Tiensten vows to fight claims in court

POMIO MP Paul Tiensten has told the people of his electorate he will vigorously defend allegations against him in  the courts.
More than 500 people who gathered at the opening of the new Pomio Women’s Association resource centre were told that the allegations made against him of misappropriating funds during his term as National Planning Minister were all to do with a political witch-hunt and he would have his day in court.
He told the people his next committal hearing will be on Thursday.
He said allegations he had misappropriated millions of kina were just “allegations” made by police.
Tiensten said once he was committed by the court he would present his defence.
He said most of the projects approved were based on proper funding submissions, with scope of work and costing presented for funding.
He said most members of parliament expected government hand-outs without making proper project proposals for funding and that was the reason most missed out on funding.
Tiensten said he did not want to dwell on the matter.
“We are coming towards the national election.
“And there are people running around spreading misleading information for political point-scoring,” he said
“I will and still will be launching projects throughout the district because I am the mandated leader chosen by the people of Pomio.”
Tiensten said there was no law stopping MPs from launching projects that they had initiated before and after the issue of writs.
Tiensten said the terms of sitting MPs would end when the writs for the 2012 election were returned around August.
He said only leaders with the heart for the people would bring development that would change the lives and living standard of the people.