Papua New Guinea's opposition leader and Member for Moresby North West, Sir Mekere Morauta, is criticising the Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare for his statements on the issue of poverty.
Earlier in the week, Sir Michael rejected claims that some Papua New Guineans are starving and lacking in food and water.
The Post Courier newspaper reports Sir Mekere as saying the Prime Minister was a long way off the mark, describing Sir Michael's comments as a feeble and shallow attempt to defend the indefensible.
The paper quotes the opposition leader as saying he is amazed that a man of Sir Michael's experience would go to the trouble of painting a highly inaccurate picture of the state of affairs in the country.
Sir Mekere also stated that what the Prime Minister says now will not change the fact that poverty is growing in urban centres.
He also says a growing number of Papua New Guineans are fed up with the Sir Michael's arrogance, indifference and uncaring attitude, saying he is living far from the reality of growing poverty and needs to admit his mistakes and behave like a mortal.