Masiu alive and well: fake facebook poster to be prosecuted, says Police Minister

Minister for Information and Communications Technology, Timothy Masiu, is alive and recovering well following precautionary medical treatment in Cairns, Australia, despite a fake social media post claiming otherwise.

This was confirmed by Minister for Police and Regional Member for Bougainville, Peter Tsiamalili Jr., who strongly condemned the spread of false information.

“Contrary to a fake Facebook post claiming that Minister Masiu passed away in Cairns, Australia, I can unequivocally state that our good Minister is alive, well, and in good spirits,” Tsiamalili said.

Masiu was airlifted to Cairns on Sunday, 15 July 2025, for medical tests following a low blood level reading. He remained in Cairns for several days and was discharged last week.

“I was personally with Minister Masiu from Monday to Thursday last week in Cairns. He has since been discharged from Cairns Base Hospital and has been advised by his attending doctor to rest and recover,” he said.

“I also spoke with him a short while ago, and I can assure our Government and people, including those in South Bougainville, that he is in high spirits and very much alive.”

The Bougainville regional member confirmed that Prime Minister James Marape has been briefed on both the false death announcement and Minister Masiu’s current health condition.

Tsiamalili expressed concern over the increasing spread of misinformation on social media platforms, calling it a harmful act that must not be tolerated.

“It is truly disheartening to see a minority of Papua New Guineans stoop so low as to spread fake news and misinformation about fellow citizens in such a harmful way,” he said.

He further revealed that swift action has already been taken by the Department of Information and Communications Technology [DICT] to trace and identify the source of the fake Facebook post.

“Two individuals behind the post have been identified, and several Facebook accounts involved have been taken down. We are working quickly to ensure those responsible are held accountable,” Minister Tsiamalili confirmed.

The Police Minister warned that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated and those who spread false and malicious information will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.