Transcript
When close allies in his People's National Congress party began resigning last month, Mr O'Neill was initially philosophical in his response, saying he respected every MP's right to disagree with government policy.
But now the gloves have come off, as the prime minister issued a statement accusing the opposition of influencing MPs with promises that are "illegal and corrupt."
However Mr O'Neill's call for a police investigation into these activities was news to the Police Commissioner, Gary Baki.
I have not received any directions from the prime minister. I have neither a statement from the prime minister requesting that this be done, simply because of the fact that it is not an appropriate time for any of these things to be done. I want our political leaders to respect integrity and the independence of the police force in ensuring that we must be seen to be doing our job, rather than being requested to do this thing, or carry out this or do that. That will create more instability in the way we're trying to manage the current situation that's going on.
The political situation remains fluid, and the numbers tight across the parliament divide, with government appearing to have only a slim majority last week.
Parliament resumed, but only briefly, as Mr O'Neill was able to have the house adjourned for three weeks, frustrating the opposition's bid to have a no confidence vote against him.
However MPs who left the government say more will soon follow, claiming discontent within the coalition is deep because Mr O'Neill has become dictatorial, is undermining good governance and has failed to protect landowner interests in a new gas project agreement.
After resigning as Finance Minister and from the ruling party, citing trust issues with the prime minister, Mr Marape did not initially join another party.
But Morobe Governor Ginson Saonu, the interim leader of the Pangu Pati, which last week lost half its MPs as it returned to the opposition, has offered Mr Marape and his supporters a home.
As party leader I invited James Marape and his team - seeing that they had not joined any political party - I invited them to join the Pangu Pati.
With the vote of no confidence looming early next month, the opposition is seeking to hold forums in the provinces of Morobe and Enga.
Madang MP Bryan Kramer says at these events, MPs who left the government can explain their reasons to the public
I've asked for the governor to see if he can declare a public holiday for the day, so that everyone can come and actually spend the time, bring their families and hear the issues, because politics decides everything, the price of bread, medicine in hospitals, roads are fixed, schools, everything, and it's about their kids at the end of the day. That's what we're fighting for.
The opposition is also urging the public to join a stop-work action on the day parliament resumes at the end of the month, and to attend a planned public march on parliament house.
However the police commissioner says he is concerned that elected leaders could coerce members of the public into doing something which could cause unrest or break the law,
And I'm a bit disappointed that they've gone to that extent in asking the members of the public to do that, go on a nationwide public strike or to follow them to march to the floor of parliament. They (the public) are not elected leaders. They are people. There's only one way to deal with this, and that is to go on the floor of parliament, and leave our people out.
Mr Baki says there have been one or two incidents during the current political upheavals when police officers have been seen to be involved with politicians, perhaps hoping for a potential promotion.
He warns that such behaviour is derailing the fabric of the rule of law in PNG, echoing a lament of many opposition MPs in recent years.
