Namah abused parliamentary privileges, says Pruaitch

PNG Treasurer Pruaitch says Namah abuses
parliamentary previlages

Press Statement by Treasurer

PNG Treasurer, Patrick Pruaitch says "on Friday, 13 February 2015, on the floor of people’s National Parliament, Member for Vanimo Green, Belden Namah, abused his privilege as a Member of Parliament. He raised a question that bordered on contempt of court. The subject he referred to has been in court since 2010.

Law on suspension of leaders at Leadership Tribunal was applied in my case. It happens when the Tribunal has been presented a charge sheet.

Mr. Pruaitch says in his 'case the Tribunal is not in a position to investigate the alleged allegations of the Ombudsman Commission because it has been restrained by the Supreme Court of Justice of Papua New Guinea.

"Last December 2014 the National Court rejected my application for Discovery on the basis that I had no legal proceedings before the National Court and that the Tribunal was the appropriate forum.

I have instructed my lawyers who have instituted appeal process. The matter is subjudice.

It means the Member of Parliament for Vanimo Green has no personal interest to pursue. As for public interest the National Judicial System must be respected. The MP for Vanimo Green has abused his privilege as a Member of Parliament'.