KUMUL Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL) Managing Director, Wapu Sonk, has dismissed recent Australian media reports that alleged he was involved in a corrupt business deal with a Chinese State-owned company.
He says the claims are based on an “unauthenticated letter”, which has not been verified through any official legal channel.
Mr Sonk says he will continue to serve as Managing Director “unless this is changed through competent legal processes”.
“I would like to address the recent reports in The Sydney Morning Herald that have drawn public attention to alleged conflicts of interest involving myself as the Managing Director of Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL), particularly in relation to KPHL projects. I categorically deny these allegations and am actively working towards clearing my name,” Mr Sonk said in media statement today.
“The claims appear to be based on an unauthenticated letter attributed to a third party, which has not been verified through any official legal channel. To date, no concrete evidence has been produced, nor have any charges been laid concerning these claims. There are no signed sub-contracts or officially sanctioned correspondence to support the allegations.
“Moreover, I have not been afforded a formal legal avenue to respond to or challenge the claims made against me. This absence of due process is deeply concerning. The presumption of innocence is a cornerstone of our democratic legal systems, and a fundamental aspect is that individuals should not be subjected to a media trial and persecution based on unverifiable reports, particularly when such reports originate from foreign media not subject to the jurisdiction of Papua New Guinea’s laws and courts.
“KPHL operates in line with the high standards of governance and accountability required of comparable commercial enterprises, independent from political interference, as mandated by sections 7 and 8 of the Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited Authorization Act 2015.
“I have a deep commitment to KPHL, having played a key role in its establishment and ongoing success. Any suggestion of impropriety must be addressed with transparency and dignity—not with contempt and carelessness in the absence of facts. Summary condemnation in the media sets a dangerous precedent for all public servants and State-owned enterprise executives. It also risks damaging investor confidence, deterring future partnerships, and weakening Papua New Guinea’s image as a serious and sovereign investment destination.
“Furthermore, any premature action or commentary from political and community leaders prior to legal determination risks eroding public trust in the fairness and impartiality of our governance systems. We must resist media sensationalism and remain steadfast in upholding due process, institutional respect, and national interest.
“The international and domestic community alike must see that Papua New Guinea is a nation governed by law—not by media narratives. Let justice be pursued without prejudice. Let leadership be exercised with integrity. Let national institutions be shielded from trial by media. And above all, let the truth guide us—calmly, lawfully, and decisively.
“I will continue with my operational mandate to execute KPHL’s corporate strategy as approved by the Board and NEC through annual operating plans, unless this is changed through competent legal processes.”