Pangu infighting forcing MPs to leave, says Basil

By PISAI GUMAR
FINANCE Minister Sam Basil says the 15 Pangu Pati MPs are leaving the party because of the continuous infighting among party executives.
But Basil did not say whether they will be joining another party or form a new one. The 15 had crossed the floor from the Opposition in Sept 2017 after the general election that year.
He was instrumental in resurrecting the party before the general election.
Yesterday, Basil told people at the Niall Reserve in Eriku, Lae, that the people of Morobe where most of the MPs, including him, were from would always have Pangu close to them.
“Pangu is in the hearts and minds of Morobe people but the infighting is forcing us to leave,” he said.
“We’ll give back the party executives a skeleton party.”
Basil said Morobe had worked hard to revive the party but current executives “from elsewhere” had come “to feed their self-interests”.
He received a petition from Morobe citizen’s spokespersons Bob Aaron and Kay Takisieng witnessed by party members Chris Nangoi (Sumkar) and Thomas Pelika (Menyamya). Basil dismissed speculation that the 15 MPs were split with Tewae-Siassi MP Kobby Bomareo joining the Opposition and Governor Ginson Saonu named to replace Pangu Pati leader.
Basil said 15 MPs were committed to their promise to be part of Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s ruling People’s National Congress party government.
“When and until PNC has no numbers, then we will go,” Basil said.