Speaker expresses regret over attack on House

SPEAKER Job Pomat has expressed deep regrets over the destruction and ransacking of Parliament properties by some police and Correctional Service officers.
More than 300 marched into the Parliament precincts damaging properties.
Pomat said he was upset with what happened.
“For the first time, this has happened in Papua New Guinea,” he said.
“I remind all leaders that the man who gave us the Bible was here at Parliament.
“We always pray to God for forgiveness. I ask all leaders to unite and not repeat this again in the House.”
The attack took staff members of Parliament at work by surprise.
Parliament committee secretary Derrick Reuben said his car and six others at the car park were damaged.
“I am a simple public servant performing my duties. Destroying my car is uncalled for and unacceptable,” he said.
“I have kids to be transport to and from school. Repairing it would cost me a lot. It might take a long time to fix the car.”
He said the drama began a little after noon when staff were preparing for the 2pm resumption of parliament.
“It was around 12.10pm when all the staff were on normal duty when all of a sudden, we heard gun shots outside,” he said.
“Army, police and CIS officers did not come through normal public entrance but through the MPs’ entrance. They told us to stay on our knees as they started to destroy equipment.
“They threatened our security officers, went to the car park and damaged the cars belonging to senior officers.” Also damaged were ATMs, office doors, and computers.