Who is Simon Sia? He was elected in 2022 as the Governor of Eastern Highlands Province (EHP) in Papua New Guinea (PNG), marking the first time someone of ethnic Chinese origin, who was foreign born, won a seat in PNG’s National Parliament. Previous MPs of Chinese descent were PNG-born, making his case unprecedented in the country’s political history. The most prominent PNG-born Chinese leader is Sir Julius Chan, long-serving New Ireland Governor, who was Prime Minister in 1980–1982, and 1994–1997.
Simon Sia, Governor of Eastern Highlands Province.
Early Life and Education in Malaysia and Canada
Simon Sia was born SIA Sung Sing in Sarawak (formerly Borneo), Malaysia, to an ethnic Chinese family. His academic path led him abroad to Canada, where he pursued higher education. By the mid-1980s, Sia had earned two bachelor’s degrees: one in Economics (1983) and another in Commerce with a major in Accounting (1985). This dual academic foundation in economics and accounting gave him both technical knowledge and financial discipline that would later underpin his entrepreneurial ventures.
Arrival in Papua New Guinea
Armed with his Canadian education, Sia went to Papua New Guinea in 1985, initially living in Port Moresby for five years. He began his career with Santa (PNG) Ltd, working there for about six years before deciding to strike out on his own. By 1990, he relocated to Goroka, Eastern Highlands, a move that marked the beginning of his deep ties with the province.
Building the Bintangor Trading Group
In Goroka, Sia founded the Bintangor Trading Group, which began as a retail and wholesale operation but soon expanded into a broad array of enterprises: supermarkets, bakeries, restaurants, real estate development, construction, investment projects, car hire, and even coffee export. By the mid-1990s, his companies had become an economic mainstay in Eastern Highlands.
One of his most visible community engagements was his sponsorship of the Goroka Lahanis rugby league team. From 2004 onwards, Sia invested heavily – over K30 million (almost 7.2m US$) across 15 years – into the team’s operations, stadium facilities, and competitions. Under his sponsorship, the Lahanis enjoyed premiership success and became a symbol of provincial pride. This civic generosity earned him the affectionate nickname “Bintangor” and later “Mr Generosity”. Read about Rugby League in PNG here.
Family and Community Integration
Sia’s personal life is also firmly rooted in Papua New Guinea. He is married to Hui Sng Kiau, and together they have three PNG-born daughters, including Simonne, who has accompanied him to official and community events.
In June 2022, shortly before his election win, he was formally adopted into the Bayantenu clan of Kainantu in Eastern Highlands. This symbolic act affirmed his integration into local society and helped bridge ethnic divides. He also proudly declared himself a naturalised citizen of Papua New Guinea since 2012, underscoring his long-term commitment to the country.
Entry into Politics: Persistence Pays Off
Sia’s journey to political leadership was marked by persistence. He first contested the Eastern Highlands Provincial seat in 2012, soon after becoming a PNG citizen, and tried again in 2017. Both attempts were unsuccessful but positioned him as a serious contender.
In the 2022 National Election, running under the People’s National Congress (PNC) party, Sia finally prevailed. On 12 August 2022, he was declared the Governor of Eastern Highlands Province after securing a commanding 202,624 votes, surpassing the absolute majority and defeating then-incumbent Peter Numu who secured 156,452 votes. Peter Numu had tried casting doubts in voters’ minds by referring to Simon Sia as, “a businessman from Malaysia”, pointing to his foreign background, aimed at questioning his legitimacy or loyalty. Simon Sia has publicly addressed his background, saying: “The three girls I have belong to this country, just like me. Please look beyond the colour of my skin.” Sia’s victory broke long-standing perceptions about “outsiders” in PNG politics.
Leadership Priorities as Governor
Since taking office, Sia has steered provincial leadership with a focus on education, infrastructure, agriculture, and unity [Facebook profile of Simon Sia MP].
- Education: He rolled out a tertiary tuition fee subsidy scheme, distributing millions of kina annually to support Eastern Highlands students. In one year alone, K4.2 million (around US$1m) was allocated to 2,181 students, easing financial burdens on families.
- Infrastructure: He has earmarked funding for roads and facilities across all eight districts, insisting that “the money should go to where it is supposed to go.” Transparency and delivery of services are recurring themes in his public addresses.
- Agriculture & Self-Sufficiency: Eastern Highlands, long a hub of PNG’s coffee industry, has seen new pushes for agricultural independence and reduced reliance on imports under his leadership.
- Unity & Leadership Style: Prime Minister James Marape commended Sia in 2023 for uniting provincial leaders and guiding EHP with a collaborative spirit. Sia often emphasizes service, declaring: “I am not elected to play politics. I am here to serve wholeheartedly.”
Public Philosophy and Interviews
Sia’s public persona is shaped by humility, generosity, and inclusivity.
- In a 2019 interview with The National, he remarked: “Doing things the right way is the key principle for success… success is about giving, not about fame.” He stressed that wealth accumulation is not his aim: “Eventually, one day, we all will go down with empty hands.”
- During the 2022 campaign, he addressed his ethnicity head-on: “The colour of anyone’s skin can be white, black, yellow, red or brown…mine may be white or yellow but my heart, soul and mind is black.”
- His actions match his words – he has personally trekked 350 km from the Highlands to the coast to experience the challenges of remote communities, supported prison inmates through personal donations, and refurbished community sports facilities like Sir Danny Leahy Oval in Goroka.
Challenges and Scrutiny
Like many prominent figures, Sia has not been free from controversy. In 2019, he faced legal charges related to alleged misappropriation and money laundering connected to a defunct coffee company. He denied wrongdoing and vowed to clear his name. As of now, public records do not show a conclusive legal outcome.
Image: https://garamut.wordpress.com/2012/06/01/will-simon-sia-be-pngs-first-asian-mp/
Conclusion: A Businessman Turned Public Servant
From a Malaysian-born student in Canada to a business magnate in Goroka, and ultimately the Governor of Eastern Highlands Province, Simon Sia’s trajectory is one of persistence, community integration, and philanthropy. His blend of business acumen, civic generosity, and determination has made him a central figure in Eastern Highlands politics and society [Simon Sia fan page].
By combining entrepreneurial drive with a philosophy of giving back, Sia has redefined leadership in the province – proving that belonging is forged not by origin but by service, sacrifice, and shared destiny.
[Goroka is the capital of Eastern Highlands Province and is known for its coffee plantations and the famous Asaro Mudmen tribal people. The Goroka Festival (Show) is held annually in Goroka; it attracts over 100 tribes to perform traditional songs and dances, showcasing vibrant costumes and a rich cultural heritage for a duration of three days, usually near Papua New Guinea’s Independence Day (16th September)].
Another politician you might be interested in reading is Sasindran “Sasi” Muthuvel, first Indian-born and first foreign-born national to be elected to PNG’s Parliament.
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