PM: Govt will not be moved

Pangu numbers at 59 and climbing

THE Government is firm and will not be moved by the Opposition’s proposed vote of no confidence motion, Prime Minister James Marape said yesterday.
Declaring his ruling Pangu Pati as having 59 MPs, with one more joining before next Tuesday’s Parliament sitting, Marape said: “We had a full cabinet today for our National Executive Council meeting, and our government business for the two weeks of Parliament starting next Tuesday has been cleared.”
We are not deterred by any conversations on a vote of no confidence despite all the hype.
“If a vote of no confidence is put up, the Parliament process will deal with it.”
The declaration of Pangu numbers and strength yesterday came amid the political vibes and innuendos on social media relating to next week’s possible motion of no confidence.
Marape also urged Papua New Guineans to carry on with their daily lives and leave politics to politicians.
“The title or position of prime minister is not my birthright. If there’s anyone else out there who is better than me, then they can take over. I’m only doing my part in the time that I am here,” he said.
“Pangu Pati has 59 MPs as of today (Wednesday) and another to join and bring this up to 60. Coalition numbers are intact,” Marape said.
“I ask all people in the country to respect all Members of Parliament, especially at this time when there are so many political commentaries in the lead-up to next week’s Parliament session.”
Marape said there were many assumptions, rumours and lies by spin doctors.
“We are now 49 years old, as a nation, and are a mature democracy. There are set processes in place to test leadership – something that our people need to understand.
“People have their say during the national elections and, in between, what happens is the mandate of elected MPs.
“The elected MPs are not stupid or ignorant of what is at stake and will pass judgment on leadership potential on the table. For instance, the Opposition has proposed East Sepik Governor Allan Bird as alternate prime minister. If he still remains the Opposition’s nominee, as we go back to Parliament, so be it and we hope they comply with all requirements of a vote-of-no-confidence this time.
Marape said he would present a report of what his Government had done under his leadership since taking office in May 2019.
On the proposed no confidence motion, Marape added “My advice to the Opposition is not to repeat the same mistakes from the February sitting of Parliament when the last motion was filed.
“They brought in a motion with defects on it. If they are filing a motion, it must be filed in accordance with the legal and technical requirements. These include correct signatures and designations of MPs involved. These are elementary and primary matters but they seem to get it wrong.
“This Government will not avoid any of the challenges from those in the Opposition benches.”
Deputy Opposition Leader James Nomane had earlier said that a vote of no confidence submission was still alive and ready to be put on the Notice Paper for Parliament to vote on this month.
He said the motion was with the Speaker’s office. Parliament will resume on May 28.