Thomas Eluh unveils root cause of chaos

SOUTHERN Highlands acting administrator Thomas Eluh has hinted at the cause of the chaos in Southern Highland Province.

April 24, 2018
Post Courier Online


SOUTHERN Highlands acting administrator Thomas Eluh has hinted at the cause of the chaos in Southern Highland Province.

The former top cop was appointed by the National Executive Council to the position just before the election and the election-related violence last year.

Mr Eluh said people wanted transparent leadership because there were a lot of problems which he felt if left unchanged would spell doom for the province.

“People are speaking from their hearts that they need a transparent leader. My appointment is for a short term of only three months. I accepted it and went there because I have talents and the abilities that are able to fight corruption,” he said.


“The real problem in the Southern Highlands is about having access to the money bag. We may think it is politics, but I did my assignment when I was there and I saw that it was not politics. Politics is just adding fuel to the fire and politics is already divided.”

Mr Eluh revealed that there were a lot of empires out there, so when it came to election time, there was the only opportunity to elect their own man into the governor’s seat so they can have easy access to the money bag.

“That’s the real problem. So our leaders should understand the real cause of why Southern Highlands is in a real mess at the moment.

“But I found my way into the core of what the real problem is. The real problem is about having access to the money bag. They play around with people’s money and sign cheques in the hotel rooms or elsewhere in Port Moresby,” he said.

Mr Eluh said when he was told to sign cheques to access people’s money, he was reluctant to sign.

“I told them that I will not sign people’s money elsewhere. The chair that they, the government and the people gave me, was the only place where I can sign. It’s very unfortunate that I saw plenty speculations, and as I speak, there is already two submissions before the NEC to make changes to replace me,” he said.

“I am not hungry for jobs because I am a true policeman and a true policeman to the bone. I was able to weed out these corrupt practices and they now are playing politics to remove me. I am not here for politics but to serve the people of Southern Highlands Province and restore peace and order in the province.”