No action against officers, says Wong

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
POLICE Minister Jelta Wong, pictured, has assured police officers involved in yesterday’s incident at Parliament that no disciplinary action would be taken against them.
“No one will be suspended for leading the protests resulting in the damage done to Parliament,” he said.
He addressed members of the Security Task Force at the Sir John Guise Stadium with Speaker Job Pomat, Finance Minister James Marape, Correctional Services Minister Roy Biyama, Immigration Minister Petrus Thomas, Agriculture Minister Benny Allen, Housing Minister John Kaupa and National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop.
Some police officers acting as spokesmen for the disgruntled group said they had received reports that they would be suspended.
But Wong denied this, saying they were only speaking on behalf of the others.
“We cannot listen to all of you. So we have to listen to the spokesmen. Just like us.
“We are elected to the Parliament to represent our people back in our electorate. We have to express our people’s concern in Parliament,” he said.
Finance Minister James Marape also assured them that no one would be suspended.
He said people managing the funds for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) security operations would be investigated.
“And you will see some results of the investigation soon. By tomorrow (today), you will notice some money in your accounts.”
Pomat also said he was disappointed with people managing funds for Apec security operations.
Pomat asked the officers to be patient.
“Sometimes processing of documents for your payments will be slow. But by tomorrow (today) your allowances will be processed.”