Speaker quits PNC party

The National Main Stories

By HELEN TARAWA
SPEAKER Job Pomat has resigned as a member of the People’s National Congress Party (PNC) because he wants to maintain a “neutral” position in the House.
His party colleagues led by former prime minister Peter O’Neill had recently moved across to the Opposition benches from the Government coalition after Prime Minister James Marape told them they were no longer part of it.
Pomat said his resignation from the party was in the best interest of Parliament and the nation.
He has informed PNC party leader O’Neill, the party general secretary and the registrar of Political Parties and Candidates of his decision.
“It was a difficult decision to leave a party that I was a part of for the last 12 years,” he said.
“I believe the decision I made is in the best interest of Parliament.
“After 40 years (of independence), we need to change the laws in the best interest of the country.”
He also called for a formal investigation into the office of the speaker after allegations were made against him in public on how he was running that office.
“There were allegations against me and the staff in Parliament on social media. I am calling on the agencies responsible to come forward and investigate,” he said.
“The books are open so come and investigate.
“If I am at fault let the law take its course and deal with me.
“And if my officers are found to be at fault let the law deal with them.
“As I announced in Parliament I will step aside and let them do their work and check the books.”

9 comments

  • Brother you have shown exceptional leadership on the floor of parliament and the move you have taken is in the best interest of parliament and PNG.

    Thanks

    Isaac Teo

  • Pomat is the head of the third arm of the government and he has to make decisions in the interest of his people and the nation. After all Pomat, Marabe, Ninigi, Nukunj, Nali were all in PNC but are now in government.

  • Pomat was asked by the government to step down or resign as speaker of Parliament and now he has resigned from being a PNC Party member. Let’s see if the government’s call still stands.

  • Speaker has made the right announcement. However, questions of corruption is something ALL Papua New Guineans are crying out to eradicate. The Speaker would do the right thing if he steps down and let investigation be carried out.
    I don’t know why the Police Fraud and Anti-Corruption Squad NOT quick in expediting such serious issues.
    The Concept of Third Arms of Government is misconstrued and Papua New Guineans must teach School children again to correct that three Arms of Government concept. There is NO three Arms of Government. There is TWO arms of Government… The Judiciary and the Executive. The Parliament is the Government, By the People, For the People and Of the People. One head… We don’t have three heads. If we do, then we have a Dragon…. We have one head…. Two arms of Government…. The former Doctrines of Three Heads of Government must be corrected…. Re-write this One Head and Two Arms of Government must be known BY ALL MEN….. Three Heads — IS A DRAGON…..

  • Pomat was asked by the government to step down or resign as speaker of Parliament and now he has resigned from being a PNC Party member. Let’s see if the government’s call still stands.

    Just thinking…..
    CKings

  • Could be another option given by current Government he followed. His decision will never make any difference,

  • Speaker’s position as always been from the government side and not the opposition. So why is the speaker giving a lame excuse ”as to maintain neutrality on the floor of parliament” for leaving PNC. I think his heart is with PNC so he must vacate the seat.

  • He is not Neutral as he is saying.
    The speaker is moving because ,he is attached with Government.
    Now the opposition will check his shoes.
    He will soon leave the post.

  • The speaker is just a yoyo – just like any other MP that jump ship. This time he wanted to remain where he can still benefit in the speakers position whilst he’s party members get kicked out to the opposition. And he comes up with the justification that he’s resigning from PNC and remains neutral in the best interest of parliament and the country…thats what they all say when they move to the government or resign from another party to move to another which is in government (we are all too familiar with these hogwash).

    He’s calling for an investigation to be done but mind you when that takes place he will be the first to run to the courts to take whatever action he can to prevent him from being investigated – time and time again we have seen this happen by MP and senior beraucrats in government so folks dont buy into his bullshit.

    Time and time again we have suggested that those in charge of the OLLIPAC review and tighten laws that govern party membership and preventing MPs jumping ship after formation of goverment so such do not happen but nothing seem to be happening. Can people in there wake up and start doing somehting about this – otherwise this party hoping in government will continue for eternity and they’ll be no political parties left in png that will have loyal MPs.

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