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Ministers quit
TWO Ministers in the Somare Government have
resigned from cabinet.
They are Culture and Tourism Minister Nick Kuman and Commerce and Trade
Minister Michael Nali, both members of the People’s National Congress
party, which is in the Opposition.
A source close to the Prime Minister said yesterday the Prime Minister
had received their letters of resignation.
The source said when the two were appointed to cabinet in January, it
was on the belief that they had left their political parties — Nali the
People’s Progress Party and Kuman the PNC.
But after nominations closed, it was confirmed from documents obtained
from the Electoral Commission and the Office of the Registrar of
Political Parties that the two were members of the PNC.
“We thought they were independent MPs but when they nominated as
People’s National Congress Party candidates for the elections, it would
be against the law to keep them as ministers,” the source said, adding
they were asked to resign and they did.
Mr Kuman is the deputy leader of PNC and is defending his Gumine Open
seat in Simbu province and Mr Nali has opted to leave his Mendi Open
seat to wrestle the provincial seat from Governor Hami Yawari in
Southern Highlands.
The two were appointed ministers on Jan 19 in a move many saw would
unite the National Alliance and PNC as they enter the election as
partners.
But Opposition leader Peter O’Neill was apparently unaware of their
appointments and demanded an explanation.
He got it from them when they nominated as PNC members.
Mr O’Neill said last night he was not aware of their resignation and he
could neither confirm nor deny anything until he speaks to the two men.
General Secretary of PNC Dominic Sengi said last night that if their
resignations were a result of the demands of the Organic Law on the
Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates, then it was good for them
and for the party.
“As a party we welcome the PM’s decision to request their resignation,
and look forward to their return as PNC members to serve for another
term,” he said.
 
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