The Member for Moresby North-West has criticised stories in the media alleging his involvement in a vote-of-no-confidence discussion with two politicians from the Government bench.
One of the dailies published an article alleging former prime minister and Moresby North-West MP, Sir Mekere Morauta, had met with Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas and Hagen Open MP, William Duma, concerning the forthcoming vote-of-no-confidence (VoNC).
In response, Sir Peter and Duma came out in the media denying the meet. They further criticised Sir Mekere for implicating them in the Opposition’s planned VoNC.
Additionally, Sir Mekere was also not aware of any meeting, saying: “As both Governor Sir Peter Ipatas and Minister William Duma say, I have not met with them or discussed the issue with them.”
Sir Mekere pointed out that during the past month or so, there had been an explosion of troll accounts on Facebook and Twitter in preparation for the VoNC period.
“I have great professional and personal respect for my colleagues Sir Peter and Mr Duma, and it is nonsense to think that I would try to embarrass them by engaging in improper or indiscreet behavior. There is no way I would ever damage their integrity or standing. It is not my style, and it is not theirs.
“What will be published next?” he asked. “Doctored photographs purportedly showing a meeting between me, Mr Duma and Sir Peter?
“The fakeness of the latest commentary is blatant – the first article was by a ‘Jack Daniels’. What next, articles by Syd Bacardi? By Johnny Walker? The complete dishonesty of the campaign can be gauged by the fact that ‘Jack Daniels’ claimed I was ‘spotted at Fusion Restaurant with Mr Duma’. This is a complete fabrication. I was in Australia at the time.”