Pruaitch to continue duties

By GYNNIE KERO and HELEN TARAWA
SPEAKER Job Pomat says Aitape-Lumi MP Patrick Pruaitch will continue to perform his official duties until a proper notice of suspension is served on him.
Last Thursday, Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika announced the appointment of a leadership tribunal to inquire into allegations of misconduct in office against Pruaitch.
It is yet to be clarified the nature of the allegations made against Pruaitch.
Pomat told Parliament last Friday that he had not received any official advice from the appropriate authorities of the suspension of Pruaitch.
According to the law under the leadership code, the suspension of an MP or a person holding a high office happens when the Chief Justice appoints the tribunal to investigate him or her.
“Parliament does not suspend members of parliament or leadership. I have not received any official advice from the appropriate authorities that (Pruaitch) had been suspended because of the leadership tribunal. If and when I receive the advice, then I will inform Parliament.”
Pruaitch told The National on Thursday that he welcomed the setting up of the Leadership Tribunal to inquire into allegations of misconduct in office against him.
He plans to contest the allegations at the tribunal hearing.
Pruaitch in a statement yesterday questioned whether Chief Justice Sir Gibbs had the power to suspend a leader when announcing the setting up of a Leadership Tribunal.
“Based on legal advice, and from practice, upon receiving a request from the Public Prosecutor, the Chief Justice is to appoint members of the Leadership Tribunal to inquire into the allegations of misconduct.
The leader is then automatically suspended by operation of law when the tribunal sits for the first time. A leader cannot be suspended before this event.”
Prime Minister James Marape said he had not been officially informed of Pruaitch’s suspension.
Pruaitch, the leader of the National Alliance Party is currently the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Trade.