Pacific Magazine > Magazine > December 1, 2001

Island Achiever

Meet PNG's New Army Commander

Brigadier General Peter Ilau on the move.

By By Sam Vulum


Papua New Guinea's newly-appointed Defence Force commander Brigadier General Peter Ilau is faced with a greater backlog of outstanding administrative bungles that any former commander has ever seen in the history of the country's crisis-riddled force.

Ilau replaced acting commander Brigadier General Carl Marlpo, whose appointment was revoked in mid October by the National Executive Council. Marlpo's services as a soldier were also terminated.

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The worrying state of affairs in the force was highlighted in a Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group report in March. The report recommended a massive reform exercise to be carried out in the force.

The recommendations included:

  • sale of the military headquarters at Murray Barracks,
  • downsizing of troop's strength from 4150 to 1900,
  • scrapping of the Defence Council,
  • scrapping of the position of Defence Secretary,
  • provision of a fixed three-year term for future commanders,
  • provision of proper authority for court martial, and
  • a revised code of military discipline to be enforced.

    Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta said then that the reforms were aimed at making sure Papua New Guinea had a defence force that was capable of serving the country effectively as possible.

    "PNG must have a defence force that is capable of undertaking its constitutional functions. We cannot continue with a defence force in crisis."

    Morauta said the force was almost completely incapacitated by years of neglect and mismanagement and a disregard of national interest.

    The government endorsed the reforms. But it was later forced to rescind its decision after soldiers revolted against the reforms. The government took a firm stand, initially, but had to give in after soldiers from Murray Barracks broke into their armoury, removed weapons, and threatened to keep them unless the government shelved the report.

    The government bowed to pressure to avoid further escalation of the problem. This problem is among other pressing issues the new commander is faced with. Ilau will have to investigate and initiate military court action against the soldiers involved. The former administration failed to deal with the case.

    Ilau, from Mailu village in the Central province, has served as chief of operations and chief of staff.

    He has also acted as commander on a number of occasions while the former commander was on overseas visits.

    He is a graduate of the Papua New Guinea Joint Services College at Igam in Lae, Morobe province, and has served in different areas, including as military advisor to two commanders, commanding officer of naval boats and commander of the Lombrum Naval base in Manus.

     

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