By Staff Reporter

Pangu Pati Resolves to Dismiss 12 MPs Who Defected to Opposition

10/6/2024

Pangu Pati Resolves To Dismiss 12 MPs Who Defected To Opposition

The Pangu Pati Parliamentary Wing has decided to dismiss 12 MPs who defected to the opposition. This decision was confirmed during a caucus meeting at Parliament last Thursday, attended by Pangu MPs.

Prime Minister and party leader Hon. James Marape, along with Deputy Prime Minister and deputy leader Hon. John Rosso, will retain their positions. This was unanimously agreed upon by the Pangu Pati MPs, as affirmed during the recent Pangu Pati National Convention.

The meeting saw the attendance of four of the defecting MPs—Finschhafen MP Rainbo Paita, Moresby Northwest MP Lohia Boe Samuel, Goilala MP Casmiro Aia, and Lagaip MP Amos Akem. Prime Minister Marape stated, “Those MPs who defected were asked to present their case, after which the meeting resolved that the 12 MPs be given seven days' notice of their dismissal from the party.”

Marape highlighted that the Pangu Pati Constitution provides the defecting MPs an opportunity to appeal their dismissal if they choose to do so. He added, “Also at that meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Rosso and I placed our leadership on the table and let the party decide. I am humbled by the fact that the Pangu Pati MPs unanimously agreed that there is no leadership vacancy.”

Reflecting on the situation, Marape expressed empathy for the defecting MPs but emphasized the party's overarching importance. “I feel for the 12 MPs; however, the party is bigger than any one of us. I am trying my best to organise the party so that it lives on beyond my time and delivers on the commitments made to our people, especially on economic independence,” he said.

Marape also highlighted Pangu's historical significance and its current efforts. “Pangu is the party that gave this country political independence. However, our founding Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare could not deliver in full due to the 1980 vote of no confidence. Sir Michael became prime minister again in 1982 but was removed by another vote of no confidence in 1985. Pangu came back to power in 1988 but did not retain that in 1992," he recounted.

Over the past five years, Pangu has focused on several key initiatives, including building infrastructure, addressing law and order issues, fighting corruption through the establishment of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), and empowering the police and judiciary. Despite these efforts, Marape warned that political instability could undermine progress. “Having noticed this, I placed my leadership on the table, and 46 Pangu MPs decided that there is no vacancy,” he concluded.

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