By Rosalyn Evara*

A heated racial slur exchange between Attorney-General Sir Arnold Amet and Sumkar MP Ken Fairweather [see video below] marred a public forum in Madang attended by senior national ministers to discuss the Pacific Marine Industrial Zone project with the local people.


An obviously agitated Sir Arnold held the microphone in his right hand and with his left hand pointed at Mr Fairweather and said: “I’m not a white man’s cargo boy my friend, I don’t need you, you pack up and leave my island. That’s raw politics … now let’s talk politics,” he said.

Mr Fairweather is long-time businessman who owns Dylup Plantation on Karkar island where Sir Arnold comes from.
 Speaking in Tok Pisin, Sir Arnold told an amused and cheering crowd at Sek Primary school that the NA Government had bought the Dylup Plantation last week to give it back to the local people … “so Fairweather, I’m telling you, you don’t belong here”.


Mr Fairweather did not take it lying down, the smiling and six-foot tall and heavily built Sumkar MP shot back at Sir Arnold saying: “Minister, Minister, I’m telling you, on Karkar, they call you acting white man,” bringing roaring laughter and clapping from the crowd. 
However, many people at the gathering expressed disgust at the unbecoming conduct of the two leaders. 

* Spotted in the Post Courier