Founding a Nation | Dr. John Momis x Ganjiki | Tokaut Tokstret Podcast | Episode 2
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- Опубліковано 24 лип 2024
- Ganjiki interviews Dr. John Momis, a founding father of Papua New Guinea. Deputy Chairman (De Facto Chairman) of the Papua New Guinea Constitutional Planning Committee (CPC) who shares his thoughts on the journey to nationhood.
Shoutout to @chey_abel of #CheyesVisuals for the video production.
Timestamps
0:00:00 Intro
00:17:00 Childhood and Formative Years
00:11:00 Role Models
00:16:00 Joining House of Assembly
00:20:00 Ideologues v Pragmatistic Leadership
00:30:00 Constitutional Planning Committee
00:40:00 Narakobi and Others
00:45:00 Constitution, Preamble, NGDPs
00:49:00 Integral Human Development
00:54:00 Decentralisation of Government
01:03:00 Revitalising Education in PNG
01:06:00 Subsidiarity
01:07:00 On Declaration of PNG as “Christian Country”
01:11:00 On Bougainville Autonomy and Independence
01:15:00 Optimism for Papua New Guinea
Dr. Momis is one of the greatest minds of Bougainville and Papua New Guinea. The emphasis on decentralization and autonomy is just a consistent theme across the New Islands Region, particularly in NIP and ENB, and to a greater extent, Bougainville pushed for complete independence.
DR. Momis so true. This nation needs a decentralizational government for our people. Services will flow smoothly to the rural areas. We are tired of centralized government in Waigani.
Sir Michael Somare, his daughter Betha and a PNG DF Col landed a helicopter in Kopar at the mouth of the Sepik where I was living at the time to confront me.
After promising the people in Kopar a bunch of water tanks and a bunch of boats Sir Michael asked where I was. He didn't see me even though I was standing right next to where he was sitting. So the people all smiled and pointed to where I was standing.
Sir Michael looked at me and told me that the police were looking for me.
I was confused about that and I asked him why the police were looking for me.
"You're not a citizen, mate." He explained.
"Who says Im not a citizen? What do you mean I'm not a citizen? You know as well as anyone that I was born in Angoram!" I exclaimed and I was angry. Somare and I are both from Karau. The difference is that in Karau his name is Somare but my name is Karau and the leader of my Tribe is always named Karau. Somare tried to open up the oil in Karau. He put a picture of that oil on the K100 note but Somare didn't own the land where that oil will come out because I own that land. Somare tried to use the power of the PNG State to steal my oil but I used customary law to stop him. Somare is recognized ad a Grand Chief by PNG but in my Tribe he is only a man and I am the King. That is what Karau means. It means I am King.
"Go ahead and take me to court." I told him. "But be careful because I'll break your country into 1000 pieces!"
He was shocked when I said that.
"I give you an 'F' for how you formed this country. You completely failed! You didn't form the country properly. You bowed us all down to a foreign monarch and you claimed all of the resources in customary land without getting the permission of the Tribes involved. Your Nation is de facto. PNG is illegitimate and illegally created. You do not have a referendum to gain the free, prior and informed consent of the Tribes to start PNG so you completely failed." I told him.
Now let me explain in legal terms why this is true.
The Tribes in the United Nations Nation Protectorate of New Guinea were citizens of no country at all. So when anyone wants to change their citizenship status to anything else you must gain the people's permission to do so. If you do not that is illegal. No one has the right to arbitrarily change anyone else's citizenship status without their free, prior and informed consent.
The legal ramifications of this are extraordinary. It means that the PNG Government is completely de facto including all of its laws and its Constitution.
What is so egregious about this is that all of the Tribes resource wealth was claimed arbitrarily without consent turning rich Native Landowners with fortunes in natural resources into poor slaves to the British Monarchy. And Somare led the way for all of this. This is why the foreign monarch of England made him a knight. Please understand what has happened.
The people of the United Nations Protectorate of New Guinea where I was born were not subject to any foreign monarch. We were free Tribes living in our customarily owned land protected by the United Nations. Then agents of the British Crown conned Somare and the other leaders into creating PNG and making us subjects to the British Monarch without our permission. This is a complete violation of our human rights but it seems I am the only person in this supposed country that understands any of this.
I totally reject this! King Charles is not my King! I do not give permission to the PNG Government to claim my Tribe or my customary land or my customary resources.
I reject outright any claim about any part of the PNG Government having jurisdiction over me or any of my customary property.
I declared independence for my Tribe as the leader of my Tribe on 11 July 2017 and that declaration stands. My declaration was supported by the U.N. Security Council and the PNG Government was warned not to try and do anything in my Tribe lands or the International Community would enforce my declaration with military force.
The fact of the matter is that the so called Independent State of Papua New Guinea does not legally exist and has no legal authority. If the Bougainville Government understood this they would simply go to the PNG Supreme Court and ask the PNG Government to provide evidence that the 800+ Tribes in PNG gave their free, prior and informed consent to be governed by the PNG Government and the PNG Constitution. Once the PNG Government fails to provide that evidence the Court will be forced to declare the PNG State null and void. Once that is done Bougainville will instantly become Independent.
The 800 other Tribes will all need to revert back to a United Nations Protectorate and the people will need to be educated to a level where they are qualified to vote in a referendum.
This referendum issue was debated in the Representative Assembly before independence and the Members of that Assembly rejected the idea of a referendum because they argued that the Tribes were not educated enough to make such a decision. And that was true. And that is when independence should have been delayed until such time as the population had been educated to a level where they could decide such a legal matter of such high importance.
But they didn't do that. Instead they enslaved an uneducated population under a foreign monarch and claimed all of the resource riches in customary land in PNG and have stolen from the Tribes ever since on behalf of their foreign masters.
The difference between me and other PNG people is that I was educated in America where there is no monarchy. I was educated to be a free man and so I think like a free man.
Unfortunately for the leaders of PNG they think as subjects of the British Crown. They think as slaves think. And they expect everyone in the country to think the same way. But I will not. I was born free and I would rather die than accept being a slave to anyone other than GOD.
The evidence of this slavery is that all Members of the PNG Parliament, Security Forces, Judiciary, and so on all have to sware loyalty to the Monarch of England. They sware loyalty to a foreign monarch and not the People of PNG or even the Constitution of PNG. So that means that the entire PNG Government is a foreign government operating inside PNG. We are ruled by foreigners and that is why we are so poor even though our lands are so rich.
Break yourselves out of the mental prison of slavery! We did not become independent on Sept 16, 1975. Just the opposite. On that day we were taken over by a foreign government headed by a foreign monarch.
Not me. I refuse. America kicked that monarch out to form the United States of America and I agree with that and so I will never agree to be ruled over by a foreign king even if it costs me my life so help me GOD.
You can read further about who I am and my legal arguments on my X account @TIMKOESER or on my blog as follows
pharaohcaesar.blogspot.com
You'll probably need to be a lawyer to understand most of it but anyway you can read it.
And just so everyone understands I should be charged by the courts in PNG for my legal positions but like Somare and his daughter and that DF Col they all just flew away after they heard what I said and never said anything about it again. I am more than willing to be taken to court by the Government so they can prosecute me. Just tell me when the court date is and I will be there to prove what Imam saying in court. And just be sure you bring your evidence that proves when my Tribe agreed to be ruled by you and also bring the documents to prove that you are authorized to use the Roman Alphabet to write your laws and your names. Noken kirap nongut sapos mi usim kot lo rausim nem blo yu na namba blo yu na susoks blo yu na salim yu igo bek lo ples blo yu lo wok gaden na istap.😀
Thank you I will look into what you stated. There always seemed something off here. Especially the government processes. People just look for money because its hard. You need some evidence of your claims
Wow, very interesting. I've learnt something reading this piece 👍
This is one person who's wisdom and life and perspectives on social justice, peace and reconciliation, nationhood and more needs to be written.
This channel is something that has been missing in PNG. I hope you continue to interview important PNG individuals in politics and business. They will share valuable insights and help PNG grow.
Wow, This should be well documented, especially in a book.
Dr. John Momis needs to publish his biography for the benefit of current and future generations. Sir. John Kaputin too. Such men have too much of the country's history. It will be really unfortunate if they take their lifetime stories which form an important part of national history with them.
Tiri great idea. I have a suggestion. As you are a prolific writer, you could team up with him and help him write it. Like I’m doing with this podcast, there are many wonderful thought leaders out there who may not have the time or wherewithal to package their content. Our job is to bring it out of them. I can do these interviews but you could write for him. I think that would be awesome!
@TokautTokstretPodcast Yes bro. You could record the interviews and I (or someone else) could transcribe into book form. Dr. Momis himself could write his autobiography as well. See if you can suggest to him.
I agree with you. Please someone need to help him write his autobiography.
Please we need that book to be compiled immediately. We have to start using that in our education system as soon as possible
Thank you Ganjiki for interviewing a great man. Insightful interview.
Love this interview. Listening to our founding leader was inspiring and mind-blowing. Getting some wisdom before they pass on. Need to see more of this content. Let's make this go viral!!!
We do not know the value of such conversations until we sit and hear it ourselves. This is beautiful. His comments about Bougainville also come at the time when Parliamentarians are deliberating over the outcome of the referendum in Bougainville.
Yumi nid lo sidaun na harim kain tok lo tingting gut lo tumara blo yumi.
Thank you for the podcast!
Dr. John Momis is a prominent political figure from Papua New Guinea, renowned for his significant contributions to the country's political landscape. Serving as the President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville from 2010 to 2020, Momis played a pivotal role in the region's push for greater autonomy and eventual independence. His leadership was instrumental in the successful implementation of the Bougainville Peace Agreement, which brought an end to years of conflict and laid the groundwork for the region's referendum on independence in 2019. A former Catholic priest and longstanding advocate for human rights and self-determination, Dr. Momis' influence extends beyond Bougainville, making him a respected figure in Papua New Guinea's broader political and social arenas. His commitment to peace, governance, and development has left an indelible mark on the nation's history.
Thank you, Bata Ganjiki for interviewing him.🙏
Gosh we had some articulate leaders. To be a fly on those corridors when Sir John Guise in his prime, Kaputin, Buri and all those people
A biography is surely needed to capture some worthwhile untold history of this great nation of ours. "History shapes the future". 🙏
Dr John Momis, a historical icon & a founding father of PNG. Thank you for the interview with his insights & reflections.
Our constitution truly is very organic...👍🙏❤
Sir John Momis was a great leader. He is very knowledgable. I guess from his education background in Australia but more so through his seminary exposure.
I was greatly amazed on his level of spoken english. Just so fluent.
We definately will miss him as a great leader with wealth of knowledge.
Thank you Ganjiki for this interview and Dr Momis for your time.
New Ireland have always respected you for your great leadership to the people of Bougainville and Papua New Guinea. Thank you Bougainville for having trust in this great leader.
Thanks for this!! We get to see into the minds of our Founding Fathers of this Great Nation and how they brought it all together. As far as I know I was't thought this thorougly in school. It's a shame that our own history is not given to us well. And we don't learn it we don't appreciate it and we lose patriotism for our country. We lose our nationalism and begin to decline into our own shells of provincialism and other shells we create.
Leadership code ..A leader must not only behave in an upright manner but must be seen to be acting in an upright manner"...
Very insightful. This needs to be shared across all platforms. Thanks Ganjiki
DR. John Momis are team of our fore fathers whose life has contributed to the development of our nation of PNG.
Salute you DR. Momis. May your life be filled with peace, joy and fulfillment as you've done much for us. God bless and glory to God for your life of service.
Dr. John Momis was very well known person since he became a politician until he lost his Governorship.
I always admired him when he was a leader.
Thank you Dr. John Momis and Mr. Ganjiki Wayne for capturing some parts of Papua New Guinea's national journey through this conversation. It is vital.
Regarding Dr. Momis' reference to accelerated pace to de-colonization, especially for our beloved country, find below are some of what I discovered on some key roles that Russia played at the United Nations in ensuring Independence happened for beloved Papua New Guinea.
This is a historical fact that is cherished by many people in the Afrikan continent and in fact all continents across the world. So should we. I noticed that, the former USSR (Russia now) debated effectively and forcefully to set clear timelines and specific actionable deliverables for the United Nations during the de-colonization process of countries around the world after WWII.
In July 1962, Russia's UN Representative, Mr. OBEREMKO was very instrumental in setting timelines at the UN Trusteeship Council (Twenty-Ninth Session) for the independence of our beloved country, PAPUA NEW GUINEA from Australia. We were partly a German (German New Guinea) and British (British Papua) Territory prior to this. The British, US and other committee members at the UN Trusteeship Council were non-committal with ambiguous statements regarding the 1962 Foot Report which was conducted in PNG. Russia however, cut through all the noise and gamesmanships and got straight to the stuff that mattered the most - that is the wishes of the people to be free from the clutches of colonialism (39:32 marginalization/alienation and lack of respect for indigenous people being two of these). Sovereignty and the right to determine one's own destiny is precious aside the trappings of other stuff in life. Papua New Guineans must learn this aspect of Russia. That country remains the world's liberator for humanity's sake even to this very day.
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The statement by a founding father Dr. John Momis on decentralization system is the answer simply because of the cultural diversity of our people. It is a must that the original provincial government system to remove the centralized system currently used after the 1995 Reforms.
This young priest at that time brought with him a wealth of knowledge to the committee. He's not only representing his people but also as a Christian rep. contributing to the write-up of the constitution.
Thanks so much for yet another very informative podcast....learnt some things from your interview...we must appreciate and continue the legacy of our founding political fathers. Thank God for blessing this nation with such leaders in the formative years of PNG.
Respect 🙏 great interview 👍
Outstanding interview Ganjiki. I salute you for asking the questions I raised on FB. I agree totally that finding our way forward would hinge on our collective sense of national consciousness. Pragmatism is a very important part of how we deal with our current development challenges. And yes there's still hope for our country if we delve and dive deeper into the constitution to find its true spirit as opposed to sticking strictly to mere legal interpretation. Finding our national consciousness through the constitution and five National Goals and Directive Principles is the only way forward. Thank you Dr. John Momis and Ganjiki for this outstanding interview.
Thank you for this very informative interview. I am impressed with the questions you asked him. Please ensure to release podcast on monthly or fortnightly basis. Your last podcast was three months ago, and I was kept checking your channel for new videos until this morning.
I agree and hope that you have time to do so. One suggestion is to do a number of interviews, edit them and post them on a weekly or fortnightly basis as you do new ones.
One of the great interview so far... Very insightful. Thank you Ganjiki.
Thank you so much for this informative discussion. Really learnt alot from this. It's such a blessing having one of our founding father to share his experience of the politics in the early days and distinguishing it from today's.
Man it has really given me an insight of the governance in our beautiful country today. I can really presume about where we stand and we're going forward to.
Wishing our founding father best health and wellbeing.
Looking forward to watch more of your videos.
Keep up the good work👏🥳♥️
One of the best Papua New Guineans ladies and gentlemen.
WOW! Indeed, it was an unrivalled interview for all of us to learn and appreciate. Thank you, Grand Chief John Momis, for sharing your wisdom and for Brother Ganjiki to capture the rare conversation!
Thank you bro for this impressive content. Keep more coming. Got yourself 1 sub.
Definitely this has to be in black and white🙏🙏 Thank you for this🙏
Incredible insight into the beginning of our nationhood! Well articulated questions and discussions to bring us back in time and relive the thought process of our founding leaders, and I am truly grateful to Dr. Momis, for taking time to remind us of what is more important to us as Papua New Guineans and how misplaced our leadership has become! Well done Ganjiki!
Our current govt focus must be guided by the goals and initial reasons why we wanted independence. In my view, we truly and have greatly deviated from the principle idea of " self-determination"
Thank you for this brilliant interview of one of our great leaders and a role model for all!
Thank you tokaut tokstret podcast. Looking forward to stories of other nation founders.
I am so grateful for this amazing interview
I love this! Thank you🙏
Great interview 👍
Consciousness as a nation with highly diversified population with so many cultures and languages??. We have to congratulate our leaders for taking this country this far.
Are the Directive Principles of the constitution and our national pledge sufficient to say it or having more programs in schools to translate it to generations of this country
Life in the colonial era, forced the issue of liberation from past masters power and influence to our independence.
Great leader with wisdow,members of the Parliament must blessed the outcome of the Referendum result which is the independence of Bougainville that was agreed to, not before 2025 or not after 2027 So that,the people of Bougainville will Liberate
Not just "clever laws" which you chuckled; but the most emasculating of all is the tight control of finances from Waigani, not just Waigani but by the Government and NEC.
These older leaders focused on more than money