: Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has confirmed that his Government does not interfere with the daily operations of the Independent Commission Against Corruption, or ICAC, and has called on Papua New Guineans to respect the Constitutional, transparent and merit-based processes governing appointments to the Commission.

Prime Minister Marape made the Statement following Public and Political Commentary concerning recent changes to ICAC’s Acting Leadership, including the appointment of Retired Judge Don Sawong as Acting Commissioner and the appointment of Mr Thomas Eluh and Retired Justice Ellenas Batari as Acting Deputy Commissioners. The Prime Minister said the Leadership arrangements were made by the legally constituted ICAC Appointments Committee and were not unilateral decisions made by him or by the Executive Government. “Let me make it absolutely clear that my Government, under my watch, does not interfere with or impose itself upon the everyday operations of ICAC,” Prime Minister Marape said. “The former substantive Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners, as well as the present Acting Leadership, can confirm that I have never directed ICAC on whom to investigate, how to conduct its investigations or how to discharge its Constitutional responsibilities. ICAC is an independent Constitutional institution. Its operational independence must be protected and respected by everyone, including the Government, the Opposition, Political Parties and the wider Public.”

Prime Minister Marape said Commentary suggesting that Mr Eluh had been improperly removed or demoted from the position of Acting Commissioner failed to recognise the Legal qualifications and processes governing appointments to the Office. He said Mr Eluh remained an important member of the Commission’s Acting Leadership as an Acting Deputy Commissioner and had publicly welcomed the transition and pledged his cooperation with Acting Commissioner Sawong. “Mr Thomas Eluh has served and continues to serve ICAC. His experience and contribution are acknowledged, and he remains part of the Acting Leadership of the Commission,” Prime Minister Marape said. “However, people must understand that appointments to Constitutional Offices are not based on political support, public popularity, personal preference or entitlement. They are based on the law, prescribed qualifications, due process and merit.” Prime Minister Marape said the qualification requirements for the Office of ICAC Commissioner included the requirement that a person be qualified for appointment as a Judge. “One of the important qualifications for appointment as Commissioner is that the person must be qualified for appointment as a Judge,” he said. “That is possibly why Retired Judge Don Sawong was considered and appointed by the ICAC Appointments Committee as Acting Commissioner while the substantive Recruitment Process is underway. I did not appoint Judge Sawong by myself. The Prime Minister cannot simply pick and choose the Commissioner or Deputy Commissioners. These Appointments are made through a collective and legally established process.”

Prime Minister Marape said Supporters of the People’s National Congress (PNC) Party and others questioning the decision should seek accurate information about the Appointment Process before making politically motivated allegations. “I have seen too many Commentaries from PNC Party supporters questioning why Mr Eluh, who was Acting Commissioner, is now serving as an Acting Deputy Commissioner,” he said. “People must first understand the due process and merit requirements for these Appointments. The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. James Nomane, is a senior member of the ICAC Appointments Committee. Those raising political concerns should also ask the Opposition Leader about the process because these are not decisions made by the Prime Minister alone.” The ICAC Appointments Committee includes the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and other designated Members responsible for considering Candidates emerging from the independent Recruitment and Shortlisting process. Prime Minister Marape said the substantive Positions of Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners had been openly advertised, allowing qualified Papua New Guineans and other eligible Applicants to compete through a transparent process. “The Vacancies are being advertised openly. Qualified people are being invited to apply, applicants will be assessed, a shortlist will be prepared and the ICAC Appointments Committee will consider those who emerge from that process,” he said. “As Prime Minister, I do not decide who applies, and I do not unilaterally decide who is appointed. The process must run its full course, and the best-qualified Candidates must be selected.”

The Prime Minister said Transparency International Papua New Guinea had been invited to participate as an Independent Observer in the Recruitment process to strengthen public confidence and safeguard its integrity. “Although this is not a legal requirement, I have deliberately supported the involvement of Transparency International Papua New Guinea as an independent Civil Society observer,” he said. “Transparency International is not part of the Government. It is an independent organisation known for advocating against corruption and promoting integrity. I want them involved throughout the process so that Papua New Guineans can have confidence that the Recruitment and Appointment of ICAC’s permanent leadership is conducted honestly, transparently and without improper political influence.”

Prime Minister Marape said similar transparent processes should be strengthened across other Constitutional institutions, including the Ombudsman Commission, Electoral Commission and other key Public Offices. “We must establish processes that are bigger than individual leaders and stronger than political interests,” he said. “Important Constitutional Offices must not be treated as Positions that belong to any individual, political party, region or group. They belong to the people of Papua New Guinea and must be occupied by people who satisfy the Law and possess the required qualifications, experience, integrity and competence.” Prime Minister Marape also encouraged qualified Papua New Guineans interested in serving ICAC to respond to publicly advertised employment opportunities. “For those who want a job with ICAC, please ensure that you are properly qualified,” he said. “Government employment and appointments to Constitutional Offices must not be secured through political connections, wantok influence, social-media campaigning or personal approaches to leaders. Applicants must possess the required qualifications, experience and integrity. Apply through the proper process and allow your qualifications and professional record to speak for you.”

The Prime Minister said the Marape–Rosso Government remained committed to developing ICAC into a strong, credible and fully functional institution capable of preventing, investigating and combating corruption throughout Papua New Guinea. “My Government established and operationalised ICAC because Papua New Guinea needs a strong and independent institution dedicated to confronting corruption,” he said. “We did not establish ICAC to control it. We established it so that it could independently protect public money, strengthen accountability and ensure that people entrusted with public responsibilities are held to the Law.” Prime Minister Marape said no honest Public Official should fear ICAC and that all Leaders, Public Servants, State-Owned Entities, Contractors and recipients of Public Funding must be prepared to account for their conduct. “If you follow the Law, perform your duties honestly and use public resources for their intended purposes, you have nothing to fear from ICAC,” he said. “But those who steal public money, abuse public office, manipulate procurement processes or participate in corrupt conduct must understand that Papua New Guinea is strengthening the Institutions that will investigate and hold offenders accountable.” Prime Minister Marape called  on  citizens,  political  parties  and  commentators  to  avoid  undermining Constitutional  processes  through  unsupported allegations. “The country must not be influenced by people with vested political or personal interests who seek to cast doubt upon a lawful and independent Appointment Process,” he said. “Public scrutiny is important in a democracy, but commentary must be based on facts, the Constitution and the law—not political convenience or misinformation. Allow the Recruitment Process to run. Allow the independent Panels to assess the Applicants. Allow the ICAC Appointments Committee, which includes both Government and Opposition representation, to perform its lawful responsibility. At the end of the process, the best-qualified and most suitable people must be appointed to lead ICAC.”

Prime Minister Marape said strengthening ICAC formed part of the Government’s broader PNG Reset at 50 Agenda, which prioritises stronger institutions, transparent appointments, accountable leadership and governance systems capable of serving the country well beyond its first 50 years of Independence. “We are building institutions that must outlive James Marape, this Government and every Government that comes after us,” he said. “ICAC must remain independent, professional, properly resourced and led by people appointed through a credible process. My Government will continue to protect the integrity of that process and support ICAC to perform its Constitutional mandate without fear, favour or political interference.”