REGISTRAR of Political Parties and Candidates Alphonse Gelu has expressed concern at the decimation of the Opposition ranks following the decision by Deputy Opposition Leader Sam Basil to leave the PNG Party.
It is understood the outspoken Bulolo MP will join Pangu Pati, his exit leaving PNG Party and Opposition Leader Belden Namah and Rabaul MP Allan Marat as a two-man Opposition bench in worrying developments for the country’s parliamentary democracy. "This is very dangerous for a democratic country and the Government," Mr Gelu said. "The registry is very concerned now because there is no vibrant Opposition keeping the Government on its toes. "You know the Opposition is the alternate government and the way it is now raises a lot of concerns." Mr Gelu told the Post Courier yesterday that effective today the Deputy Opposition Leader will officially be a Pangu Pati member – in fact the party’s sole MP in this term of parliament. However, he was not sure whether the party will stay on the Opposition bench or join the Government. "As of tomorrow (today) Bulolo MP Sam Basil joins Pangu Party. I have received documents to and find that he complied with all relevant laws but I am not sure where the party stands," Mr Gelu said. Mr Basil’s departure from the PNG Party comes a week after Opposition colleagues Jim Kas (Madang Regional) and Ross Seymour (Huon Gulf) announced their defection to the National Alliance Party, which now brings the party’s total number of MPs to 13. But Mr Gelu said he has not received any official documentation on Mr Kas and Mr Seymour’s move to the NA. Party officials have blamed the delay on the "difficulties" they were facing in getting a release letter from PNG Party "The registry’s position on the move by Seymour and Jim Kas that I have not officially received any documentation to that effect. "I only heard rumours and I was only informed yesterday (Wednesday) by the party secretary-general Joyce Grant," Mr Gelu said. "You see, it is very difficult now but the Registry has come up with changes and a revised organic law to address this issue. When the organic law came into place in 2001 we managed to maintain parties and parliament," he said. "The OLIPPAC law made MPs stick to each other and that was how we had a very vibrant Opposition. OLIPPAC made them stick to their places. "But since the Supreme Court ruling in 2010, everybody went to join Government. "The registry is now very concerned so we are revising the organic law to address this." PNG Facts/ Post Courier Comments are closed.
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