K5 million payment raises eyebrows

Commerce and Industry Minister Win Bakri Daki did not specify what the K5 million payment was for (Parliament Media Team)

Commerce and Industry Minister and Tambul MP Win Bakri Daki told Parliament on Wednesday, that he was paid K5 million the same day [27.11] and is expecting more payments from Finance in the coming weeks.

While debating the constitutional amendments to Section 145 on the motion of vote of no confidence in Prime Minister James Marape in Parliament yesterday, Mr Daki revealed his being in Government ensured this payment.

This revelation saw Abau MP Sir Puka Temu raising a point of order.

Abau MP Sir Puka Temu (Parliament Media Team)

It's unclear what this K5 million payment was for.

Earlier in the morning during Questions and Answer session of Parliament, Finance Minister Mikki Kaeok was asked by Kandep MP Don Polye to clarify a total of 64 cheque payments to individuals, a list of which was making the rounds on social media.

Mr Kaeok denied knowledge of this list and couldn't comment further instead said competent bodies like the Ombudsman Commission can investigate such claims.