3 Oct 2005

PNG opposition's Baing referred to prosecutor over fund loss

11:33 am on 3 October 2005

The Ombudsman Commission has referred Papua New Guinea's deputy opposition leader to the Public Prosecutor for alleged misconduct in office including misappropriation of funds.

The referral of Andrew Baing follows charges of misappropriation and conspiracy laid against Opposition Leader Peter O'Neill in August.

Mr O'Neill has vowed to defend the charges which go back to 1998-99 and relate to massive losses by the National Provident Fund superannuation scheme.

The Ombudsman Commission alleges that in 2002 Mr Baing misappropriated tens of thousands of dollars in District Support Grants and failed to comply with directions issued by the commission.

Mr Baing is the sixth MP to be referred by the commission to the Public Prosecutor this year.