Grand Chief slams OC’s silence

GRAND Chief Sir Michael Somare has called on the Chief Ombudsman to tell the country what action he is taking to address the repeated “offensive conduct” of the Peter O’Neill-led government.
“As the principal organisation that monitors and keeps in check the conduct of leaders, the silence of Chief Ombudsman Chronox Manek and the commission is unacceptable,” Sir Michael said in a statement.
“Last week, Dame Carol Kidu, Sir Arnold Amet, myself and others all voiced our opposition to the passage of the Judicial Conduct Bill.
“The students of the University of Papua New Guinea came forward last Friday to protest the passage of this subordinate act of parliament to make the judiciary answerable to the legislature and the executive arms.
“I understand that groups, including the Community Coalition Against Corruption and the PNG Trade Union Congress and other organisations have met to find a way forward to further protest this ‘coconut’ legislation.”
Sir Michael said the retrospective amendments were not done in the greater interest of Papua New Guinea but “made to serve the interest of members of parliament who are currently facing the courts on serious contempt charges”.
 “As the watchdog organisation, the Ombudsman Commission should be ahead of the game that is being played by members of parliament using their numerical strength.
“The democratic rule of the majority is being blatantly abused and yet the commission has been absolutely quiet.
“The only statement last week by Manek was the publicity on its internal politics, a matter that can be sorted in-house.”
No comment could be obtained from Manek yesterday.