Boycott by opposition described as undemocratic

THE opposition bench was empty when parliament resumed at 2pm yesterday, a move described as undemocratic and childish by the government, The National reports.
The only person at the opposition bench was the chairman of the Jiwaka Transitional Authority and member for North Waghi, Benjamin Mul.
He was told by the speaker to take his seat on the opposition bench as he was sitting on the middle bench.
Former minister for community development, Dame Carol Kidu, the only the woman parliamenta­rian, sat at the middle bench too.
Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah condemned the action of the opposition led by the former acting prime minister Sam Abal to boycott parliament.
He said, as elected leaders, they were required to attend all sessions and respect the democratic process of the election which took place last Tuesday in parliament.
"They should be on the other side of the floor like what we did and not protesting as parliament
is not a place for protesting lea­ders."
Treasurer Don Polye described the action as childish. 
"It is disrespectful," he said.
Before debating on the prime mi­nister's inaugural speech, Na­mah said the election of O'Neill followed a democratic process and that the highest court of the land had declared that as valid.
He said that it was in the best interest of the people through their elected leaders and they should respect that rather than go to the courts to claim back the prime mi­nistership.