Ex-MP Simon hails late Kapris

Former Maprik MP John Simon has remembered his successor, the Gabriel Lenny Kapris, as someone who worked tirelessly to represent the district from 2002 to 2012.
Kapris died of a sudden heart attack in Port Moresby at around 5pm on Sunday (Aug 13).
In a statement yesterday, Simon said: “I ousted him in General Election 2012. During my time of political reign from 2013 to 2022, I was able to do better and deliver more for our people, and bringing Maprik to be the best performing district in the country. This was because I have leaders like the late Kapris, whose continued critics and checks and balances on my leadership and administration made me do better in service delivery.
“While we may have had our disagreements and differing views, it is crucial for us to put aside our political differences and come together to honour and remember the life of a fellow public servant.
“From my Kukum family in the Yamil Tamawi local level government area, I convey our sympathies and condolences to his family and loved ones,” he said.
Minister for Justice and Attorney-General Pila Niningi, when conveying his condolences, said: “I lost a friend.
“He (Kapris) is quite a unique person, doesn’t like to hurt other people’s feelings, he’s vocal on issues at the right time.”
Kapris, from Supari village, was the eldest son to village court magistrate Samuel and Esther.
He had three brothers in Benjamin, who died in 2021, Ruben and Jerry.
His wife, Silvia Namot Kapris, died in 2013 due to cervical cancer.
They have four children – two men and two women – and eight grandchildren.
Kapris did his standard education one to six in Supari Community School from 1969-1975.
From 1980-1981, he attended the then Maprik High School (now secondary school).
He was selected to do grades 11 and 12 at Passam National High School from 1982-1983.
In 1984, he was selected to study mechanical engineering at the University of Technology for four years and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1987.
Meanwhile, Higher Education Minister Don Polye and Government chief secretary Ivan Pomaleu also conveyed their condolences, saying the death of Kapris was a great loss for Maprik and the rest of Papua New Guinea.