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Grammer education gains momentum in Solomon Islands

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BY JUNELYN KELLY

Education on grammar is gaining momentum as more and more Solomon Islanders take courses on the subject in two local institutions.

30 years ago, the word grammar was not often heard of in its use, and to become a common word across the Solomon Islands.

A statement by the Islands Bible Ministries in its Facebook page yesterday said for decades the study of grammar was largely confined to interpreter and language teachers, but a significant shift has occurred over the past two decades with two key organisations leading the charge in promoting its importance.

The Kulu Language institute and Islands Bible Ministries have been instrumental in focusing on writing and teaching English language and Biblical languages.

The statement said their grammar courses have attracted thousands of participants, including primary and secondary school students, teachers, other professionals, preschools, pastors and the general public.

The interest in this course has shown consistent growth year after year.

Dr Alpheaus G Zobule said that with over 70 languages is spoken in the country and English serves as the language of education.

The increasing attention to grammar is hardly surprising, many Solomon Islanders are multilingual speakers highlighting the practical need for strong grammatical understanding, he said.

Further solidifying this trend, the Education Act 2023 has designated English as the principal language of instruction from the primary level, Zobule said.

Zobule said the Act also recognises the uses of local’s languages, Pijin and even sign language to facilitate learning.

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R-WASH training improves sanitation in Ward 14 Malaita

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

Communities in Ward 14, Lau Baelelea constituency, Malaita Province, can now access improved sanitation.

This was after an R-WASH training on sanitation was held this month in the communities of Ward 14.

The training focused on teaching community members how to make toilet bowls, septic systems and build houses around them.

Chairman of the ward development committee, Knoxley Atu said their communities are excited and thankful for the R-WASH sanitation training, from which they have learned a lot.

Atu said that after the training community members made their own latrine bowls, septic systems and built their ablution houses.

He said the training has improved their living conditions by providing better sanitation.

“This training has practically improved our living in terms of sanitation.

“Most of our households have used traditional ways of accessing toilets, where men go to one side and women use the bushes on the other side, but with the training, we can build proper toilets,” he said.

He said that a few households that have the required materials have also built their own toilets close to their houses.

“Some of us who already have materials like cement, mesh wire, steel rods, and timber have also built our own toilets,” he said.

He said that once they have completed building sanitation facilities for their communities, they will move on to other community projects.

“We have completed building proper toilets for two zones in our ward, and only one last zone is yet to have their toilets worked on,” he said.

The sanitation project was made possible by the work plan of their Ward Development Committee and Member of Assembly, David Solo Baerara.

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North Malaita rural communities walk 8km to reach health services 

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

People in the rural community of Lau Baelelea constituency, Malaita Province, are facing a tough life in terms of accessing health care after a registered nurse left the Afenakwai clinic in 2023.

This has left sick patients, especially elderly, mothers and children to walk for nearly eight kilometres to get medical treatment at nearby clinics. 

A resident near Afenakwai clinic, Wilson Sifoinao said the clinic is now served by a medical professional on a voluntary basis.

He said that although the medical professional is there, the people really need a registered nurse to serve them and for medical treatments to be available at the clinic. 

“The Afenakwai clinic was closed in 2023. When we have an urgent sick patient, a medical professional living here can come and serve at the clinic.

“He just works on a volunteer basis. So sometimes he can work, and sometimes he cannot. Therefore, we need a registered nurse to come and serve us,” he said.

He said accessing medical treatment from nearby clinics is very expensive, and they have to walk seven or eight kilometres to reach the clinic. 

“So, if we want to access good medical treatments, we have to walk for seven to eight kilometres or hire a truck, which is very costly,” he added. 

He calls on responsible authorities to urgently address this issue. 

“I call on the responsible authority to urgently address our issues. Also, we have faced a shortage of medicine at the clinic, so now we are suffering. 

“I urge the Ministry of Health to improve the supply and distribution of medicine to clinics and take immediate action to ensure that our people receive the right treatments,” he said.

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East Honiara hosts workshop for zone committee chairpersons

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The East Honiara Constituency (EHC), under the leadership of Member of Parliament Morris To’iraena, held a one-day workshop for zone committee chairpersons at Maranatha Hall, Burns Creek, in East Honiara yesterday.

The workshop was held under the theme: “Working in Partnership – Together We Can Achieve Development Aspirations for East Honiara Constituency.”

To’iraena was the Guest of Honour during yesterday’s event.

The event was attended by representatives from several Solomon Islands Government line ministries, including the Ministry of Rural Development, the Department of Statistics, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration (MCILI), the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification (MMERE), and the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey (MLHS), along with community supporters.

The workshop aims to strengthen collaboration, build capacity, and foster stronger partnerships between zone committee chairpersons and government ministries to effectively address community needs and implement development initiatives within the constituency.

It also provided a platform for participants to share information and experiences, while enabling chairpersons to relay updates and feedback to their respective communities regarding ongoing projects, development plans, and future directions.

According to East Honiara Constituency Development Officer, Stanley Araha, the workshop marks an important step towards formulating the East Honiara Constituency development roadmap.

During the workshop, zone committee chairpersons were equipped with skills and knowledge to improve governance and community engagement, as well as to identify and prioritise development projects that address the most pressing needs of communities in East Honiara.

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Culture and social context shape responses to domestic violence in Solomon Islands

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

A recently published report has reveals that cultural and social contexts play a central role in shaping responses to domestic violence in the Solomon Islands.

The report, titled “Beyond Imported Understandings of Domestic Violence in the Solomon Islands” was launched on the second day of the International Women’s Day celebrations in Honiara.

Launching the report, Associate Professor Danielle Watson said that responses to social problems are often based on models developed in other countries.

“However, this research began with a simple question: are the ways we understand and respond to domestic violence truly grounded in the realities of the communities we are trying to support?”

She said the report takes a different approach by focusing on local experiences and perspectives.

“This report therefore takes a different starting point. Rather than beginning with external definitions or models, it begins by listening to those who work on this issue every day here in the Solomon Islands,” she said.

Watson said the research involved interviews with 52 participants, most of whom are frontline responders who work directly with survivors of domestic violence. These include police officers, government officials, healthcare professionals, social workers, and representatives from civil society organisations.

“Their insights provide a deeply grounded understanding of how domestic violence is understood, experienced, and addressed within the Solomon Islands context.

“One of the most important findings of this report is that culture and social context play a central role in shaping responses to domestic violence,” she said.

She added that another key finding highlights the importance of coordination among different sectors.

“Domestic violence is not an issue that can be addressed by policing alone or by the health sector.

“These realities underline the need to continue strengthening coordination, expanding services, and supporting those working on the frontline of domestic violence,” she said.

Watson expressed hope that the report will encourage ongoing dialogue and ensure that local knowledge, expertise, and lived experiences continue to shape how domestic violence is addressed in the Solomon Islands.

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Gender violence a ‘growing issue’ for rural communities in North Malaita

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By RODRICK DESURI 

Auki 

Many rural communities in North Malaita are still experiencing violence compromising the safety of women and girls.

Many of these incidents have not been reported to responsible authorities such as police, and are allowed to continue because serious actions have not been taken. 

A concerned resident in North Malaita, Wilson Sifoinao said the issue of violence against women is serious and needs urgent action.

Sifoinao said this issue is growing among young couples to which alcohol is observed to be a catalyst.

He said a few cases have been reported to Auki police recently, but serious action has not been taken. 

“We have many issues related to violence against women in our communities. All of them involve alcohol, which leads husbands to harming their wives.

“Sometimes, a husband uses a knife. This is serious and needs urgent action to be taken by responsible authorities,” he said.

He also said some cases were settled by the community policing task force within the communities.

“Many cases we settled in the community were led by the community policing task force, but we are still experiencing the issue increasing,” he said.

In December last year, the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children, and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) hosted a domestic violence workshop in Auki to train participants from different sectors to learn how to support victims of domestic violence.

They also set up a domestic violence counseling committee for Malaita Province.

The new committee is expected to play a key role in helping communities respond to domestic violence, offering guidance, protection, and support to those in need.

They are also expected to have a strong network to ensure survivors can access proper care and support.

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Effective collaboration needed to tackle domestic violence

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

Effective collaboration among partners is crucial to address domestic violence in the Solomon Islands.

This was highlighted by Dr Danielle Watson when she officially launched the report titled “Beyond Important: Understanding Domestic Violence in the Solomon Islands.”

Ms Watson said domestic violence remains one of the most significant social challenges facing communities across the Pacific, including the Solomon Islands.

She explained that collaboration among service providers is vital to respond to the issue.

“One of the most important examples of this collaboration is the SAFENET referral system, which connects survivors with medical care, legal assistance, counselling and safe accommodation,” she said.

However, the research also highlights a number of ongoing challenges.

“Many services face resource constraints, limited staffing and heavy workloads,” Watson said.

She added that in rural areas, survivors often struggle to access support due to transportation barriers and limited availability of services.

According to Watson, the report outlines six recommendations that aim to strengthen responses to domestic violence in the Solomon Islands.

“These include strengthening legislation and law enforcement capacity, improving coordination between agencies, expanding culturally relevant education and prevention programmes, strengthening survivor-centred support services, increasing training for responders, and expanding services for remote communities,” she said.

Watson emphasised that the recommendations carry one central message.

“An effective response to domestic violence must be locally grounded, culturally informed and supported by strong partnerships across institutions and communities,” she said.

Despite the challenges identified in the report, Watson noted that the research also highlights the dedication and resilience of those working to support survivors.

She said many individuals remain deeply committed to preventing violence and assisting survivors, including police officers, health workers, NGOs, churches and community organisations.

“Their work demonstrates compassion, professionalism and perseverance, often under very difficult circumstances,” Watson said.

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Man gets 8 months for stealing 16 packets of cigarettes, intimidation

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BY MELVILLE TITIULU

A man has been sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment for stealing 16 packets of cigarettes and intimidating a market vendor.

The incident occurred at Savo market in West Honiara last year.

Principal Magistrate Felix Hollison delivered his judgement on Monday this week.

Justine Kimo, 27, of Kakabona, North West Guadalcanal, was charged with one count of simple larceny contrary to section 261(1) of the Penal Code and one count of intimidation contrary to section 231(1) of the Penal Code [Cap 26].

Principal Magistrate Hollison in delivering sentence said stealing is morally, biblically and culturally wrong and that is reflected in the criminalization of the offence under our Penal Code [Cap 26].

The offence of simple larceny carries a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment.

The court took into account aggravating factors. These included the loss of property for the complainant, the commission of the offence at night, which was a calculated move, the stress involved, and business loss for the complainant who was self-employed as a market vender and the fact that the stolen goods was not recovered and there was no form of restitution.

The court used a starting point of 12 months. It added four months to reflect the aggravating factors to 16 months.

From those 16 months, eight months were deducted to reflect all the mitigating factors such as early guilty plea, remorse, cooperation with the police, and his personal circumstances. Thus, resulting sentence of eight months imprisonment for one count of simple larceny.

For the second count of intimidation, Principal Magistrate was of the view that a custodial sentence is justified, given the use of weapon (stone).

The court used a starting point of eight months imprisonment. It added four months to reflect the aggravating factors, which would give 12 months. Then six months were deducted, reflecting all the mitigating factors such as early guilty plea, remorse, cooperation with the police, and his personal circumstance. Therefore, six months’ imprisonment was given for one count of intimidation.

It follows; the defendant was sentenced to eight months imprisonment for the count of simple larceny and six months imprisonment for one count of intimidation.

However, both sentences run ‘concurrently’ which means the final sentence is eight months imprisonment for both offences.

The ruling also noted the defendant’s time spent in custody should be deducted and that right of appeal applies.

Police constable Sam Gii from the Police Prosecutions Department represented the crown while Mr Harry Luahiti, Senior Legal Officer from the Public Solicitors Office represented the defendant, Mr Justine Kimo.

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Konofilia pleads not guilty to charges connected to 2021 riots

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BY MELVILLE TITIULU

A man has pleaded not guilty to charges accusing him of being involved in the 2021 riots in Honiara.

Moffat Joel Konofilia faces – count 1 sedition contrary to section 3(1)(i) of the Sedition Act; and count 2 taking part in unlawful assembly contrary to section 74 of the Penal Code.

The matter was heard before Principal Magistrate Tearo Beneteti yesterday.

Prosecution told court in its opening address that the issues before trial are;

-Firstly, whether or not the defendant was part of the group of men called the Malaita for Democracy (M4D) who travelled from Malaita on a ship and converged at Point Cruz, calling for the resignation of then Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare on November 24, 2021.

-Secondly, whether or not that amounts to unlawful assembly.

A total of seven prosecution evidence was tendered and exhibited in court. These included statement by police, statement by City Clerk of HCC, the “non approval’’ permit for protest issued by HCC, records of interview between the police with the defendant, digital footage take from Zfm media digital footage, 13 photographic images taken from Zfm source, and lastly a video footage.

Prosecution told court that apart from these exhibits tendered by consent, five prosecution witnesses (PW) will be called to give evidence on oath.

Yesterday two PWs were called. PW1 and PW2 were examined and cross-examined.

PW1 is a superintendent police officer.

PW1 gave evidence that he was part of the central command who were deployed to the vicinity of the Parliament house as part of an operation called ‘Operation Parliament’ during the time in question.

PW1 told court he was tasked to look after the northern gate of Parliament – situated beside the LCC office and the refueling station area at Point Cruz.

In cross-examination defence put it to PW1 that the defendant did not come onboard a boat from Auki, Malaita province.

Defence further put it to PW1, that he would not be in a better position to have known with certainty if the defendant in fact came in the boat from Malaita Province – to which PW1 confirmed.

Defence also put it to PW1 that the defendant was not their leader even though he was seen with the crowd – to which PW1 confirmed.

PW2 is a police constable officer.

In cross-examination, defence put it to PW2 that he would not be in a better position to have known with certainty if the defendant came by boat from Malaita province – to which PW2 confirmed.

The trial was adjourned for today, Friday, March 13 at 9.30am for continuation of trial where three more prosecution witnesses will be called to give evidence on oath.

Bail was extended for Mr Konofilia.

Special Prosecuting counsel, Ms Mary -Ann Zurenuoc from the Director of Public Prosecutions, appeared for the Crown, while Mrs Lilly Ramo from Just Lawyers represented the defendant. Konofilia.

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MINERS’ DIRTY PLOYS

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Police officers probing attack on Chinese Australian businessmen voice worries over bribe attempts and threats

BY LORETTA B MANELE

Police officers investigating the assault, robbery and possible kidnapping incident of two Chinese Australians on Sunday, March 8, are voicing concerns about interference by powerful Chinese miners who are suspects in the case.

From bribe offers of $30,000, to strangers showing up at their homes, the police officers told Island Sun that they feel threatened, adding that certain police officers are also acting for the suspects.

The suspects are senior figures in a mining company operating on Rennell island, Renbel province.

There are four of them, who are reportedly behind the attack on the two Chinese Australians on March 8, in front of Meat Lovers shop in Kukum.

These four Chinese businessmen allegedly hired the three locals who attacked the two Chinese Australians.

One of the four was arrested on Sunday evening and placed in a cell at the Central police station. However, the suspect was suspiciously released on bail that night. The next day he flew off to Rennell.

The police officers told Island Sun that Sunday evening following the arrest, a local man showed up at the Central police station saying he was sent by a prominent provincial leader from the Renbel province to enquire why the Chinese businessman were being detained.

On Monday, March 9, one of the police officers met with one of the suspects and his lawyer at the Heritage Park hotel.

The officer told Island Sun he was enticed with expensive food and drinks as the suspect’s lawyer requested the original copy of the statements of the two Chinese Australians.

The police officer declined based on the understanding that the lawful venue to exchange such documents was the courts.

Later that day the lawyer messaged the police officers again asking for the original statements of the two Chinese Australians, to which the officers declined.

On Wednesday, March 11, the local who had claimed to represent the Renbel provincial leader at the Central police station on Sunday evening, arrived at the home of one of the police officers.

The officer was not home, and the man lurked around the residential area before telling the officer’s spouse that a $30,000 would be given to the officer if he gave up the original statements of the two Chinese Australians.

The police officers told Island Sun yesterday that through out the week they have been receiving unreceptive behaviours from some of their colleague officers at the Central police station.

“We are coming to the media because we don’t know who to trust, and we feel that our lives are at risk as we do our jobs to investigate these powerful Chinese businessmen,” the police officers tell Island Sun.

When asked if they have reported to their internal matters department, the PSII, the officers said they will in time after they have completed their investigations because time is of the essence, and they need to collect and compile their report.

The officers said so far, video evidence and text messages have been handed as evidence to the criminal investigations department (CID).

Police media could not respond when contacted for comments last night.

Background

Two Australian citizens, of Chinese origin, were reportedly assaulted and robbed Sunday afternoon, March 8, by three locals outside the King of Meatz Kukum shop.

The locals were allegedly hired by four Chinese men who were senior figures in a mining company, sources told Island Sun on Sunday.

The incident is connected to the mining operation on Rennell island, Renbel province, sources said.

Police Media told Island Sun on Monday, “One of the Chinese businessmen who masterminded the hiring of the locals to harm the two persons has been arrested by police. Investigations have been initiated and ongoing on the matter.”

Four Chinese individuals had masterminded the attack and hired the three locals, police media said.

At this stage, it is not clear whether the plan was to kill the two persons or just threaten them, police told Island Sun.

Island Sun has sighted a video which was recorded by one of the two persons during the attack showing the three locals assaulting and robbing them.

The faces of the three local men are clearly visible in the video as they entered the vehicle, assaulted and snatched the vehicle key, and snatched a mobile phone from the two Chinese Australians.

The incident occurred in broad daylight with vehicles passing by. Bystanders reportedly came and persuaded the attackers to return the vehicle keys.

The mobile phone remains missing.

The four men who allegedly masterminded the attack are senior figures of one of the mining companies operating on Rennell, sources told Island Sun.

The two Chinese Australians are also senior members of another mining company, and were embroiled in business disputes with the four men, sources said.

It is understood that an injunction case between the parties is before the courts.

Meanwhile, this is not the first violent incident to happen connected to extractive operations in Rennell.

The most media-covered incident took place on the morning of Saturday, November 8, 2014, when a prominent landowner of West Rennell was attacked with a 60-centimetre bushknife and got his arm nearly chopped clean off. The attackers were hired by a logging company following dispute with the victim.

In September 2016 then Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare ordered an urgent investigation into “deepening violence” in West Rennell logging operations. The violence resulted in at least two people sustaining knife wounds. An attacker was taken into police custody in Honiara.

In May 2017 two cases of alleged arson occurred near Kanava Village in West Rennell. Police investigators from the National Crime Intelligence department were deployed from Honiara to assist.

In January 2020 an Indonesian national employed by the Bintang Mining Company was fatally stabbed on Rennell Island following an argument with two local men. The victim died at the Tigoa clinic, and two suspects in their 30s were arrested.

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