A God-fearing leader‏

During a two hours bus ride from Kundiawa to Mt Hagen about a month ago, I overheard to men discussing the current situation in the country. My interest on the conversation grew when I heard the men addressing each other as ‘Pastors’ and the discussions hit on some hard facts our country was facing. My interest in the discussion was such that I did not realize my fellow passengers getting off in Mt Hagen.

Two weeks later, during the commissioning of the executives of the Papua New Guinea National Party in Kagamuga outside Mt Hagen, I heard the very words spoken by the Pastors in the bus repeated by local businessman David Yak who was elected the Party’s National President. I decided to talk to Mr Yak after the event when I realized that, here was one leader who was unique. Though I have travelled with politicians, senior public servants, businessmen and leaders of all level in the line of my duty, after having talked with him, here was what true, honest and God-fearing leadership was all about.

Some things Mr Yak who is a businessman did are rare and are challenges not for leaders alone but ordinary people as well. With times getting tougher, business people want their business to grow through all means – whether it involves illegal methods and deals or through honest means. It’s the same with ordinary people who want to survive through all means, regardless of moral, religion and the law.

The late Justice Timothy Hinschcliffe, during at sitting at the Mt Hagen National Court several years ago told Mr Yak that, “if there were at least 100 leaders of your quality in PNG, we should be better off in the world.”Justice Hinschcliffe delivered this accolade to this God-fearing Yamka tribal leader and businessman after Mr Yak handed over his biological son, who was in possession of a stolen vehicle engine, to the police.

A gang from a nearby tribe stole a vehicle and stripped it off all parts. They gave the engine to Mr Yak’s son, thinking he would sell it to his father who owns the Highlands workshop. But they were mistaken. When Yak got wind of where his son got the engine, he arrested him and handed him over to the police. Here, Mr Yak refused to accept a stolen but expensive engine offered at cheap cost and did not arbor his son by putting him in jail. It was during the hearing that Justice Hinschcliffe commended him.

The 47 year old Yak who is the owner and managing director of Mamiminga Investment and Highlands Workshop refused to accept an overpaid check of K14 600 from the Police Department for servicing their vehicle in 2007. In other countless occurrences, Mr Yak calls for his suppliers, both overseas and local, to re-invoice his company again after he receives goods worth tens of thousands of kina for free. “Stealing is not in my blood. I am a God fearing man and have been since I was a young boy.”

Mr Yak says. For Western Highlanders, politics is something that seems to be in the blood of every leader. There are many leaders who grow their stomachs during different seasons. Many become rich overnight and dwindle again. There’s no choice here, regardless of leadership calibers. A staunch supporter of the PNG National Party, Mr Yak says: “My interest in politics only lies with the PNG National Party which had leaders and members who were based on quality and honest leadership.

Today and into the future, we’ll still maintain our integrity and honest principles.”Reflecting back on the Party he is now the President, Mr Yak says: “During the past elections, the Party lost more seats because of our trade mark in ‘Honesty & Integrity.’ The 2007 election was even worse when unjust and lawlessness took place. People threatened each other and voted for money and by doing so, elected wrong leaders into the Parliament.It all reflects to the bible in Proverbs 29:2 which says,’ when the righteous rule, the people rejoice.

When the wicked rule, the people mourn.”When he was offered the President’s post by the Party’s lone MP, Kundiawa-Gembolg’s Joe Mek Teine a year ago, the God-fearing man spent over a year contemplating whether to take the post or not. “I weighted the good and bad sides and then realized that Christianity was not all about going to Church alone. It was about seeing the people receiving the services required and living happily and this is not happening. Our rural people are lacking government services.

Vital services are being deprived or ignored.” Mr Yak says. “This situation is forcing people to do illegal things. There is high crime rate. A lot of law and order problems. I accepted to become the Party’s President because of all these things.”With a prospering business that is never involved in politics, Mr Yak said he never accepted the position to improve his businesses but to help see the people receiving the services they are required.

As the deputy Chairman of the Mt Hagen General Hospital, he spearheaded the Yamka Pepka Community fundraising activity which contributed over K40 000 towards the purchase of an Electro-cardiogram machine at Lo Pok Heart Clinic, which is now used to diagnose heart disease for patients all over the highlands region. He said it was a sad thing to see MPs sending their kids to schools overseas and going overseas for medical care while the people of PNG were being looked down and were treated as some poor beings of no value.

“We want good and quality leaders to join the party. We know there are some good leaders out there and we’ll accept them if they are interested in teaming up with us in the future. We’ve received interest from a sitting MP who has a questionable character already. But, he will not be accepted. PNG National Party is not going to accept any dirt.”

Mr Yak said. “This party has a track record that is no match to others. It has done a lot in terms of infrastructure development, policy making for a better PNG.”“We can go miles if we are honest. We’ll stick to it. I’ve seen it in my business and it will be the same for the Party,” True to his words, his Highlands Workshop is the biggest in the region.

It also has the biggest towing and only fuel injection inspection and servicing facilities in the highlands region. “Because of my honesty, I have come this far. This concept and quality is based on the PNG National Party’s leadership quality. He strongly believes that PNG can be the heaven on earth if our elected leaders and bureaucrats have integrity and honest principles.

By Johnny Poiya of the Post Courier Weekender

*** Being honesty and having integrity and fearing God really go hand in hand and so many of our leaders of this era lack these two vital components in a good leader. The leaders of Mr. Yak's calibre is rare but there are some hidden in the corners of PNG. They don't talk too much but as they say, their actions can speak volumes and even louder than words. Folks, I believe in honesty and fearing God because it works wonders.