Chan, Sir Julius (1939-…), served as prime minister of Papua New Guinea from 1980 to 1982 and from 1994 to 1997. Especially skilled in economic matters, Chan supported large-scale development of Papua New Guinea’s economy.
Chan was born on Tanga Island on Aug. 29, 1939, to Chinese and Papua New Guinean parents. He was educated in Australia and later managed his family’s shipping and copra business. Chan was first elected to the National Parliament in 1968, when Papua New Guinea was still controlled by Australia. The country gained independence in 1975. During his political career, Chan held various ministerial posts in the government. Besides prime minister, these posts included deputy prime minister, minister for finance, minister for primary industry, and minister for external affairs and trade. Chan led the People’s Progress Party from 1970 to 1997. In 1980 and again in 1994, Chan was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. In 1981, he became a member of the Privy Council, an honorary council appointed by the British monarch.
Chan resigned as prime minister in March 1997, following a public disturbance known as the Sandline Crisis. During the crisis, riots broke out in the capital city, Port Moresby; members of the army mutinied; and protesters blockaded the National Parliament. The crisis was sparked by a government plan to hire foreign soldiers to fight rebels on the island province of Bougainville. The government canceled the plan, and Chan was reinstated as prime minister in June. However, he lost his parliamentary seat in elections later that month. After leaving politics, Chan turned his attention to private business.
