once  these malpractices are minimised, the bigman culture as a philosophy of suppression and oppression will suffocate.

Mechanisms to choose right leader

1.  Build individual self-esteem

In Papua New Guinea today, there is an urgent need to reorder our value system. It is an emergency. 

A person's standards  and self-discipline set, based on the common sense and wisdom of knowing what the  proper moral rules and disciplines are, and the amount of willingness to see themselves and others abide by them. 

Every individual is a unique existence of this world, thus our individual's freedom of choices must not be influenced by bigman through their conniving tongues and materialistic bribes.  We must not be intimidated or threatened to forcefully garner  our support for their accumulation of wealth. We must know our own worth, our uniqueness and our individual rights.

As we are going towards the date of 2nd - 22nd July 2022 (polling periods),  we must resolve to judge candidates not by what they have in terms of monetary value or wealth or stature, but what they can offer in terms of nation's collective welfare. Wealth, simple wealth should no longer be measured of candidate's worth.

2. Identify government or candidate with foresighted policy.

We need a caring and loving government through their affiliated political parties and the soundly foresighted  policies.

A caring government can do so much by creating and enabling  conducive environment to help the majority of our people by offering policies that can soften the gab between uncaring rich and the blind poor.  For instance, the introduction of  SME  program by Marabe government was one of milestone  achievement  for citizens. 

As it is revealed in National SME Policy [6] handbook, "the SME sector has the potential to generate over 50 percent of formal sector employment in PNG and contribute up to 50 percent of our GDP", which displays foresightedness to improve the economy and standard of living holistically.

We only need to choose a leader who can deliver and ensure this policy is implemented .

3. Choose a leader who has no record of crimes or corruption

Candidates with criminal records are disproportionately wealthy and famous so they have both the means to contest elections, as well as the incentives.  These candidates thrives on the system of "bigman culture".

For this kind of "bigman" the rule of law  can be viewed as potent cure to excesses of the rich.

The candidates who has records of crimes such as  involving in tribal fights, stealing money, gun smuggling , fraud etc must be dejected in our choices .

4.  Identify candidate who is supportive to your education

The leader with vision to support you in your education is someone who has love for his people and our children's future.

Knowledge is power. Everybody needs to pursue knowledge with energy.  It liberates and tears down the cover of irrational and repress the "bigman culture".

Leaders who have records of paying school fees, buying books, buying computers or putting up a classroom for a school is a kind of candidate who should be in one of our choices.

For instance, Governor Undialu through his HUEF paid fees for five years to all tertiary students. If this  was not done, some would have left school already.  Further, through  HRDF, Timon Takili was supplying books and computers to schools in Hela. 

We need a leader who can do such.

5.  Identify candidate  who can vigorously  fight for  what's ours in the  floor of parliament

In our choices , identify a leader who has a record of fighting for what's ours without fear or favour for the common good of people under his care.  For instance, James Marabe has a dream to "Take back PNG"  which is driven by the fact that most of our resources are taken cheaply by foreigners through deceits, fraud, bribery and persuasions.  His dream is for the common good  for all Papua New Guineans.

Conclusion:

Finally, I hereby urge each one of us to take responsibility for the sake of our children. We are borrowing this life from our children. Our actions today determines how our children and how our mother earth will sustain in the future.

Sound, corruption-free and stable government, sound economy for the nation and better, wiser and clean society will all be realised today and when we start today by making right choice to choose our leaders.

Avoid be bribed , intimidated, or take part in it in 2022 NGE.

Good lucking in choosing a right leader, in doing so, will eradicate old fashioned "bigman culture" practices in our society. 

♦ End

References:

[1] http://bit.ly/3wEujSq 

[2] James Whitley ("Social Diversity in Dark Age Greece", The Annual of the British School at Athens 86 (1991:341-365) applied Sahlins' ethnographic model to instability in settlement patterns during the Greek Dark Age, 10th-8th centuries BCE.

[3] Marshall Sahlins (April 1963). "Poor Man, Rich Man, Big Man, Chief; Political Types in Melanesia and Polynesia" (PDF). Comparative Studies in Society and History. 5 (3): 285–303. doi:10.1017/S0010417500001729. S2CID 145254059. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 October 2013.

[4] Strathern, Andrew (2007). The rope of Moka: big-men and ceremonial exchange in Mount Hagen, New Guinea. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521099578. OCLC 698948824.

[5] Waiko, John D. (1993). A Short History of Papua New Guinea, Melbourne: Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-553164-7, p.9

[6] Ministry of Trade Commerce and Industry, National SME Policy (2016) , p.iii

[7] https://devpolicy.org/pngs-elections-the-most-expensive-in-the-world-and-getting-worse-20140512/

[8] R J May, Ray Anere,
Nicole Haley & Katherine Wheen (Ed 1997), The Shift to Limited Preferential Voting in
Papua New Guinea, p.81

[9] PNG Loop, (2022), https://www.looppng.com/elections/school-term-dates-revised-112266  

The cost-benefit analysis of hosting APEC meeting by PNG in 2018

The cost-benefit analysis of hosting APEC meeting by PNG in 2018.

Rationale

Most Papua New Guineans don’t know what is APEC and yet to learn the advantages and disadvantages of APEC and hosting of APEC in our country. That is the reason why, many people are crazily supporting politicians like Bryan Kramer who has ulterior political motives for negating the plans and procedures of successfully hosting APEC Meeting in Port Moresby.

In here I have put together several good-bad analysis of hosting APEC Meeting by several intellectuals, which I felt are necessary for Papua New Guineans to read at this time, and that should start with understanding of what is APEC, who are the APEC members and brief history of APEC.

What is APEC?

Asia Pacific Economic Coorporation (APEC) is a regional economic forum in Asia-Pacific region. The forum initially started as an informal dialogue of economic leaders in 1989 in Canberra, Australia. It was formally established in 1993 with 12 members, but currently APEC has 21 member economies: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong S. A. R., Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, United States, and Vietnam. Three organizations—Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC), and South Pacific Forum (SPF)—hold observer status (Source: APEC Website).

APEC Vision as reflected on ‘Bogor Goals ’is to achieve Free and Open Trade and Investment in the Asia-Pacific by 2010 for Developed Economies and 2020 for Developing Economies. Tariffs and other measures hindering competition are to be removed whilst on the other hand, other areas of Economic Integration are likely to include Standardization of Customs and International Trade Documentation.

The current theme centers on Economic Integration, Sustainable and Inclusive Growth. PNG joined APEC as a full member in 1993. However, it has not been a very active member until APEC approved Somare government’s proposal to host the meeting in 2018.

So here we are and we should ask if this APEC worth It? It is also important that we understand the advantages and disadvantages of being a member of APEC.

In the following passage, I laid out the views of Mr. Francis Hualupmomi [Francis''Email] who is a Political Scientist and PhD Candidate in Public Policy at the School of Government, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. He holds a BA in Political Science and Public Policy and Management (UPNG), BA Honours in Political Science and International Relations (UPNG), Master of International Politics (Jilin University, P.R China) and Post Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Policy Management (Melbourne University). He personally views the advantages and disadvantages of hosting APEC in Papua New Guinea as follows.

ADVANTAGES OF APEC

“APEC is often referred to as the most dynamic engine growth of the World’s Global Economy driven by its trade and investment value and contribution. This holds true for its population of about 2.8 billion people which represents approximately 57% of the world's GDP and about 49% of the World Trade (as of 2013). This suggests that developing countries stand to gain increasing benefits.

1.       ‘First, APEC’s informal approach of dialogue and collaboration encourages more participation compared to other rules-based economic forums/organisations.

2.       ‘Secondly, not only will they benefit from the development of procedures, policy frameworks and systems to deal with contemporary issues ranging from transparency and governance to financial sector reform and customs procedures but the opportunity to learn new skills and best practices from other economies.

3.        ‘Third, they are able to set agendas and have much say, just like any other bigger players in the forum.

4.        ‘Moreover, it is becoming clear that the exponential growth in the region will continue to reduce poverty across the region with deepening trade and investment. For instance, over the last two decades, we have observed that there has been a reduction in poverty and growing middle class as real GDP doubled from USD 16 trillion in 1989 to USD 31 trillion in 2013.

5.        ‘Finally, developing countries will benefit from APEC’s effort in integrating the region’s economies and promoting trade while addressing sustainability and social equity which would start in 2020. In it, PNG has upper hand as a host nation.

                Some of these initiatives are: Promoting Regional Economic Integration and Trade;  Making it Easier to Trade Across Borders;  Making it Easier to do Business Faster Customs Procedures;  Structural Reform;  Connecting the Region; APEC Business Travel Card;  APEC Supply Chain Connectivity; A Sustainable Future for the Asia-Pacific;  Environmental Goods List; Increasing Energy Efficiency and Renewables; Inclusive Growth: Ensuring Everyone is On Board (Nurturing Small Businesses, Enhancing Social Equity in the Region)”, viewed F. Hualupmomi (2018).

DISADVANTAGES APEC

“While the advantages seem highly beneficial there are also some disadvantages of developing countries being part of APEC.

1.       ‘Firstly, it seems advanced countries will continue to benefit more than developing countries due to the advanced technology and technical know-how that enhances their competitive and comparative advantage power. Small economies such as PNG will continue struggling to find their niche in the regional value chain.

2.        ‘In addition, it appears that some of the “Bogor Goals” of APEC have not been achieved to date. This suggests that there is no guarantee that developing countries’ agendas expressed through high-level policy goals will be achieved. This is largely attributed to the complexity of geopolitics and interaction of other forces influencing the value chain.

3.        ‘Lastly, the rule of corporate giants will continue to influence the value chain in the long run as it seems. Giant corporations’ interests will be politically driven at the institutional level; they will be the ‘winners’ at the expense of developing countries”. (F. Hualupmomi (2018))

Is Hosting of APEC Worth It?

“The question of whether APEC is worth hosting it by the PNG government in 2018 is necessary at this time when the country is facing an economic problem. Experiences from other member countries such as the recent host, Philippines suggest that the benefits will outweigh the cost initially invested. For instance, Philippines as a host of two APEC meetings (1995 and 2015) is currently experiencing a growth rate of 8% as a result of heavy investment in between those years.

“But, what are the likely benefits of hosting APEC in PNG despite the current economic situation?

1.       First, is that benefits outweigh the cost in the long run? This implies that there is an opportunity cost; in the immediate term the cost will seem exorbitant but over time benefit will accrue.

2.       Second, there are immediate returns through increased economic activities during the time of the event. For instance, there will be increased investment from tourists and businesses so as the creation of jobs.

3.       Third, not only will it bring returns in the immediate term but also restore the credibility of the state in hosting future high-level meetings. At the same time, investment in the meeting will boost our socio-economic infrastructures such as modern university facilities and improve our security and defence capability and capacity.

4.       As far as the long term benefits are concerned, this meeting will increase and deepen PNG’s trade and investments in the region. This will further be boosted by labour and skilled mobility, technology and knowledge transfer and financial transfer.

5.       SMEs are expected to benefit in this multi-relations.

6.       Socially, it will help increase collaboration and cooperation in combating governance and transparency and climate change issues.

7.       Another important point is that not only will PNG showcase its unique culture and tradition in the region but as an emerging Pacific leader it will fulfil the Pacific dreams of connecting the small island countries to the bigger APEC community through Pacific Islands Forum and Melanesian Spearhead Group. If that is well executed, there is a high possibility for PNG securing its full membership in ASEAN”, F. Hualupmomi (2018) viewed logically.

Conclusion

‘The analysis suggests that the opportunity cost of hosting 2018 APEC Meeting would accrue moderate returns in the immediate term and higher returns in the long term despite high cost in the short term.

The hosting of APEC is a strategic decision of the government based on calculated risks. Since it takes time for investments to maximize returns, vibrant leadership and effective good governance system is highly necessary. Political disturbance at this time would not only embarrass PNG’s international credibility but also jeopardize the opportunity to host future high-level meetings and access to other regional and global forums/organisations’, F. Hualupmomi (2018) concluded.

Therefore, as Papua New Guineans, let’s be united, be corporative and be supportive to our government to ensure 2018 APEC Meeting in Port Moresby is delivered successfully without mere disturbances. I personally do not like Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill nor other like-minded MPs in the NEC or Opposition, however, this APEC 2018 Meeting is for the worthy course-it is the turning point whether to make or break and I personally disagree the unnecessary and untimely strikes, protests, etc. The reputation as an APEC Member has built in the long run, thus, such decision by Bryan Kramer, Gary Juffa, Allan Bird and others to have APEC Meeting disturbed is a pure jealousy over government powers, perks and privileges and will not help Papua New Guinea in the long run all. Papua New Guineans must refrain from supporting such people.