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Did Soga authorise the MPs to bribe Malaita’s Premier? : Opposition

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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THE Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale calls on the Commissioner of Police and the Chairman of the Leadership Code Commission to quickly investigate the allegation of bribery made by the Premier of Malaita Province against Government MPs.

This call came after the Premier publicly revealed that he was offered a bribe of SBD$1 m to support the push for Solomon Islands to switch diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China.

Mr Wale says, “Amidst the many criminal connotations that one can deduce from the allegation, on the outset, it is quite clear that the allegation calls into question the conduct of some of our national leaders.  This is a very serious matter and should not be brushed under the carpet.

“As the alleged bribe was made by twoGovernment MPs before the decision to switch diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China was made, it raises the even more serious question of whether the Prime Minister as head of the Government, authorised the two MPs to make the offer to the Premier?” It will be quite surprising if the two alleged Government MPs were acting on their own accord and were offering their own money to the Premier.  The Prime Minister therefore must be called to answer.

“Furthermore, the allegations also now call into question the process undertaken by the Government to secure the decision to switch diplomatic ties to China.  If the Premier who is not a voting MP was promised money for his support, were the Government MPs who voted in support of the switch also offered money in the same way that is alleged and if so, who authorised such offers, and where did the money come from? 

“The public is entitled to know whether payments were made to Government MPs for their votes and whether such payments were made from public funds, Chinese money or money from persons with vested interest in the outcome of the vote to switch.  These again are serious public interest questions that warrant immediate action by our responsible law enforcement authorities.”

The Opposition leader therefore urges the Commissioner of Police not to sit on the allegations. The public deserve answers and the way to provide answers is to properly investigate the allegations and to immediately prosecute those who are implicated.

–OPPOSITION PRESS

Failed shush attempt

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani.

A government Minister and a backbencher offered Malaita Premier $1m to ‘support China’

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

Malaita premier Daniel Suidani has exposed an attempt by government to silence him from speaking out Malaita’s disappointment in DCGA’s China-switch.

Two Guadalcanal members of Parliament

[names withheld]

, one a government back-bencher and the other a minister, are implicated in Suidani’s damning revelation of ‘bribe attempt’.

Premier Suidani said last week he received a phone call from the back-bencher asking him to join the government’s China-cause. Suidani declined.

Over the weekend, he received a call from the government minister, who asked him to come over to Honiara for ‘talks on the matter’ regarding government’s newfound Beijing friend. Again, Suidani declined.

Suidani adds that during the two calls, he was offered $1 million to join and support national government’s newfound relationship with communist China. Suidani turned down the offer.

Yesterday, Premier Suidani brought this matter to the media in Auki.

He said he stands by his people of Malaita and their interest on this saga of Solomon Islands severing bilateral ties with Taiwan for communist China.

He points out that what the two Government MPs failed to consider is that he [Suidani] as a leader puts Malaita first in everything that he does in his capacity as Premier and as an individual.

He admits that Malaita province definitely needs money, hinting that the outcome might have been different had the two Guadalcanal MPs thought of donating such huge amount towards the Malaita province coffers.

“But if it is just for the purpose of bribing me, I will not accept.

“I’m here representing the people of this province and I will not let them down just for that million dollar.

“This is to let the government or whosoever to understand that I’m not just a flexible leader to be over-run,” he said.

Suidani rebukes national government, saying Sogavare’s DCGA should be ashamed of itself because their decision to switch was done without considering the provincial governments.

He adds maybe Western province and others support the China move, but not Malaita. He emphasises that his people have spoken out loud and clear, and his stand as a democratic leader is to represent his people’s interest.

On that note, he challenges MPs from Malaita province who were among those who voted in favour of China to listen to the interest of their people.

Suidani said he will not be swayed like a palm on the top of a mountain.

He said Malaitans call for democracy after national government’s decision to switch to communist China and he will stand by his people.

Attempts to get comments from government offices including the Prime Minister’s office were not successful before this paper went to press last night.

Wale calls out Sogavare

Written by
Alfred Pagepitu
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Oppotion Leader Mathew Wale and Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare. File photo.

Opposition calls for police and Leadership Codes Commission to investigate bribery attempt on Malaita’s Premier

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

OPPOSITION Leader Matthew Wale has singled out Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare as head of government to answer for the failed bribery attempt on Malaita’s Premier by a Minister and a government back-bencher.

The failed bribery attempt on Premier Daniel Suidani shows the national government’s tactics and process to secure votes for the China switch, Opposition asserts.

Opposition Leader Matthew Wale in his media statement yesterday condemned the move to buy support from Premier Suidani with an offer of $1 million, which the premier had exposed to media on Monday.

Government, in its official response through the Prime Minister’s Press Secretariat, came an inch from confessing that Premier Suidani’s revelations were true.

In the response, while denouncing ‘any form of bribery by national leaders’, Provincial Government Minister and Member of Parliament for West Guadalcanal, Anthony Veke, admitted having made the invitation to which Premier Suidani had alluded to in his revelation.

“Minister Veke was in the process of inviting premiers for a dialogue to map a way forward for provinces in context of the new Sino-SI relations when he made the invitation.” The statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said.

“Veke also confirmed that arrangements were being made by the Ministry for Premier Suidani and other Premiers to hold a roundtable dialogue and to explain as Minister responsible for Provincial Governments, the foreign policy position of DCGA and processes involved in the decision to change diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China.

“Minister Veke confirmed that no bribes were offered by the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening.” The statement adds.

With this peculiar response, government called on Premier Suidani to take his allegations to the police for investigation.

Opposition, while echoing the call for a police investigation into the matter, adds that the Chairman of the Leadership Code Commission must also probe into this serious allegation.

Mr Wale says, “As the alleged bribe was made by two Government MPs before the decision to switch diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China was made, it raises the even more serious question of whether the Prime Minister as head of the Government, authorised the two MPs to make the offer to the Premier.

“It will be quite surprising if the two alleged Government MPs were acting on their own accord and were offering their own money to the Premier. 

“The Prime Minister therefore must be called to answer.

“Furthermore, the allegations also now call into question the process undertaken by the Government to secure the decision to switch diplomatic ties to China. 

“If the Premier who is not a voting MP was promised money for his support, were the Government MPs who voted in support of the switch also offered money in the same way that is alleged and if so, who authorised such offers, and where did the money come from?”

Wale goes on to say, “The public is entitled to know whether payments were made to Government MPs for their votes and whether such payments were made from public funds, Chinese money or money from persons with vested interest in the outcome of the vote to switch. 

“These again are serious public interest questions that warrant immediate action by our responsible law enforcement authorities.”

The Opposition leader urges the Commissioner of Police not to sit on the allegations.

“The public deserve answers and the way to provide answers is to properly investigate the allegations and to immediately prosecute those who are implicated.”

Premier Suidani early this week told media that he had received two phone calls; the first from a government backbencher, the second from a government Minister; during which he was offered $1 million to support the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) move to switch to China from Taiwan.

Suidani said that he refused the $1-million offer.

Premier Suidani did not give names, however said that both government members were MPs from Guadalcanal.

Meanwhile, Mr Johnson Honimae of the Police Media Unit, says police will only act if the allegations are reported to it with evidence.

In his comment to the Forum Solomon Islands International [Facebook], Mr Honimae says, “The RSIPF will only investigate the allegations if they are referred to the police with evidence. If not police cannot do anything about it. My wantoks let us understand the process and no toktok olobaot. No unnecessarily criticism RSIPF. We must follow processes and no short kate olbaot. Very soon we will be known as the Olobaot Islands. God save the Hapi Isles.”

West Rennell LOs want bauxite stockpile cleared

Written by
Mike Puia
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Stock pile.

WEST Rennell landowners are appealing to the national government to allow World Link Company to export a large bauxite stockpile it had dug up in their land.

World Link, which operated inside a private registered land in West Rennell, was unable to export the bauxite stockpile after the government cancelled its Mining Lease last year.

It is estimated that the stockpile World Link harvested before its lease was canceled weighs over 210,000 metric tonnes of wet bauxite.

World Link commenced its operation in West Rennell in 2015 until its lease was cancelled last year. It has an export permit. That permit is now invalid after the lease was canceled.

The company has already made 11 shipments of raw wet bauxite out of Rennell since it started operation.

A landowner, Jay Sau’eha, said the lease that allowed World Link to dig up bauxite in their land was issued by the government.

Sau’eha said the company was given an abrupt stop preventing a large bauxite stockpile from being exported.

He said they want the government to give a chance to World Link by allowing it to export this large stockpile.

Three shipments can cater for moving the stockpile.

It is understood Asia Pacific Investment Development (APID), a logging-turned-mining company, and its operating sub-contractor Bintan Mining Company (BMC) are in a high court battle with World Link.

This has put further doubt on World Link’s operation in West Rennell.

Sau’eha said while the two companies are taking up their time fighting a battle in the high court, his people’s plight is not being taken into consideration.

He said prior to stopping World Link’s operation, the government should notice the company to clear any stockpile before an actual stoppage is issued.

Sau’eha revealed World Link has a number of commitments to their communities and the stoppage has ceased these commitments.

He said these include its commitment to build recreational facilities in their community, construct a school and the implementation of a power project in their community.

According to Sau’eha, since the company stopped operating, their people have taken on these initiatives on their own which is costly to carry forward and to maintain.

He said their power project is now unable to move and their people are looking elsewhere for power.

Sau’eha said they want government to find a way to have the bauxite exported than leaving the stockpile become waste.

“It is our hope that responsible authorities would do the right thing and find a way where World Link can export this stockpile,” Sau’eha said.

BMC is the company currently operating in West Rennell under APID’s 25-years bauxite mining lease which covers most West Rennell land.

Some landowners who owned land within the registered site, where World Link operates on, have allowed BMC to dig their gardens.

Sau’eha said their people desperately wanted the stockpile exported so they received money from their resources that have been harvested and to allow World Link to complete its commitments to their community.

Parliament regularises $7 million supplementary budget

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Minister Hurry Kuma

By EDDIE OSIFELO

PARLIAMENT passed the 2018 Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2019 yesterday to regularise the $7 million used by the government on services until December last year.

This is in accordance with section 50 and section 60 of the Public Finance and Management Act 2013, through contingency warrants and advance warrants.

Minister of Finance and Treasury, Harry Kuma said from $7 million, $6 million was spent on contingency warrants and $1 million on advance warrants.

Kuma said from the $6 million contingency warrants, $905,000 was spent on National Parliament to cater for telephone bills and allowance for Members of Parliament during the Parliament sittings in late 2018.

He said $4.5 million was spent on Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services to cater for omission and objection period in preparation for the 2019 National General Elections.

Further to that, Kuma said $605, 102 was spent on Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology to purchase the delivery of food relief for communities affected by tropical cyclone Liua in Makira Ulawa and Isabel Province.

For the $1 million advance warrants, Kuma said it was spent on Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development.

He said it was a budget support funded by Australia Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and External Trade especially for secondary school infrastructure projects such as building of classrooms and dormitories.

In the meantime, Parliament will also regularise the one hundred and forty five million, two hundred and fifty one thousand and thirty three dollars ($145, 251, 033) in this sitting.

Cable goodwill paid out?

Written by
Mike Puia
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Office of the Prime Minister

By Mike Puia

IT appears the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) has made a goodwill payment to a group for landowners from Guadalcanal for the landing of the undersea internet cable on the foreshore of Honiara.

Efforts to confirm this payment, and the figure involved, with the OPMC all failed.

The payment is said to be hand delivered by the Attorney General, John Muria Junior.

Muria Jnr did not respond when this paper contacted him by email.

The payment was reportedly delivered in hard cash.

Reports reaching this paper revealed that this goodwill payment was done prior to the ground breaking ceremony at the cable’s landing station at SMI earlier this year.

The recipient of the payment and the involvement of the Attorney General have raised questions.

The group of landowners that received the payment are said to be landowners representing tribes in Tandai that own Honiara’s foreshore.

A leader of two tribes in Tandai that claimed to have documents to back their ownership of Honiara’s foreshore, Charles Keku, confirmed there were other tribes within Tandai that received the payment.

Keku informed this paper that the government has been backing and working closely with other tribes of Tandai.

He said these are the groups who received the goodwill payment and not their tribes.

The Ministry of Lands, Housing & Survey (MLHS) confirmed that Honiara’s foreshore below high water mark is all registered and are in private ownership.

The Chief Technical Adviser and Acting Commissioner of Lands, Alan McNeil, said the whole of Iron Bottom Sound next to Honiara, comprising more than 1,600 hectares of land covered by water is in private hands – apart from a small area around the port.

McNeil said none of it is owned by any tribe from Tandai.

The issue of ownership of Honiara’s foreshore is a matter currently before the High Court.

A recent election by the Tandai tribes to have Keku removed as paramount chief of the Tandai House of Chiefs is linked to this goodwill payout, according to Keku.

He said certain tribes within Tandai lobby other Tandai tribes to get rid of him in a move to cover-up this pay out.

Keku said the involvement of Muria Jnr is another issue.

It is not clear where the government took the money from to cater for this payout.

Keku said if the payment comes out from the Ministry Finance and Treasury then the Ministry has failed its part in verifying the payment.

If the payment was made outside the government payment process then there is a likelihood that it comes from the Solomon Islands Submarine Cable Company Limited (SISCC), a company that will own and operate the submarine cable service in the country.

It is understood Muria Jnr is one of the directors of this company. This has raised the question about his interest on this issue.

Keku insisted that the government should properly assess and find out the true owners of the site before committing a payment.

Australia opens up for Solomon Islands

Written by
Alfred Pagepitu
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Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison

BY ALFRED PAGEPITU

AUSTRALIA is considering ‘further opening up its doors’ to Solomon Islanders, it is reported.

This is if the Solomon Islands government reconsiders its move to recognise Beijing over Taipei.

Sources tell Island Sun that Australian Prime Minister, Mr Scott Morrison, will make the announcement this week to his Solomon Islands counterpart, Mr Manasseh Sogavare.

Among this new package of privileges Solomon Islanders can now access from Australia is an easier admittance for permanent residency (PR) for Solomon Islanders.

However, by Solomon Islanders, it means any person who is born and raised in the Solomon Islands only.

Regular seasonal workers to Australia are also poised to get PR status easily should they wish to apply.

A special visa arrangement is also in the list, which sources say will involve removal of current stringent measures or requirements applicants have to satisfy.

“Special dispensation will be made to Solomon Islanders to easily obtain permanent residency in Australia,” sources tell Island Sun last night.

“This means more better medical and health care, which until now have only been enjoyed by the rich few and politicians in Solomon Islands, will be easily available for Solomon Islanders to come to Australia to get.

“Regular seasonal workers to Australia will also receive special dispensation to get PR in Australia.

“This also means retired health care service will be now available to Solomon Islanders.

“Also, for local business people of Solomon Islands, this will be the opportunity they have been waiting for to make easier and bigger investments in Australia,” sources say.

A senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET), answering queries from the paper last night on condition of anonymity, says this is news which is yet to reach MFAET.

“This is news to me,” says the official.

“I can only confirm that we have not received any such information nor dialogue from Canberra, but I will check with the Minister tomorrow.”

Island Sun understands that Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele is currently in Taiwan, having left on Saturday (September 7) for a one-week trip.

Attempts to gauge comments from the Press Secretary to the Prime Minister were futile last night before this paper went to press.

SIPA commissions new LED Lights and CCTV system

Written by
Charles Kadamana
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New LED Lighting turn on at Ports Authority international wharf.

BY CHARLES KADAMANA

SOLOMON Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) last night commissioned its new LED Lighting and CCTV surveillance system to reduce usage of electricity and mitigate against climate change.

SIPA Head of Human Resource James Gerea said this initiative is the largest in the South Pacific.

“This is an initiative to reduce electricity usage through the use of Led technology.

He said there are 20 LED lighting poles installed around the Ports international wharf and domestic wharves.

He said the initiative is part of SIPA’s Green Port initiative to mitigate climate changes.

He said new LED lights are more energy efficient and environmentally safe.

“It will enhance efficiency in ports operations and productivity output, especially with fast vessel turn-around.

“It will also ensure the safety and security of our employees in terms of providing higher visibility during night operations,” he said.

Gerea said with the installation of the CCTV system it will monitor all activities for the whole port 24 hours.

He said the initiative fulfil the ISPS requirement by IMO in London.

It will act as deterrent for any crime, theft inside the port and ensure safety and security for all stakeholders.

There are 40 CCTV cameras installed both in the international wharves and domestic terminal.

PM switch on the light

Written by
Charles Kadamana
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Prime Minister Sogavare turn on the CCTV Surveillance System.

BY CHARLES KADAMANA

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare last night switched on the new LED light and CCTV Surveillance System that will increase the confidence of the public in Solomon Island Ports Authority ability to ensure a safe and secure environment for their cargoes.

The LED Lighting Project which is worth $15million is the largest of its kind in the South Pacific, fully funded by SIPA.

Speaking during the commissioning of the project at the SIPA international wharf Prime Minister Sogavare said the installation of LED light and CCTV surveillance system will guarantee the safety of imported cargoes are protected.

He said this is a significant achievement for SIPA.

He said SIPA has come a long way since its establishment on June 4, 1956 and it is expanding.

“We have recently seen the expansion of the international wharf which to me is an indicator that SIPA is growing and becoming major player in the region, which is very encouraging,” he said.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare (center ) turns on the new LED Lighting using iPad as Solomon Islands Ports Authority Chief Executive Officer Eranda Kotelawala (left) looks on during the commissioning of the new LED Lighting and CCTV Surveillance System at the Ports Authority international wharf on Thursday night.

Sogavare said SIPA international ports in Honiara and Noro are the two main entry points in the country where cargoes are transported by sea.

“Therefore, it is important that we have a system and measures in place to diligently monitor movement of cargoes into and out of our country.

“I must also stress that the safety and protection of cargoes is a must,” he said.

Sogavare added that the initiative to use LED technology will reduce electricity usage that will assist SIPA to achieve improved energy savings and reduction in electricity cost that stands at around $6m a year.

He said this is a substantial saving and it will definitely free up some money that can be spent elsewhere to improve other service that SIPA provides.

Prime Minister Sogavare turn on the CCTV Surveillance System.

He said the LED Lighting project will definitely make SIPA international and domestic wharves safer for people and shipowners.

“Our post will also be much safer because of the CCTV surveillance system. This state of the art system is indeed a very welcoming news for us.

“It will no doubt instil confidence in our investor in the private sectors. Investors’ confidence is very important, we all know that and it is really encouraging to see SIPA addressing this through these two projects,” Prime Minister Sogavare said.

He added the two projects will also dater people from committing crimes within the vicinity of SIPA and ensure safety and security of those using SIPA’s facilities.

He said on the international front, these two projects are also important to meet the international ships and ports facility code (ISPS) as required by the International Maritime Organization.

He said the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) acknowledges the board and management of SIPA for ensuring that the ports are safe and secure.

He also acknowledges his Minister of Infrastructure and Development Manasseh Maelanga and Minister of Finance and Treasury Harry Kuma who oversees the SIPA.

Minister of Infrastructure and Development Manasseh Maelanga (left) and Honiara City Mayor Wilson Mamae attending the commissioning of the LED Light and CCTV system at Ports Authority on Thursday night.

Police vehicle in Renbel sold: Varley confirms

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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PC Mathew Varley

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

POLICE Commissioner Matthew Varley has confirmed that Police officers at Tingoa RenBel Province have sold the old ex-RAMSI vehicle AB 1530 without authorisation of the Police Force.

Island Sun had reported that the vehicle, AB1530, which was put on tender by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development last week, had already been sold by officers at Tingoa police station months earlier.

RSIPF Rove HQ was reportedly unaware of this sale.

Mr Varley says he is upset with his officers’ action.

However the briefing he got is it’s an old vehicle, an ex-RAMSI vehicle, and it was a vehicle that did not have an engine on it for some reason and it’s a vehicle that have been decommissioned and identified as beyond repair.

“What I’m told is that the officers disposed the vehicle locally,” Varley said.

He said that investigations are under-way regarding the sell and who benefits from the money.

He said that an old government property remains the property of the government and he has ordered full investigation on that case.

Varley also said that in relation to the misconduct officers down at Renbel a team of officers with the Assistant Commissioner Provincial and SIPDP Advisors had travel to Renbel last weekend and the ACP has prepared a report for in which he is still in the process of reviewing the reports.

“I have asked Deputy Commissioner of Operation Juanita Matanga and ACP Provincial Joseph Manelugu to review the report carefully and give me recommendation on changes or issues that need to be addressed down at Renbel I’ll update on those changes in due course at this stage I’m still working through those information,” Varley said.

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