Top honour for Sir Mek, three given knighthood

Opposition leader Sir Mekere Morauta has been bestowed the highest honour in the Queen’s Birthday honour’s list after being named a Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (KCMG) for his services to the community, public service and politics.Also knighted were Dr Puka Temu, Tan Sri Datuk Tiong Hiew King and Central Bank governor Wilson Kamit (above).

The three new knights will now be called Sir Puka, Sir Tiong and Sir Wilson.The new knights were among more than 90 people recognised for their services to the country in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours and Awards.

Sir Puka was recognised for his services to public administration, politics and community; Sir Tiong, chairman of the Rimbunan Hijau group, was recognised for services to commerce, community and charitable organisations.He is also the chairman of Pacific Star Limited, which publishes The National.Sir Wilson was recognised for services to the Bank of Papua New Guinea.

The next highest award of Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) was bestowed on Reverend Bishop Ambrose Kiapseni for services to the Catholic church as bishop of Kavieng. Attorney-General and Justice Minister Dr Allan Marat received an Order of British Empire (civil division) CBE for services to law, National Government and the East New Britain community.

Three others who received their CBE were Peter Garth Johnson for services to commerce, politics and East Sepik, Dr Joseph Kaven for services to health and medical research, particularly in infectious disease control, and Jeffrey Charles Wall for services to the Australia-PNG relationship.

Mekere Morauta - PNG Opposition leader (above)

Treasury secretary Simon Tosali and 12 others were awarded Order of British Empire (OBE), 26 people were awarded MBEs, two received the Imperial Service Order (ISO), British Empire Medal (BEMs) went to 36 people and nine members of the disciplined forces also received medals for services to the country.

Source: The National News


*** It's appealing to see more and more Papua New Guineans awarded medals by the queen. However, I feel that for some recipients; it's worth being recognized for their tireless efforts and contributions to the development of the country while others do not deserve to be recognized.

The same people who have done nothing over the years are given Sirs, OBEs, BEMs, etc...and it's a shame for those of us who have been watching closely on this for the last 20 years or so. Recommend some people in the villages ; like, peace officers, councillors, HEOs, teachers, administrators, etc...who spend their entire time and life with their families overcoming hindrances each day to survive the next day where government services are nonexistent.

Give credit to where it's due and not merely on sheer bias and theoretic. I would love to see more people who serve on behalf of the government in tiring times especially in the villages rewarded by their government - the very government they work for humbly.

By the way, congratulations to those who deserve the awards. Others, you know who you are. Ask yourself and tell the people what you've done for PNG and her people over the years. I am afraid, we might award daylight robbers who come under the pretext of service to the country. Correct me if I am wrong here, PNG!

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@