Sir Michael said last Saturday he was prepared to “throw in the towel” in politics knowing well that he was leaving “the ship” in the hands of capable lieutenants and colonels within government.
Sir Michael was speaking during a surprise dinner hosted for him by coalition partner, the United Resource Party, to honor his 40 years in politics.
The URP is led by Petroleum and Energy Minister William Duma and founder Anderson Agiru, the Southern Highlands governor.
Surrounding the chief at the Grand Palace Restaurant last Saturday night were Treasurer Patrick Pruaitch, People’s National Congress leader and Public Service Minister Peter O’Neill, People’s Action Party leader and Commerce and Industry Minister Gabriel Kapris, People’s Party leader and Enga Governor Peter Ipatas and Pangu Pati leader and Housing Minister Andrew Kumbakor.
“I am prepared to throw in the towel because, around me, I have lieutenants and colonels as good as anyone you can compare in the world,” Sir Michael said.
He said although he was at the forefront of the nation’s leadership, he admitted that PNG was not an easy country to run, with more than 800 different ethnic groups, customs and traditions.
“I have tried my best in the last 40 years. “Politics of this country is now in good hands,” he said.
Agiru described Sir Michael as a “great carver of our times.” He described Sir Michael as a “magnet” that attracted people to him because of his leadership qualities.
He said most of the current young leaders would “crawl on broken glass” just to have an opportunity to serve under Sir Michael, such a great leader who comes around only once in a life-time.
