[5] Abal was a member of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea representing the Wabag Electorate in Enga Province.

[2] Abal was informed of the impending reshuffle prior to the appointment while attending a mining conference in Sydney, Australia, with Prime Minister Somare.

"[3] Abal was sworn into office the same day and served as the acting Prime Minister during Somare's tribunal and short suspension.

His son Teo, "allegedly the last person to be seen with the woman", went missing at that time, and was found and arrested two days later by the police, as the prime suspect.

[5] In June 2012, the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier reported that Abal would run for re-election in the 2012 general election as a political independent.

[5] Abal stated he had lost faith in country's political party system, which had led to chaos and gridlock in the government.