By Icarus*

WHILE PNG's SITUATION may not justify bloody warfare, we are at war. At war against corruption in government and throughout the public service system, the very architects and mechanisms that should make our state function. 

But it is the State versus the People every day. And clearly the State has no rules of engagement. Moreover, the People have been divided for far too long into warring factions; tribal politics under the rhetoric of 'unity in diversity'. 

This is aggravated by our own over-insistence in maintaining tribal customs not conducive to life in a modern Melanesia. 

PNG tribal politics is not working for us as a united country. It is obvious in fragmenting provinces, the drive for autonomy, ethnic violence, cronyism, and the wantok system. 

Where is the development at the grassroots? How can we all be compensated when we have 850 tribes to satisfy? There is a rising tide of resentment stirring among the commonfolk. 

We see our youth, our villagers, our struggling farmers, lay workers and street kids being fooled time and time again. 

Even the so-called educated elite falls prey to the insidious tactics of some of these bigmen. 

People, need to start talking to each other. In work places, in schools, homes, churches and communities. With colleagues, neighbours, friends and family. Start talking now. Decide what our communities need. What we aspire to, what we believe. 

We need a revolution. A Melanesian revolution. One of thought and conscience. A revolution that enables our pasin to shine like a beacon into the darkness. 

A revolution that enables us to transcend the lingering bondage of archaic custom that limits our becoming. A revolution that enables us to transpose our Melanesian principals to be more relevant for the times we live in; to write a new song we all can sing with one voice. Surely our forefathers would be proud of that. 

We need leaders with the ability and willpower to take up this revolution. Let them step up to the mark. PNG needs to ask - what do we really value? 

* This article first appeared in Keith Jackson's PNG Attitude magazine