Marape refuses calls to resign

Prime Minister James Marape says he will not resign despite increasing calls from major universities and social media users urging him to step down due to the current state of affairs in the country.

He was speaking to NBC News upon his arrival at the APEC terminal this morning after returning from New Zealand.

Marape responded directly to questions about the growing pressure for him to resign.

He made it clear that he had not received any indication to step down

''It's not easy to ascend to leadership, it's not an easy place to descend from leadership, the process of leadership ascension is a parliamentary process,'' he said.

"The process of leadership succession is a parliamentary process. Calls can be made, but parliament decides who's the leader of the day, Marape added.

"I am here by the fact that the party I lead received a Section 60 invitation to form government after the 2020 general elections.

Mr. Marape further added that Papua New Guinea is a democratic country, where the democratic process allows for public calls and congressional submissions. However, he clarified that the process of dismissing a prime minister and appointing a new one will take place on the floor of Parliament.

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