East New Britain Governor elect, Michael Marum, yesterday afternoon was welcomed back to the capital for the first time as an elected politician. Both himself and Bougainville Provincial member-elect, Peter Tsiamalili Jnr were welcomed by Interim Prime Minister, James Marape, Kavieng Open member elect, Ian Ling Stuckey and Hela Governor-elect, Phillip Undialu. After greeting with the Pangu heads, a press conference was held at the VIP terminal at the Jacksons International Airport. Being the only independent candidate amongst the Pangu elite, Governor-elect Marum was given the opportunity to speak first at the press conference. Governor-elect Marum, addressing the media for the first time as a politician, stated that he was privileged to be here in the nation’s capital representing the people of East New Britain and thanked the Pangu leader for inviting him. “On behalf of the people back at home, I would like to thank you [Marape] for inviting me to be part of this conference,” the Governor-elect said. He also strongly maintained that he was still an independent member and thanked the Pangu constituents for their unwavering understanding. He added that he was happy and excited to be part of the team of members that he was with. Marum stated that he had had other conversations with other members of different parties, but due to his personal association with the prime minister and his family, that relationship inspired him to associate with Pangu. He will be meeting with various members of parliament before he heads back home to East New Britain.