Despite Tkatchenko’s predicament (the PNG Ombudsman Commission says it will investigate “an avalanche of complaints from the public” in relation to his recent ‘primitive animals’ insult), the disgraced foreign minister is still giving instructions, using WhatsApp, to foreign affairs officers.

He’s told his advisers and assistants that he did not resign. He merely ‘stood down’ until the forum and other visits have come and gone.

We’re scratching our heads trying to work out how Tkatchenko can still conduct ministerial duties and freely attend meetings, with an Ombudsman’s investigation looming over him.

The PNG Think Tank Group, established in 2020 as a forum for “professionals with university degrees” to discuss local and global issues affecting PNG and which claims 6,800 members, has partnered with the PNG Trade Union Congress, NGOs, associations and churches to petition to prime minister James Marape to conduct an investigation into Tkatchenko.

Marape is still betraying people's expectations and allowing Tkatchenko to continue intervening in the policy decision process.

Marape is protecting him and he is still leading the drafting and negotiation process of the Defence Cooperation Agreement with the USA.

However, the draft agreement has not been approved by PNG’s National Executive Council (Cabinet) or passed through the parliament.

In our view it is unconstitutional and totally illegal.

According to section 117 of the PNG Constitution, a treaty cannot come into force within 10 sitting days of its presentation to parliament and after an absolute majority vote.

The agreement will allow US military vessels, aircraft and personnel to freely access PNG territory.

It will even allow AUKUS nuclear submarines to enter PNG waters and berth at Lombrum Naval Base in Manus.

This is selling out PNG's sovereignty and national interest for financial and political kickbacks.

Our righteous and patriotic MPs need to call upon parliament to sack Tkatchenko and abandon any idea of signing the agreement with the USA on Monday before a thorough review has been conducted into it.