Papua New Guinea Defence Minister Dr Billy Joseph has stepped aside from his portfolio to allow investigations into allegations he interfered with the recent Papua New Guinea Defence Force recruitment.
Prime Minister James Marape would take charge of the defence ministry as the government set up a team to investigate problems in the defence force.
Joseph said allegations of political interference whether through influencing recruitment or using defence personnel for personal purposes was dangerous and undermined the integrity of the defence force.
“It is critically important that I am cleared of the allegations to continue the high level of work we have started in collaboration with our defence partners, and significant outcomes including the recently signed Pukpuk Treaty with Australia is not affected,” he said.
“My decision to step aside also allows the prime minister to look into the allegations and consider remedial actions to be taken if necessary to maintain continuity of the high level of work that we have started at the PNGDF.”
Marape said an Australian defence adviser would be brought in to help with the review and reforms in the PNGDF.
“This team will include senior government officials, including the Chief Secretary and State Solicitor,” Marape said.
Earlier, PNG Opposition called for the immediate sacking of Defence Minister Dr Billy Joseph and a full independent investigation into alleged irregularities in recruitment within the Papua New Guinea Defence Force.
Deputy Opposition leader Keith Iduhu said Prime Minister James Marape should act without delay, warning that public trust in the defence force was eroding.
He said allegations of political interference in PNGDF recruitment by Joseph had been raised in Parliament earlier this year but were not properly addressed.
“This is a scandal of serious concern. The defence minister must be sacked immediately, and a full investigation must be conducted into this recruitment process,” Iduhu said.
Opposition leader James Nomane supported the call, saying the defence force should remain independent and free from interference.
“With the serious scandal unfolding and circulating on social media, it raises serious questions,” he said.
“There must be an independent inquiry forthwith to confirm or deny whether there has been impropriety in the recruitment process.”
Nomane said any officials implicated should be immediately suspended pending investigation.
Former prime minister Peter O’Neill supported Iduhu’s call saying the situation damaged the reputation and morale of the PNGDF.
“It is quite evident that there has been compromised in the recruitment process,” O’Neill said.
“We must not allow the defence force to be tribalised or regionalised.”
O’Neill called on the defence minister to resign, warning that continued inaction would further erode public confidence in government leadership.
