Still on medical leave, the 75-year-old leader was recognised as prime minister two weeks ago and is yet to comment publicly on the parliamentary coup achieved by members of the O'Neill government early this month.

Former public enterprises minister Arthur Somare is entangled with proceedings from a leadership tribunal and was approached by reporters outside the National and Supreme Court on Tuesday.

He reportedly told The National the new government had quickly taken over power and "divided the loot" while his father lay on his sick bed.

The grand chief can talk and walk to some degree and his son reportedly said he was upset the new government "started rummaging through things while he is still on the sick bed".

"That old man [Sir Michael] spent his life for the good of this country, but it seems that nobody cares or appreciates the work of such a man like him," Arthur reportedly said.

The ex-minister further told the newspaper the O'Neill government was making PNG "constitutionally chaotic" - a reference to questionable circumstances in which the parliament vote for O'Neill was made.

Following the announcement by Prime Minister Peter O'Neill on Tuesday, the Post-Courier reported that the "luxurious" Falcon jet put up for sale cost K22 million a year to operate.

The populist move to sell the jet plane is touted to help fund education and health services.

Somare also used small and far less expensive aircraft during his years as prime minister.