Check before raising issue, MPs told

GULF Governor Chris Haiveta, pictured wants MPs to check information on any subject before raising it in Parliament.
He was concerned about questions raised by Moresby North-West MP Sir Mekere Morauta in relation to the Mineral Resource Development Company.
He said MRDC was the trustee company for landowners and provincial government interest in mining and petroleum projects operating in the PNG.
Haiveta said under the Act, MRDC was majority controlled by state directors, it had a trustee company, management company and under that all the subsidiaries were controlled by state directors, including governors of provinces.
“When the questions were asked, the integrity of the governors of Southern Highlands, Hela, Enga, Western, Central and Madang as well as deputy speaker were brought into question.
“We all sit in the subsidiaries of the MRDC group of companies and we look after the interest of our people as well as the provincial governments.
“When we are asking questions, we must get our facts right, make sure that integrity of leaders and other members of parliament, departmental heads and people who are not on this floor to even protect themselves or answer questions are properly vetted and checked,” he said.
Haiveta said it didn’t hurt for members who wanted to ask questions to check the facts directly with departmental heads or colleagues concerned.
“As you and I sit on the boards, the K10m which was a case for police investigation was not fraud. It is an internal matter,” he said.
“The occupancy rate is over 50 per cent and the state has a 20 per cent equity in the Hilton Hotel.
“It is important that we check our facts before asking questions. Those (information), some of which are given by people with political interest who are motivated to tarnish the names of other people.
“We should check the facts before we ask the questions,” Haiveta said.
Meanwhile Parliament rose on Friday and will resume on Oct 8.