BY INDY MAEALASIA

THE National Judiciary of the Solomon Islands has reached greater heights with the latest digitization of its court system, a transformative step to enhance access to justice, improve efficiency, and ensure greater transparency in the legal process.

“This marks a significant milestone in enhancing the services provided by the National Judiciary, particularly regarding Registry matters, court records, and the management of court processes,” Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer said reflecting on the major leap.

He pointed out that such up-to-date system provides ample access to justice.

“Digitization is essential for improving access to justice by simplifying how individuals find legal information, enabling electronic filing, allowing remote case tracking, and facilitating virtual interactions with legal practitioners.”

Palmer said this will allow people living far and in rural places to receive text message, updating them on the progress of their cases without the hassle to travel long distances.

The new system is also deemed to “enhance transparency in the judicial proceeding”. Palmer stressed that this is critical to foster public trust and reduce corruption.

“Our electronic initiatives will boost governmental and court transparency, thereby enhancing confidence in the justice system,” he said.

While technology is a crucial part of digitizing the court system, an all-inclusive approach must be considered for its successful implementation.

“To fully realize the benefits of digitization, we must consider various factors impacting court efficiency beyond technology. These factors include judicial service demand, personnel resources, expertise, leadership, cultural aspects, and procedural legislation,” he added.

The long-awaited transition was completed on January 2, 2025.

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Malaita provincial government has assured cooperation with the World Bank on a series of development proposals for Malaita province.

World Bank is the key donor of Solomon Islands Road Aviation Project (SIRAP) in the country, where series of infrastructure projects have been implemented in Malaita province.

The institution will soon fund other key infrastructure development projects in the province.

Premier of Malaita province, Elijah Asilaua announced this recently assuring the commitment of his government with World Bank.  

“Our commitment remains with the World Bank for the proper fisheries project. The idea is to construct the monitoring, control and surveillance center building in Auki.

“Subdivision of the land is in progress. This will contribute significantly to strengthening Solomon Islands regional collaborations, national and international access for both oceanic and coastal fisheries,” he said.

The project will also house the office for the Bina Harbor Tuna Processing Plant project in Auki, Malaita province.

Asilaua also spoke highly of its collaboration with World Bank through Solomon Islands Agriculture and Rural Transformation Project (SIART) toward building of a new agriculture office in Auki.

Moreover, he commended World Bank for CAUSE, SOLKAS, UNICEF projects and other development partners for contributing through climate change issues and other means of development in Malaita Province.

Asilaua highlighted the commitment of his government and the people of Malaita province to work closely with World Bank and other development partners toward the development of the province.

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

WITH less than two weeks remaining until the prestigious Miss Pacific Islands Pageant 2025 in Honiara, the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) has been confirmed as the Platinum Sponsor for the highly anticipated event.

This major sponsorship comes as a relief to organizers who have been working tirelessly to secure funding and ensure that preparations are on track.

In a press statement, event organizers expressed their gratitude and highlighted the importance of securing strong partnerships.

“We are thrilled to announce that sponsorships for the event are being finalized this week. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our sponsors and supporters for their invaluable contributions,” the statement read.

The finalized list of sponsors includes:

Platinum Sponsor: Solomon Islands Government (SIG)

Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Ministry of Culture & Tourism, Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs

Silver Sponsors: Tourism Solomons and Coral Sea Resort & Casino

Bronze Sponsors: Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SI Ports), Printwise, Blue Water Logistics, BSP Financial Group, PARANGA

Supporters: Solomon Motors, Advance Technology, Satsol, Yacht Club, Palm Sugar, Gensys Catering, SINU, Adkonekt, DJ Graphics, Kutchi Lights, Amazing Grace, RSIPF, Honiara City Council (HCC), Heritage Park Hotel, Honiara Hotel, Cafe El Shaddai, Hibiscus Home Stay, Elsie Sika Designs, Pacific Crown.

Ticket options for the event are as follows:

VIP – Dinner and Show (Individual): $1,000

Table of 10: $10,000

General Admission – Show Only:

Adult: $200

Child (8-14 years): $100

Ticket cane be purchased at: Solomon Host office, Room 42, NPF Plaza, Jedok Sport Shop, Room 4, NPF Plaza and Coral Sea Resort & Casino

Contestants and delegations are expected to arrive in Honiara on January 30th and 31st, as final preparations for the pageant begin.

Miss Samoa Moemoana Schewenke was crowned Miss Pacific Islands Pageant in Nauru Last year.

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BY INDY MAEALASIA

RURAL Training Centers (RTCs) across the country must be upgraded to meet the demands of a globalised community, says Opposition Leader Matthew Wale in a recent podcast.

Wale emphasized that RTCs should no longer focus solely on training for rural village living. “All of our rural training centers must evolve beyond just preparing people for village life,” he stated.

He explained that while churches originally established these centers to promote “productive village living,” this approach is still relevant, as many people continue to live in rural areas.

 “They need skills that enable them to be productive in the rural setting,” Wale said.

However, he argued that the world has changed, and the country must adapt. “We are now part of a much smaller global village,” Wale noted.

With increasing labor mobility and expanding educational opportunities abroad, RTCs should prepare individuals for life in a global context. “We should be training people not just for rural living, but for success in the world.

Our people must be equipped to seize opportunities wherever they arise,” he added.

Wale believes that this transformation is achievable, but it will require substantial government leadership and resourcing to make it happen.

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BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Leader of the opposition Matthew Wale called for the termination of the medical scheme for Members of Parliament last year.

Wale made the call when he questioned the additional 1.5 million for medical assessment under the Government budget on the floor of parliament last year.

Wale questioned when the contract would lapse and if the 1.5 million to cover pre-existing conditions would go to the same service provider.

 According to media reports, the DCGA Executive Government signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Mustard Seed International on 1st April 2020.

The Medical Scheme proposed Regulation 68 of 2020 PER to be renumbered as Regulation 68- It reads “There shall be a Health and Medical Care Scheme for Members of Parliament, their spouses and children with a reputable health care scheme approved by the Parliamentary Entitlement Commission following existing processes.

“What is the status of the arrangements? I assume this is for the medical scheme. When would the contract lapse and what are the options going forward?’’ Wale questions when he spoke during the Bills – Committee of Supply 2025 Appropriation Bill 2024.

In response, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele said he doesn’t have a specific date when the contract will lapse but understands the arrangements are continuing.

“Yes, the 1.5 million goes to the current provider. The allocation here, as I understand also had this insurance scheme that covers MPs. But also, apart from that, we do have the referrals for the MPs for medical checks, locally or overseas that this heading is catering for,’’ said Manele.

He clarified that the allocation under that head (22116) Wale questioned is for MPs as per the entitlement under the PER arrangements.

Manele said that it is a contracted obligation.

“The additional 1.5 million is for MPs with pre-existing conditions. That is the clarification towards that sub-head. There are discussions on whether the arrangement would continue or not,’’ said Manele.

When asked how many have benefited from the scheme, Manele said he doesn’t have the exact figures on how many MPs benefit from that allocation.

“I don’t have the exact figure of how many MPs benefit from that allocation,’’ he said.

Wale further argued that there is a need to terminate this arrangement.

“At the very least review this matter go back some years.  I don’t know, if they refund you, but not me,’’ Wale said.

He said that the service that has been provided to some of them at the very least is very unresponsive for the amount of money that the scheme is getting from the budget.

“It is not an insurance scheme to say that those with pre-existing conditions would be covered by 1.5 million. The PM will be aware of sending someone with serious pre-existing conditions overseas and 1.5 million is only for a single person.

“So, they call themselves a medical scheme, not an insurance scheme. They cannot cover the regular entitlement they anticipated. So, there is a need to terminate that and seek proper insurance with free insurance backup cover,’’ said Wale.

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By Loretta B Manele

Police have arrested a 24-year-old man over allegations he caused the death of another man.

The 21-year-old male victim reportedly died instantly after being punched by a 24-year-old male suspect in Choiseul province, police media unit reported yesterday.

According to police media, officers from the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) at Wagina and Taro police stations with support from RSIPF forensics conducted an investigation in an alleged murder incident.

The incident as stated occurred at Terapa Island close to Wagina in Choiseul province on Sunday, January 19 after a short argument.

Berry Pogesopa, Provincial Police Commander (PPC) for Choiseul province said the deceased and the accused are from Canann village near Noro town who went over to Wagina for seaweed farming.

Pogesopa said on Sunday the deceased and the accused together with others were having beers when the argument broke out.

It was during this time that the suspect punched the deceased on his forehead causing him to die instantly on the scene.

He stated that the suspect has been arrested for further dealings while formalities for the post mortem are underway to form part of the police investigation.

PPC Pogesopa appeals to both parties involved in this murder incident to assist police with more information and to refrain from taking any retaliation.

“Allow police to investigate and deal with the matter.”

By Loretta B Manele

Australia wants to make the Pacific a centrepiece of its foreign policy.

Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles made this clear during his visit to the country on Saturday 18^th at a brief meeting with the media after having met with Prime Minister Manele.

He said they see their engagement with the pacific as being front and centre in terms of how they engage with the world.

“I couldn’t be happier with the way in which our government has acted over the last three years in pursuit of that goal.”

He mentioned that Penny Wong, Australia’s foreign minister has been more present in the pacific than any foreign minister in their country’s history.

Marles said this speaks of the priority they are placing on the pacific.

“All of that activity speaks to how importantly we regard the pacific in terms of Australia’s interests, in terms of our security, in terms of our strategic landscape, in terms of our worldview.

“That is not just a question of the visits that we’ve made. It’s how we have changed the relationships that we’ve got with the countries of the pacific.”

Marles pointed out that the agreement signed between our two Prime Ministers in December last year on the partnership to increase the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) capacity is a perfect example of that.

He expressed that this will really see the development of a transformational capability in Solomon Islands in terms of law and order.

“We want to move the dial here in Solomon Islands but across the pacific on the various issues and challenges which the pacific face.”

He noted that the heart of this aspiration is seeing a fundamental improvement in the human development of the people of the pacific.