Polye labels APEC Minister as ‘idiot’

Minister for APEC and National Events Justin Tkatchenko was bombarded with questions from the Opposition today in Parliament during Questions without Notice.

The arguments started when East New Britain Governor Ereman ToBaining Jnr asked Tkatchenko to explain the total cost that will be involved to host the APEC Summit in 2018.

ToBaining raised this concern as ENB will also be cohosting the Summit and wanted a clear understanding about the costs.

This question came at the back of similar questions asked yesterday by the Opposition to the minister but was answered by the Prime Minister in the minister’s absence.

Today, however when responding,  Tkatchenko said the Opposition had no idea what APEC will be doing to showcase PNG to the rest of the world.

He further added that Opposition Leader Don Polye was merely using such arguments for his political gains to disrepute what the government was doing.

This response fumed the Opposition leader, who called for a point of order to explain himself.

“The Minister is very uneducated and must not be personalizing me but talk on policy matters.

“You don’t attack me personally, you idiot,” Polye told Tkatchenko.

This drew a round of applause and laughter from the people in the public gallery in support of him (Polye).

However, Speaker Theo Zurenuoc called for order and cautioned the public not to interfere with the parliament proceedings, also calling on the members of parliament not to call names at each other but to debate constructively.

Author: 
Freddy Mou