Media Statement
FOR the second time, former Prime Minister and Member for Ialibu-Pangia, Hon. Peter O’Neill, has implicated the Sunday Bulletin in his allegations against the Government’s Connect PNG Program.
In a recent media statement titled “Department of Finance Papers Show the Facts: Connect
PNG is an Outright Scam”, Mr. O’Neill claimed that the Sunday Bulletin was among the
beneficiaries of questionable payments from the program, describing these as “dodgy
payments”.
He specifically alleged that on May 1, 2023, a sum of K152,800 was paid to the Sunday
Bulletin, which he referred to as “MP-owned”.
O’Neill further claimed that “no such payments were made to other media outlets since
2021.”
Disheartened by the allegations, General Manager of Sunday Bulletin, Mr. Lims Lapan
Mirupasi, expressed disappointment, calling Mr. O’Neill’s accusations baseless and
unbecoming of a senior businessman and national leader.
“Mr. O’Neill is a disruptive influence in PNG’s SME sector,” Mr Mirupasi said, adding that
the former Prime Minister’s actions are harmful to the growth and prosperity of national
companies, particularly those from O’Neill’s own Southern Highlands Province.”
To set the record straight Mr Mirupasi clarified that: “Sunday Bulletin is a 100% PNG-owned
newspaper company, registered with a formal office in Port Moresby. We are not involved in
civil works, and that is not listed among our business activities with the IPA (Investment
Promotion Authority).”
He said the Sunday Bulletin complies with tax obligations and provides employment for over 40 people, including university graduates, graphic designers, administrative staff, drivers, cleaners, and grassroots vendors.
Mr Mirupasi highlighted that street vendors selling their print editions in Port Moresby earn
up to K200 in commission each Sunday.
“We are proud to contribute as an SME to the development aspirations of Papua New
Guinea,” Mr Mirupasi added.
Refuting O’Neill’s claims, Mr Mirupasi stated that the company’s financial records show no
such payment of K152,800.
He acknowledged that like other media organizations, the Sunday Bulletin submits claims and invoices for advertisements owed by various government ministries, departments, state agencies, and private sector clients.
“We have received payments for advertorials related to the Connect PNG program, which is
standard business practice in media. Advertisements are the lifeblood of our business.
Without it, we cannot survive,” he said.
Mr Mirupasi criticized O’Neill for unfairly targeting the Sunday Bulletin among other media
outlets and called on him to apologize for the accusations.
