BY ILYA GRIDNEFF

AAP - SIR MICHAEL Somare, who stood down as prime minister in December to face a leadership tribunal, has resumed office claiming he has “been away on holidays”.

On 13 December Sir Michael issued a press statement explaining he would "voluntarily step aside" due to a pending leadership tribunal investigating allegations he failed to lodge financial returns.

But tonight Sir Michael's chief-of-staff, Paul Bengo, said in a statement the PM had resumed office after being on a break, with no mention of the leadership tribunal.

"After more than 40 years in office, Sir Michael has outstanding accrued leave. However he has taken a break of approximately five weeks leave.

"This is to advise that, upon advice from his lawyer, Sir Michael today resumed office.”

But the 13 December press release did not mention any “holiday break” and stated the PM was standing aside to face a tribunal based on an Ombudsman Commission's investigation.

Sir Michael's press officer, daughter Betha, did not respond to questions about this rewriting of history.

Firebrand opposition MP, Sam Basil, told AAP it was another example of how bad things had become in PNG.

"The PM thinks he is above the law," he said. "The opposition predicted Somare would come back. He's ruthless. He controls the police, the army, his men are everywhere. He said he went on holiday, but before that he said he had stepped down.”

"Somare has lost his mind, he is too old. MPs are using him because they can do what they like, the people behind the scenes are looting the country with corruption, and they need him at the helm, and use him like a puppet.

"I actually feel sorry for him," Mr Basil said.