The Governor for New Ireland Province, Sir Julius Chan (Sir J) is urging the prime minister to remove all ministerial positions from the Member for Kavieng and former Treasurer, Ian Ling Stuckey, stating that he shouldn’t be doing any handling of the country’s affairs as a minister following the issues that led to Black Wednesday. Sir J was disappointment to learn that Mr. Ling Stuckey was not fully stripped off his ministry and stressed that Prime Minister (PM) James Marape must sack Mr. Ling Stuckey in order to restore credibility to his cabinet. “We cannot play around with people’s livelihoods and not expect such a rebellious reaction from members of society.” “The Treasurer (former) must take blame for the repercussions on the Income Tax Act 2023 clearly stating changes to the salary and wages withholding tax rates would be applicable from January 1st 2024 onwards,” said the governor. Sir J also blasted Mr. Ling Stuckey and told him not to play around with the National Budget like he plays around with the people of Kavieng and New Ireland. “The K40 million cut from the 2024 Provincial Budget is a deliberate attempt by Ian Ling Stuckey to sabotage the New Ireland Government.” He further stated that Mr. Ling Stuckey has never been sworn in as a member of the Provincial Assembly nor has he attended any Provincial sittings since his re- election in 2022 , which is why Sir J questions his legality in passing National Budgets. “His non-cooperation and absence from attending the Provincial Assembly meetings since being elected in 2022, for seven consecutive sittings, is a violation of section 10 of the Organic law of Provincial and Local Level Government,” Sir Julius said. “There is unanimous support from the Assembly to remove Ling Stuckey from the Provincial Assembly because he does not represent Kavieng District in the Assembly." “Several breach of leadership code matters have been raised to the Ombudsman Commission (OC) and is long overdue for action. I call on ICAC and Police to act on these matters that have been sitting idle for many years. It’s frustrating to see that justice is being denied to the people of New Ireland,” he said. The reports include the unaccounted K64million Lihir royalties under his leadership as Governor from 2002-2007 uncovered in the audit report by RAMS Business Consultant in 2008, the K100 million Lihir royalties diverted to Ian Stuckey and the Namatanai MP, Walter Schnaubelt in a NEC decision since 2021, and Stuckey’s demeaning brand name for New Irelanders as “Kakaruk.” Sir J reminded the National Government that New Ireland is the biggest contributor to the National purse and must be given its fair slice from the National budget. And demands answers to why the former Treasurer saw fit to cut the Provincial Budget by K40 Million.