Move as you wish: PM

The National Main Stories

BY REBECCA KUKU and HELEN TARAWA
PRIME Minister James Marape is leaving it to individual MPs to choose whether to stay on the Government side or move to the Opposition.
Following the move by the National Alliance Party led by Patrick Pruaitch on Tuesday to leave the Opposition and join the Government, Marape told The National yesterday that he would let individual MPs “make up their own minds, irrespective of which party they belong to”.
The latest breakdown of MPs and their parties released to The National yesterday by the Registrar of Political Parties Dr Alphonse Gelu showed that Marape’s Pangu Pati had 23 MPs while the People’s National Congress (PNC) Party had 22.
The National Alliance had 10, with two more still in the Opposition: West Sepik Governor Tony Wouwou and Kerema MP Richard Mendani.
William Duma’s United Resource Party has 11 MPs.
There are 10 MPs who are the sole representatives of their parties: Powes Parkop (Social Democratic), Peter Yama (People’s Labour), Geoffrey Kama (Heritage Empowerment), Gary Juffa (People’s Movement for Change), Paias Wingti (People’s Democratic), Rimbink Pato (United), Peter Numu (PNG One Nation), Bryan Kramer (Allegiance), Joseph Yopyyopy (Melanesian Alliance) and Sir Mekere Morauta (Independent).
The 11 MPs who have “not confirmed” which party they belong to are Sam Basil, Koni Iguan, Thomas Pelika, Kennedy Wenge, Chris Nangoi, Peter Sapia, Lekwa Gure, Moriape Kavori, Sir John Pundari, Pila Niningi and William Powi. Marape had told The National earlier that it was up to the PNC and its leader former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to move to the Opposition.
The Opposition now has only five MPs led by Vanimo-Green MP Belden Namah. The others are Kandrian-Gloucester MP Joseph Lelang, Mendani, Rabaul MP Dr Allan Marat and Wouwou.
Marape said Cabinet Ministers who were members of PNC could chose to remain with the Government.
“Pangu is giving PNC and its party leader Peter O’Neill the direction to relocate,” he said. “It is up to PNC as a party to decide what to do. But we’ve told them to go to the Opposition side.
“On the case of individual PNC ministers and members, they are welcome to stay or move with the party. If they decide to stay, I will not kick them out because our government is not based on parties.”
Marape said he was elected prime minister by both Government and Opposition MPs.
“It’s about bringing like-minded leaders who are ready to put the nation’s interest before their party’s interest and personal interest.”

5 comments

  • MP Lekwa Gure, please leave that undecided bunch and move. You were majority elected to make DECISIONS!
    Like PMJM says, away with the party and personal interest (or gain).
    Which ever side you choose we are content that at least your people get to see where you sit. Definitely not on the fence.

  • Its good that all the PNC MPs need to move to opposition side to balance the weight of the government of this day so our country can run smoothly until we reach the next election. Its like all the wight are on the other side and the other side was floating. If you have a heart to serve your people, please move and balance the weight of both side of the house.

  • Loyalty/disloyalty…trust/ untrustworthy this sums up the attitude and character of most MP’s few, very few fit the loyaly and trust catagory. Our country is ruled by selfish two-faced individuals more interested in position, status or prominance than by humble service.

  • In the past, elected members put party interest and personal interest first. They normally play politics on peoples money eg; most times the DSIP funds for members on the opposition side are not released in a timely manner and people suffer.
    PMJM is right. Regardless of whether members are in the opposition or in the government side, peoples’ country’s interest is number one priority.

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