17 Nov 2020

PNG political situations remains very fluid - Kua

From , 5:03 am on 17 November 2020

A Papua New Guinea cabinet minister, Kerenga Kua, says the political situation in the country is in a state of flux.

This after a mass exodus from the James Marape Government on Friday, with a large team of opposition MPs now gathered in the border town of Vanimo the capital of Sandaun province.

Those who left included the then deputy prime minister, Sam Basil, health minister Sir Puka Temu, foreign minister Patrick Pruaitch and Alotau MP, Charles Abel.

Mr Basil told local media they felt the government had gone backward under the Marape administration, which itself came to power after deposing Peter O'Neill in the middle of last year.

A vote of no confidence in the prime minister is being planned for when parliament resumes on December 1st.

Mr Kua, who is the Petroluem Minister, says the government side remains confident it can convince a number of wavering MPs to stay, but he told Don Wiseman the situation is very fluid.

The Papua New Guinea Parliament building in Port Moresby.

The Papua New Guinea Parliament building in Port Moresby. Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Koroi Hawkins