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PNG PM calls for stability ahead of no-confidence motion

Xinhua, July 14, 2016 Adjust font size:

Papua New Guinea's embattled prime minister on Thursday called for stability as he faced vote of no confidence after his chief secretary established a taskforce to investigate "threats to national security" amid civil unrest.

Simmering tensions are beginning to boil over in the pacific nation after business and unions make good on their promise to strike, calling for Prime Minister Peter O'Neill to step down over corruption allegations.

PNG local media reported there was chaos at the country's international airport in Port Moresby on Thursday as some pilots took industrial action, while there have been other disruptions at the major centers of Lae and Mount Hagen.

The strikes are adding to the social unease in Port Moresby where a parliamentary debate for a vote of no confidence against O'Neill will be held on Friday. The PNG Supreme Court ordered parliament to resume sitting after the suspension of parliament on June 8 following clashes between student protestors and police was deemed unconstitutional.

O'Neill on Thursday continued to stand firm against the mounting pressure to resign although political instability in the resource rich nation becomes greater.

"I urge my fellow citizens right across the nation to appreciate just how vital political stability is to our future. The reckless behavior by the Opposition must not put our stability, and our future, at risk," O'Neill said in a statement.

O'Neill's political opposition also claimed there has been a deliberate and criminal mismanagement of the country whose economy is suffering from the downturn in global commodities.

Essential services in health and education have been cut to limit the budgetary impact, which has caused some unrest and political grandstanding due to impact of the worst El Nino induced drought on record.

Adding fuel to the fire, a special taskforce has been established to investigate "threats to our national security" under the control of police commissioner Gari Baki, supported by the PNG Defence Force and intelligence organizations, chief secretary Isaac Lupari said, PNG Loop reported.

"Politicians, landowners, public, students, landowners and any members of the community who issue threats will be investigated, arrested and prosecuted," Lupari said. Endit