I will appeal decision, this is not the end: Kramer

 

SUSPENDED Madang MP Bryan Kramer says he will appeal the decision of a Leadership Tribunal recommending his dismissal from public office.
He said outside court yesterday that he was not surprised by the tribunal’s decision.
“I expected such penalty when looking at the decision on verdict,” he said.
“This is not the end.
“I will appeal the Tribunal’s decision in the National Court and Supreme Court – where necessary.
“There are some past instances where MPs got dismissed, appealed their decision and got reinstated.
“I will do the same.”
The tribunal, consisting of Judge Lawrence Kangwia as chairman, and magistrates Josephine Nidue and Edward Komia, yesterday recommended to the speaker that Kramer be dismissed from public office for three years.
They said Kramer’s social media post gave birth to public perception of corruption by the Chief Justice (CJ) and the judiciary, as the CJ could not be isolated from the judiciary.
“The judiciary is the third arm of Government referred to as the last bastion of hope for which the public has high regard for the judiciary and heavily relied on it to make things work properly in this country,” Justice Kangwia said.
“It is for the trodden to seek refuge and the aggrieved to seek protection.”
The tribunal ruled that the appropriate penalty should be for him to be dismissed from office.
On the five allegations relating to the Madang district programmes and funds for which he was found guilty of, the tribunal said Kramer was not fully responsible for them.
They ordered him to pay K2,000 for each of the five charges – a total of K10,000.
The tribunal said although Kramer was the chairman of district’s board, the decisions were made by the board.
Magistrate Nidue said even though Kramer instigated the board decisions, the board approved them, which became the board’s decision allowed by the District Development Authority Act.
“Kramer did not act alone, did not make any payment to anyone, did not receive any personal benefit.
“Therefore, he shall not take the full blame for those allegations he was found guilty of,” she said.