The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) had its newly appointed Commissioners officially sworn in to office this week to take on the leadership roles to ensure the institution delivers on its mandate to the people of Papua New Guinea (PNG).The three appointees were sworn in by the Governor General of Papua New Guinea, His Excellency Sir Bob Dadae, at the Government House in Port Moresby city on Tuesday.Retired Judge Don Sawong was sworn in as the Acting ICAC Commissioner, Retired Judge Ellenas Batari was sworn in as Acting Deputy Commissioner Operations and Special Services, and Mr. Thomas Eluh sworn in as Deputy Commissioner ICAC Prevention and Corporate Services.Mr. Eluh, who is the outgoing ICAC Acting Commissioner, said the appointment of the Commissioners is vital to the functioning of an institution that was created by the State to deal with the matters of corruption, which is rife in PNG.“This is a very important occasion, not just for us three, but for the institution itself,” said Mr. Eluh.“It’s so important that these changes in management, holds everybody together and ensures that ICAC moves on from here.”“So, I would like to congratulate the incoming Acting Commissioner Mr. Sawong. I will certainly pledge my support to him, and I expect every member of ICAC to also do the same,” he said.Mr. Eluh said the ICAC’s responsibility to prevent, investigate, and combat corruption continues every day without interruption.“Leadership changes do not change our mandate or our commitment to the people,” he said.Mr. Sawong also assures the people that the work of the ICAC continues and lays out his priorities as the Acting Commissioner going forward.“As Acting Commissioner, one of my priorities is to ensure that the ICAC is strategically organised and positioned to effectively address corruption across the country. This means focusing on our priority areas - aligning our focus areas with our mandate and ensuring that our organisational structure supports the delivery of our objectives.”“This is work that is already underway and will continue regardless of change. We will continue building on the progress that has been made and further develop the ICAC into a strong, credible and effective integrity institution that delivers on its responsibilities and meets the expectations of the public.He later went on thank the ICAC Appointments Committee for having faith in him and appointing him as Acting Commission for ICAC alongside Batari and Eluh.

Real change starts with individuals and the actions each one takes; it is not just through government policies.That was the message delivered to over two thousand people who participated in the 16th Sir Anthony Siaguru Walk Against Corruption (SASWAC), that gathered at the Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby city on Sunday morning.They weather that morning was quite chilly at first but gradually warned up, which then saw participants from 190 teams representing various corporate organizations, government departments and agencies, schools, SMEs, civil society groups and families, gathered to warm up, hear the speeches and then walk against corruption.Transparency International Papua New Guinea (TIPNG) Board Director Mr. Richard Kassman gave the opening speech, where he said national transformation in PNG, particularly in the fight against corruption, depends on the daily choices and actions of ordinary citizens.Focusing on the theme of the walk- "Integrity & Action Now", this year's event emphasized that combating corruption requires more than public frustration – it requires individual and collective action."You have turned up not just to walk, but to make it known that integrity matters deeply to you, to your families, and to our beautiful country," Mr. Kassman said."Integrity begins with the everyday choices made by citizens, public servants, businesses, and leaders. Action means speaking up, demanding accountability, supporting transparency initiatives, and strengthening institutions that serve the public interest."The TIPNG Board Director’s speech carries with it an urging as well for authorities to take action given the fact that PNG is currently gray listed and the Corruption Perception Index (CPI), does not look chummy.According to the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) published by Transparency International, PNG scored 26 out of 100, where 0 is “Highly Corrupt” and 100 means “Very Clean.” This CPI was released by Transparency International back in February 2026.Nevertheless, TIPNG continues the good fight, and it’s such initiatives like the SASWAC that serves as fundraisers to support their work in keeping the powers that be, in check.As an independent, non-governmental anti-corruption organization, TIPNG relies entirely on this type of public and corporate support to maintain its operational reach. Securing localized funding through SASWAC ensures TIPNG’s absolute ability to speak out objectively on governance issues, entirely free from political influence or external donor agendas.

Fighting corruption starts with each individual choosing to do what is right and then coming together in a collaborative approach to tackle it.That’s the message from the Leader of the Walk, the DICT Secretary Mr. Steven Matainaho, to all corporate bodies, schools, government agencies and individuals that took part in the 16th Sir Anthony Siaguru Walk Against Corruption this morning in Port Moresby city.Focusing his keynote address on the next generation of leaders- the students, Secretary Matainaho told the students from the schools that participated, that each of them now at their young age must practice the habit of fighting and resisting corruption by taking on integrity, honesty, and values that lead one to becoming an individual who says no to corruption.“It starts with you as a student. It starts with you doing the right things. No cheating in your assignments, be transparent, report when something bad happens. Integrity starts with those small things,” said the Secretary.He said gaining and developing these traits at a young age would prove useful when entering the workforce later on in life, when it comes to fighting corruption.“So, you see, integrity starts with everyone. The change starts by each one making a change and it’s a collective effort.”“Integrity must be instilled in each individual, in each village, in each community, in each agency, and in each company. That’s where you will see integrity across the whole country. And then everyone starts to make a change with that integrity instilled in them,” he said.The annual Walk Against Corruption is a major fundraiser for Transparency International Papua New Guinea (TIPNG). This year’s event saw 190 teams in total, comprising of schools, corporate organisations, government departments and individual families who joined in with the rest.Themed “Integrity & Action Now”, the Walk Against Corruption attracted over 2, 500 participants.  

The Pacific is expecting the El Nino condition to worsen in the coming weeks meaning countries in the region like Papua New Guinea (PNG) can expect extreme drought leading to food security issues and other related issues.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) through its National Weather Service announced on Thursday 11th June that the El Nino has developed in the tropical Pacific and issued an El Nino Advisory. El Nino, the warm phase of the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO), is predicted to intensify to a moderate or strong level this fall. Forecasters predict a 63% chance of sea surface temperatures exceeding 2.0°C in the Nino-monitored region of the Pacific. If this threshold is surpassed, NOAA considers the event a “very strong” El Nino.For PNG, the National Government has taken steps to mitigate the impacts when the condition intensifies and hits hard the communities in provinces under El Nino watch. The Minister for Disaster and Emergency Dr. Billy Joseph announced this in the recent parliament sitting.“The government remains committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure that appropriate preparedness, mitigation, and response measures are implemented to safeguard lives and livelihoods of our people,” said Minister Joseph.The government is assessing communities in the El Nino watch provinces in the country, so to come up with a proper plan to effectively coordinate with partners and stakeholders when the drought condition hits.This is being conducted by the National ENSO Taskforce under the direction of the Chief Secretary to the Government and overseen by the National Security Authority.Meantime, NOAA has declared an El Nino has formed when temperatures in the equatorial Pacific are 0.5°C above average for several consecutive months.Additionally, NOAA monitors the atmosphere above this region of the Pacific, looking for a pattern called the Walker Circulation, a massive east-to-west air flow driven by the temperature and pressure differences between the warm western and cool eastern oceans. When the Walker Circulation breaks down and warmer water shifts east toward South America, El Nino is declared. 

A group of Correctional Service (CS) officers are currently in police custody in Port Moresby city following an incident that started at the Kerepia barracks at Bomana and ended up in Gerehu.The National Capital District (NCD) Metropolitan Superintendent, Superintendent Warrick Simatab confirmed with PNG HAUSBUNG that the arrests were made, these officers detained and an official police investigation is now on. He said no further information will be released at this time. But once the preliminary investigation is done, an official police statement will be provided to the public, detailing the case.“From police, we will soon release an official statement, its either from the Commissioner’s office or my office,” said the Met. Supt. He also clarified that the Acting CS Commissioner was not detained, putting down speculations that he was arrested as well with the other CS officers.“There were certain officers where I gave instructions for their detainment at the Waigani police station. We are now going through the necessary investigation part of it. Soon as we confirm everything, I will share an official statement,” said Simatab. Meanwhile, the incident at the Kerepia CS barracks last night that led to the CS officers detained, sprouted from an internal matter regarding the appointment of a new Acting CS Commissioner to replace the incumbent- Acting CS Commissioner Chief Inspector Bernard Nepo.According to trusted sources within the corridors of the CS Administration, certain officers loyal to the incumbent allegedly issued some threats to those supporting the new incoming Acting Commissioner, Noel Serei, who was appointed by the National Executive Council (NEC) on Monday 8th June.  One thing led to another, and police were called in and the CS officers in the center of the commotion, were instructed to stand down; however, apparently none of them followed that order. Instead, according to the source, they travelled to the Rainbow estate in marked CS vehicles to the residence of the incoming acting CS commissioner. It was there along the way that they met their fate; apprehended by police officers who were already informed of their movement. It was alleged that the CS officers involved were also intoxicated and armed.

Papua New Guinea (PNG), like the other pacific nations, is expecting the potential devastation of a “Super El Nino” developing in the pacific, but the provinces that stand to be impacted by it have not yet received any funding for response activities. This was revealed in parliament today by the Minister for Disaster and Emergency, Dr. Billy Joseph when making a full response to questions from the Oro Governor Gerry Juffa on PNG’s preparedness for the looming drought season. The minister mentioned that the National Government has not allocated specific funding for El Nino preparedness and response activities to the provinces under El Nino watch. These provinces are Eastern Highland, Western Highlands, Southern Highlands, Jiwaka, Simbu, Enga, and Hela provinces. Basically, all the highlands region provinces are under the El Nino watch. El Nino is an irregularly occurring and complex series of climatic changes affecting the equatorial Pacific region and beyond every few years. The effects include reversal of wind patterns across the Pacific, drought in Australasia, and unseasonal heavy rain in South America. Nevertheless, the minister said the government stands ready to assist going forward despite funding issues, as it will still make the necessity available. “The government remains committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure that appropriate preparedness, mitigation, and response measures are implemented to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of our people,” said Minister Joseph. The government will conduct monitoring and assessments of potential impacted communities in the El Nino watch provinces, to come up with a proper plan to effectively coordinate with partners and stakeholders when the weather condition hits. This will be conducted by the established National El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Taskforce under the direction of the Chief Secretary to the Government and overseen by the National Security Authority. The taskforce comprises of officers from different agencies including the National Disaster Center, the National Weather Service of PNG, Department of Agriculture and Livestock, National Department of Health, Department of Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs, Defence and other stakeholders. So far, the minister said technical assessment teams have been deployed already to the provinces that are under El Nino watch, where they will focus on risk monitoring, assessments, awareness and interagency coordination. The reports from their activities will help the government prepare well and effectively respond when disaster hits.

The National Government is further lifting its efforts to provide much needed relief assistance and support for the communities in parts of the country impacted by the category 5 Tropical Cyclone Maila.Prime Minister James Marape announced intensified National Response efforts following fresh Reports on the impact of Cyclone Maila across several parts of Papua New Guinea (PNG), with immediate Relief Funding released and high-level Visits planned to affected Regions. Speaking during a Press Conference on Wednesday 15th April at the Melanesian Haus in Port Moresby, the Prime Minister confirmed that the Government has begun receiving situation Reports from Provinces, Districts, and Local-Level Governments, providing a clearer picture of the scale of devastation. “We are in a disaster situation. Reports are now coming in, and the weather conditions are still ongoing. I want to assure our people that the Government is fully engaged and responding,” Prime Minister Marape said. PM Marape revealed that the National Government has allocated K5 million each to affected Provinces as immediate Relief support, bringing the total funding to K30 million for six affected Provinces, including Milne Bay Province and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. “There is K5 million each going to the affected Provinces as a start-up support for water, medicines, food, and rations for our people,” the Prime Minister said. “The Government has made funding available to ensure our Provincial leaders can immediately distribute food, medicine, and essential Relief supplies while we await full assessment Reports,” he added. He further confirmed that a comprehensive Cabinet submission is being prepared to address the full cost of national recovery and rehabilitation.

The National Government is working around the clock with local authorities on ground in areas impacted by Tropical Cyclone Maila, to ensure relief assistance gets to the affected communities right away. Prime Minister Marape confirmed that the National Government is working closely with Provincial Administrations, District Authorities, and Local-Level Governments to ensure timely and coordinated Relief efforts. “We will offer assistance as much as possible and ensure that our people are not left stranded,” he said. The Government has begun mobilizing essential Relief supplies, prioritizing immediate humanitarian needs such as: Food Rations Clean Water Supply Temporary Shelter and Building Materials Medical Supplies “Our priority is to help our people pick up their lives again, starting with immediate food relief, water supply, medical assistance, and accommodation support,” the Prime Minister stated. He emphasized that while Reports are still coming in, Government will ensure no community is missed: “At the moment, Reports are still coming in and are scattered, but we will make sure we reach every place, every island, and every community that has been affected.” Prime Minister Marape also acknowledged international goodwill, noting that assistance has been offered by Development Partners. “We have received indications of support from the Australian Government and Partners such as Starlink, and we are processing and mobilizing this assistance.” Meanwhile, the Australia government has released an initial $1 million (K3,093,157.28) in support for Papua New Guinea to respond to humanitarian needs arising from the impact of the cyclone, with a particular focus on regions most heavily impacted including the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and islands affected in Milne Bay Province. This initial funding comes from a total of $2.5 million the Australia will provide for humanitarian assistance to Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea to support their responses to Tropical Cyclone Maila. Australia will work closely with the Governments of Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea to coordinate the effective delivery of this assistance and support local response efforts. 

 The National Government stands ready to provide much relief assistance to the people in the communities that are being impacted by Tropical Cyclone Maila.  Prime Minister James Marape has issued an urgent directive to all Project Administrators and Government Agencies across Papua New Guinea to immediately Report on the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Malai, as the Government intensifies its National Disaster Response efforts.  This follows earlier Warnings and precautionary measures announced by the Prime Minister, with the Government now moving into full Response mode to ensure timely assistance reaches all affected communities. Prime Minister Marape emphasized that rapid communication and coordination are critical in saving lives and delivering urgent relief. “We want all Project Administrators to get in touch with the Chief Secretary’s Office and the National Disaster Office immediately to inform us of affected areas. Time is of the essence—we must act quickly to support our people,” the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister has called for immediate Situation Reports from all Districts, Provinces, and Project Sites, particularly identifying: · Areas impacted by strong winds, flooding, or infrastructure damage · Communities facing medical emergencies or displacement · Locations suitable for the delivery and distribution of Relief supplies “We ask all Administrators to respond at the very earliest so that we can attend to those facing medical conditions and disaster-related hardships,” Prime Minister Marape stressed.  The Prime Minister confirmed that the Government has activated a Whole-of-Government Response, including: · The Papua New Guinea Defence Force · The National Disaster Centre · Central Government Agencies and Provincial Administrations These Agencies are now on standby and actively coordinating logistics to deliver food, medical supplies, and emergency assistance to affected populations.

Ela Motors PNG, the Toyota dealership, has just introduced the new Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Electric Vehicle to the Papua New Guinea (PNG) vehicle market. The new 2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offers a 2.5liter petrol-electric powertrain with improved efficiency, multiple AWD (All wheel drive) and 2WD (2 Wheel- drive) variants, and advanced technology for a versatile and eco- friendly Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) experience. The RAV4 GR Sport features a PHEV AWD powertrain with enhanced aerodynamic performance. From a stiffer rear suspension brace and power steering calibration to a wider wheel track and sporty styling, it’s designed to electrify every drive.The Plug-In Hybrid Electric RAV4 gives the owner the flexibility to drive in EV (electric vehicle) mode for everyday journeys, with the added confidence of hybrid power for longer trips. In terms of safety, the All-New RAV4 is among the first to feature the new Toyota Safety Sense, its most advanced suite of safety technologies. Compatible with remote updates so the driver and the passengers can always feel protected. The introduction of Hybrid Electric RAV4 to PNG shows the commitment of Ela Motors PNG to provide to the people a vehicle that is safe and reliable. Ela Motors PNG Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Masaru Mikami said the Toyota brand sold by Ela Motors, has been in PNG for over sixty (60) years. Since entering in 1963, Toyota has been supporting the progress and development in PNG for sixty- three (63) years.Picture: Ela Motors PNG CEO Mr. Masaru Mikami“Ela Motors is more than just a company, it is a big driving force in the country’s progress,” said CEO Mikami when expressing the commitment of the Toyota dealership as well in PNG’s development. The road- test Prior to the official launching of the All-New RAV4 on Wednesday 25th March at the Ela Motors Waigani Dealership in Port Moresby city, the new RAV4 was put to the test on the road to the highlands of PNG. Ela Motors Brand Ambassador Justin Olam was behind the wheel, starting from the Ela Motors dealership in Lae city on a full tank. On the 1,000km trip from Lae to Goroka and onto the final destination in the city of Mt. Hagen and then back, the vehicle did not at one time stop to refuel along the way. The new RAV4 returned to Lae city dealership with a quarter fuel left in the tank. Thanks to its capability of using both electric power and fuel, the vehicle passed the fuel efficiency test. Even Olam was impressed, stating that he was amazed how the vehicle was able to travel that far after only fueling up just once, and being able to also navigate through some of the rough spots along the Highlands Highway. Meanwhile, the All-New RAV4 is now on sale in the dealership in Port Moresby and will subsequently be supplied to the other centers in country.

The recently launched Papua New Guinea (PNG) Foreign Policy Whitepaper aims to enhance the countries national interest through international engagements in the years to come.The Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs Mr. Elias Wonhengu at the time of the launching on Tuesday 17th March in Port Moresby city’s APEC Haus, described it as a significant achievement for PNG’s foreign affairs dealings.“This Foreign Policy Whitepaper provides the department with a clear and coherent strategic framework to guide Papua New Guinea’s engagement with the international community in the years to come,” said the Secretary.“I affirm the department’s core mandate to oversee, coordinate and manage the implementation of Papua New Guinea’s foreign policy, whilst ensuring that our external engagement support broader national development agenda.”Prime Minister James Marape later officially launched the Foreign Policy White Paper, describing it as a historic and strategic blueprint that will guide the nation’s International Relations, Security, and Economic Engagement into the future.The landmark event, hosted by Minister for Foreign Affairs Justin Tkatchenko, brought together Ambassadors, High Commissioners, International Partners, and Senior Government officials as PNG marks its 50th year of Independence.Marape said the White Paper represents a defining moment in the country’s journey, aligning the nation’s proud past with a forward-looking Vision in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.“This is not coincidental—it is purposeful. As we celebrate 50 years of Independence, we must position ourselves clearly for the future, anchored in where we have come from,” Prime Minister Marape said.The Prime Minister reaffirmed that Papua New Guinea’s long-standing Foreign Policy doctrine of “friends to all and enemies to none” remains central to the new Framework.

The swelling conflict in the Middle East between Israel, the United States (US) and Iran along with its proxies is being closely watched by the world for its impacts on the world economy, most importantly the impacts it is having on the supply and shipment of oil and fuel.Papua New Guinea (PNG) along with the other smaller pacific island States, are expected to be heavily impacted by this crisis with fears of fuel shortage and the subsequent high cost of goods along with shortages of goods, mostly the imported ones.The Iran war is disrupting the global oil supply because the Middle East is the world’s most important oil-producing regions, and with most pacific countries depending on imported fuel, the people are feeling the pinch of it now.PNG depends on fuel for the transportation of goods, both domestically and internationally. It relies on fuel to generate electricity to power the rural areas and to accommodate the movement of people using the various means of transportation that depends on fuel. So, one can only imagine what it would be like should the war prolongs.The current fuel supply in PNGDespite this happening, Puma Energy (PNG) Limited, the main supplier of fuel in the country, states that PNG is alright for now with the supply of fuel.While Iran is attacking oil tankers on the Strait of Hormuz and hitting oil facilities in the neighboring Gulf States, causing the prize of oil to go up more than a 100 dollars per barrel, Puma Energy PNG’s General Manager, Mr. Daniel Duffau says the fuel storage and supply in PNG is still good.:Picture: The Strait of Hormuz is currently blocked by Iran and its attack on oil tankers is causing disruptions to the flow of oil out of the region.PNG HAUSBUNG received a short message from the General Manager stating that there is sufficient stocks in-country to ensure security of supply and meet current customer demand.“We continuously monitor market developments, and we are well positioned to manage short-term volatility while maintaining reliable operations,” said the General Manager.“While there are several geopolitical, logistical and market factors at play, supply chains remain operational. In addition, many Asian economies maintain strategic petroleum reserves that provide an additional buffer, reinforcing regional energy security should disruptions occur.”Puma Energy PNG supplies more than 650 million liters of fuel in one year to customers in the country. This includes petrol, diesel, Jet A1, LPG and other oil products. But how long would this hold out?This is because Iran exports over 1–1.5 million barrels per day, mostly to Asia. Key oil terminals such as Kharg Island in Iran handle most of these exports. If the US strikes or attacks these facilities, it can remove large amounts of oil from the market. This could cut up to 2 million barrels per day.Fuel price goes upThe fuel supply in PNG may be good for now, but the price of fuel is expected to further go up due to the conflict in the Middle East says the country’s consumer watchdog, the Independent Consumer and Competitions Commission (ICCC).The ICCC stated in a statement that the prices for diesel, petrol and kerosene have increased for the month of March and is expected to get worse because of the increase in crude oil prices in February primarily driven by unplanned supply outage due to severe weather conditions and the geopolitical tension between the US and Iran, exacerbated by strong demand growth in developing economies.“The most recent US/Israel- Iran War which erupted on 28th February 2026, will affect the domestic prices in PNG next month (April), given the one- month lag in domestic price calculations,” the ICCC said in that statement.Waigani closely watching the situationNevertheless, the National Government at Waigani in Port Moresby city is closely monitoring the world situation and stands ready to step in with solutions should things get out of hand.A confident Prime Minister James Marape on Monday 16th March 2026 came out to assure the country that his government is proactively implementing comprehensive measures to safeguard the country’s fuel security and shield citizens from the impact of rising global fuel prices. :Picture: PM Marape assures the country that his government is aware of the fuel situation and measures are being taken to handle it.Prime Minister Marape said the Government is working on standby fuel supply arrangements to ensure continuity of supply across the country, as global energy markets face increasing volatility.“We are putting in place standby facilities to guarantee fuel security for our nation going forward,” Prime Minister Marape said. “In light of what is happening globally, especially in the Middle East, we are not taking any chances when it comes to ensuring that our country has sufficient fuel reserves.”Marape confirmed that relevant authorities have been directed to explore relief measures for citizens should international fuel prices increase. The focus is to keep fuel prices stable and within manageable levels for households and businesses.Hope for the best outcomeSo, the hope now is that the US along with Israeli find a solution to this war soon and for Iran to stop bombing shipments of oil and the facilities in its neighboring Gulf States. However, even if the war does comes to an end, the damage may take some time to fix.PNG Institute of National Affairs (INA) Executive Director Mr. Paul Barker told PNG HAUSBUNG that the damage to the oil supply and the world economy would take some time to fix up.“It would take time to go back to normal because all the ships are in the wrong places, they are sitting out at sea, or they’ve gone back to port. So yeah, it takes a while to resolve,” stated Mr. Barker.Meanwhile, this conflict is heading into its fourth week and the more it carries on, the gloomier the world becomes.