He founded the Advance Papua New Guinea Party in May 1999, with twenty-two MPs, announcing his intention to challenge for the premiership.
He accused Prime Minister Bill Skate's government of persistent political interference in administrative processes, including police investigations, and of a general lack of ethics.
Pundari resigned as Speaker in July, and helped Sir Mekere Morauta form a majority in Parliament to successfully challenge for the premiership.
In October, he was sacked again, after disagreeing publicly with Morauta on the question of Papua New Guinea's participation in the Australian government's "Pacific Solution".
[7] The Honorable John Pundari, was recognized as a Companion of the Order of St Michael for his services to his country as a Member of the National Parliament, by Queen Elizabeth II on her birthday in 2014.