[1] Virtually no explanation of the day's purpose was provided by the government, reportedly creating some confusion among Papua New Guineans as 26 August arrived.
Pastor Jack Edward of the Shema Evangelism Ministry was made Repentance Day coordinator, and said the purpose was for people to "come together and pray and ask the Lord to forgive us for the wrongs that are happening in our nation".
Imam Mikail Abdul Aziz, described by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation as the "spiritual leader" of Papua New Guinea's "4,000 practising Muslims", said he did not oppose the idea, but it might send a "wrong message", as repentance should occur every time a wrong is committed, rather than once a year.
The Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce obtained a copy of the Government Gazette to convince its members that it was indeed a public holiday.
In Port Moresby, the capital, a ceremony at the Rev Sioni Kami Memorial church was attended by "representatives of 20 provinces" and various "national leaders" and "church leaders", for "special prayer and Bible readings" and "thanksgiving prayers".