A common ground, dialogue, and positive communication are keys to settle Asian sentiments

I don't know how many of you have read the papers, including AAP, the various PNG discussion forums online, Facebook, Twitter, EMTV, and other sources about an article written and signed by various Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) on "Ceasing Asian owned businesses in PNG come December, 31st 2009". As a matter of fact, I had no part in the process, suggesting an idea or supported the idea.

However, some Papua New Guineans have made unfounded allegations against me for something that I didn't write nor inistigate for that matter.

Did I support the idea? No
Am I behind the idea? No

Did I write the article? No

Did I post the article on my blog? Yes.

The whole article was written by four different NGO groups which have their names at the end of the article. If you've read the whole article, you should have known who actually wrote the article.

Some of you could not even read who actually wrote the article. While others just read the theme and circulated emails to stir your thinking toward me on the content of the article as if I have written the article. I didn't add or subtract anything from that content apart from posting it on my blog.

I did so; for three reasons:

1. To strike a good conversation with concerned parties;

2. Get the government's attention;

3. Establish a dialogue to look into these issues.

I am glad you're all talking now. But let me tell you that your arrows are shot at the wrong direction. Papua New Guineans are well aware of this issue before I even put the article on my blog. How many PNGeans read my blog? None, only one or two per week. A lot of this information is being circulated throughout PNG by various ways as mentioned above and my blog probably did less than one percent of that awareness.

Nevertheless, I didn't encourage PNGeans to kill or loot any businesses owned by people of Asian origin. I am not racist against any person. But let me tell you this, I will continue to stand up against injustice, unfairness, and corruption at all levels in PNG. That is what I have been doing using my blog and in the media and will continue to do so without fear or favor.

What are you doing to address this issue at end? Did you talk to the PNG government about this issue? Are you getting other PNGeans to rally behind you to have a healthy dialogue on this issue? Papua New Guineans are not lazy. It's the government who is making life miserable for everyone. Until the government come out and speak to the people about this issue, there will be frustrations building among the people.

We want a peaceful Christmas without any riots and looting resulting in deaths. Within the remaining weeks, can we establish a dialogue and come to a common ground to have all businesses work together for the common good? What approach are you taking to address this issue head on before it esclates to something destructive?

I don't encourage violence but rather appeal to all Papua New Guineans to stand together and find amicable solutions to have business play on a level playing field for both nationals and locals.