PNC respects people’s decision after defeats: PM

THE choice of the people must be respected in the general election, Prime Minister and People’s National Congress (PNC) party leader Peter O’Neill says.
He was responding to the losses by four sitting PNC MPs in Morobe.
The four are Markham MP Paul Isikiel, who lost to Pangu’s Koni Iguan, Menyamya MP Benjamin Philip, who lost to Pangu’s Thomas Pelika, Tewai-Siassi MP, deputy PNC leader and Fisheries Minister Mao Zeming, who lost to Pangu’s Dr Kobie Bomareo, and Finschhafen MP and Speaker Theodore Zurenuoc, who lost to Pangu’s Renbo Paita Towo.
In Nawaeb, PNC’s Gisuwat Siniwin is also behind Pangu’s Kennedy Wenge.
“Yes, in Morobe, we have lost a few members,” O’Neill said.
“We’re disappointed with the turnout, but we have not performed that badly.
“That is the choice of the people.
“We will work with the new leaders who are there.
“Morobe is a very important province for the country, biggest by population, biggest by landmass and a strategic port for our people up in the Highlands.”
Current indications are that Pangu should win seven Morobe seats with the exception of Kabwum which has been won by Christian Democratic Party’s Patrick Basa, and Lae where independent John Rosso is leading.