I am not acting prime minister, says Sir Julius

Posted by The National

SIR Julius Chan has clarified that he is not the acting prime minister as many are assuming, although he will be honoured to be considered for the substantive position if it becomes vacant.
“I have not been designated any ministerial role by Peter O’Neill,” he said in a statement
Sir Julius said there was a big misunderstanding about what was mentioned at a press conference with O’Neill on Sunday.
“First, the existing prime minister has no power to nominate a new prime minister of his choice,” he said.
“Peter O’Neill simply designated me the provisional caretaker of the Government coalition.”
He said O’Neill did the “honourable thing” by respecting the desire of the people, of the country to step down.
“He simply asked me to help by maintaining order among the members of the coalition and helping the coalition to work with all parliamentary members to make a wise and uniting decision concerning who should become the next prime minister,” Sir Julius said.
Sir Julius said he was not seeking to become prime minister, a position he has held twice already.
“It is kind of funny. I have been approached by both the Opposition and Government sides to consider becoming prime minister but I have not been seeking the job. I do not need the job, frankly. I have plenty of work to do in New Ireland.
“I am governor of my province and legally remain so unless I am called to take up a post at the national level and sworn in as such. ”
He is however keeping his options open.
“If we are honest, we have to admit the country is facing huge problems,” he said. “If the members of Parliament, both Opposition and Government, feel I can contribute to dealing with those problems over the next year or two, then I am willing to do whatever I am asked to do to help make that happen.”

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