Opposition plans to boycott sitting

By JEFFREY ELAPA

THE Opposition plans to boycott parliament today when it resumes its August session, The National reports.
Speaking during a press conference at the Ela Beach Hotel yesterday ousted acting prime minister Sam Abal said the opposition would not attend parliament when it resumed at 2pm in protest over the "unconstitutional" election of Peter O'Neill as Prime Minister last Tuesday.
He was accompanied by former ministers Paul Tiensten, Ben Sembri, Andrew Kumbakor, Francis Potape and Mendi MP Pr Isaac Joseph.
Abal said the matter was before the court to rule on the constitutionality of the election.
"We know there is parliament tomorrow (today) but because there is a question that the constitution has been flawed as well as the standing orders were abused, we will boycott parliament until the court clears it," he said.
He said because the Constitution was abused, they had to ask the court for a ruling.
Abal said there was still a legitimate Prime Minister and while the processes had not been followed, Parliament went ahead to elect a new prime minister using their numerical strength.
"There are two prime ministers and we want the court to pronounce it," he said.
However, he said that whatever the court ruled, his 31 members would abide by it and go back to Parliament to attend meetings. Until then, they would continue to stay out as a protest over the manner in which the election of a prime minister was conducted.
He said it abused the constitutional and other laws such as of the NEC and Prime Minister's Act.
Meanwhile Abal said several members from the new government had "ambushed" Government House last Tuesday to force Governor-Ge­neral Sir Michael Ogio to sign the instruments.
He said Sir Michael had been "rushed and pushed" to sign the documents by individuals from the government assisted by members of the police and military.
He said he would write to the police commissioner to lodge his complaint so that the matter was investigated

Coup rumour dispelled

By JUNIOR UKAHA

THE police and military hierarchy yesterday dispelled the rumour of a military coup against the one-week-old government of Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, The National reports.
In separate statements, Police Commissioner Tony Wagambie and Papua New Guinea Defence Force commander Brig-Gen Francis Agwi said they were loyal to the government and processes of democracy and the change in the government "will not affect the work of police and defence".
Their call came after text messages yesterday about a military coup circulated widely, frightening people and business houses. The text message said the instability caused by the new government had forced the military to overthrow the government.
It urged Papua New Guineans to support the coup.
However, Agwi countered with the statement: "I assure the government and people of PNG that no force under my command will ever be less than totally loyal to the constitution, and to the authority of the government."
He said he had talked with Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah and Defence Minister Guma Wau and assured them of his support and loyalty.
Agwi said he had heard of the rumour which was "without foundation, malicious and mischievous".    
Wagambie, on the other hand, said a coup "is nonsense and will never happen".
"I want to assure the government, investors and grassroots that there will be no coup – and I guarantee that," Wagambie said. 
"If there are people trying to create something then the police will deal with them in the appropriate manner," he said.
The top cop said spreading false rumours amounted to treason and was punishable by law under the Summary Offences Act.
"In some other countries, spreading such rumours will result in the person facing the firing squad," Wagambie said.
He said police were gathering information to ascertain where, how and why the rumour was started.
He said he had already instructed his men to trace the person or group responsible for spreading the rumour and arrest them.
Internal Security Minister John Boito condemned the rumour, saying it was the work of people who wanted to cause panic among Papua New Guineans.
He said parliament was intact and would meet as normal today

Manwau is happy

MEMBER for Wewak Moses Manwau has denied reports he had protested against the recent cabinet appointments because he was not included in the list, The National reports.
He said a newspaper headline portrayed him negatively even though he was not at Government House during the swearing-in ceremony of the ministers.
"I really felt bad be­cause I talk about issue concerning PNG and uni­ting the country and not about individual interests.
"What I said was that it was the prerogative of the prime minister to appointment a minister in East Sepik for a fair representation, knowing very well that I was out of it because I was not informed."
He said the member for Wosera-Gawi Ronald Asik and member for Telefomin Peter Iwei were at the Government House and complained publicly there.
"I only said what I felt when asked to comment, and not crying over the ministerial positions as portrayed in the newspaper," he said.

Anti-graft group reminds public servants of responsibilities

THE Community Coalition Against Corruption has called on public servants to continue to serve the people despite the recent political changes, The National reports.
Members of the CCAC told reporters that public servants should not get involved in the recent political games but to be focused on serving the people.
"CCAC is calling for public servants' loyalty to the people and the country, including the police and the military.
"Do not listen to politicians but respect your country and people," CCAC members said.
CCAC also called on the media to report responsibly during times like this.
CCAC board member and chairman of the independent media committee John ToGuata said the media should not sensationalise issues and create disharmony among citizens.
He said the media must inform the people accurately and responsibly.
Retired priest and member of the CCAC board John Flenn said negative reporting could stir up problems and anarchy for the country.
He said poor reporting by the media could inflate violence and lawlessness.
Meanwhile PNG Trade Union Congress president Michael Malabag also called on public servants to be committed and loyal to their country and continue to serve the people.

Abal warns of abuse of public funds

MEMBER for Wabag Sam Abal has cautioned about the use of public funds by the new government pen­ding a court decision on the legality of the parliamentary elec­tion pro­cess, The National reports.
"I, as a leader, do not want to see people rushing across and it will be sad to see plundering of resources for the people of Papua New Guinea," Abal said.
He said a surplus of K600 million, which was announced in the mid-year economic and fiscal out­look report, was en­tirely a result of increased reve­nue projections dri­ven largely by higher personal income tax collections than expected, higher commodity prices and higher mineral re­venue.
No overspending and underspending are pro­jected at this time.
Former treasury and finance minister Patrick Pruaitch said a supplementary budget was likely to be announced later this year.
Pruaitch said the projected additional revenue was expected to be allocated to high government priority expenditures in the key areas of health, education, infrastructure and law and justice as well as obligations such as the PNG LNG-related commitments and next year's general election preparations.
There were public concerns that the anticipated revenue of K606.8 mil­lion could be used for other purposes rather than the key areas prompting Abal to make the appeal.

Polye is NA leader

By JAMES APA GUMUNO

THE National Alliance party's de­puty highlands parliamentary leader Don Polye has been elected as the party's new parliamentary leader repla­cing Sir Michael So­mare, The National reports.
The Kandep MP, who is the finance and treasury minister, was elected by less than half of the party's 42 members du­ring the NA caucus meeting in Minj, Jiwaka region, yesterday.
The parliamentary wing that attended the caucus meeting passed a resolution to appoint Polye but this did not go down well with Madang regional MP Sir Arnold Amet, who claimed to represent the Momase region.
Sir Arnold said there was no vacancy and that the party must follow due process.
He said if the NA believed in party principles, then, it must not violate the party's constitution for the sake of con­venience.
East New Britain Governor Leo Dion countered that as per the party's constitution, they were there to elect a new parliamentary leader.
Sir Michael's term as leader expired this year and he gave instructions last February to begin the process of appointing a new leader.
Dion, who claimed to speak on behalf of the New Guinea Islands region, said they could not keep their people and party supporters in suspense.
He said he fully supported the resolution passed by the parliamentary wing to elect Polye as the new parliamentary leader.
Polye said there was no time left, the general election was nine months away and they needed a leader to take the party into the election.
He told party execu­tives and members that the NA parliamen­tary wing was already split.
He said this was because of the actions of two or three members in the ousted NA-led go­vernment.
Polye said the party, which was built on good values and principles, had been destroyed.
He said the NA was an institution and they needed to protect it from being destroyed by a small group of MPs in the party.
He said because of bad governance, he tried to stem what he described as "the flood but it was so huge" that led others to the opposition to form the new government in order to uphold the good principles and values of the party.
Polye said it was not a bad move and they were rewarded with nine mi­nisterial portfolios.
Of the 42 NA members in parliament, 19 MPs from both sides of parliament attended the meeting.
They included Lucas Dekena, James Gau, Buka Malai, Leo Dion, Sai Besio, Mark Mai­pa­kai, Peter Titus, Andrew Mald, Yawa Silupa, Mi­chael Sape, Mathew Poia, David Arore and Polye.
Four MPs from the opposition present were James Marape, Benjamin Mul, Sir Arnold Amet and Sani Rambi.
Sam Abal, Patrick Pruaitch, Arthur Somare, Ano Pala and Jeffery Nape did not attend.

Confirmed cabinet ministries

Peter O'Neill – Prime Minister
Belden Namah – Deputy Prime Minister; Forestry and Climate Change
Don Polye – Treasury and Finance
Sam Basil – National Planning
Bart Philemon – Public Service
William Duma – Petroleum and Energy
Ken Fairweather – Housing and Urban Development
Moses Maladina – Implementation and Rural Development
Charles Abel – Trade, Commerce and Industry
David Arore – Higher Education, Re­search, Science and Technology
Dr Allan Marat – Attorney-General and Justice
John Boito – Internal Security
Guma Wau – Defence
Sai Sailon Beseo – Correctional Ser­vices
Job Pomat – Fisheries
Ano Pala – Foreign Affairs and Immigration
Sir Mekere Morauta – Public Enterpri­ses
Theo Zurenuoc – Education
Sir Puka Temu – Agriculture and Livestock
Thompson Harokaqveh – Environ­ment and Conservation
Sali Subam – Sports
Martin Aini – Labour and Industrial Relations
Byron Chan – Mining
Jim Miringtoro – Communication and Information Technology
Steven Kama Pirika – Bougainville Affairs
Andrew Mald – Community Deve­lop­ment; Religion and Family Affairs
Mark Maipakai – Inter-Government Relations and District Development
Francis Awesa – Transport and Works
Puri Ruing –  Civil Aviation
Lucas Dekena – Lands and Physical Planning
Jamie Maxtone-Graham – Health
Benjamin Philip – Tourism, Arts and Culture
Wake Goi – Assisting the Prime Minis­ter on Constitutional Matters