'Reveal names'

Somare to refer The National to privileges committee

 

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

 

Public Enterprise Minister Arthur Somare wants the names of the politicians who are allegedly behind the escape of suspected bank robber William Nanua Kapris and 11 others to be revealed in Parliament, The National reports.

Mr Somare yesterday threatened to use Parliament to force The National to reveal the names of the three politicians allegedly involved with the top bank robbery suspect.

The Angoram MP gave notice that he would move a motion today in Parliament for the newspaper to be summoned before the Parliamentary Privileges Committee to reveal the name of one MP and two ministers alleged to have funded Kapris’ escape as well as benefited from the proceeds of his crime.

He said the reporter who wrote the story and the newspaper should be hauled before the committee to provide names.

Deputy Speaker Francis Marus, in response, said he would advise the minister after considering the matter.

Mr Somare’s move came after questions were raised during Question Time by Bulolo MP Sam Basil.

Mr Basil said newspaper reports on the front page of The National yesterday and in previous weeks have allegedly accused MPs of assisting criminals carry out their activities.

In his questions to Attorney-General and Justice Minister Dr Allan Marat, Mr Basil asked if the report was true and, if not true, could the minister asked the newspaper not to publish these reports.

He said if the report was true, could Dr Marat ask the newspaper to publicise the names of the MPs allegedly involved.

Mr Basil said the integrity of Parliament and MPs have been called into question by such reports, drawing a round of applause from the public gallery.

He had to repeat the question after Dr Marat sidetracked and started talking about Parliament security.

The minister, however, denied any knowledge of these rogue “politicians”.

The National reported yesterday that Kapris had told police after his capture that three politicians funded his escape from Bomana jail on Jan 12.

He also revealed to police how much he paid each of the “politicians” from the robberies he staged, and that he feared he was a “marked man.