The Kandep MP Don Polye has been confirmed as Papua New Guinea's new Opposition Leader, taking over from Belden Namah who held the post since the 2012 election.
Mr Namah has told local media he reluctantly accepts his removal although claims he was not involved in the Opposition caucus which met last Thursday to elect Mr Polye as leader.
The former Treasurer, Mr Polye officially moved his Triumph Heritage Empowerment Party to the opposition benches last month, taking the number of MPs in the opposition from three to eight.
Mr Namah has been an outspoken opposition leader but his support has dried up in the midst of wholesale defections from opposition, and notably his PNG Party, to the government of Peter O'Neill.
The Speaker of Parliament, Theo Zurenuoc has confirmed that Don Polye is the opposition leader following the caucus which also re-confirmed Bulolo MP Sam Basil as his deputy.
The leader of Papua New Guinea's Triumph Heritage and Empowerment party, Don Polye. Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades
