PNG unions issue ultimatum for PM to step down

Senior Papua New Guinean business leaders have given the country's prime minister 48-hour to step down and face corruption allegations or risk widespread strikes and civil disobedience.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) anti-corruption officers have been attempting to arrest Prime Minister Peter O'Neill since 2014 over his role in authorizing a 31-million- Australian-dollar (23.38 million U.S. dollars) payment to local law firm Paul Paraka Lawyers for fraudulent invoices.

O'Neill has labelled the allegations politically motivated and has refused to step aside while challenging the warrant through the courts.

A coalition of "concerned citizens" made up of pilots, lawyers and senior union members have jumped onto the student group movement and given O'Neill a 48- hour ultimatum to face the allegations or risk civil disobedience in a bid to end ongoing political tensions.

"Basically our concern was what we see as deliberate suppression of the rule of law by the prime minister," Aviation industry spokesman and one of the groups leaders James Markop told local publication PNG Loop on Monday, adding he has the support of the nation's various unions.

"If (O'Neill) does not resign as prime minister after the 48-hour ultimatum, we will call for a civil disobedience and there will be stop work across the board."

Australia's national broadcaster reported the ultimatum was given in light of the recent police shootings of unarmed students as they attempted to march on parliament demanding O'Neill resign.

O'Neill's office did not immediately respond to Xinhua's request for comment.

One respected PNG watcher has told Xinhua that while the statements have been publicly made, there is every chance it is just an increase in rhetoric and widespread protests won't occur. Anything could happen as PNG is the land of the unexpected. Endit