Ling-Stuckey appointment, Maru decommissioning 'Grossly Insulting', says former PNG PM

The recent appointment of Kavieng MP Ian Ling-Stuckey as Treasurer and the de-commissioning of Yangoru-Saussia MP Richard Maru as National Planning and Monitoring Minister by Prime Minister James Marape yesterday has been described as 'grossly insulting.'

Former PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill

Former Prime Minister and Member for Ialibu-Pangia Peter O'Neill released a statement following these moves, saying 'the Prime Minister has the prerogative to appoint anyone he pleases at his absolute discretion but the appointment of the Shadow Treasurer to the treasurer's post is a gross insult to members who voted him into office.'

Mr. O'Neill when speaking on Maru's decomissioning says, PM Marape has removed one of the 'hardest working and honest ministers.'

He says he will not stand by and let his successor derail all the hard work his team has put in the last eight years.

Mr. O'Neill adds that apart from the attractive rhetoric, they have yet to see solid policies and programs.

The Member for Ialibu-Pangia who has been asked by PM Marape to move to the Opposition yesterday says, all they have seen so far is witch hunts and reviewing, revising and reversing all their programs and projects so much so that everything has shifted to neutral and nothing is moving.

He has described this as 'bad for the country.'

Statement/NBC News/ PNG Today

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