MPs lose trust, call for Marape’s resignation

THE five Members of Parliament (MPs) who recently left the Government are calling on Prime Minister James Marape to resign because the people have lost trust and confidence in his leadership.
North Fly’s James Donald said: “What we have seen is the lack of leadership. There is no clear direction. We are running on an adhoc basis. We do not have very decisive and bold government. It is a very, very complacent and indecisive government.
“The last line of defence is the police and defence (forces). That last line of defence went against the Government. I do not want to be in a government where our own military goes against the government.
“Our people have gone against the government. When the people go against you, they have lost confidence in you. The right thing to do as the Prime Minister is to resign. That will give confidence to investors and the people.”
Ijivitari MP David Arore said: “Let’s not blame the police, the public service or the looters. Let’s take responsibility.
“This is the result of many months of not doing it right. This nonsense has to stop.”
Delta Fly MP Maso Hewabi, who moved out of Government with Sir Puka Temu and three other MPs from the southern region said: “What happened last Wednesday was the culmination of events of the past 17 months. What happened is people expressing their dissatisfaction.
“I am a first-term parliamentarian. As first-termers, we saw something was not right with our country and we came to set it right.
“I call upon all first-termers to take a stand.
“Do the right thing and set the country on the right path.”
Abau MP Sir Puka Temu said Marape had “weaponised the budget”.
Explaining why he left the Government caucus last week, he said MPs were kept in Government on the promises by Marape.
“People are there because of promises. They have weaponised the budget,” he said.
Sir Puka also said it was time Marape took personal responsibility for last Wednesday’s looting and arson in Port Moresby and elsewhere.
West Sepik Governor Tony Wouwou said he was shocked and ashamed at the level of chaos and civil unrest the capital city faced “because of bureaucratic negligence and ignorance”.
“Truly it was a sad day and will go down as the darkest day in our nation’s history.”