Benjamin Mul

Benjamin Ngents Mul is a Papua New Guinea politician. He has been a Papua New Guinea Party member of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea since July 2007, representing the electorate of North Wahgi Open.

Mul was born in the village of Kaming in Nondugl in the Western Highlands. He dropped out of school at an early age, before renewing his studies at Pabrabug High School in his late teens. He subsequently gained admission to the University of Papua New Guinea through their adult matriculation program, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in social work. Mul, a devout Christian, later worked as a teacher, opening a number of Christian pre-schools in the National Capital District and Central Province. [Muri, David. "Shocked with the win". "Papua New Guinea Post-Courier", August 3, 2007.]

Mul nominated as a candidate for the North Wahgi Open electorate at the 2007 general election, and was not considered a favourite, with incumbent MP and National Party leader Michael Kal and former MP Dr Fabian Pok considered the likely frontrunners. [Taime, Mal. "Security tight in Mt Hagen". "Papua New Guinea Post-Courier", July 17, 2007.] However, he overtook both Kal and Pok in the late stages of counting to stage an upset victory. The result enraged some of Pok's supporters, who retaliated by rioting and starting fires. ["Mum raped, homes burnt". "Papua New Guinea Post-Courier", July 30, 2007.] Pok subsequently filed a petition challenging the result with the Court of Disputed Returns. ["Call to accept defeat". "Papua New Guinea Post-Courier", September 3, 2007.] One of Mul's first acts as an MP was to call for ten percent of the provincial budget to be given to churches in the area. [Tiptip, Nikints. "MP calls for recognition of church efforts". "Papua New Guinea Post-Courier", September 5, 2007.]

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