By Jack Lapauve Jnr – EMTV, Port Moresby
Pangu Pati Leader, Sam Basil, has been suspended from Pangu official duties.
Pangu Pati President, Patrick Pundao, says this follows allegations leveled against Mr Basil and his conduct prior to, and after the 2017 national elections.
Mr Pundao says Pangu had to uphold its integrity, and for that, Basil had to be suspended. Mr Pundao says Basil has done a lot, but in most cases, he acted alone, without consulting the Party Council. According to Pangu Council members, Mr Basil has failed to follow processes of acquitting funds and reporting to the Registrar of Political Parties.
Less than 4 hours after executives held a news conference, Deputy Party Leader of Pangu William Samb dispelled the sacking of Mr Basil. MP Samb also questioned if a quorum was formed to suspend Mr Basil. He maintained that the Pangu Parliamentary Wing makes up most of the numbers in the Council.
The two different groups now have two separate court challenges surrounding the operation and management of one of PNG’s founding parties in Politics.
Meanwhile Bulolo MP and Communication Minister Sam Basil has called on Pangu Pati faithfuls and the public to ignore any decisions and announcements made by Pangu Executives.
In a statement, Mr Basil challenged the authority’s decision and claims he is still the Parliamentary Leader for Pangu.
Basil says the only authorized statements on Pangu Pati matters are those sanctioned by the office of the Pangu Pati Parliamentary Leader.
