The governor of the Papua New Guinea province of Enga, Peter Ipatas, says he didn't mean to assault a former MP.
Daniel Kapi has lodged a formal complaint with police alleging that the assault took place at the weekend after a high-speed car chase.
Mr Kapi, who's a candidate in the Wabag open election, told the Post Courier newspaper that Mr Ipatas, who had pursued his car at high speed for two kilometres, attacked him causing cuts and bruises to his face and body.
The governor says he'd been angered by reports that Mr Kapi was telling people that he'd been referred by the Ombudsman Commission and would go to jail for misconduct in office.
A police spokesman says the MP's complaint is being examined by a special task force made up of police officers from Port Moresby who are in Wabag for the by-election .
