PNG Opposition calls on Prime Minister O'neill to step aside

PNG Deputy Opposition leader, Sam Basil

The Opposition is maintaining its call for the Prime Minster Peter O'Neill to step aside and appoint a care taker, while he concentrates on his alleged involvement in the Paraka saga.

It says government had good and capable ministers that ONeill can appoint to take care for time being.

The opposition said the whole country is watching and Mr. ONeill must do the right thing by presenting himself for the interview with police.

Deputy Opposition leader Sam Basil renewed the call, this week.

"We heard enough of this, please Mr ONeill, please respect the law you are the prime minister, you should set a very good examples, so the rest of the Papua New Guineans, who are about to be arrested and who will be arrested, will know that their prime minister and they will do the same thing. If you dont do it, many people who are about to be arrested will think twice, and will question the law enforcement officers, that their prime minister is not willing to be arrested, he is not respecting the law, he is not willing to go in for questioning, and they will do the same so I urged the prime minister, from my earlier call that the prime minister should obey the law and hand himself in for questioning."

Meantime, the prime minister said he will make himself available for police interrogation, if the police commissioner request for him to present himself.

Speaking after the National Court threw out his application to stay his arrest this week, Oneill maintains, he's done nothing wrong, but will cooperate with police.