Dei MP passes away

By Staff Reporters
PNG has lost its fourth Member of Parliament in Dei MP, Steven Pim, just eight days away from the next Parliament sitting.
Pim was pronounced dead on arrival at the Pacific International Hospital (PIH) in Port Moresby on Sunday night.
The hospital’s chief executive officer Sandeep Shaligram confirmed that the late Pim was brought to PIH in an unresponsive state, and was pronounced dead at 8.25pm.
“The hospital does not and cannot share any confidential medical information but will confirm that his condition upon arrival, was beyond any clinical intervention,” Shaligram said.
Pim was elected to the 11th National Parliament as a People’s National Congress Party candidate, defeating former Member Wesley Nukunz comfortably in the 2022 National General Elections.
Pim was the shadow minister for petroleum and mining under the Lelang-Tomuriesa-led Opposition.
He was also a member of Public Works and 2022 General Election Parliament Committee and was serving his first term, at the time of his death.
Parliament Clerk Kala Aufa confirmed his passing, saying that the Parliament will give time to the family before it releases an official statement.
Aufa said that Pim’s death would now bring the total number of MPs to have died in the 11th Parliament to three, which includes, Wewak Open MP Kevin Isifu (Liberal Party), who died last September after succumbing to long term health complications and Maprik MP Gabriel Kapris (People’s National Congress Party) who died last month from a heart-attack.
In the 10th National Parliament (2017-2022), a total of 10 MPs passed away, which included, the North Bougainville MP William Nakin, Deputy Prime Minister Sam Basil (United Labour Party Bulolo), Commerce and Industry Minister William Samb (PNG Union Pati – Goilala), Sam Akoitai (People’s National Congress Party – Central Bougainville), Jonny Alonk (United Resources Party Middle Ramu), Roy Biyama (PNG Party – Middle Fly), Richard Mendani (United Resources Party – Kerema), Thomas Pelika (United Labour Party – Menyamya) and Sir Mekere Morauta (People’s Democratic Movement – Moresby North West) and Chris Nangoi (United Labor Party – Sumkar).