Scuffle on floor of PNG Parliament
14 July 2008
Two senior ministers, both from the West Sepik province, nearly came to blows in the PNG National Parliament on Friday, reports the Post-Courier. Treasurer Patrick Pruaitch [left] and Forest Minister Belden Namah were involved in a scuffle when Mr Pruaitch, the former Forests Minister, took umbrage at accusations by Mr Namah regarding recent newspaper allegations surrounding a $US40 million logging scam, also reported in ASOPA PEOPLE.
A Member of Parliament who witnessed the scuffle said Mr Namah and Mr Pruaitch were pulled apart before they could exchange punches. Apparently Mr Namah accused Mr Pruaitch about several issues, including $US40 million sitting in a Singapore bank account belonging to an unnamed Minister – allegedly proceeds from logging.
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