27 Jun 2005

PNG parliamentarian questions sacking of state asset managing director

8:21 pm on 27 June 2005

An opposition MP Tim Neville, says the Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare needs to answer questions over Masket Iangalio's sacking.

Last Friday Cabinet sacked Mr Iangalio as managing director role of the Independent Public Business Corporation.

The IPBC is the state's asset manager and oversees all of state corporations, including Telikom.

Tim Neville says the Prime Minister is stacking the boards in the IPBC and Telikom so he can direct the future sale of the company.

He uses the examples of Glen Blake and Sumasy Singin, recently appointed to the IPBC board.

"The Prime Minister had appointed a personal and business partner friend's to the board of IPBC, who is a foreigner. The act specifically states no foreigner can hold a position on the board. Secondly he appointed a very close friend whose also a consultant and legal advisor to the Prime Minister to be chairman of the IPBC, effectively double dipping."

Mr Neville says its likely Mr Iangalio lost his job after raising concerns over board directives.

He says he'll table proof of these claims in Parliament next month.