MARCH 7 2022
Prime Minister Hon. James Marape says allegations made against a former Forests Minister in his Cabinet should follow proper process of investigation.
He said this today (March 7 2022) when responding to a statement by New Ireland Governor, Hon. Sir Julius Chan, calling on him to inform the nation what corrective actions he had taken to deal with fraud allegations against the former Forests Minister.
PM Marape said allegations raised in the media or in Parliament needed to be raised with the appropriate authorities.
“Recently, when answering a question from Opposition Leader Hon. Belden Namah in Parliament on these very same allegations, I said Police, Ombudsman Commission, Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) were there to probe into such,” he said.
“A formal complaint needs to be mounted properly than raising it in media or on the floor of Parliament.
“Our country is one of the rule-of-law, where a person whom allegations are made against, is innocent until proven guilty.
“We cannot respond to such allegations in the public domain, especially from an opposing politician, who makes inferences or statements against another.
“Sir Julius, and also the Opposition Leader Namah, should realise that an utterance is just an utterance unless they have evidence of corruption.”
PM Marape said this evidence should be passed on to Police, Ombudsman Commission, ICAC and IRC to carry our full in-depth investigations.
“If a competent process of investigation is completed into person whom the allegations are made against, and is deemed a crime, then due actions will take place,” he said.
“Hearsay is as good as hearsay, so I encourage those who are raising this matter in the public space, to collate their evidence and submit to police and other relevant authorities.”
