Polye and Duma slam behaviour of Grand Chief

By JEFFREY ELAPA
TWO government ministers have condemned the action of Sir Michael Somare and his group in parliament as disrespectful.
Finance Minister Don Polye and Petroleum and Energy minister William Duma were reacting to the unannounced appearance by Sir Michael and his group and the commotion it caused.
As parliament resumed, Sir Michael, flanked by members of his faction, walked through to the speaker’s chair and demanded that he accept the court order of Dec 12 nullifying the election of Peter O’Neill as prime minister and declaring his removal from office as illegal.
It created a commotion in the house with government members, led by Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah, calling for their removal from the parliamentary chamber.
Defence Minister Guma Wau walked up to the group and started arguing with the member for Middle Ramu Ben Sembri and Nawaeb’s Timothy Bonga.
Acting Speaker Francis Marus managed to bring the house under control when he suspended parliament to 10am yesterday.
National Alliance party leader Polye condemned the actions of Sir Michael and his group as shameful and disrespectful.
He said the actions brought chaos and disruption to parliament.
He said Sir Michael should not come to parliament as his action amounted to disrespect for the Constitution and the parliamentary standing orders.
“It is a disgrace and I call on them including the Grand Chief to be responsible,” Polye said.
United Resource Party leader Duma said parliament was supreme and only parliament elected and removed prime ministers.
He said the court did not have the powers to reinstate members.
He said parliament had a well established westminster system and standing orders which must be followed.
Former member for Tari-Pori Sir Matiabe Yuwi said laws were made during their time when the country was young and Sir Michael was one of the fathers of the Constitution.
He said Sir Michael should not break the law they made by listening to young leaders.