wfn.org | Adventist Becomes Papua New Guinea's Deputy Prime Minister

["Christian B. Schäffler" <APD_Info_Schweiz@compuserve.com>]

July 15, 1999
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
http://www.stanet.ch/APD
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland

Seventh-day Adventist Becomes Papua New Guinea's 
Deputy Prime Minister

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.    The former Papua 
New Guinea Speaker of Parliament, John Pundari was 
appointed as Papua New Guinea's new Deputy Prime 
Minister in a political upheaval that saw a change of 
government this week.  Pundari is a skilled, young 
banker and a "mercurial career" politician.  He is 
also a member of one of the Port Moresby local 
Seventh-day Adventist congregations.

Although widely tipped to be elected as the nation's 
youngest leader ever, after Prime Minister Bill Skate 
resigned last week, Pundari, 32, joined with the 
opposition coalition and supported the appointment of 
Sir Mekere Morauta as Prime Minister in a new 
government on Wednesday, July 14.

According to press reports, Pundari strongly 
criticized the country's political establishment 
several weeks ago, saying that he had a moral duty to 
fight economic mismanagement and the corruption which 
is endemic in most walks of Papua New Guinea life.

Pundari, the leader of the Advance PNG Party, was 
first elected to Parliament only seven years ago and 
became Deputy Prime Minister without having served as 
a minister.

Elected only seven years ago as the member for 
Kompiam-Ambun in PNG's Enga province, Pundari was 
elevated to the post of Speaker in 1997.  As Speaker, 
Pundari became known for fairness in his dealings with 
government and opposition members of Parliament. 

In February, Pundari, accompanied by his family, 
visited the Seventh-day Adventist Church World 
Headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland.  He spoke of 
his personal convictions about a need for high moral 
values in political and social life.  He expresses 
such convictions openly, setting a high standard of 
public service for those who are elected as civil 
servants.

Pundari identified educational and health needs as 
paramount for PNG. "Education is one area in which the 
Church can contribute greatly," said Pundari.  "We 
need to do much more for both primary and secondary 
schooling.  I am also very grateful for the health 
services provided by the Adventist Church, for with a 
healthy population, the development of a country is 
assured."

Seventh-day Adventists, with membership of over 
175,000 in PNG, are known for their educational, 
health and humanitarian services.  Many elected 
politicians in PNG are Seventh-day Adventists.

Pundari also emphasizes the importance of family 
values and their promotion in society.  

"Churches impart positive family values.  I promote 
them myself, since I have learned much through being a 
member of the Adventist Church.  I call upon all 
churches to educate parents in the importance of 
family values, for the strength of any nation is in 
the family."

Pundari says that his country needs honest and genuine 
leaders, and criticized members of Parliament for 
damaging PNG's image through their behavior while on 
trips overseas.  He called for greater accountability 
of civil servants to the people they represent.

Reacting to the news, John Graz, the Church's Public 
Affairs Director, recalled Pundari's two visits to the 
Seventh-day Adventist Church World Headquarters, in 
1996 and again in February 1999.  He noted that the 
media reports about Pundari, speculating of his rise 
to leadership, are very positive, especially 
concerning his decisions to fight corruption and work 
closely with the needs of the people.