Daki breaks silence on K200m SME allegations, welcomes audit

Tambul-Nebilyer MP Win Bakri Daki addressing the crowd gathered at his home district *(Image: NBC News)*

Tambul-Nebilyer MP and former Commerce and Industry Minister Win Bakri Daki has broken his silence on allegations surrounding the government's K200 million Small to Medium Enterprise [SME] stimulus policy, welcoming an audit and insisting it will clear his name.

Speaking before a large crowd at his home district in Upper Nebilyer last week, Daki dismissed claims that he misused K200 million in SME funds, saying the allegations are false and politically motivated.

He explained that the K200 million SME stimulus package is a government policy initiative, similar to the Free Education Policy and the Connect PNG Program, and not a one-off cash allocation placed under the control of the Minister for Commerce and Industry.

Daki said that during his three years as Commerce and Industry Minister, funding under the SME stimulus policy was released progressively and not as a full K200 million package at one time.

"The K200 million SME money doesn't come in full into the Commerce Department. However, K100 million is given to BSP, K70 million to NDB, and the rest comes to Commerce but not in full too," Daki clarified.

He said he fully supports the government's decision to conduct an audit, adding that the process will strengthen the credibility of the department and prove that no funds were misused under his leadership.

Crowd gathered at a recent meeting of Western Highlands leaders in Tambul-Nebilyer *(Image: NBC News)*

Addressing the gathering in the presence of Western Highlands Governor Wai Rapa, Provincial Administrator Joseph Mangbil, Tambul-Nebilyer DDA members, community leaders, ward members, and hundreds of suppurters, Daki apologised to the people of Western Highlands for the controversy created by the allegations.

"I am not a thief," Daki told the crowd, maintaining that the accusations were intended to damage his political career.

Despite the allegations, the former Commerce minister received a strong reception from his constituents, with a large turnout of people gathering to hear his explanation, reflecting continued support from many in the electorate.

The allegations are expected to be examined through the government's planned audit, which Daki says he believes will establish the facts.