Monday, June 23, 2025 — FORMER NiuSky Pacific Ltd Chief Executive Officer Jordan Imal has urged Civil Aviation Minister Hon. Wake Goi to refrain from making public statements regarding a controversial security arrangement currently under police investigation.
Mr. Imal was responding to a report published in today’s Post-Courier, in which Minister Goi claimed that a K2.4million payment—allegedly made as allowances to 23 police officers and 13 impersonators—was solely approved and executed during Imal’s tenure as acting CEO.
Minister Goi reportedly stated that the payments were unrelated to current Acting Managing Director Mr. Graham Blythe, and also clarified that a warrant of arrest issued last week against Blythe and NiuSky Board Chairman Robin Kawat had been cancelled by the Waigani District Court.
According to the Post-Courier, the warrant was initially issued by Magistrate Billy Pidu on June 11 and cancelled on June 19.
However, in an interview with the Sunday Bulletin this morning, Mr. Imal firmly denied any involvement in endorsing the controversial engagement of the security personnel.
“The engagement was orchestrated and done by the Board Chairman, Mr. Robin Kawat,” Imal said.
“I have documented evidence to prove that the engagement was approved and endorsed by him, not me, as claimed by the Minister.”
He emphasized that neither he nor the executive management team authorized the arrangement.
“To be frank and honest, I was not the one who endorsed or arranged the engagement of these police personnel. It was done solely by the Board Chairman.”
Mr. Imal served as Acting Managing Director and CEO of NiuSky Pacific between April 2023 and April 2024.
He described that period as a transitional phase, following the appointment of a new board and management by former Civil Aviation Minister Walter Schnaubelt.
He said the security arrangement in question was among several initiatives classified as “Board-sanctioned activities” during his tenure.
Mr. Imal called on Minister Goi to respect due process and allow police investigations to proceed without political interference.
“We should all refrain, including our good Minister. We must not interfere with this matter. The Minister should not be used by individuals to make pre-emptive statements suggesting that Mr. Robin Kawat or anyone else is innocent at this stage,” Imal said.
He also revealed that he had previously submitted a confidential brief to the Minister, detailing the matter and attaching supporting reports.
“I have a copy of the high-level confidential brief I gave to the Minister. I appeal to him to revisit those documents—they hold the truth behind this saga.”