PNG Minister Daki Faces Renewed Resignation Calls Over K200 Million SME Scheme

Papua New Guinea Commerce and Industry Minister Win Bakri Daki is facing renewed pressure to resign after Opposition Leader James Nomane intensified calls for an independent investigation into the Government's K200 million Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) funding scheme, arguing that key questions over the program remain unanswered.

 PNG Minister Daki Faces Renewed Resignation Calls Over K200 Million SME Scheme

The latest political confrontation follows the Minister's rejection of allegations surrounding the SME fund, with Nomane insisting the Government has yet to adequately explain concerns relating to the management of public money and a reported K44 million fraud analysis.

The dispute escalated after Minister Daki responded to criticism from the Opposition Leader and Chuave MP by dismissing claims circulating on social media as unfounded, premature and lacking credible evidence.

Daki maintained that his Government welcomes public scrutiny but said allegations of misconduct should be taken through proper legal and constitutional channels rather than debated on social media. He urged anyone with evidence to present it before Parliament, the Ombudsman Commission or the courts.

The Minister also defended the Marape-Rosso Government's SME agenda, describing small and medium enterprises as the backbone of Papua New Guinea's economy. He said funding under the K200 million scheme is distributed according to established guidelines and remains subject to monitoring and review to ensure eligible recipients benefit.

However, Nomane rejected the Minister's explanation, saying it failed to address the central issues surrounding the administration of the SME program.

He said the Minister had avoided answering questions relating to the reported K44 million fraud analysis and the overall management of the K200 million allocation, arguing that public confidence could only be restored through an independent investigation.

Nomane also questioned whether substantial government funding directed towards SME programs over the years had translated into stronger businesses, increased employment opportunities and meaningful support for local industries.

The Opposition Leader challenged Minister Daki to a public debate on the performance of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry instead of continuing the exchange through media statements.

He further called on Prime Minister James Marape to act on a letter he said was submitted on June 26, seeking Minister Daki's dismissal and requesting an investigation by fraud investigators, the Auditor-General and the Ombudsman Commission.

In a separate statement issued yesterday, Minister Daki again ruled out stepping aside, denying any wrongdoing and reaffirming his commitment to serving the country.

He also said the allegations had unfairly damaged his reputation and years of public service, while reiterating that Parliament remained the appropriate forum for examining any evidence of misconduct.

The disagreement over the K200 million SME funding scheme is expected to remain a contentious issue when Parliament resumes later this month, with the Opposition maintaining its demands for greater accountability while the Government continues to defend the program.

"The response by the Minister for Commerce and Industry to serious allegations about the alleged misuse of SME funds is deeply disappointing.

"Instead of answering the questions about the K44 million fraud analysis and the K200 million SME funding, the Minister has simply dismissed the claims as false and AI-generated."

"There is still no public evidence showing that the SME funding has delivered the results it was meant to achieve across the country. The big question remains: Where has the money gone?"

"I have nothing to hide, and I welcome any genuine investigation into the management of public funds."

"If he has evidence of wrongdoing, let him bring it to the floor of Parliament for all to scrutinise. That is the proper venue for accountability, not the court of public opinion."