PNG NATIONAL ELECTIONS - SAM BASIL ACCIDENT

 

THE accident scene at Samsam Corner of the Bulolo Highway.

'INVESTIGATION of BULOLO ACCIDENT MUST BE THOROUGH'

A POST-COURIER EDITORIAL

THE grief-stricken Sam Basil family have a heartfelt point. They are still mourning the sudden and heart-breaking death of their family patriarch late Sam Basil in a tragic traffic accident on May 11.

Sadly he perished in a most violent way. Pictures of the accident involving his 4-door land cruiser and a open back land cruiser on the early evening of May 11 show a crumpled brand-new vehicle he was driving.

On the eve of nominations for the PNG National General  Elections, his death sparked a social media frenzy which included several assumptions of foul play and conspiracy theorists making wild unsubstantiated claims of a political assassination.

The family is demanding closure. They want peace in their hearts. Their father was not just a mere politician. 

He was second in command of the country as deputy Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea. It is only natural that the investigators trace the turn of events that led to his unfortunate loss.

The land cruiser that late Sam Basil was driving

The mass grief at his loss, especially in an accident that could have been avoided, in itself is a cry by the PNG public for answers. 

We are aware that the police hierarchy has dispatched a high-powered team of forensic investigators to gather evidence in Bulolo, Morobe province.

No doubt there will be a lot of digging, since one of their own sadly perished alongside the deputy PM, and another survived with a severe head injury. We salute these two as selfless policemen as heroes.

The heartfelt request of the family must be met at the earliest before the writs are returned for the election. 

Late Sam Basil, a crime fighter and anti-corruption advocate, was no ordinary man and his death must be investigated thoroughly to provide the answers to comfort the family and appease those that are still shocked and in disbelief, especially his tribesmen and millions of followers around the country.

Did the district administration fail in its duty? Did the police fail in their duty? Or was it the humble persona of late Sam Basil that led to the breakdown of protocol? 

Investigations like this take a lot of time and effort. There will be a lot of witnesses to question and also canvas the accident scene for clues.

VIPs security details are quite specific. There is no room for error when assigned to guard a public figure, especially a Prime Minister or his deputy. 

The policemen or women assigned to CPO duties are highly trained in all facets of security and intelligence.

Would an escort car for the deputy PM, on the day, have avoided the tragedy we are still mourning?

Late Sam Basil’s vehicle was said to be only two weeks old. Were the occupants wearing their safety harnesses? Did the vehicle have safety airbags at time of impact? 

Some troubling thoughts is the removal of critical evidence from the accident site by bystanders, including the removal of both back wheels of the DPM’s cruiser.

We wonder why, with the ferocity of the impact, the safety airbags failed to deploy, if there were any installed? 

There are so many questions that still surround and swirl in the imagination of the people.

These must be put to rest for the nation to progress. At the end of the day, however unfortunate it was, this sad event should be a valuable lesson in ensuring that protocol measures for VIPs are strictly adhered to in future.

Late Sam Basil in Parliament with Treasurer Ian Ling Stuckey (left) and Davis Steven, MP for Esa'ala. (right)