He said that he had asked police to investigate the matter and urged citizens who have evidence of wrongdoing to first take it to the police.

“In today’s age of speed and craftiness, misinformation or misuse of information will cause harm to our nation’s image,” he said. “Think about your country’s future and not just today.”

Clearly referring to the heightened tension as PNG’s political drama continues, Marape asked his “staff and supporters and my side of political debates to be kind, courteous, considerate and act with restraint.

“Lawyers are there to do their job, newspapers and reporters are there to do their job,” he said.

‘Our judiciary is there to do its job and we must not question its rulings in the media or elsewhere except the courtroom,” Marape advised.

“For one thing I would like to protect in my life is freedom of responsible press and independence of our nation’s judiciary.

“Let us not attack and demean the judiciary, they are our hope in this nation of many divides.

“You and I can play politics but please let us not attack fundamental institutions of our democracy.”