The Minister for Petroleum and Caretaker Minister for Energy, Jimmy Maladina, has advised the Prime Minister that he will step aside from his office while a complaint filed against him is heard in an Australian Court. “As has been reported in news and social media, by police in Sydney after an altercation involving myself and another person over the weekend,” Minister Maladina said in a statement today (Sunday, July 7th). “This matter is before the court so there is not a lot that can be said publicly right now.” “I will make the general point that violence perpetrated by either a man or violence by a woman, cannot be tolerated.” “While this matter is being heard, I have advised the Prime Minister James Marape that I will step aside from my ministerial position awaiting the outcome of the court.” “The Prime Minister has agreed to this course of action and we both agree that perceptions and respect for the process are crucial for good governance,” said the 58-year-old Maladina, who is a member of the Marape-led PANGU Pati. He further stated that he has faith in the Australian judiciary to hear this matter independently and objectively. “I further thank the New South Wales Police officers who attended to this matter for the professional way in which they conducted their duties, and they have a process to follow in these matters.” “We will all have our day in court and I look forward to the facts of the matter being presented.”