Dear Editor,

IN his first post-election speech the newly appointed Solomon Islands Prime Minister, announced some important first-steps for his administration.

Quoting from the Solomon Star newspaper, published on 20 November, 2017, the following policy measures were outlined.

“Corruption has caused inefficiencies in operations, it has undermined public trust in government, and it has exhausted public resources and money as well as causing injustice through advantaging a few at the expense of many.

“It has robbed vital resources from our schools and hospitals.

“I assure this nation that my administration will deliver this important legislation and we are committed in ensuring its implementation before the end of the 10th Parliament,” Mr Hou said with an air of determination.

“Prime Minister Hou said other immediate priorities of his government are addressing the government’s ‘ailing’ financial situation and completing the national undersea cable project.

“An important objective of the government is to stabilise our ailing fiscal situation. It is my government’s immediate priority to immediately address the cash-flow situation.

“My government will ensure there is fiscal discipline across government sectors and to assist line ministries to execute their respective budgets more efficiently, effectively and responsibility.

“I assure you that my officials have already identified key areas in the productive, social and resource sectors that my Government will prioritise as our immediate short term plan.”

“Mr Hou added that given the limited timeframe, his government will prioritise achievable, identified infrastructure projects only.

“We will accelerate necessary work to fast track those infrastructure projects that are crucial to quickly resuscitate government finances and the economy more broadly.

“It is important to prioritise and invest in Infrastructure development that will provide opportunities for growth in the rural sector.”

“Underscoring the Undersea Cable Project, Mr Hou said:

“The submarine cable is also one of the immediate priorities of my government.

“I am aware new arrangements have been re-negotiated with Australia. This project is crucial to reducing telecommunication costs so the new Government will see to its completion without any further delay.”

“The new Prime Minister said an Immediate Strategy entailing a set of priorities of his government for its short-term in office will be put in place.

“The strategy is to continue with the projects and programs of the previous DCCG with increased level of policy implementation aimed to stabilise the fiscal situation, strengthen budget implementation and ensure we achieve tangible results in the short term.”

“Prime Minister Hou also took the opportunity to assure Solomon Islands development partners of his government’s readiness to re-engage with them in advancing the country’s interest.

“For too long, we have left our development partners in the cold which has negatively affected the progress of important Government programmes.

“But today, I assure you that my government will take extra efforts in working closely with each and every one of our partners as we work towards our common goal to move this country forward. On that note, I would also like to thank our developing partners for their continuous support.”

“Mr Hou had served as Governor of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands and also as Senior Advisor to the Executive Director of the World Bank before beginning his political career after winning the national general elections in 2010.

He is the country’s 17th Prime Minister since it attained nationhood on the 7th of July 1978.

“The Prime Minister’s election yesterday was necessitated by the successful moving of a motion of no-confidence in former Prime Minister Sogavare on Monday last week by the Independent Group Leader Dr Derek Sikua.

Source:   Solomon Star newspaper.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

Dear Editor,

THE online webpage of the Solomon Star newspaper continues to feature an editorial piece, first published on 16 November 2017, relating to an allegation of unlawful detention and assault by the RSIPF reported by two youths.

Without going into the specifics of the allegations made the story raises in my mind whether or not it is time to introduce legislation in the Solomon Islands that governs the major part of police powers over and above the statutory provisions relating to police contained in the existing Police Act and Regulations.

The reputation and standing of the re-built RSIPF cannot be allowed to be sullied by allegations of misconduct but, equally, misconduct that is proven cannot be allowed to go unpunished.

In 1997 I issued this order to the then members of the police service to try to ensure proper conduct, both on and off duty.

“It is the duty of every member of the Force to cultivate good relations with all sections of the public, and always to bear in mind that, where such relations do not exist, police officers work under a severe handicap and cannot therefore. be fully efficient,

“In their daily dealings with the public, police officers are often required to exercise firmness, and sometimes obliged to resort to force in the exercise of their duty. Firmness, however, must be tempered by tact, patience and good humour, and any force used must be the minimum necessary to secure compliance with the law.

“Members of the Force have special powers not possessed by the ordinary citizen, and it is of the utmost importance that these powers should be used with discretion and forbearance.  Harsh or oppressive conduct, incivility, and the use of unnecessary violence can in no circumstances be justified or tolerated, and are punishable offences against discipline.

“Members of the Force must avoid altercations of any nature.  If an officer is wantonly assaulted he has the legal power to arrest his assailant.

“Arguments with members of the public on matters of duty must be carefully avoided; it rarely convinces anyone and naturally irritates persons smarting under some real or imaginary grievance.

“All ranks must, moreover, constantly remember that one offender in this respect may give a bad name to the police generally, and that a display of surliness or ill-humour, or the harsh or oppressive use of authority, by one police officer may have the adverse effects of a far-reaching nature on the Force as a whole.”

In 1984, in the UK, the government introduced The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984

This Act is commonly referred to as PACE and it governs the police powers of investigation, including arrests, detention, interrogation, entry and search of premises and the taking of samples.

Quoting from In Brief.co uk, a leading legal website, the legislation contains PACE Codes of Practice, which police officers should consider and refer to when carrying out various procedures associated with their work

The Act attempts to strike a fair balance between the exercise of power by those in authority and the rights of members of the public.

There are 8 Codes of Practice laid down in the Act.

“Failure by a police officer to adhere to the Codes of Practice does not render them liable to criminal or civil proceedings. However, their failure to adhere to what the Codes state can be introduced as evidence in civil and criminal proceedings (PACE, s 67). Additionally, any evidence obtained by the police in relation to the investigation of any criminal offence where they have failed to adhere to PACE, can be deemed inadmissible in court thus harming the case against the defendant.”

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

Dear Editor

MY recent letter to the media mentioning that the Indian Prime Minister had promised in 2015, to provide several of the smaller islands states in the Pacific region, including the Solomon Islands, lighting for 200 homes in each of 14 island states with electricity generated by renewable energy sources, brought immediate comment from three doctors in service at the NRH.

The old English proverb asserts itself with complete assurance: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Like many time-worn sayings, this claim that mind always rules over matter rings true only some of the time. Sometimes we don’t have the will; sometimes we lose our way.

Have I witnessed a new spirit emerging,however,from this trio of doctor and a spirit that will continue to emerge amongst Solomon Islanders till eventually the country’s over-dependency on foreign aid will be radically diminished?

One must hope so, but perhaps not in my lifetime.

In support of the refreshing and enterprising commentary by the doctors, it might be worth recording that total dependence on foreign aid means that it becomes the opiate of the Third World.

In a similar way to how the development of the welfare state in some developed countries has helped undermine society by removing the need for communities to develop themselves through cooperation and exchange but by instead supporting and facilitating anti-social and irresponsible behaviour, foreign aid has largely encouraged Third World governments and their populations to rely on hand-outs instead of on themselves for development.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short