A former Papua New Guinea minister and governor, Sir Peter Barter, has come to the defence of the sidelined prime minister, Sir Michael Somare, saying there should be a stop on him and his family being harassed.
Sir Peter says like many responsible citizens, he is dismayed and disgusted at the manner in which certain sections of the media whipped up anti-Somare sentiments.
With just over 12 months to go, he says it is hard to imagine why he is being persecuted so relentlessly when the public knows he will not be contesting the elections in 2012.
Sir Peter says he is confident that Sir Michael has not stolen money, goods or property for himself or anyone else.
He says the unbalanced reports in the newspapers try to make Sir Michael responsible for managing processes which are the responsibility of others.
