Pangu secure with 56

The National Main Stories

By REBECCA KUKU
PANGU Pati’s 52 MPs were boosted by four new recruits at its 27th national convention, bringing it one step short of the absolute majority in Parliament.
With a motion of no confidence being mooted, Prime Minister James Marape said the parliamentary wing and the convention had endorsed him as party leader.
In other developments over the weekend:

  • Opposition Leader Joseph Lelang resigned and moved to the Opposition back benches;
  • Lelang said a motion of no-confidence would be moved in this sitting of Parliament;
  • Members Raphael Tonpi (Mendi), Francis Alua (Karimui Salt Nomane), Richard Masere (Popondetta) and Marsh Narewec | (Wau-Waria) joined the ruling Pangu Pati;
  • East Sepik Governor Allan Bird called on Prime Minister James Marape to stand down over his role in Parakagate and allegations of contracts been awarded to a company owned by his relative;
  • West Sepik Governor Tony Wouwou said he had moved to neither side but is in the middle benches; and,
  • Peter O’Neill claimed that Papua LNG was in jeopardy as investors had lost faith in the Marape government.
Members of the Pangu Pati during the party convention in Port Moresby yesterday. – Nationalpic by KENNEDY BANI

Currently, the composition of the National Parliament stands at 118 members in total. However, seven of the seats remained vacant awaiting by-elections. .
At Pangu Pati’s 27th National Convention, Prime Minister said he was humbled that 52 Pangu MPs turned out in full and have declared him as party leader.
“The party was also informed of an additional four MPs who are joining Pangu Pati, bringing the total to 56, just one short of the absolute majority,” he said.
“Pangu ran the country from 1975 to 1980, 1982 to 1985 and 1988 to 1992. We came back in 2019 at a backdrop of economic recession and corruption and, four years on, we have stabilised the economy with our fiscal policies through the use of a deficit budget with a fiscal consolidation to 2027.
“By 2027, we will have a positive balance budget and, by 2034 through Pangu’s plan, we would have completely removed our national debts,” he said.
“Last Thursday when I spoke at the Australian Parliament, I said PNG, under my watch, will not focus on aid and grant but trade and economic growth.” But as Marape recounted his government’s performance over the last four years, one of his greatest supporters until last week, Governor Allan Bird called on him to step down to clear his name.
Bird’s call comes shortly after leaked documents showed that the Paraka payments were signed off by Marape when he was the finance minister, and the Connect PNG payments were allegedly made to a family member of the Prime Minister.
Bird said that holding public office was a sacred trust and a national leader’s ability and attitude to be prudent and honest in the use of public funds is critical.
“If he can stand down Tkatchenko for using words unbecoming, if he can ask Tambua to step down pending serious allegations from his wife and daughters, then our Prime Minister ought to be consistent and step aside in light of the serious and compelling court documents that reveal his purported role in the Paraka payments,” Bird said.
At the conclusion of Pangu Pati convention at Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby yesterday, the party numbers had climbed to 56 with a few more expected to join.
The following are confirmed members of Pangu Pati:
1. James Marape | Tari-Pori
2. John Rosso | Lae Open
3. Job Pomat | Manus Open
4. Casmiro Aia | Goilala
5. Manasseh Makiba | Magarima
6. Don Poyle | Kandep
7. Pila Niningi | Imbonggu
8. Win Bakri | Tambul
9. Rainbo Paita | Finschhafen
10. Kobby Bomareo | Siassi
11. Solan Mirisim | Telefomin
12. Joseph Sungi | Nuku
13. Salio Waipo | Angoram
14. Ian Ling Stuckey | Kavieng
15. Peter Tsiamalili | AROB
16. Timothy Masiu | South Bougainville
17. Francis Maneke | Nakanai
18. Ano Pala | Rigo
19. Sekie Agisa | South Fly
20. Isi Henry Leonard | Samarai-Murua
21. Soroi Eoe | Kikori
22. Miki Kaeok | Wapenamanda
23. John Boito | Obura
24. Kinoka Feo | Unggai-Bena
25. Dilu Muguwa | Kundiawa
26. Solen Loifa | Menyamya
27. Jimmy Maladina – Esa’ala
28. Thomas Opa | Kerema
29. Philip Undialu | Hela
30. William Powi | SHP
31. Luther Wenge | Morobe
32. Sasindran Muthuvel | WNBP
33. Michael Marum | ENBP
34. Toboi Awi | Western
35. Chris Haiveta | Gulf
36. Charlie Benjamin | Manus Regional
37. Lucas Dekena | Gumine
38. Francis Siune | Kerowagi
39. Benjamin Mul | North Waghi
40. Robert Naguri | Bogia
41. Kansol Kamduru | Middle Ramu
42. Jacob Maki | Mul Baiyer
43. Amos Akem | Lagaip
44. Daniel Tindipu | Komo
45. Saki Soloma | Okapa
46. Elias Kapavore | Pomio
47. Ereman ToBaining | Kokopo
48. Aiye Tambua | Goroka
49. Agema Gamai | Delta Fly
50. John Kaupa | Moresby East
51. Lohia Samuel | Moresby West
52. Francesca Semoso | North Bougainville
53. Richard Masere | Popondetta
54. Marsh Narewec | Wau-Waria
55. Francis Alua | Salt Nomane
56. Raphael Tonpi | Mendi