1. Theodore Zibang Zurenuoc was born on 6 October 1965 and is a Papua New Guinean politician who served as the acting governor-general of Papua New Guinea in February 2017.
12 Facts About Theo Zurenuoc
1. 2.
Theo Zurenuoc was first elected to the National Parliament in the 2007 general election, as independent MP for Finschhafen District in Morobe Province, though he subsequently joined the People's Progress Party.
3.
Theo Zurenuoc won the seat by defeating the incumbent, his cousin Guao Zurenuoc.
4.
In 2009, during a parliamentary debate on a government bill which would have seen women nominated to Parliament, Theo Zurenuoc opposed the idea of nominated parliamentarians, but said he would support reserved seats for women specifically to elect representatives.
5.
At the start of August 2011, Theo Zurenuoc supported a successful parliamentary motion of no confidence which brought down the government of Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal, enabling Peter O'Neill to become prime minister.
6.
Theo Zurenuoc retained his seat for the People's Progress Party in the 2012 general election.
7.
Theo Zurenuoc reportedly considered the carvings to be contrary to Christianity.
8.
Theo Zurenuoc's action was criticised and ridiculed by Andrew Motu, Director of the Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery.
9.
The Papua New Guinea Trade Union Congress condemned the destruction, and called for Theo Zurenuoc to be arrested.
10.
Theo Zurenuoc released a statement to explain his actions, and his intention to continue.
11.
Theo Zurenuoc stated that he wanted to remove "spirits of idolatry, immorality and witchcraft" from within Parliament, and to replace them with "a National Unity Pole, which will contain a Bible, a copy of the constitution and an everlasting flame to represent God's word".
12.
In May 2015, while still serving as Speaker, Theo Zurenuoc changed allegiance from the People's Progress Party to the People's National Congress Party, the political party led by Prime Minister Peter O'Neill.