Sir Pita Lus

Sir Pita Lus, a controversial politician from Papua New Guinea who lived from 16 September 1935 to 1 October 2021, is credited with helping to secure the nation's independence in 1975 and convincing Michael Somare, the nation's first prime minister, to run for office.

In the first democratic election for the new House of Assembly held in the Territory of Papua and New Guinea in 1964, Lus was a successful candidate and won the Dreikikier seat. After moving to the Maprik constituency, he was re-elected in 1968, serving there until 2002. Lus was recognized as an outspoken opponent of colonial authority in the House of Assembly. In 22 of the 30 votes that were held during his first two years as a member, he cast a no vote. He was a proponent of self-government from the beginning and was well-known in parliament for his humor and, on occasion, violence.

Lus was a founding member of the Pangu Party in 1967, establishing a branch in Maprik, together with Michael Somare, Albert Maori Kiki, Barry Holloway, Cecil Abel, Joseph Nombri, and others. Somare, who is also from East Sepik, was seen by him as the most qualified candidate to lead PNG to independence. Somare didn't think he could win since he lacked Lus' charm, but Lus persuaded him to run in the Wewak constituency for the 1968 House of Assembly election and devoted a lot of his time to Somare's campaign. On December 1, 1973, Papua New Guinea became a self-governing territory, and Somare appointed Lus as the Minister of State for Police. After that, he held a number of more ministerial positions. The day of complete freedom was usually credited to Lus.