Paru Aihi
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Paru Aihi MP |
|
|---|---|
| Member of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea | |
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In office 2007–2012 |
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| Preceded by | Moi Avei |
| Succeeded by | Peter Isoaimo |
| Constituency | Kairuku-Hiri Open |
| Personal details | |
| Nationality | Papua New Guinean |
| Political party |
People's National Congress (2012-2014) National Alliance Party (2010-2012) Papua New Guinea Party (2007-2010) People's Labour Party (2002) |
| Occupation | Businessman |
Paru Aihi (born 1 November 1957) is a Papua New Guinean politician. He was a member of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea from 2007 to 2012, representing the electorate of Kairuku-Hiri Open. He was Minister for Higher Education, Science, Technology and Research under Michael Somare from March to August 2011 and Minister for Education under Peter O'Neill from August to December 2012.
Aihi is from Hsiu village in Central Province, and was a banker and businessman prior to entering politics. He had been the head of a bank lending department before resigning in 1995 to start his own firm, security company Delstars Security Services. He unsuccessfully contested the Kairuku-Hiri Open seat at the 2002 election for the People's Labour Party, losing to incumbent MP Sir Moi Avei. Aihi challenged the result in the National Court, but his petition was dismissed in March 2004.
He was elected in Kairuku-Hiri Open at the 2007 election for the Papua New Guinea Party, winning a rematch with Avei. He was an outspoken member of the opposition under Mekere Morauta, but in September 2010 defected to the government, joining Prime Minister Michael Somare's National Alliance Party. He was one of four defecting MPs who withdrew their support for a proposed no-confidence motion against Somare in November, preserving his government.
In March 2011, he was appointed Minister for Higher Education, Science, Technology and Research by Prime Minister Somare, serving until Somare's ouster by Peter O'Neill in August. He also rose to become southern region leader of the National Alliance Party. However, in February 2012, he again switched parties, joining O'Neill's governing People's National Congress. The defection, only nine weeks before the issue of writs for the 2012 election, resulted in media criticism from constituents.
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