Polume and Yer promoted

CABINET yesterday made two changes to departmental heads, and deferred decisions on others to a later date.
A lawyer, who lost her job as acting Solicitor General has been appointed acting Attorney General, replacing Fred Tomo, while Gabriel Yer has been confirmed as head of the Finance Department. He has been acting in the post since the departure of Thaddeus Kambanei last year.
Cabinet sources told The National a decision is pending on the heads of Defence, National Planning, and Mining Departments.
Cabinet yesterday appointed Hitelai Kiele-Polume to replace Mr Tomo, a source said.
Mr Tomo and Ms Polume had been at loggerheads, leading to her removal as acting Solicitor General last Dec 18.
Mr Tomo appointed John Kumura to replace her, after charging her with misconduct.
The cabinet source said a push to appoint Steven Raphael as Defence Secretary by the Islands faction in cabinet was blocked by Highlanders, who demanded that Frederick Punangi, whose term has expired, be reappointed.


 

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