The man in the center of a video that went viral on social media of him chewing betelnut and allegedly spitting in public at Sydney, Australia during the 2024 PNGCORE Investment Week, has come out to deny his involvement in the disgusting act that made PNG look bad in the eyes of the world. In a short-written statement that was later posted in social media, Mr. Chris Payabe claimed that he did nothing wrong and that the video made was used with ill- intent to deliberately attack his reputation. Mr. Payabe is a leader of the Gas Resources Hides 4 (PDL 7), who represented his people and the company at the 2024 PNG Investment Week in Sydney, Australia this week. “The incident in question involved a cup containing betelnut spittle, which was kicked onto the footpath as I was approaching the smoking area. Justin Herepa proceeded to record a video of the incident and used profanity to insinuate I was irresponsible,” Mr. Payabe said in his statement. Mr. Payabe further said that he will be filing a police complaint against Mr. Herepe and have him arrested, saying that this is clearly a smear campaign. “There were two other participants who witnessed this incident and can attest to the malicious intent behind it.” “I have always represented my people and my company at this event for the last 14 years. I am a seasoned participant at this prestigious conference,” he said.