Latest news with #KumulPetroleumHoldings
Sydney Morning Herald
22-07-2025
- 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
22-07-2025
- 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
21-07-2025
- 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
21-07-2025
- 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.'
The Age
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Age
PNG NRL director stands down over corruption concerns
The man who led Papua New Guinea's campaign for a new NRL team has stood down from its board at the request of the country's prime minister as a corruption scandal engulfs the Albanese government's $600 million venture to counter China in the Pacific. Wapu Sonk, who chaired the bid to join the Australian competition in 2028 and was named last month as one of the incoming franchise's seven directors, stepped aside on Friday after this masthead revealed concerns he may have sought to financially benefit from his position as managing director of PNG's multibillion-dollar national oil company. 'I have spoken to Mr Sonk and, while he is currently overseas, I have requested that he step down from his role as a director on the PNG NRL franchise board effective immediately. He has agreed to do so,' PNG Prime Minister James Marape said. 'This reflects PNG's commitment to the highest standards of integrity, probity, and public trust.' 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, including a bid to funnel lucrative contracts to an Australian company owned by Sonk. The businessman is also facing questions about his use of a Brisbane home whose owner has won contracts with Kumul Petroleum. Marape said they were serious allegations which 'raise concerns that cannot be ignored'. 'This is not a presumption of guilt. Mr Sonk is entitled to due process and the opportunity to clear his name. Stepping down allows him the space to do so without casting a shadow over the franchise process or compromising the confidence of our partners,' he said. 'I want to reassure the people of Papua New Guinea, the Australian government, and the ARLC [Australian Rugby League Commission] that my government is committed to full transparency and co-operation with any relevant investigations. The integrity of this national franchise is paramount. We will not allow it to be undermined by external controversy.
