Latest news with #KumulPetroleum
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Forged' and ‘fake': PNG sport, business supremo hits out at corruption concerns
The oil and gas boss who led Papua New Guinea's bid for a National Rugby League franchise has blasted corruption concerns about his business dealings as 'baseless claims' designed to discredit the country's historic admission to the Australian competition. Wapu Sonk on Friday stepped down as a director from the incoming team's board at the request of PNG Prime Minister James Marape, after this masthead uncovered suspect dealings between the Sonk-led Kumul Petroleum Holdings and a Chinese government-controlled entity over the upgrade of a PNG port. Marape said at the weekend that he ordered an investigation after a letter emerged from March this year from Australian-born Kumul Petroleum project manager Jason Pollock to the Chinese company directing it to use companies owned by Pollock and Sonk. Sonk is managing director of Kumul Petroleum, PNG's state-owned energy business and the country's largest company. He declined to answer questions put to him last week by this masthead, but in a statement issued on Monday night, he described the letter as 'fabricated'. 'These claims are based on false information and the matter is being investigated internally within KPHL and will be referred to the police for investigation,' Sonk said. 'I will ensure all these baseless claims are properly addressed, and that those who falsified documents are properly dealt with through legal channels.' Sonk said he had stood down from the board of the Albanese government-backed PNG NRL team 'to ensure there is no hindrance in progressing our new NRL franchise team forward' and that he would pursue defamation action in Australia to clear his name.
The Age
2 days ago
- Business
- The Age
‘Forged' and ‘fake': PNG sport, business supremo hits out at corruption concerns
The oil and gas boss who led Papua New Guinea's bid for a National Rugby League franchise has blasted corruption concerns about his business dealings as 'baseless claims' designed to discredit the country's historic admission to the Australian competition. Wapu Sonk on Friday stepped down as a director from the incoming team's board at the request of PNG Prime Minister James Marape, after this masthead uncovered suspect dealings between the Sonk-led Kumul Petroleum Holdings and a Chinese government-controlled entity over the upgrade of a PNG port. Marape said at the weekend that he ordered an investigation after a letter emerged from March this year from Australian-born Kumul Petroleum project manager Jason Pollock to the Chinese company directing it to use companies owned by Pollock and Sonk. Sonk is managing director of Kumul Petroleum, PNG's state-owned energy business and the country's largest company. He declined to answer questions put to him last week by this masthead, but in a statement issued on Monday night, he described the letter as 'fabricated'. 'These claims are based on false information and the matter is being investigated internally within KPHL and will be referred to the police for investigation,' Sonk said. 'I will ensure all these baseless claims are properly addressed, and that those who falsified documents are properly dealt with through legal channels.' Sonk said he had stood down from the board of the Albanese government-backed PNG NRL team 'to ensure there is no hindrance in progressing our new NRL franchise team forward' and that he would pursue defamation action in Australia to clear his name.
The Age
3 days ago
- Business
- The Age
PNG leader demands quick action on corruption concerns linked to Australia
Papua New Guinean Prime Minister James Marape has demanded a preliminary report by Wednesday from the investigation into corruption concerns involving a key figure in the Pacific nation's successful bid to join the National Rugby League competition. Wapu Sonk stood down from the PNG NRL franchise board on Friday after an investigation by this masthead into whether he attempted to benefit from a deal between the country's national oil and gas company and a Chinese government-controlled firm. His position as managing director of state-owned Kumul Petroleum Holdings has now also come under scrutiny, with Marape announcing the appointment of a new chairman 'to lead a full and independent review of the issues raised.' 'This matter must be resolved quickly, clearly, and professionally. I expect a preliminary report on my desk when I return to Port Moresby on Wednesday,' Marape said. 'The people of Papua New Guinea deserve accountability, and the government will ensure that this issue is handled with integrity and in the national interest.' Sonk was the chairman of the NRL bid team and was nominated by the PNG government as one of seven initial directors of the nascent entity, which will be bankrolled by the Australian government with an injection of $290 million over a decade. While Marape asked him to stand aside, the corruption concerns relate to the multi-billion dollar energy titan charged with responsibility for the country's oil and gas assets rather than the NRL team itself, and that is now where the PNG leader's attention has turned. Announcing the appointment of Gerea Aopi, a leading oil and gas industry figure, as Kumul Petroleum's new chairman, Marape said as prime minister and trustee of the company he had 'a responsibility to protect the interests of our country and our people.'
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
PNG leader demands quick action on corruption concerns linked to Australia
Papua New Guinean Prime Minister James Marape has demanded a preliminary report by Wednesday from the investigation into corruption concerns involving a key figure in the Pacific nation's successful bid to join the National Rugby League competition. Wapu Sonk stood down from the PNG NRL franchise board on Friday after an investigation by this masthead into whether he attempted to benefit from a deal between the country's national oil and gas company and a Chinese government-controlled firm. His position as managing director of state-owned Kumul Petroleum Holdings has now also come under scrutiny, with Marape announcing the appointment of a new chairman 'to lead a full and independent review of the issues raised.' 'This matter must be resolved quickly, clearly, and professionally. I expect a preliminary report on my desk when I return to Port Moresby on Wednesday,' Marape said. 'The people of Papua New Guinea deserve accountability, and the government will ensure that this issue is handled with integrity and in the national interest.' Sonk was the chairman of the NRL bid team and was nominated by the PNG government as one of seven initial directors of the nascent entity, which will be bankrolled by the Australian government with an injection of $290 million over a decade. While Marape asked him to stand aside, the corruption concerns relate to the multi-billion dollar energy titan charged with responsibility for the country's oil and gas assets rather than the NRL team itself, and that is now where the PNG leader's attention has turned. Announcing the appointment of Gerea Aopi, a leading oil and gas industry figure, as Kumul Petroleum's new chairman, Marape said as prime minister and trustee of the company he had 'a responsibility to protect the interests of our country and our people.'
RNZ News
4 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Wapu Sonk stands down from PNG NRL franchise board amid corruption allegations
By Papua New Guinea correspondent Marian Faa , ABC . Wapu Sonk has stood down over allegations of corrupt business dealings linked to a Chinese state-run company. Photo: ABC News / Craig Hansen In short: What's next? A powerful businessman has stood down from the board of Papua New Guinea's new NRL franchise amid corruption concerns relating to business dealings with a Chinese state-owned company. The newly established board has been entrusted with overseeing more than AU$200 million in Australian government funding to set up PNG's new NRL team, which plans to join the rugby league competition in 2028. PNG businessman Wapu Sonk led a successful campaign as chair of the PNG NRL bid in 2024, and was appointed as a director of the franchise board last month. On Friday, PNG Prime Minister James Marape said Sonk had agreed to step aside following corruption concerns reported in the Sydney Morning Herald . The concerns surround business dealings related to Sonk's role as managing director of PNG state-owned oil company Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL), and not the NRL franchise. An official letter seen by the ABC shows KPHL insisted that Chinese state-owned company China Petroleum and Pipeline Engineering Corporation award a subcontract to an Australian company owned by Sonk. China Petroleum and Pipeline Engineering Corporation was awarded a contract to upgrade fuel storage facilities at a major wharf outside PNG's capital. The letter suggests that failure to award the subcontracts could "compromise the project's overall success" and collaborative efforts between the Chinese Company and KPHL. Sonk did not respond to requests for comment and has not yet publicly commented on the allegations. In a statement, Marape said the allegations "raise concerns that cannot be ignored". He said the allegations against Sonk, who is not in PNG presently, were not a presumption of guilt. "Mr Sonk is entitled to due process and the opportunity to clear his name," he said. "Stepping down allows him the space to do so without casting a shadow over the franchise process or compromising the confidence of our partners. "This moment demands clarity, accountability, and the upholding of public confidence. Our national sporting future - and our international reputation - depend on it." To help the PNG franchise join the NRL, the Australian government has committed $600m over 10 years. The money will also fund community outreach programs supported by the new club. -ABC
