7 Jun 2005

PNG MP questions why government aircraft and lawyer sent to Bougainville

2:24 pm on 7 June 2005

The Papua New Guinea MP for Central Bougainville, Sam Akoitai, has questioned why the National Government sent a lawyer on a government aircraft to the province of Bougainville.

The lawyer is reported in the National newspaper to have been dispatched when it became apparent John Momis was not going to win the Bougainville presidency.

Mr Momis, who finished a distant second to Joseph Kabui of the People's Congress Party, has alleged various malpractices and has promised to file an election petition.

Mr Akoitai has demanded to know what the government aircraft and lawyer were doing in Bougainville at such a sensitive time.

He said if the legal support was requested by Mr Momis then it should have been declined as he is no longer a member of parliament.

Mr Akoitai said the government should not be taking sides on issues to do with Bougainville.