The body of the late Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Bulolo Sam Basil arrived at the National Parliament Grand Hall this morning to lay in state for fellow members of parliament to pay their respects to the late members and his family.
The casket arrived at the steps of parliament just after 11am and was received by the Speaker of Parliament, Job Pomat.
The family of the late member arrived earlier and were led into the parliament grand hall to wait for the casket of their beloved father to arrive.
The speaker led the procession of the members to pay their final respects. He was followed by the Prime Minister James Marape and his wife, and then the rest of the members went to pay their respects.
A very emotional Member for Finschhafan Rainbo Paita couldn’t hold back his tears when he paid his respect. He openly cried as he stood in front of the casket and then embracing the late member’s family.
The casket of the late Deputy PM later departed parliament for the Sir John Guise stadium where the official state funeral service is now taking place this afternoon.