Pangu split

By Rebecca Kuku
THE ruling Pangu Pati of Prime Minister James Marape was split in two last weekend, boosting Opposition efforts to move a motion of no confidence in the Parliament sitting starting tomorrow.
Finance Minister Rainbo Paita resigned with five other ministers, and brought 19 members of Pangu to join the alternative government camp.
As of 4pm yesterday, there were 40 members of Parliament in the camp at the Sanctuary Hotel in Waigani.
Marape also confirmed the departure of 18 members and Paita.
PRIME Minister Marape decommissioned Paita and Housing Minister Kobby Bomarea as cabinet ministers yesterday.
He said he would decommission the rest once confirmed.
The ministers who left the Government with Paita are Don Polye (Higher Education, Research, Science, Technology and Sports); Henry Isi Leonard (Tourism, Arts & Culture), Robert Naguri (Energy); and Muguwa Dilu (Mining).
Pangu’s 56 members, as released by the Registrar of Political Parties on April 30, will now be 38 following the exodus.
Marape declared last night that he would not resign as Prime Minister despite the defection by the party members.
He urged the people and the business community to continue their daily activities without disruption while the “political process unfolds”.
“Pangu has 41 MPs as of today, and with our Coalition partners, we have more than the required 56 MPs to remain in Government,” Marape stated.
“Our Coalition partners, including the United Resources Party, Social Democratic Party, People’s Party, People’s First Party, People’s Movement for Change, Melanesian Liberal Front, and Melanesian Alliance, are intact.”
Opposition Leader Douglas Tomuriesa said last night: “Ïn what may be described as a unprecedented move, the decision by a growing number of MPs to leave the comforts of government clearly demonstrate there is a desire for change in our country’s leadership.
“For the leader of government business and five other senior ministers to leave the ruling Pangu Pati coalition demonstrates that there is a big disconnect between how the Prime Minister is ruling the country’s affairs and the cabinet.”
The numbers were not confirmed at the time of going to press last night as is normal in these moves. What is apparent is that both the Opposition and the Government will require the combined strength of the smaller parties if either side is going to emerge victorious.

The small parties which are coalition members in government control between them the balance of power.
There are 10 single member parties and three independents. Seven seats are still vacant in the 118 member Parliament.
On Saturday night at about 7pm, a convoy of vehicles arrived at the Crowne Hotel with the 18 members who left Government, led by Paita.
The convoy picked up the Opposition team (20) and moved to the Sanctuary Hotel.
Another four from the Government joined the Sanctuary team yesterday afternoon, bringing their total to 40.
Prime Minister James Marape said that while he respected the choices of members leaving his camp, “in some way this is blessing in disguise that some of the excess fat in government is trimmed so that we can have a lean and coherent government”.
“Leaders are elected by their people and they have rights to associate with (like-minded) leaders,” he said.
Marape said “as the others moved, I received calls from 41 Pangu MPs, and all our coalition party leaders and members indicating their support”.
He remained confident that he still had the numbers to remain prime minister.
Parliament is expected to sit at 2pm tomorrow.