The former Papua New Guinea MP Arthur Somare has been appointed to the PNG Sustainable Development Program Board.
The Prime Minister Peter O'Neill made the announcement following the National Executive Council's decision on the appointment of Mr Somare as PNGSDP board member.
But the chairman of the programme, Sir Mekere Morauta, says the apppointment of Mr Somare is of no legal effect.
Mr O'Neill says his government is confident Mr Somare will be an asset as he has had vast experiences with leading organisations and has a wider business development perspective of PNG.
But Sir Mekere has labelled it a political appointment and says the board remains committed to protecting the integrity of the PNGSDP and its independence from political interference and will go about its business as usual.
