PM challenges MP to report bribery allegation

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, October 30, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

 

RESPONDING to claims by Opposition MP and Laigap-Pogera Member Nixon Mangape, in an official statement of bribery claims by the ruling coalition- Prime Minister Peter O’Neill denied the claim as absurd when asked by Member for Mendi De Kewanu to confirm the allegation.

Mr Mangape made the claim in Wabag during an association launch this month, claiming it was done during intense lobbying leading up to the vote of no confidence vote which Prime Minister O’Neill won.

“It is Ludacris to think that we can go around and pay K5 million to each member,” Mr O’Neill said.

“There has never been a meeting that has taken place either with the party leadership with the honourable member.”

“I want to challenge him, it is a serious allegation, serious matter- I want him to refer it to the police and charge the person who has offered him that kind of bribe.”

O’Neill added that, it was unbecoming of a leader to go around accusing political parties and political leaders that the kind of money was floating around in the political circles in the country, which he said was not needed to begin with.

“Nobody pays anybody that kind of money, there is no need to. We did not need the numbers in the first instance,” he said.

“PNC (Peoples National Congress) never needed any numbers; we have 60 strong members that can guarantee government to remain in government by itself so why should we go around giving money to anybody.”

“This is a complete lie, false accusation, and I challenge him to go to the police and give evidence on where and when who offered him that kind of money and he needs to apologise to this honourable house and people of PNG for misleading this kind of debate.”