Papua New Guinea Opposition has filed its Supreme Court reference Tuesday.
They are basically seeking an interpretation of Speaker Job Pomat’s decision on the motion of a vote of no confidence (VoNC).
Among the reliefs that they are seeking is for Parliament to be recalled.
Opposition leader Douglas Tomuriesa confirmed that Opposition lawyers have filed the case and are hoping the Supreme Court Registry put it on the list for mention by the end of this week.
He said the case, which is of national importance, was initially delayed due to difficulties in obtaining the Parliament Hansard, the official report of Parliament sitting each day.
However, after prolonged delays and deliberate attempts to hinder the process, the Opposition and their lawyers finally filed Tuesday.
“The Court case is of national importance…so our lawyers have eventually and successfully filed, we are now awaiting a decision from the courts on a date for a mention.”
He said the Opposition has gone to the Supreme Court also to ask for sanctions against all the members of the PBC (Private Business Committee for) breaching the SC ruling among others.
Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy in Port Moresby has clarified that the embassy official pictured alongside the outgoing Chinese Ambassador Zeng Fanhua was in attendance at a farewell lunch with Prime Minister James Marape.
The lunch, held at Loloata, was organised as a send-off for the Chinese Ambassador, who is set to leave PNG on 12 June.
In a statement, the Chinese Embassy denied any political involvement, stating that the event was part of “diplomatic protocol” and that China “never and will not interfere” in Papua New Guinea’s domestic politics.
The clarification comes after social media was flooded with reports and images of the Chinese embassy officials being present at a separate event where Marape was welcoming the incoming Member for Sohe, Henry Amuli.
“…the Embassy official in the picture accompanied the Ambassador to attend a farewell lunch with Prime Minister JM at Loloata, for the Ambassador will leave PNG on 12 June.
The Chinese Embassy denied any political involvement but detailed: “It’s a diplomatic protocol event. We never and will not interfere PNG’s domestic politics.”
The report comes amidst the heat of Vote of No Confidence against Prime Minister Marape which is now tangled up in a court case.
Chinese Ambassador Fanhua is on his way out of PNG as he has served his term in office as the head of mission for China to PNG.
Over the weekend, Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko farewelled Ambassador Fanhua saying the friendship and bilateral relationship between PNG and China was even bigger, better and stronger than before.
