A joint press conference was held today at Parliament House by Speaker Hon. Job Pomat and Prime Minister Hon. James Marape to announce funeral arrangements for the late Sir Julius Chan, one of Papua New Guinea’s most distinguished leaders.
Speaker Pomat: “Today, we mourn the passing of one of Papua New Guinea’s greatest leaders, Sir Julius Chan. As a mark of respect, our national flags are flying at half-mast.
“Sir Julius was not just a statesman but a pillar in the foundation of our nation. His service to the country, spanning decades, has left a lasting impact. As a sitting member of Parliament at the time of his passing, his contributions will be honored accordingly.
“The government is currently coordinating with Sir Julius’ family to finalise funeral arrangements. The official mourning period will be observed, and Parliament will pay its respects before he is laid to rest.” Prime Minister Marape:
“On behalf of the government and the people of Papua New Guinea, I extend my deepest condolences to the family of Sir Julius Chan—Lady Stella, his children, and loved ones.
“Sir Julius was there at Independence Hill in 1975 when our nation’s flag was first raised. He stood alongside Sir Michael Somare and other founding fathers, shaping the independent Papua New Guinea we know today. His passing marks the end of an era, as he was the last of our founding leaders still serving in office. “As our first Minister for Finance, he played a critical role in establishing the country’s financial structures, including the Bank of Papua New Guinea and the independence of our monetary system. His leadership was instrumental in navigating our country’s economic policies in its formative years.
“To honor his memory, the Government has declared a one-week national mourning period. During this time:
• Flags across the country will remain at half-mast until the mourning period ends.
• A state funeral will be held, allowing the people of PNG to pay their last respects.
• His body will lie in state at Parliament before being returned to his home province for burial.
“We ask all citizens to reflect on his legacy and the values he stood for. Schools and workplaces will be advised to pause for a moment of silence during the official funeral proceedings as a mark of national respect.
“Sir Julius was a leader of vision, wisdom, and deep patriotism. He dedicated his life to public service, and his contributions will be remembered for generations.
“Papua New Guinea owes him a debt of gratitude. May he rest in eternal peace.”
Further details on the official funeral programme will be announced in consultation with Sir Julius Chan’s family.