BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
National activist Mr. Makili Lawrence Kepangi from the Malaita Outer Islands (MOI) has been subjected to threats due to his efforts in combating corruption within the nation.
Kepangi who is also a local environmental advocate informed Island Sun that one of the threats he has encountered involves a potential lawsuit against him, along with demands to cease his anti-corruption campaign, or else he would face repercussions for his advocacy.
“I believe these threats originate from individuals I am familiar with, stemming from specific issues, and I fully understand that my endeavors in fighting corruption pose a risk to their corrupt activities,” Kepangi said in an interview with Island Sun.
He revealed that threats have been made through phone calls and from close friends, who have been advising him to slow his efforts against corruption in high-ranking positions.
He began receiving threats after he became involved in revealing the problems associated with suffering wharves and the reshuffling of ministers.
“This is not the first time I raised the issue of these suffering wharves. I raised concerns this two years ago. Therefore, when the matter of ministerial reshuffles arose, linked to these sufferance wharves, I made my position clear and strongly condemned the government’s actions regarding this issue, as the reshuffle did not occur only for the sake of stability, as stated by the Prime Minister.
“What he covered with his excuses is a total lie. These sufferance wharves are associated with certain undisclosed agreements. It is unjust for the current ruling government to cover the corrupt dealings surrounding this matter,” said Kepangi.
He said that corruption pollute the decision-making processes within the country, from a select few who aim to exploit the nation’s wealth for their personal gain.
He said that he is aware of the consequences of his actions should he choose to reveal corruption and combat it, as there would indeed be consequences.
“I will fight corruption regardless of any threats they may pose. I will ensure that their actions are brought to light. The three pillars of the nation’s constitution, which function independently, the legislature, executive, and judiciary, are all compromised. No one has questioned the integrity of these three pillars. When these pillars are compromised, the resulting situation is evident in this country.
“Therefore, if I were to face legal proceedings, and if this truly represents the democracy of the SI, and if this is indeed the independent judiciary of the SI, then let the court decides. Let the court demonstrate to the SI and the region that this is democracy and that this is the judiciary of the SI as a sovereign state,” said Kepangi.
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