Peter O'Neill

PM Peter O’Neill said police had been dispatched to investigate the abuse, and any individual who tries to impede the lawful investigation will be arrested.

He stresses such attacks cannot be tolerated and the abusers must be exposed, and this requires leadership from community elders.

“Let’s be clear, sanguma beliefs are absolute rubbish,” the Prime Minister said.

“In the modern day, sanguma is not a real cultural practice, it is a false belief and involves the violent abuse and torture of women and girls by pathetic and perverted individuals.

"It was a solid game against England,” says Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.

“Our team played hard, and they can now learn from the experience and look towards the next World Cup.”

The PM says regardless of the result in Melbourne, outstanding games have been played by the Kumuls in this World Cup tournament.

"They have again united the nation as we watched the games, and we have all been impressed,” continues O’Neill.

He said APEC economies continue to make progress in expanding the use of these platforms by people around the region.

“Today we live in a digital world and the continued use of technology in our economies is growing by the day.

Papua New Guinea will continue to build on our technology uptake.

“This will ensure that our communities, particularly in remote locations, can use new technologies to participate in the economy, and for the delivery social services and education.

“I am very pleased to see many of our young people adapting to new technology.

Having attended their two matches so far, he said: “It was great to see mums and dads, together with their children attending the two games against Wales and Ireland and supporting the PNG LNG Kumuls.”

O’Neill, who is also the Minister for Sports, continued: “These are proud moments for us as a country of thousand tribes, but united by one common theme - rugby league.”

He urged all PNG Kumuls supporters attending the final match against the United States to turn up in red, black and gold - the PNG colours; and send the Kumuls off to Melbourne on a high.

In a media conference on Friday in Da Nang city, Vietnam, O’Neill stressed on the importance of economic inclusion as a key element of expanding global trade so that smaller countries and their communities are not disadvantaged.

He said increasing access to modern technology platforms will be an important policy issue discussed by APEC leaders.

Meanwhile, the O’Neill-Abel Cabinet is likely to formally announce the theme and the logo of APEC PNG 2018 in the next parliament session.

"I congratulate our Kumuls for a great win, you served your Nation proud today.

"This is the first time we have ever beaten Wales in the history of the Rugby League World Cup, and the highest points scored by our Kumuls in the history of the competition.

“The team performed strongly against a solid team from Wales, but lets never be complacent.  

"There are some strong teams you will meet in the future.

"Maintain your focus, stick to your training regime, and carry the heart of our Nation on your jerseys.

The announcement was supposed to be on Monday but documents are yet to be finalised.

Last Friday, a few MPs from Pangu Pati were sworn in as vice ministers, including party leader Sam Basil, who was sworn in as a minister without a portfolio.

O’Neill, who was at the Government House to witness the swearing-in ceremony, said the leader of Pangu Pati brings a wealth of experience to Cabinet.

It all started with a question without notice from Moresby North-West MP, Sir Mekere Morauta, asking Prime Minister Peter O’Neill a series of questions in relation to the sale.

“Why have you sold the shares at prices below what you paid for?

“It has been reported that you sold the last tranche of 31 million shares at $6.70, $1.50 less than the purchase price, incurring a loss on this final parcel alone of around K120 million,” pointed out the former prime minister.

“At what prices did you sell the other 118 million shares – more than $8.20 or less?

He said Sir Mekere’s statement was typical Opposition politics.

O’Neill dismissed the claims as being based on Sir Mekere’s imaginary figures, saying instead that on balance, the State has made around a 100 million Kina from the sale in Oil Search project.

“The State’s investment in Oil Search was the right decision at the time, it helped maintain confidence in the oil and gas sector, but was undermined by unforeseen global factors and baseless political opposition,” he said.