Kua warns referral of Kramer to committee sets a dangerous precedent

OPPOSITION MP Kerenga Kua says the referral of Madang MP Bryan Kramer to the parliamentary privileges committee by Speaker Job Pomat sets a “very dangerous precedent”.
He said the matter which Pomat had ruled on happened outside Parliament.
Kua said it was a deliberate move to suppress freedom of speech and expression which is a fundamental right under the Constitution.
“Why I am saying this is a deliberate move because what happens outside Parliament (can be) dealt with by the country’s judiciary system. We have the police, the courts and the Correctional Service that can deal with it,” Kua said. “But the issue and the statement which the Speaker used as a basis to refer Kramer to the parliamentary privilege committee happened outside Parliament which is beyond the jurisdiction of the parliamentary standing orders.
“The Speaker has misled the Parliament and is setting a dangerous precedent for the country.
“This precedent will see MPs using the parliamentary standing orders to address their grievances on matters happening outside the Parliament which is totally wrong and uncalled for.”
Kua said leaders were not immune to criticism and should learn how to deal with it using appropriate avenues and processes.
“What the government through the Speaker had done was uncalled for.
“The stance the Opposition had taken to walk out of the Parliament is to show the people that what the Government, through the Speaker, had done is not in the interest of the people.”