PNG cabinet ministers point to blackmail threats

3:32 pm on 4 September 2020

Two Papua New Guinea cabinet ministers have gone public with claims of blackmail and attempts to apply undue influence.

The Minister for Agriculture, John Simon, told parliament he was threatened if he didn't get the National Agriculture Quarantine Inspection Authority to stop the importation of live chickens.

No caption

Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Melvin Levongo

The Post Courier newspaper reports Mr Simon said a foreigner tried to blackmail him if he didn't end the imports.

The Minister of Transport William Samb called on business operators to end the nonsense calls over the government's plans to make the Jomard Passage in Milne Bay a compulsory pilotage area.

Mr Samb said pilotage is technical and risky and business operators need to let the departments and agencies get their processes in place.

He said "don't come and force me to make a decision; it's government business, let us prepare it properly and when the time is due we will ask you to come and participate."