PNG PM Marape Irate Over Slandering of Chief Justice by Social Media Commentator
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea: Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has this morning condemned in the strongest terms the slandering of the Judiciary as he warned Papua New Guineans to be very careful while making comments about this arm of government.
Prime Minister Marape was responding to comments made by social media commentator Samson Komati, who had made claims of impropriety and corruption about the recent visit of Chief Justice Gibbs Salika to see the Prime Minister.
PM Marape said in their line of work, the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice must have meetings as per the requirements of their Constitutional duties, and their recent meeting was necessary for the Chief Justice to submit the Judiciary’s 2024 budget as required by law.
“The Chief Justice visited me at my office for a meeting that was held in the presence of the Minister for Justice, the Chief Secretary, as well as officials from the Prime Minister’s department and the National & Supreme Courts. As head of the Judiciary, the Chief Justice met the Prime Minister to the submit the Judiciary’s budget which must be done by 30th September every year. This is a requirement in law,” said PM Marape.
“I therefore condemn in the highest degree these slanderous remarks made by Samson Komati, who should know better than to lay a word against the Judiciary.
"The Judiciary is the arm of government that must always remain above board to maintain its standards, ethics and stability. Criticize the government and politicians within it but do not drag the Judiciary into your petty, gutter politics.
“The Judiciary keeps above all because of the important work it does, and we must all help in keeping and maintaining these standards.
“The Judiciary is the ‘better’ arm of government. In its everyday operations, it strives to maintain its high standards. Papua New Guineans must follow suit by helping to protect its integrity.
“Komati has gone too far this time, and is now encroaching on being held in Contempt of Court. His slandering of the Chief Justice and therefore the Judiciary based on his wild assumptions and imaginations - with no shred of evidence of wrongdoing just because he wants to get at me - is totally irresponsible, slanderous and malicious.
“I condemn this in the strongest terms, and apologise to the Chief Justice for the way gutter politics has dragged him and the Judiciary into this.
“The Marape-Rosso Government will not be deterred by Komati's dirty politics. We will continue fully supporting the Judiciary in its restoration to make it more effective and efficient for Papua New Guinea,” said PM Marape.
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