Prime Minister James Marape has moved to clarify the status of Papua New Guinea’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), assuring the public that the Commission remains active despite ongoing inquiries into its senior leadership.
Speaking from Osaka, Japan, where he is attending a regional investment summit, Marape addressed recent media commentary suggesting that the anti-corruption body’s operations had been suspended. He rejected such claims as inaccurate and misleading.
“Let me state clearly: the Independent Commission Against Corruption continues to function,” the Prime Minister said. “This Government passed the ICAC legislation in 2020 and has worked since then to operationalise this important institution. Its mandate remains intact.”
Internal Conflict Prompts Independent Inquiry
Marape confirmed that an internal dispute among ICAC’s three most senior officials — the Commissioner and two Deputy Commissioners — had triggered an administrative inquiry. The inquiry was sanctioned by the ICAC Appointments Committee, a legally constituted body made up of high-ranking and independent representatives, including:
The Prime Minister (Chair),
The Chief Justice,
The Leader of the Opposition,
The Chairman of the Public Services Commission, and
The Chairman of the Council of Churches (currently Cardinal John Ribat).
To bolster transparency, Transparency International PNG was invited to observe key discussions relating to the complaints and counter-complaints filed by the officials, some of which have escalated to police attention.
“This inquiry is not political interference — it is a procedural response to an internal breakdown at the top of the Commission,” Marape said. “The Commission has been placed under caretaker leadership for the duration of the inquiry. It has not been suspended.”
Responding to Public Allegations
The Prime Minister also responded to recent comments made in the media, believed to be from one of the suspended commissioners, Mr Daniel Baulch, alleging political interference.
“If Mr Baulch has gone public, he is pre-empting due process. He is free to seek legal clarification, but that does not override the formal inquiry currently underway,” Marape said.
He added that while the inquiry continues, ICAC remains operational and continues to receive and investigate complaints, with acting officers in place to ensure continuity.
Call for Restraint and Continued Vigilance
Marape urged the public and political stakeholders to allow the inquiry to proceed without undue influence or speculation.
“This is not about silencing ICAC. It is about preserving the institution’s credibility. ICAC is bigger than any individual, and its mission must continue regardless of who leads it,” he said.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the contributions of the original commissioners and reiterated that no individual is above institutional accountability.
“It is unfortunate that instead of uniting in the fight against corruption, senior officers were entangled in internal conflict. This inquiry will establish the facts, and we will act on its findings.”
Public Encouraged to Report Corruption
Marape concluded by calling on citizens to remain active in reporting corruption to ICAC, the Fraud Squad, and the Ombudsman Commission.
“The fight against corruption does not stop. The processes now in motion are not about dismantling ICAC — they are about protecting it.”
He reiterated that all leaders remain subject to the law and existing oversight mechanisms, and that the Government’s ultimate goal is a transparent, accountable, and corruption-free Papua New Guinea.