Sure PNG has changed; but for the better?
Victory! Democracy upheld by Supreme Court

A ‘gross injustice’, claims sidelined Somare

REFERRING TO YESTERDAY’S court proceedings as a “gross injustice”, Sir Michael Somare has stepped aside as PNG prime minister so a Leadership Tribunal can hear allegations of official misconduct against him.

Sir Michael says he has "voluntarily" stepped aside so the Tribunal can consider allegations that he failed to lodge several annual financial statements in the 1990s.

Earlier yesterday his lawyers failed to obtain an injunction preventing the public prosecutor from moving to appoint a tribunal.

Sam Abal, just fresh in his role as deputy, will step up as prime minister while Sir Michael faces the Tribunal.

Sir Michael said he is the victim of a "gross injustice". He said a challenge filed in the Supreme Court two years ago has not been heard.

The opposition is hoping that a recall of Parliament by 20 January for new nominations for Governor-General will provide an opportunity for another vote of no-confidence after two previous attempts this year were thwarted.

There is speculation that Don Polye, dumped as deputy prime minister last week, may lead his Highlands faction to the opposition ranks in an attempt to topple the government.

Source: 'PNG leader Somare steps down' by the ABC’s Liam Fox and wire services

Comments

Feed You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.

Filim Nau

So Michael reckons this is "injustice". He should think again and face the music. The whole nation and the world thinks he is mute and blind to justice.

There are too many instances of injustice that he endorses and tolerates - starting from denying parliamentary processes, the election of the GG under very suspicious circumstances, hiding millions of kina in Singapore and condoning the robbers in his government.

That's end of him. Good bye Sir Michael. Well done Justice Ambang Kandakasi for not entertaining his last minute hearing to delay the investigation.

Sir Michael waited for only eight hours at the Waigani National Court for this. The whole of Papua New Guinea have been waiting for decades to see real justice prevail.

Verify your Comment

Previewing your Comment

This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.

Working...
Your comment could not be posted. Error type:
Your comment has been saved. Comments are moderated and will not appear until approved by the author. Post another comment

The letters and numbers you entered did not match the image. Please try again.

As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.

Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.

Working...

Post a comment

Comments are moderated, and will not appear until the author has approved them.

Your Information

(Name and email address are required. Email address will not be displayed with the comment.)