Concerns raised over party mergers

 By JOHN PANGKATANA

OUR Development Party and Pangu Party leaders are concerned that the registrar of political parties has made certain recommendations without proper consultation with stakeholders.

Our Development president Andrew Terry and Pangu president Milo Timini were responding to a recent statement by registrar Dr Alphonse Gelu in regards to the future of political parties.

Of particular concern is the one relating to parties which do not have five MPs or more to amalgamate with larger parties under a revised Organic Law on Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates (OLIPPAC) proposal.

Terry said it would indirectly limit the opportunity for political development.

“We have a vibrant political climate. Limiting it is very dangerous,” Terry said.

“It is a dangerous trend if you mobilise political powers to one or two entities. The past government under the National Alliance Party is evidence of that.

“There will be no wrongs, the ruling party will always be right.”

Timini said instead of trying to derail the future of political parties, they should be looking at ways to fund them so they were administratively sound.

Terry called on the registrar to conduct regular meetings with stakeholders if they were serious about stabilising political platforms.

Our Development Party has one elected member in Abau MP Sir Puka Temu while Pangu has no MPs following the recent death of Angoram MP Ludwig Shulze.