BAKI MUST RESIGN - MORAUTA
Former Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta said
today the Police Commissioner, Mr Gary Baki, must resign forthwith or be
dismissed by the Prime Minister.
It is impossible for a Police Commissioner to remain in
office after organizing and conducting an illegal operation involving foreign
mercenaries.
“His is a Constitutional Office,” Sir Mekere said. “The
holder of such offices must be beyond reproach, and Mr Baki does not fit into
that category. He must go.”
Sir Mekere said the deportation of the illegal foreign
mercenaries and the winding up of Mr Baki’s illegal operation meant there is
added urgency for an independent inquiry into the scandal. The Ombudsman Commission
now has ample public evidence on which to base an inquiry.
Such an inquiry should cover all the financial and legal
aspects of Mr Baki’s operation. It should also seek to establish who else might
have been involved, including Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, Chief Secretary
Isaac Lupari, national security officers including members of the National
Security Advisory Committee, APEC officials and other police.
“There are many fingerprints on this operation and the
public has a right to know who they belong to. Who ultimately approved the
operation or was involved in its implementation,” Sir Mekere asked.
“Mr Lupari’s official statements as chair of the NSAC
demonstrate that both he and the committee were well aware of the operation.
The Prime Minister must make clear what the involvement of Mr Lupari and the
NSAC was, and if necessary he should be suspended pending an investigation.
“None of the public statements issued by the police or
the Government has answered any of my questions,” Sir Mekere said. “All we have
got is the usual spin, half-truths and deception from this Government.
“It is time for the Prime Minister to show some
leadership by taking take action against Mr Baki, and by establishing the facts
about the operation and making them public. People remain extremely concerned
about this scandal and only a full independent inquiry can ease their fears.”
Sir Mekere said it was important that the Ombudsman
Commission has available to it the legal basis on which Mr Baki acted,
including whether there was an NEC decision or any other executive approval for
or involvement in the operation.
There are other important legal questions, for example
the basis on which Mr Baki was creating a special force involving police,
Customs, Correctional Services and the Defence Force. And whether there were
any plans to involve mercenaries in any capacity.
Two knowledgeable lawyers have questioned the legality of
establishing such a force without the approval of Parliament.
They also question the legality of swearing in the
mercenaries as Special Constables without the approval of Parliament.
Sir Mekere also questioned the financial arrangements for
the operation, and who approved them. Is it correct that K7 million has already
been paid, and has any further money been committed, he asked. Did the
financial arrangements comply with the Public Finances (Management) Act?
He said he remained concerned by Mr Baki’s plans for his
rapid response force to continue after APEC. “The Prime Minister should state
unequivocally that any special force to be created for APEC is legal and has
the backing of Parliament,” he said.
“He should also state unequivocally that any such force
will be disbanded on the completion of APEC.”
PRESS STATEMENT
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