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Black magic, cargo cults to help ex-governor in poll
A former provincial governor in jail for rape in Papua New Guinea is tipped to win a seat in parliament, helped by fear of black magic and belief in cargo cults.
Former Madang Governor and MP James Yali was sentenced to 12 years in jail in January 2006 for raping the 17-year-old sister of his de facto wife in October 2004.
Though in jail, he was allowed to stand for election as an MP in his Rai Coast electorate because he has appealed against his rape conviction.
Vote counting is under way and political observers believe Yali will win due to his influence over the Rai Coast people.
Many on the coast still believed in cargo cults and feared black magic and Yali manipulated these beliefs to win support, observers said.
Yali is a Highlander but was adopted into the family of now deceased Rai Coast cultist Yali Simbina, a connection that draws him many clan votes.
Around two months ago Yali was admitted to Madang’s main hospital after allegedly having a stroke.
He was only returned to Beon Jail in the city last Friday after conducting his election campaign from his hospital bed and addressing supporters from his wheelchair in the hospital grounds.
Madang regional MP and PNG Health Minister Peter Barter said Yali looked like winning his seat because of block sympathy voting.
“He’s got this cult activity going down there, they’ve been promised cargo.”
Mr Barter said Yali’s stay in hospital meant he had access to his staff to plan his election campaign.
“We’re trying to work out whether he did have a stroke or not, whether this was a stroke of luck.”
Mr Barter said the judge who ruled on Yali’s case failed to take into account a new constitutional amendment that disqualified people from running for office if they were convicted of an indictable offence.
“I don’t understand why the Electoral Commission accepted his nomination.”
Yali continued to receive his full governor’s pay plus entertainment and other expenses while in jail, Mr Barter said.
If he won his seat, he could not take it up unless he won his appeal and if he lost his appeal, a costly by-election would have to be held, he said.
Father Jan Czuba, the president of Madang’s Divine Word University and chairman of the hospital management board, said he saw Yali in a wheelchair under a tree at the hospital addressing supporters.
“He was so sick he cannot be in prison but he was campaigning.”
Father Czuba too thinks Yali could win despite his rape conviction.
“Yali’s place is where the cargo cult was born in PNG so still the mentality is existing.”
The Rai Coast people were afraid of black magic, Father Czuba said.
“They are afraid of the enemy they cannot see.”
Father Czuba said when Yali was in hospital he received many after-hours visitors who used hospital facilities and even wanted to sleep in hospital beds.
He said he had no choice but to take a lawyer to the hospital and stop Yali from campaigning.
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