Namah lays complaint against MP for discharging weapon

The National Main Stories

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
OPPOSITION Leader Belden Namah says he has laid a police complaint against Finschhafen MP Rainbo Paita for discharging a high-powered weapon and has referred him to the Ombudsman Commission.
He said the offence committed by Paita came under Section seven of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 2018.
“Such actions may attract other criminal offences and offences under the Leadership Code,” he said.
The announcement by Namah comes after Paita announced he was stepping down as Minister for National Planning and Monitoring.
Prime Minister James Marape said Paita’s decision to step down was to be commended.
“Not many leaders have done what Paita has done to save the integrity of the office he occupied,” he said. “I commend Paita for the action he took to help with police investigations into the incident, and I commend his decision to step down from the ministry.”
Namah also commended Paita for the responsible action of the young first-term MP for taking a bold decision to step down from his office to allow investigations to be conducted into his actions.
Paita’s resignation from the ministry comes after he was seen on video firing a police-issued firearm. Paita, in a statement, said he wrote to Marape advising him of his intention to step aside and allow a thorough investigation by the concerned authorities in the spirit of good leadership.
“I welcome the police investigation into any unlawful conduct,” he said.
“I take responsibility of my actions and do not wish to bring disrepute to the Government and the Ministry of National Planning and Monitoring.”
Police Commissioner David Manning told The National he was aware of the incident.
“Until I have received this report, I am unable to comment,” he said.
“It is a concern for the executive of the police and we will ensure we are best informed of the incident before appropriate action can be taken.”
Paita said his official vehicle had been shot at by criminals at Waigani in September and the incident was reported to police.