Former Prime Minister (PM) of Papua New Guinea (PNG) and East New Britain (ENB) province politician, Sir Rabbie Namaliu, passed away yesterday afternoon, Friday 31st March, around 4pm in his Province.
The Office of the Prime Minister is expected to put out a statement soon.
Meanwhile, St Johns Ambulance service confirmed this news after attending to him.
The late Sir Rabbie served as Foreign Affairs & Immigration Minister in the Government of Papua New Guinea from August 2002 to July 2006 and Minister for Treasury from July 2006 to August 2007. He served briefly as Leader of the Opposition in 1988 before becoming PM between 1988 -1992 and Speaker of the National Parliament between 1994 -1997.
He earlier served as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, 1982-84 and has held several other senior ministries including Primary Industry, and Petroleum and Energy since his first election to Parliament as Member for Kokopo (East New Britain) in 1982.