Gegeu’s grievous harm trial set for another date and magistrate

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May 10, 2024

BY ROMIAN FAKA

Trial into the case against four men accused of attacking and injuring a man at the Town Council depot area last year has been set for October 7-18.

Yesterday both prosecution and defence agreed with the court on the tentative trial date which was set in the last mention.
Defence confirmed to court that she was the allocated lawyer for accused Daniel Rofeta and Daniel Fugui for the trial.
Court then suspended the matter for June 6 for first interim-mention.

All the suspects are excused from attending the court sessions until the final interim mention on October 3.
Prosecution charged Luise Meke, Daniel Rofeta, Warren Basil and Daniel Fugui jointly for one count of grievous bodily harm.
All the four accused have pleaded not guilty to the charge.

It was alleged around 1 and 2am in the morning of August 16, 2023 at the Town Council Depot area, the complainant was waiting at the front gate of the Holy Cross transit in front of his girlfriend’s residence.

It was alleged the complainant honked for the security guard to open the gate for him and while waiting saw the four accused running towards him from the opposite side of the road.

The victim got suspicious that this group might harm him and he quickly drove away to escape from them.
After 30 minutes the complainant returned to the same location and while waiting for the security to open the gate, smoked a cigarette.

All of the sudden the group attacked the complainant from behind.

They used a hard object to strike the complainant’s right hand, causing him to fall onto the road unconsciously.

Luckily, one of the security officers at the Honiara City Council (HCC) workshop witnessed the attack and intervened and prevented the boys from further harming the complainant.

Later the complainant was assisted to his girlfriend’s residence.

That same night the complainant was not feeling well and went to the National Referral Hospital.

He was informed that the right side of his skull was cracked and there was internal bleeding.

The injuries sustained by the complainant were severe, he was referred to Gold Coast University Hospital in Queensland, Australia for further medical attention.

Vernon Taupongi acts for the crown and Delilah Kukura represent Luise Meke, Daniel Onorio represent Warren Basil, Jennifer Happilyn represent Daniel Fugui and Daniel Rofeta.

Mammogram machine donation unused

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May 10, 2024

The new Mammogram machine yet to be operational — Mammogram machine.

BY INDY MAEALASIA

MONTHS after receiving a donated mammogram machine—the vital screening tool for detecting breast cancer—the National Referral Hospital (NRH) has yet to make it operational.

The life-saving machine worth SBD1.2 million was donated by the Solomon Islands Maritime Authority (SIMA) on November 20, 2023.

According to an insider source, following the donation, a specialist was tasked with installing the machine; unfortunately, the machine cannot be used due to the absence of a part.

Based on an Oncology Unit report, breast cancer remains one of the top five cancers in the country and ranks second behind cervical cancer.

Responding to queries, the NRH said in a press statement, “The NRH has contacted the supplier, and plans are in place for the supplier to deliver the additional part in May or June this year.

The statement also said that “the supplier will also be doing appropriate calibrations and application training with local staff at the same time.”.

Furthermore, the NRH authorities gave the assurance that the public would be informed once the machine was operational.

Previously, during the official handover ceremony in December 2023, the Permanent Secretary of MHMS, Pauline Boseto McNeil, said the new machine is a strategic effort to control the high cases of breast cancer.

Additionally, the donation of the machine is an outcome of a 2022 MOU signed between SIMA and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) as part of SIMA’s community engagement and contribution to the prevention and early diagnosis of breast cancer.

Two candidates for Malaita’s provincial speaker

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May 10, 2024

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

TWO candidates have been nominated to contest the seat of the Speaker for Malaita provincial assembly.

This was after the three-day nomination issued by the office of the provincial clerk that opened on Tuesday, closed at 4pm yesterday.

In a notice issued by the office of the provincial clerk on the nomination at 4pm yesterday, “At the close of nomination on Thursday 9^th May 2024 at 4pm two nominations have been received.

“Therefore, in accordance with the standing order 16, I hereby place on notice that the following persons are the candidates for the speaker position

“Mr Joe Heroau and Mr Dickson Pola.

“The election for the position of the speaker of Malaita provincial assembly will take place on Friday 10^th May 2024 at the provincial assembly chamber in Auki.”

Both Heroau and Pola had served in the former Malaita provincial assembly. Heroau served as the former MPA for ward 25 and Pola as former MPA for ward 21.

After the election of the provincial speaker today, the speaker will schedule date for the nomination and election of the premier of Malaita province.

KWATO’O REPLACES SUIDANI

Politics

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May 10, 2024

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Newcomer Phillip Kwato’o has replaced Daniel Suidani as the leader of their camp ahead of Malaita’s premier election next week.

Mr Kwato’o, part Malaita and Choiseul, is the MPA for Ward 29, in Central Kwara’ae and was nominated on Wednesday this week.

He brings with him the sense of fresh blood and positive change into the arena of provincial governance politics of Malaita.

But, leadership and service is not new to Kwato’o.

Before entering politics, Kwato’o was engaged in years of philanthropic work for his communities in and around his village of Malawai in Central Kwara’ae and communities in Choiseul. These include the building of rest houses, clinic and classrooms.

He holds a bachelors in Mining Engineering, and had worked in various organisations including heading the School of Gemology and Jewellery at the Technical Institute of Malaita, Training Manager at SolBrew, Camp Manager for an exploration operation in Isabel.

Kwato’o is up against the odds, coming in to lead a camp that is reportedly with a minority group of 13 MPAs against Elijah Asilaua’s camp, which claims to have 20 members.

However, Kwato’o is unfazed, saying that in politics the buck stops with the announcement of results.

Thus, he says they are confident of boosting their numbers ahead of the premier’s election next week.

Kwato’o believes that the other camp has genuine leaders who will believe in his visions for the province, and will join his camp.

He said he believes in working together for the betterment of Malaita, so all MPAs should have a part to play in his administration.

Meanwhile, Asilaua’s camp continues to claim they are strongly bonded heading to next week’s election.

An MPA from Asilaua’s camp, Jerry Hite said they are waiting on Sikaiana’s MPA to arrive in Auki before their 20-strong membership is complete.

Hite said they are also working on luring MPAs from Kwato’o’s camp.

Aoraunisaka calls for unity, collaboration

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May 9, 2024

Re-elected Provincial Speaker Peter Aoraunisaka.

BY INDY MAEALASIA

THE re-elected provincial speaker for the Guadalcanal Provincial Assembly has called for collaboration.

Addressing the twenty (20) Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) after swearing-in yesterday at the Provincial headquarters, Speaker, Peter Aoraunisaka urged for unity onwards.

“Even if the speaker is recognized as the head of the legislature of Guadalcanal Provincial Assembly, I want us to all work together” he remarked.

He reminded them that there will be challenges to address ahead and more work that needs to be done.

Aoraunisaka mentioned that there are few non- assented ordinances that require their attention and other development matters that needed to be dealt with.

He than thanked them for the support and the trust they have in re-electing him to be the speaker.

Public transport user urges respect for women’s safety

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May 9, 2024

46440169-5e59-4085-b6fe-e31c1444e5a3 — Harassment

BY NED GAGAHE

In a plea to public transport providers, a young mother is speaking out about the urgent need to respect of female passengers.

The mother who wishes to remain anonymous, shared her experience with the Island Sun recently recounted her horrifying ordeal after an incident earlier this week.

As a regular client of a well-known taxi service in Honiara (name withheld), the mother called for a cab to transport her from her residence in Kaibia to her workplace at Point Cruz.

However, what should have been a 10-15 minutes ride turned into a harrowing experience, prompting her to raise her voice on behalf of women elsewhere.

“On the way, he started asking me, disrespectful questions then started touching my legs and hands.

“Despite my pleas for him to stop, he ignored.

“The worst happened as we approached the King Solomon Hotel, he reached for my chest and then to my breast.

“I fear the worst might yet to come, if I fought back, he might harm me, so I tried to keep calm at the same time using my hands to keep him from touching me.

“The window for me to escape arrived when he slowed down at the raintree in front of King Solomon Hotel.

“I quickly opened the door and escaped. As soon as I backed out, I took a photo of the cab’s number plate.” The mother said.

she confirmed she is pursuing the harassment case with police.

Meanwhile, the mother believes her story highlights the critical importance of ensuring that public transport services maintain a safe and respectful environment for all passengers, particularly women.

Asilaua’s camp with 20 MPAs

Politics

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May 9, 2024

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

THE camp led by MPA for ward 11 Elijah Asilaua claims the majority of 20 out of 33 MPAs under Malaita provincial assembly as of yesterday afternoon.

Asilaua confirmed this to SunAuki saying they expect an inclusion of one more MPA to join the camp ahead of speaker’s election tomorrow.

He said his camp currently holds the majority of the assembly with 20 MPAs, and they are confident to form the next provincial government of Malaia province.

Spokesman MPA for Raroisu’u ward 21, Jerry Hite reaffirmed the number of 20 MPAs in a conversation with this paper yesterday.

“We are 20 rock solid and I’m confident we will be together till the election next week, despite the fact that lobbying is still underway,” he said.

Hite said the camp has 20 MPAs and they expect another one which will be the MPA for Sikaiana ward 33 of Malaita Outer Islands (MOI).

He said the MPA is still in Sikaiana and is expected to be in Auki either by Friday or over the weekend for the election of the premier next week.

When asked on whether the withdrawal of Daniel Suidani from contesting the premiers post could encourage MPAs to defect to their camp, he said he’s confident it won’t happen.

He said lobbying is still active and anything can happen, but they continue to consult each other even keep close surveillance on those who seem easy to defect.

Hite said similar goals and ambitions shared by MPAs at the camp believe to be the fabric for their number strength and form the next government of Malaita.

Also, this paper yesterday witnessed the three MPAs whom one of them reported earlier this week they are still yet to join a camp had already at Asilaua’s camp.

They are MPA for ward 27, Simon Ke’ebo, MPA for ward 9, George Ganiau and MPA for ward 10, Jimmy Daoni.

Ke’ebo and Daoni were last week at the camp once led by Suidani. Another MPA that was also seen at the camp is MPA for ward 12, Henry Maenu’u, who is also at Asilaua’s camp.

While Asilaua’s camp is claiming 21 MPAs, the other camp is reportedly with only 12 MPAs. Thus, lobbying is still active and change on the numerical strengthen of the camps is likely to happen.

Asilaua refutes allegations of luring MPAs with $300,000 each to his camp

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May 9, 2024

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Elijah Asilaua has refuted allegations leveled against his camp of luring MPAs with $300,000 and lucrative development projects for MPAs to join his camp.

The MPA made the statement in an interview to respond to the allegations, describing it as fabricated and aimed to tarnish the reputation of his camp.

The allegations published by Malaita Issues last week said, “the Honiara-based camp (Asilaua’s camp) has been accused of employing questionable tactics to lure MPAS to their side.

“Sources revealed that they have been offering large sums of money, as well as promising lucrative development projects, in an attempt to get MPAs to defect from Suidani’s camp.

“MPAs currently residing in Suidani’s camp disclosed that they have been receiving phone calls from the Honiara group with promise of $300,000 and projects for their respective wards if they switch allegiance,” Malaita Issues said.

Asilaua acknowledged the allegations as political language as lobbying is underway.

‘It holds no truth and only false’, he said

He said his camp is about reconnecting the disconnect with the national government. Opening arms to all partners to develop Malaita province.

Asilaua said this is what lured MPAs to his camp, because they shared similar ideas to work together with national government to drive the province forward.

Spokesman for the camp, MPA for Raroisu’u ward 21, Jerry Hite echoed Asilaua’s comments.

He said their camp wasn’t aware of the allegations and that they are false.

Hite said they want to work together with the national government and development partners.

He said this was what had pulled them together as they look forward to work towards achieving development for Malaita province.

Asilaua added that the outgoing redirection government had begun reconnecting the disconnect with the national government and it must continue.

He said only through close synergy with national government and development partners Malaita province will realize its visions and dream for the province.

Suidani withdraws candidacy for Malaita premier post

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May 9, 2024