The ruling Pangu Pati, led by Prime Minister James Marape, is recruiting more sitting Members of Parliament from other political parties-both in Government and Opposition-to contest the 2022 General Elections in confidence and solidarity, according to party sources.

They told PNG Sun that they were targeting more than 30 MPs to increase its current strength of 40 to 70.

They said the composition of the government now was the ‘government of convenience,’ adding they were adamant to form the next government with remnant and loyal MPs and coalition partners.

They named United Labour Party’s Wesley Raminai, Wake Goi of People’s Party and National Party’s Isi Henry Leonard were amongst the other party hoppers. Raminai, Goi and Leonard are all State Ministers in the current government. High Education Minister Raminai declined to comment when Whatsapped.

Minister for Communications and IT, Timothy Masiu hopped from National Alliance Party to the ruling party last year.

Prime Minister, James Marape is expected to announce a minor Cabinet reshuffle before the Issue of Writ in April, a something which he denied last year.