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Government appoints three-man committee for the MV Taimareho tragedy

Written by
Alfred Sasako
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27 lives were lost on the MV Taimareho in April 2020 when the ship sailed through rough weather.

By Alfred Sasako

THE Government is believed to have appointed a three-man committee, which will take the next stage of the inquiry into the MV Taimareho tragedy forward, it was revealed last night.

Twenty-seven people, mostly high school students perished in the tragedy which occurred early on Friday morning 03rd April this year. The deceased allegedly fell overboard when the passenger ferry reportedly carrying more than 700 passengers was hit by rough seas in the crossing between Guadalcanal and Malaita Provinces.

Only six bodies were recovered.

Relatives and friends attended a Memorial Service in honor of those who lost their lives at the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Honiara last night.

Island Sun was unable to get the names of the three-man committee owing to a media blackout imposed by the board of the Solomon Islands Maritime and Safety Authority (SIMSA) last week.

At the time of the news blackout, Island Sun was told two parallel investigations were underway – one by SIMSA and the other by police. The investigation by SIMSA is intended to establish whether maritime rules were breached. The investigation by police on the other hand is to establish whether or not there was criminal negligence.

The two parallel investigations formed the preliminary inquiry into the tragedy. The report from the preliminary investigation is due to be completed by Friday 17th April.

Sources last night confirmed that a three-man committee had been appointed to take the matter forward.

“This committee will go through the preliminary report and will forward recommendations that may warrant further police investigation with a view to laying charges against those who allowed the boat to leave that night, given that a cyclone warning was in force at the time of the ship’s departure,” the sources said.

A spokesman for one of the relatives who perished in the sea tragedy said relatives “are looking forward to the release of the report, given that so many innocent lives were lost.”

“People responsible must be brought to account,” Charles Karaori told Island Sun on Tuesday night.

Covid-19 emergency orders begin to bite at the village level

Written by
Alfred Sasako
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Police patrol

By Alfred Sasako

AS the impact of the state of emergency measures introduced by the Government since March 27 begins to bite, ordinary people living in and outside the Honiara City boundary areas are asking questions about last weekend’s curfew.

New measures, which included an 8pm-5am curfew over two days, were introduced last week. The nine-hour curfew began on Friday night and ended early last Sunday morning.

A total of 63 people, including four women, were arrested. Legal issues involving their arrests are being heard in Court this week.

But the broader community is asking what the curfew in particular was all about. According to police the curfew was part of the measures the government had introduced to restrict people’s movement to ensure the deadly virus does not enter into Solomon Islands.

“What is the curfew supposed to mean,” some told Island Sun on Tuesday 14th April.

“How does the government know the virus only comes out on Friday and Saturday nights,” one said.

“The real problem the government should be dealing with is the suffering people are beginning to feel. They have no food, many have been told to withdraw their savings from the Solomon Islands National Provident, when it is the responsibility of government to care for its citizens,” they said.

“Are there other reasons for the curfew? If so, the Prime Minister should explain that to the people of this country.”

Under the emergency orders, Honiara is an emergency zone. This zone extends from Alligator Creek area in the east to Poha River in the west. The emergency orders remain in place for the next four months.

At Kakabona yesterday, village women who were doing roadside sales of bettelnuts and other fruits were told by police to remove their stalls as this was in breach of the emergency orders.

“This is not fair for us,” one woman said.

“What we sell is the only source of income which we use to provide for our family. If the government wants us to stop, they must provide us with some help such as food or money so we can help our families,” the woman said.

“What is happening is unfair and very hard on us the ordinary people in the communities between Alligator Creek and Poha River,” they said.

“We are sure the people who were evacuated to their villages in other provinces are also finding it hard to cope.”

MHMS team in Malaita province to assess quarantine sites and isolation facilities

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Minister for Forestry and Research Dickson Panakitasi Mua.

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

MINISTRY of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) has sent a team to Malaita province to assess quarantine sites and isolation facilities there.

This was confirmed by the Minister for MHMS, Dickson Mua.

Mr Mua said, “a team is now is now in Malaita Province to asses potential quarantine sites and isolations facilities and storage warehouse in Auki.”

He said visits to other hospitals in provinces have also been planned for.

“Similar provincial visits are also being planned for Gizo, Buala, Helena Goldie Hospital, Atoifi, Tulagi, Lata, Tingoa, Kirakira and Taro,” said Mua.

He expressed the above sentiments at the recent parliament meeting.

SIFF DC meets?

Written by
Taromane Martin
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Solomon Warriors FC Tigi Molea slides in for the challenge on FC Isabel United's Nathaniel Mosese during their friendly match on Thursday 30th January 2020.

No decisions yet

By Taromane Martin

THE Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) is yet to release any official decision regarding disciplinary cases from the last season of the Telekom Soccer League.

A number of disciplinary cases are said to be heard by the SIFF Disciplinary Committee who one source said have had already met a fortnight ago.

Outspoken Royals Football Academy Founder, Joel Moffat Konofilia last month had called out SIFF to stop covering their lies for the sake of football fans in the country, questioning why it has taken the SIFF DC this long to make a decision.

SIFF last month had released a statement to counter Mr Konofilia’s call, saying SIFF takes all disciplinary matters seriously and ensures that all disciplinary cases are assessed and submitted on a timely basis to the DC for determination.

But Mr Konofilia, who is still facing a three-year ban from all football related activities for punching a match referee, was not satisfied with the federation’s response questioning why it is taking this long to deal with the disciplinary case involving Solomon Warriors FC midfielder Tigi Molea and Henderson Eels FC defender Derrick Taebo after match brawl, after their title deciding match 2-2 draw with Eels in round two of the TSL season on December 14th.

“Firstly, the question that needs answering is, why did the SIFF office sent me a letter on the same day I assaulted the referee that I was not to participate in any SIFF sanctioned tournament awaiting any decision from the disciplinary committee?” he said.

“Unlike my case, Tigi Molea was free to continue playing whilst awaiting the SIFF DC’s decision on his case? Also, SIFF is now saying that Molea had a temporary suspension imposed on him on the time that SW still had a TSL match at hand.

“The question is why was he not suspended on the same day like me, he was allowed to play many games and only to be suspended before SW’s last game? Again, this is unfair.

“Secondly why did the DC lift the ban on its preliminary hearing? Are you saying that Molea is innocent? Where is Hudson Wakio and Taebo? This case was confirmed to me by Wakio, there is no doubt that Molea led the group and attacked Taebo and the DC lifted the ban on Molea?,” Mr Konofilia had questioned.

SIFF in February had confirmed the matter is with the Disciplinary Committee to handle and is pending a decision. Two months on, it seems a decision from the SIFF DC is yet to be made known to the football fans in the country.

Attempts by SunSPORTS to get comments from responsible people within the federation since last week so far has been unsuccessful.

Court frees 58

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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RSIPF Officer check a vehicle at Lunnga checkpoint during the curfew on Saturday 11th April.

-Magistrate releases most of people arrested during curfew

-Police has no clue what to charge them with

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

FIFTY-EIGHT of the 63 people arrested for breaching the Friday-Saturday night curfew have allowed to walk free by the court.

Chief Magistrate Emma Garo sent them home because there was no charge filed to the court against them by police and prosecution.

Magistrate Garo said since there was no charge filed to the court regarding the accused the court has no power to preside over their case.

She said that she is making the order as the Chief Magistrate in sending the people back, but if police and prosecution file charges to the court, their cases can be called back, because a criminal process can only be triggered when charges are filed and a magistrate’s signature on the charges.

Garo said the accused were around the court premises from 9am to 2.30pm without any charges prepared and filed.

Meanwhile, out of the total 63, only five have been charged.

Three pleaded not guilty to the charges while two entered guilty pleas on Tuesday 14th April.

However sentencing of the two accused who entered guilty pleas will be stayed awaiting the court to decide on the legal issues that was raised in court.

Public Solicitor Horward Lawry raised yesterday some legal issue regarding the validity of the curfew in which court has requested both the prosecution and defence to file submission regarding the issues raised in court.

Hearing of submissions from lawyers regarding the legal issues raised will be made in court today.

The three who entered not guilty pleas were released on bail with principal bail of $500 each and condition that while on bail they must keep the peace.

Public Prosecution Office appears for the crown in court.

Beware of thieves

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

THIEVES broke into three houses at Naha 3, East Honiara on the early hours of Monday 13th April and stole mobile, laptops and tablets worth around $10,465.

This happened after the two days curfew ended on Sunday 5am.

Police at Naha confirmed the thieves also stole medicines belong to a sick mother in one of the three houses.

The incident shocked the residents of Naha 3 who did not expect such theft to happen on three houses in the same morning.

Leaders of Naha 3 community warned residents to look after their properties at night following the incident.

Naha Police confirmed the victims have reported the incident and Criminal Investigation Officers are currently investigating it.

Acting Police Commissioner, Mostyn Mangau told a press conference last week that the rate of theft was not high or low but remains the same in the City.

Mangau said this was based on the reports police received on break-in from victims.

However, Island Sun understands the emerging of theft spiralled out of control when the pandemic coronavirus (COVID-19) affected the economy of the country, which saw many employees laid off in government and private sectors.

Thieves are taking advantage of the situation to rob residences as a way of surviving in the city.

Other suburbs in the City have also reported of theft incidences in the recent weeks as well.

Some residents said the rate of theft maybe low in the city but families are victims of it.

MPS silent over $250K repatriation fund

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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National Parliament of Solomon Islands

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

MEMBERS of Parliament have been silent over the $250,000 Members Discretionary Fund that was announced by the Prime Minister and gazetted on March 27 2020 for repatriation purposes.

Some members of the public have called on their MPS to clarify and also charter ships to repatriate their constituents to their home provinces.

Silas Max told this paper that it is really unfair that MPS never assist to repatriate their people back to their provinces or constituencies.

Max said that all government charters are funded at the Marine Disaster Fund through Ministry of Infrastructure Development and not MPS.

He also said that it is disappointing to allow people withdrew their NPF contribution rather the government should assist everybody to repatriate to their home provinces.

“I don’t think that some employees will be employed again by their employers once the situation returns to normalcy as in terms of recovery it will take time”, Max said.

The Members Discretionary Fund is released to each Member of Parliament for the purpose of the repatriation of public officers or members of the public of their constituency from Honiara to their village of origin during the emergency period, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said.

“In this section Members Discretionary Fund means the Members Discretionary Fund as provided for under regulation 9(3)(a) of the Members of Parliament (Entitlements) Commissioner Regulations 1988”, PM Sogavare stated.

Schmeling talks Marist

Written by
Taromane Martin
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Former Marist FC Head Coach Mr Julianno Schemling

By Taromane Martin

FORMER Marist FC Head Coach Mr Julianno Schemling says there were a lot of challenges faced during his first year with the club as he tries to rebuild and make the team a champion’s league side.

The Brazilian born futsal and football coach revealed this while speaking about his experience with the Telekom Soccer League club.

He also revealed some of the things that had to be done to move Marist FC from a second bottom of the table club to being an Oceania Champions League contender.

After finishing the 2014/2015 TSL season second bottom on the table with only 10 points, Marist FC together with then sponsors, Y-Sato Marine brought in Mr Schemling to steer the club back up the TSL table.

He arrived for the 2015/2016 TSL season with a three year plan to propel Marist FC back into the top of the table and compete at the Oceania Champions Leagues.

 “I started working with Marist In 2015. All that we had at that time were a couple of local coaches to help me and to achieve the goals. It was a three years plan basically,” he said.

“The first year’s aim was to finish in third position in the TSL, second year win the national league and go to the OFC Champions League and then the third year keep maintaining position in the top spots and go on to the champions’ league again.

“At that time we had no facilities, training fields, shoes and balls for training. So we had to come and work together to find a place where we can develop so that we can have our own field to train.

“What we did was we started working on making a solid group and a nice environment so we can start achieving our goals for the first year.

 After securing a space for training, Schemling had to work hard on installing professionalism ideas into the players which he says is a lot of work, while also getting to know the players.

“First we started trials to select all the players. After we selected the squad then I thought ok I need to get to know my players because we need to work together,” Schemling said.

 “I have had some experiences with Solomon Islands players before so I knew how important it was to respect their reality, their lifestyle and their culture. So then I started visited the players’ houses to see and be able to get to know them.

“First year was challenging being a new coach in a new country with new players. We had a very young squad that was very talented.

“A lot of the players did not have experience playing in the national leagues in Solomon Islands. But we did very well in the first year and achieved our aim like we aimed for by finishing in third position during the 2015/2016 TSL Season.

“It was a lot of hard work especially in that first year as I had to teach the players about hard work, commitment and timing for training and games. But the other coaches really helped a lot and saw us starting to work and blend together as a family.  

“So we had a group, we had a private place for training, we had transport and we had players showing commitment and hard work to training.

“Despite all the challenges faced in the first year was a successful one for us.” he said.

Marist FC finished the 2015/2016 season in third position with 32 points behind Western United FC 34 points and Solomon Warriors FC who finished that season in first position with 39 points.

In the next TSL season, Marist was able to finish in second position and make a return appearance at the Oceania Champions League competition.

“Iron queens” stuck in Nauru

Written by
Taromane Martin
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Recap: Former SI PM Rick Hou speaking, former MHA PS Geroge Palua and former 2023PG taskforce chair Gabriel Suri meets female weightlifters Jenly Wini (second left) and Mary Kini Lifu (third left). Both lifters are trying to come home amidst the coronavirus pandemic spreading across the world. Picture ISNFile.

By Taromane Martin

WEIGHTLIFTING queens Jenly Wini and Mary Lifu Kini are currently stranded in Nauru awaiting any opportunity to travel back to Honiara.

The two local weightlifters are currently both in quarantine along with other fellow pacific island weightlifters who have been training at the Oceania Weightlifting National Institute at New Caledonia.

Local weightlifting President Mr Fujiyama Naoyuki confirmed to SunSPORTS saying the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands and their federation are trying their best to get both weightlifters back home.

“Our two lifters are now in Nauru and trying to back to Solomon as New Caledonia has already recorded confirmed cases of the coronavirus,” he told SunSPORTS.

“So far we have been successful enough to fly them to Nauru with some other lifters and we hope to have them back in Solo soon.

“Nauru has a connection flight from Nauru to Brisbane via Honiara. Maybe Honiara is for refill purposes which means no for passengers. But we are trying.

“If lucky this week, if not then later, NOCSI is also working on it. If there is confirmation then we let you know date when both athletes will arrive home,” Mr Naoyuki adds.

Meanwhile, Ms Wini who holds the only Commonwealth Games medal for Solomon Islands is also set to represent Solomon Islands at her third Olympic Games.

She gained qualification for the Tokyo Olympic Games after a brilliant performance at the Oceania Weightlifting Championships held in Gold Coast, last month.

While Kini, who is also seeking Olympic qualification, is the current the Pacific Games 55 kg women’s title holder after winning three gold medals, in the snatch: clean and jerk and the overall position at the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa.

Both lifters are among some local footballers in Fiji and Vanuatu and students who are also trying to find their way back home due to the coronavirus pandemic that has been shutting down the whole world.

Omission of s.66 (1) of the repealed act from the new electoral law demoralises lawyers

Written by
Alfred Sasako
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Solomon Islands National Parliament

By Alfred Sasako

THE absence of section 66(1) in the new Electoral Act 2018 is reportedly having a demoralising effect on lawyers who have lost their clients’ election petition cases, it was revealed on Sunday 12th April.

“The omission of this particular section places lawyers in a very difficult position because under the current legislation the court is powerless to invalidate election victory.

In her judgement on the Peter Kenilorea Junior v others last month, Justice Maelyn Bird said the omission by Parliament to include an equivalent to section 66 in the repealed Act is unexplained, describing the omission as “substantial …”.

The Solomon Islands Electoral Commission has admitted the omission was “an error, which has slipped through unnoticed until now.”

The Chief Justice in his earlier ruling in the Peter Kenilorea Junior’s case said “… the omission by the legislature to include like provisions of sections 5, 9 and 66 of the repealed Act should be considered for review.”

“This means that there is no clear answer to this issue,” the Chief Justice said.

Justice Maelyn Bird said, “… I am of the view that this court cannot go further than what is provided for in s.129 of the current Act.”

“It is further my respectful view that the court cannot and should not make laws. We use and construe the law as it is. If there are substantial omissions and mistakes in our laws, it is for Parliament to correct them.

“In view of the above discussions, I hold the view that the allegations of bribery against the First Respondent (Peter Kenilorea Junior) even if proven, (do) not entitle this court to invalidate the election of the First Respondent,” Justice Bird said.”

According to one lawyer, the new electoral law “is demoralizing not only for lawyers but their clients as well. Good lawyers take on a case because they know they could win it. And clients are willing to pay because of the assurance by their lawyers that their cases are winnable.”

“Election petition cases are not cheap and lawyers take on cases based on evidence they had obtained from their clients as well as the confidence that the materials they have collected make for a winnable outcome.

“This unfortunately has not happened in the election petition cases against winning candidates this year except for winning candidates John Moffat Fugui and Jamie Vokia,” the lawyer said.

Contrary to arguments by other judges to stick to the current law, it was s.66(1) of the National Parliament Electoral Act which has been repealed that was used to remove them from Office.

Both men are questioning the constitutionality, hence the lawfulness of the action by the judges. The Court’s application of s.66(1) has prompted calls for the judges involved in the questionable decision to either resign or be suspended for allegedly bringing the integrity of the High Court into disrepute.

Registrar of the High Court, Myonnie Tutuo, said last week the matter had been dealt with.

“The fact of the matter is that the two men were removed by a provision of an Act which no longer exists. How could this be possible,” one lawyers said.

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