Possible stepping aside did not occur: Micah

Caption: People’s Progress Party leader Ben Micah (pic by Bae Kimali).

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, July 17, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

IN a shock move by one of the O’Neill Government’s strongman Ben Micah to the Opposition on Friday, moments before the introduction of the vote of no confidence motion in the recalled session of parliament- he has indicated that there was a possible stepping aside that did not eventuate despite being indicated by the PM.

Responding to queries by the media on discussions held with Prime Minister O’Neill regarding the concerns of coalition partners concerned with recent events- Mr Micah said the PM agreed to organize a meet of the coalition which did not occur as of Friday.

“Prime Minister was in agreement to organize coalition leaders to organize a possible stepping aside,” Mr Micah said.

“But as of yesterday (Thursday July 14) today (Friday July 15) there is no evidence of any such thing and contrary actions were displayed, which basically means the normal use of numbers that continue to force our survival in government.”

“I can no longer go along with that kind of leadership.”

Micah added that coalition leaders were aware of meetings being held to raise the issue with the prime minister.

“I asked the prime minister to organize such meeting and the meetings were never organized.”

“These times require decisiveness. I cannot hang around and allow my party and my credibility to be dragged down by indecisiveness and other reason that has nothing to do with the good governance of this country,” he concluded.