6th July, 2014 PRESS STATEMENT THE OPPOSITION STEADFAST AND COMMITTED TO THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION Let me first of all assure the public that the Opposition I lead is steadfast and committed and we will not compromise our position in the fight against corruption. We made a commitment at the commencement of the 9th National Parliament that one of our key priorities will be to fight high level of corruption in government. We have lived up to our commitment. What is happening currently is testimony to your uncompromising determination to rid corruption in Papua New Guinea. We have been calling on the Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill to resign from the Office of the Prime Minister time and time again after noticing that Peter O’Neill was not a fit and proper person to hold that office. We have once again demanded him to resign after learning of the request by Fraud and Anti-Corruption officers for the Prime Minister to present himself for questioning with regard to the Paraka Scandal. The Paraka Scandal is one of the corruption cases we have raised. The law enforcement agencies have formed the opinion that the Prime Minister must be questioned and have invited him for an interview. As is normal in all constitutional democracies like ours, the Prime Minister should have immediately resigned. He has chosen not to and instead has gone on a witch hunt of dedicated government officers and instrumentalities for doing what they are paid to do. He has chosen to resist due processes and is acting as though he is bigger than the constitution and this nation. As the Opposition, we are deeply concerned at the deliberate defiance by the Prime Minister of the normal police process of criminal investigation, and the subsequent meddling with the command and control of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, the disbanding of the Task Force Sweep Team, and the sacking of the Acting Solicitor General. We are concerned that the Independence of the RPNGC is compromised and eroded by the Prime Minister in association with his purposely appointed Acting Police Commissioner. We have witnessed very senior officers of the Constabulary being sacked or suspended by the NEC and the Acting Commissioner for no other reason than performing their constitutional duty. We warn the Prime Minister that there are already signs of spill-over effects and consequential ramifications on the entire system of governance and administration. People of Papua New Guinea are concerned and disappointed that the Prime Minister thinks he is above the law and immune from prosecution and scrutiny by the check and balance system of this country. Let there be no doubt that the nation cannot sit back and allow the institutions of state and the rule of law to be trampled upon and misused to suit one man’s personal ego. The more the Prime Minister tries to exonerate himself through the media, and the more he meddles with institutions of state to suppress a constitutional process, he is creating public doubt in the Office of the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea. He must not behave like a dictator as Papua New Guinea is a constitutional democracy and we are all bound by the rule of law. Whether the criminal process initiated by the police is politically motivated, as he likes to put it, the proper forum to present evidence of political motive is at the court. Only the court can decide, after presentation of evidence and submissions by his lawyer, that the prosecution was baseless and driven by political motive or otherwise. We call on our colleague Members of Parliament in the Government especially Cabinet Ministers and Former Prime Ministers to encourage and counsel the Prime Minister to do the right thing and save this nation from International embarrassment and ridicule. As elected representatives, our primary responsibility is our people and their constitution, not to each other or the Prime Minister or the Opposition Leader, for that matter. You can’t render blind loyalty to a man who without a shadow of doubt is corrupt and dangerous to this country. We must say we are encouraged by the steadfastness and dedication of great men and women in and within the public service and the RPNGC to the constitution and the rule of law. We are encouraged by the many public rallies and protests by the people of Papua New Guinea, as this demonstrates that people are concerned about the dignity of the Office of the Prime Minister and the importance of rule of law. As the Opposition, we have always warned that we are just five men and we limited in what we can do politically. There is nothing more the Opposition can do. We have done what is within our means and our powers as politicians. From here on, the politicians must stand up to the occasion and take corrective political action that is now warranted. We owe it to our people. We must leave the Prime Ministers case to the arms and agencies of government to carry on. It is no longer a political matter but a criminal one. We will continue to provide leadership against corruption. We are even ready to support and join forces with the people to take to the streets should Peter O’Neill fail to vacate the peoples office. In conclusion, i demand the Prime Minister to tell the nation why very expensive lawyers are being hired with public funds when matters are before the courts are personal in nature. The appearances by these lawyers benefit Peter O’Neill as a person and not the Office of the Prime Minister. The hundreds of millions paid to these lawyers belong to the people of Papua New Guinea. The people have already lost K71.8 million. Possibly another K71.8 million will be spent in fees, taking the total to the tune of K150 million. These monies could be spent on schools and health services which are deteriorating all around PNG. I also believe these lawyers are deliberately misleading the Prime Minister to file cases here and there just to make fast money. Lawyers are Law Officers. Their primary duty is to assist the court to dispense justice, not to suppress it or to exploit a desperate situation for the sake of money. Finally, I would like to appeal to the Police Constabulary unit to perform your ONLY constitutional duty to enforce the law and preserve peace under Section 197 of the Constitution. GOD BLESS PAPUA NEW GUINEA Authorized by: Hon. Belden Norman Namah, MP Leader of Opposition
Posted on: Sun, 06 Jul 2014 06:14:07 +0000
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