PNG NRL Board Member Resigns Over Corruption Claims

Wapu Sonk, instrumental in Papua New Guinea's NRL expansion bid and managing director of Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL), has resigned from the franchise board following corruption allegations. The accusations center on KPHL allegedly pressuring a Chinese state-owned company to award a subcontract to an Australian company owned by Sonk, raising conflict-of-interest concerns. The integrity of the AU$200 million in Australian government funding for the NRL initiative has come under scrutiny, although the controversy is not directly related to the franchise itself. The broader $600 million, 10-year Australian project aims to develop rugby league in PNG and counter Chinese influence in the Pacific. PNG Prime Minister James Marape requested Sonk's resignation to uphold public trust and has promised transparency and cooperation with investigations. Sonk has not publicly addressed the allegations.