Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has responded strongly to the Post-Courier’s front-page coverage of the Paraka matter today, saying the reporting failed to properly reflect the full context of court proceedings and established facts surrounding the case.

Prime Minister Marape said the matter had already been extensively examined through competent courts and emphasised that findings had already been made through due legal process.

“The National Court, presided over by none other than the Chief Justice himself, thoroughly examined this matter and made its findings based on evidence presented before it,” Prime Minister Marape said.

“Mr Jacob Yafai never raised these issues during those proceedings despite having every opportunity to do so and remained silent throughout the process.”

Prime Minister Marape said recent reporting highlighting references to himself and former Finance Secretary Steven Gibson required proper context.

“The courts themselves noted that both former Finance Secretary Steven Gibson and myself were involved in approval processes as part of our official responsibilities. However, neither Mr Gibson nor myself have ever been convicted of any offence relating to these matters.”

“I do not speak for Mr Gibson and he can speak for himself, however, I can speak clearly for my own actions.”

Prime Minister Marape said his instructions regarding Paraka payments had always been clear.

“My instructions were always clear — to properly peruse, verify and settle only lawful payments. Those instructions were known within the Finance Department.”

“Mr Gibson knows, Mr Yafai knows, and officers within Finance know very well that I stopped Paraka payments.”

Prime Minister Marape said when concerns first emerged during his time as Finance Minister, he moved immediately to stop payments and initiate investigations.

“When this issue first emerged during my time as Finance Minister, I stopped payments, called for investigations, and became part of the witness process to expose wrongdoing.”

“In an unprecedented move, I personally took the witness stand. No Prime Minister has done that before in a matter involving allegations connected to actions taken during their time in office.”

Prime Minister Marape said he later discovered that payments had continued despite instructions having already been issued.

“Unknown to me, payments continued despite clear instructions to stop them. That is precisely why actions were taken.

“Mr Yafai cannot honestly say that I instructed him to make those payments because he knows very well that is not true.”

Prime Minister Marape acknowledged Mr Yafai’s right to continue pursuing legal options.

“He has every right to pursue whatever legal avenues remain available to him, and I respect that process.”

However, Prime Minister Marape questioned the repeated front-page treatment of the matter.

“I understand newspapers need headlines and need to sell papers, however, repeatedly presenting these matters without full context can create misleading impressions.

“These types of headlines do not discourage me. They will not distract me from my responsibilities.”

Prime Minister Marape said criticism, political attacks, and repeated reporting would not stop him from continuing to fight corruption.

“People may have the power of the pen, but ordinary Papua New Guineans also have the power of reason, judgment, and common sense,” he said.

“I will continue standing up for what is right and continue doing what is necessary in the fight against corruption and abuse of public funds.

“I will continue working for Papua New Guinea and doing what is right at all times for all our people — not just for a privileged few.

“This country belongs to all Papua New Guineans, and my responsibility remains to serve the nation with honesty, fairness, and commitment.”