Pomat wants probe into Parlt rampage called off

By HELEN TARAWA
SPEAKER Job Pomat, pictured, wants police investigations into the damaging of Parliament properties by a group of police and prison officers last November called off.
He made the announcement after meeting senior police officers in charge with the investigations on Tuesday. But a police source told The National yesterday that it was unlikely they would stop the investigation.
Pomat said no one should be arrested and charged because Parliament “embraced forgiveness”.
He is expected to make a statement in Parliament when its resumes sitting on Tuesday. As head of the house of the legislature and Parliament, he said he would take on the responsibility of repairing the properties damaged.
The police and prison officers had stormed into Parliament to protest the delay in the payment of their allowances incurred while providing security during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Summit in November.
Police Commissioner Gari Baki and acting Correctional Services Commissioner Stephen Pokanis declined to comment on Pomat’s call.
Police Minister Jelta Wong said he was not aware of Pomat’s statement.
Department of Justice and Attorney-General Minister Davis Steven could not be reached for a comment.
Clerk to Parliament Vela Konivaro said Parliament had carried out an assessment of the damage and a report should be ready next week.
“Once the report is completed, we will submit it to the Speaker,” Konivaro said.
“In the meantime, we have taken on the minor repairs such as covering broken windows with plywood. Replacing these glasses would be expensive and would require special government funding assistance.”