"I Am Not a Thief," Says Former PNG Government Minister Daki Over SME Fund Claims

FORMER  PNG Commerce and Industry Minister and Tambul-Nebilyer MP Win Bakri Daki has rejected allegations that he misused funds under the Government's K200 million Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) stimulus policy, declaring that an independent audit will prove he did nothing wrong.

Addressing a large gathering in Upper Nebilyer, Western Highlands Province, last week, Mr Daki said the accusations against him were false and politically motivated. He maintained that the planned government audit would establish the facts and clear his name.

"I Am Not a Thief," Says Former PNG Minister Daki Over SME Fund Claims/Parliament Photo

Mr Daki said the SME stimulus package was introduced as a national government policy to support the growth of small and medium-sized businesses throughout Papua New Guinea. He stressed that the program was not a single K200 million allocation placed under the control of the Minister for Commerce and Industry.

According to Mr Daki, funding under the policy was released progressively during his three years as minister, with money channelled through different institutions responsible for delivering financial support to businesses.

He explained that K100 million was allocated to BSP, K70 million to the National Development Bank (NDB), while the remaining funds were released to the Department of Commerce and Industry in stages rather than as one lump sum.

Mr Daki said he welcomed the government's decision to conduct an audit into the SME stimulus policy, saying it would strengthen transparency and accountability while confirming that the funds had been managed properly.

The former minister made the remarks in the presence of Western Highlands Governor Wai Rapa, Provincial Administrator Joseph Mangbil, members of the Tambul-Nebilyer District Development Authority, ward councillors, community leaders and hundreds of supporters.

He also apologised to the people of Western Highlands for the controversy surrounding the allegations, saying the matter had created unnecessary concern among the public.

Despite the accusations, Mr Daki received strong support from those attending the gathering, with many turning out to hear his explanation on the SME funding issue.

He said he remained confident that the audit would provide an independent account of how the policy had been administered during his tenure and would settle the allegations.

"The K200 million SME money doesn't come in full into the Commerce Department. However, K100 million is given to BSP, K70 million to NDB, and the rest comes to Commerce but not in full too," Mr Daki said.

"I am not a thief," he said.