By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK and HARLYNE JOKU
THE Waigani National Court has lifted a suspension order on National Museum and Art Gallery director Simon Poraituk.
It also ordered Vincent Kaupa, who was appointed acting director by the National Executive Council last month, to cease his duties.
However, Mr Kaupa told The National late yesterday that he would seek advice from Culture and Tourism Minister Charles Abel and may appeal against Deputy Chief Justice Sir Salamo’s decision.
He said he had no grudges against Mr Poraituk, who was suspended on Sept 27 following claims of misuse of public funds, fraud, abuse of power and other corruptive practices at the museum.
“I was appointed by the NEC based on Mr Abel’s advice to take charge of the museum while the Public Accounts Committee investigated serious irregularities in the management of the National Cultural Properties and the War Surplus Materials at the museum,” he said.
In allowing Mr Poraituk’s application for a judicial review of his suspension, Sir Salamo ruled that of the seven persons who sat on the museum board and voted to suspend him, five were not members.
He said a trial was needed to determine the validity of the board’s decision.
“There needs to be a cross-examination of the NM&A (National Museum and Art Gallery) Act 1992 and Regularity Statutory Authorities (Appointment to Certain Officers) 2004 to determine the grounds of Mr Poraituk’s suspension,” he said and set Nov 5 for the hearing.
Following the ruling, Mr Poraituk urged the staff to side aside their differences and work with him to improve the image of the museum which “has been negatively portrayed in the media”.
On Wednesday, police detained two casual workers who drove to the museum in Mr Poraituk’s vehicle.
A third person climbed over a fence and escaped.
Mr Kaupa said the two men had no authority to use the vehicle as Mr Poraituk was under suspension.
Police impounded the vehicle.
Mr Kaupa said he had written to the police commissioner last Oct 9 requesting an investigation into the withdrawal of funds by three officers of the museum.
Bank statements show that last Oct 3, Mr Poraituk withdrew K6,000 from the general operational account and K15,000 from the project account even though he had been suspended.
Mr Kaupa had also asked the police to repossess three vehicles, including one assigned to Mr Poraituk.