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CBSI calls for respect to banking facilities

Written by
Irwin Angiki
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The Central Bank of Solomon Islands

BY IRWIN ANGIKI

The Central Bank is calling on public to respect banking facilities, anywhere in the country.

CBSI reiterates this call in light of the recent damage inflicted on Bank South Pacific’s (BSP) Auki branch.

One of the branch’s glass doors was reportedly partially smashed on Thursday night, last week, during a domestic argument involving a bank staff.

Solomon Star reports that Malaita’s premier Daniel Suidani has condemned the incident, calling it a ‘senseless act on one of the most important infrastructures in the province’.

Mr Suidani called on the Malaita public, especially those who live in Auki to have respect for important infrastructures like BSP bank, Solomon Star reports.

CBSI is reinforcing this call while also condemning such acts.

In a media statement yesterday, CBSI said:

“Central Bank understands that this may be an accident or an isolated event, but still fully condemns any sort of destruction made over these types of critical infrastructures.

 “CBSI wish to take this opportunity to remind the general public again that these properties must be respected at all times, as they play a very important intermediary role in the country.

 “Our banks and other key financial institutions together with their infrastructures ensure customers use their financial services and products in a safe environment – please respect all banking facilities.

“This reminder follows the recent major destruction over the BSP Ranadi branch in Honiara during the November riots of last year.”

The BSP Ranadi branch was burnt down during last year’s November riots. It was one of BSP’s four operating branches in Honiara.

Solomon Times Online reports that the Head of BSP in Papua New Guinea, Robin Fleming had told the Post Courier in an interview the damage costed SBD$17.3 million.

Meanwhile, police are investigating the incident in Auki, and are calling for anyone who may have information to assist them.

OPMC: Wale needs self-reflection

Written by
Press Release
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Leader of Opposition, Matthew Wale

The office of the prime minister has responded to Opposition Leader’s earlier statements that PM Sogavare lied to the nation.

“The Opposition Leader should take a good look at himself before launching a tirade against the government on the proposed deferment of the national general election from 2023 to 2024,” a statement from the office said.

“Government has been promoting the idea of delaying the election since the issue has been made public and Opposition Leader Matthew Wale only has to consult the Hansard record from the national parliament to confirm that,” the statement added.

“Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has stated clearly that government intends to defer or delay the election to 2024.”

The statement said the leaked copy of the cabinet conclusion of February 2020 which the Opposition has relied on to say government is advocating for the extension of the life of the parliament was an initial discussion.

“That has changed following consultations with relevant stakeholders and this has been articulated well in the speech from the throne by the Governor General.

“For purpose of reminding Mr Wale, at the start of the sitting of the national parliament this year the Governor General in his speech from the throne has made four recommendations for government to consider in light of the intention to delay the 2023 national general election.”

The statement further highlighted that Sir David Vunagi outlined the four recommendations as follows:

  1. Government to consider a snap election this year
  2. Government to consider holding the election next year as scheduled
  3. Government to consider deferring or delaying the election to 2024
  4. And government to consider extending the life of parliament from four to five years on permanent basis

The OPMC statement said after weighing the options, government is in favor of the third recommendation and there are justifications for it.

“Firstly, government cannot support a snap election.

“A snap election would mean the Electoral Commission will be using the old voters’ registration list and this would deprive the rights of the new eligible voters, these are boys and girls who by now are in the ages of 18 and above.

“Besides, the Electoral Commission is in the process of pursuing two important fundamental reforms and they are; the automated registration system and the out- of- constituency voting.

“These reforms are important to ensure a free and fair election for the country.

“Secondly, government cannot support the recommendation to hold the election in 2023 as scheduled.

“To defer the Pacific Games to 2024 as suggested by some people, is not possible as the Olympic Charter does not allow another international sporting event to take place at the Olympic year- 2024.

“In addition to that, government does not have adequate resources to host both events,” the statement explained.

“While government is aware that the scheduled 2023 national general election is constitutional, the government understands as well that the constitution can be amended through two third support of parliament to cater for this sunset arrangement.

“Thirdly, the idea to defer or delay the election is plausible.

“When the government has done away with the 2023 PG, it will have enough resources to hold the national general election in 2024 and that option is heavily considered.

“However, government is aware that only through the process of parliament that this option can be realized.

“Fourthly, to move permanently to a five-year parliament term will require the consent of the people which political parties can advocate for in their manifestos and campaigns for the next general election or general elections thereafter.

“Should the Opposition Leader had paid attention to the speech from the throne by the Governor General, he would have fully grasped how and why government has arrived at the decision to defer the national general election.” 

The statement said the government never misled the nation, it was the Opposition Leader who continue to make inciting messages in his many press statements and releases.

“Wale is reminded that prior to the November 2021 riot, his inciting messages contributed to inciting the march into Honiara and the burning of Chinatown and Ranadi.

“Wale showed reckless behaviour and leadership and made misleading statements then.”

The OPMC statement added that Opposition Leader’s insinuation that the PM incited the riot by refusing to meet with the protestors was a lame accusation as the PM cannot be answerable to an illegal entity- M4D- who was believed to be orchestrating the riot.

“Therefore, it comes as no surprise that Wale continues his tirades in Auki recently where he made inciting statements similar to ones he blurted leading to the November riots.

“As a country, it is in our interest that the November riot is not repeated.”

The DCGA Government urges the Opposition Leader to stop misleading the public with propaganda aimed at inciting public animosity.

PM congratulates new MSG chair

Written by
Press Release
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Vanuatu Prime Minister, Bob Loughman and his Solomon Islands counterpart, Manasseh Sogavare

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has congratulated Vanuatu Prime Minister, Bob Loughman, the new Chair of the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

Speaking during the official handover of the mantle from the care taker Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape to Bob Loughman during a special meeting of the sub regional bloc in Suva, Fiji, Prime Minister Sogavare congratulated Vanuatu for assuming the MSG leadership.

“The MSG leadership is being passed from one capable hand to another capable hand.”

Sogavare assured PM Loughman of Solomon Islands’ support and confidence during the tenure of his appointment.

Sogavare also acknowledge the outgoing chair, Marape for his outstanding leadership during one of the sub region’s darkest chapters in history.

“Thank you PNG for holding the fort especially in the past few years, our dark days. With COVID 19 and other challenges, it was not easy but you were exceptional. Thank you,” he stated.

“Additionally, I would like to convey my utmost congratulations to the newly appointed Director General Mr Leonard Louma, OBE of the MSG Secretariat, first under the merit-based process.”

The Prime Minister encourages MSG to remain united.

“Our future should be planned and pursued together,” he adds.

Recognising and acknowledging the MSG founding fathers’ leadership and examples, PM Sogavare reminded the sub region to be an inspiration of unity to the wider pacific and the world.

“When we are scattered, we are weak,” Sogavare reiterated.

The Prime Minister added that it is important that MSG continues to play a central role in pulling the wider pacific together.

He calls on all MSG members to uphold the MSG ideals. – Source: OPMC media

Bob Loughman, the new MSG chair is the MP for Tanna and the 12th Prime Minister of Vanuatu.

PM ASSURES REGION

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Pacific Islands Forum Leaders who attended the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting before the retreat yesterday

‘I say it again: there’ll be no Chinese military base’

BY BEN BILUA
Suva, Fiji

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare says there is no mention of military base to be built in Solomon Islands in the China/Solomon Islands Security Agreement.

He made the statement during a press conference yesterday morning with foreign and regional journalists.

“Let me assure you all again, there is no military base, no military facility and institution in the agreement and this is a very important point that we need to reiterate to other family in the region.

“And I’ve said before and I will say it again, it’s not Solomon Islands interest nor in the interest of the region for any military base to be established in any country in the pacific, let alone Solomon Islands,” Sogavare said.

“The moment we establish foreign military base, we immediately become an enemy and we also put our country and our people as targets for potential military strikes and Solomon Islands government will never allow our country and people to become military targets,” he added.

Sogavare said his government has come out clean before and now that there is no mention of building a Chinese Military based in the agreement.

He said the security agreement is in line with broader definition of security mentioned in the Boe Declaration which identifies issues like climate change, natural disasters and pandemics among other issues as national security threats to Solomon Islands.

Sogavare explained that the agreement was a sovereign decision and that does not mean that Solomon Islands is trying to bring division among Pacific Islands.

“But we also appreciate that Solomon Islands is part of Pacific Family, so we have ensured the agreement does not in any way undermine the security of the region and that is very important to us as part of the Pacific Family and we also concern of the security of each member of the pacific family.

“We have actually dispatched our Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Police to Fiji in May and met with leaders of the Pacific and partners based in Fiji to clarify Solomon Islands relationship with China and of course the region,” he said.

Measles and rubella immunisation on Malaita

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Measles vaccine

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

MALAITA Provincial Health is stepping up its measles and rubella campaign in response to outbreaks in neighbouring countries.

A two-day briefing was held for 22 health representatives from four regions of Malaita to roll out catch-up immunisation starting next week.

Coordinator of Expanded Programme on Immunisation of Kilu’ufi hospital, Mr Rockson Siliota said the catch-up campaign will be for children who are yet to get their measles and rubella vaccine.

He said this is due to low coverage data recorded on measles and rubella vaccination for the province since last year.

Siliota said one reason is the ministry of health has focused on covid-19 in the past two years.

Thus, he said the plan now is for the provincial health to step up campaign to counter the outbreak, although there is low risk for the country.

Siliota said even low risk and despite limited time the country has with regards to the threat of the outbreak, the provincial health planned to speed up the campaign to improve the coverage.

He said the provincial health will be visiting communities in the province starting next week and those who have children that are yet to get their measles rubella vaccine must do so.

Siliota said reach-out is not only for measles and rubella, thus for other important vaccines like polio and others that children might not take within the past two year.

He said the first doze of measles and rubella vaccine is facilitate for children when they are 12 months and second doze when they are 18 months.

Siliota said children who are within that range or above and yet to get their vaccines must help by their parents to get their vaccines and protected from the virus.

Malaita log of claims held for anniversary handover

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Former Malaita Premier, Daniel Suidani

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

The handover of Malaita’s log of claims document to the national government has been postponed for August 15, which is Malaita’s Second Appointed Day.

Malaita premier Daniel Suidani told Island Sun that this deferment has been made based on advice from the permanent secretary to the ministry of provincial government (MPGIS), Stanley Pirione.

The document was initially planned to be submitted to the national government last Friday.

But, following a meeting with PS Pirione, the handover was postponed.

Suidani said MARA government sees this as the right thing to do, so that Malaitans witness the approach taken by their government to present their long time demands and cries.

He said like in the past, similar petitions were also submitted to the national government in an organised way, but turned out different as people took advantage of it.

Suidani said this time round, this is what will happen, similar petitions but will be carried through by Malaita provincial government as the responsible body for Malaitans   

He said preparation of the log of claim is done, written, printed and ready to be submitted.

Suidani said MPG hopes if national government could request dialogue with them on the claim. And this is what MPG is looking forward to happen. He said the log of claim gathers all the demands, development aspirations and sufferings of Malaitans that continue to remain unaddressed by the national government

Man, 22, jailed for sex assault on sister

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A 22-year-old male has been sent to jail for indecently assaulting his cousin sister.

The 22-year-old pleaded guilty on Tuesday and is sentenced to one year four months. He is convicted of one count of indecent act.

The victim was a form-three student when the incident occurred in a village in Guadalcanal in December last year.

Principal Magistrate Felix Hollison in passing sentence said maximum penalty for such offence is five years which means the offence of indecent act is quite serious.

He said the defendant and the victim are cousins through their maternal side; in custom the defendant must respect the victim as his cousin sister, and he is not allowed to have any form of sexual relationship with her.

The actions of the defendant breached the trust between the defendant and the victim including their respective families.

Hollison said on this case the defendant used force by pushing the victim to the ground, and then used a knife to threaten the victim while sitting on top of her.

The victim only managed to escape when she grabbed the defendant’s knife.

“These have caused immense fear to the victim, she shouted for help, and escaped from the defendant.

“These sexual offences that are associated with violence and use of the weapon always have traumatic and psychological effects on the victims.

“The victim in this cried because of fear when he was sitting on top of her and holding a knife,” Hollison said.

Taking into consideration of the submission made by the prosecution and defence lawyers, Magistrate Hollison sentenced the accused to one year and four months for the offence committed.

He also told the defendant yesterday to learn from his incarceration and transform for the better upon his release.

“Both men and women must learn to respect our women, girls and students who are amongst the most vulnerable in our communities, the law is in place to protect such people,” Hollison added.

Plan to re-establish U.S embassy in Honiara still on track

Written by
Ben Bilua
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United States of America’s Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Monica Medina speaking to regional media on Wednesday afternoon

BY BEN BILUA
Suva, Fiji

United States of America’s Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Monica Medina says a proposed plan to re-establish the U.S.A embassy in Honiara is on track.

She says the reopening of U.S embassy in Honiara is definite and progress has been made to achieve the plan.

“They still planning to open it. Nothing has changed from that,” Medina says.

Early yesterday morning Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris mentioned two new countries that will host U.S embassies in the region and this includes Kiribati and Tonga.

She never mentioned Solomon Islands as one of countries that the U.S is planning to set foot on the ground by way of establishing their embassy in Honiara.

However, it was confirmed by Medina that Solomon Islands will still host the U.S embassy when formalities are done.

In February this year, the United States announced they will reopen its embassy in Honiara.

The move was believed to be an effort to bounce back on China’s influence in Solomon Islands as well as other Pacific Island nations.

US STEP-UP

Written by
Ben Bilua
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United States Vice President Kamala Harris speaking to Forum Leaders virtually yesterday.

President Biden pledges closer partnership with Pacific region

BY BEN BILUA
Suva, Fiji

UNITED States President Joe Biden’s administration has stepped up its relationship with Pacific Islands Forum countries embarking on renewed bilateral and multilateral assistances.

Vice President Kamala Harris made the announcement when addressing forum leaders virtually yesterday.

In her speech, Mrs Harris mentioned a number of programmes and funding assistance that would improve the United State of America’s presence in the Pacific while injecting more funding to the Pacific region.

She says the United States is in the process to establish two new embassies in the region: one in Tonga and one in Kiribati. 

“We will also appoint the first-ever United States Envoy to the Pacific Islands Forum.  We will return Peace Corps volunteers to the region. 

“And USAID is taking steps to expand its footprint to include re-establishing a regional mission in Suva, Fiji.

“All of these steps will enable us to increase our engagement, and develop and deliver concrete results,” Harris says.

She told forum leaders that United States will deepen its engagement in the Pacific Islands as both United States and Pacific Islands Forum countries embarked on a new chapter in US/Pacific partnership.

“We recognise that in recent years, the Pacific Islands may not have received the diplomatic attention and support that you deserve.  So today I am here to tell you directly: We are going to change that.

“In recent months, we have discussed many of these issues with you.  We have consulted extensively and candidly.  The result is a series of actions that are responsive to your priorities and, we believe, will facilitate our engagement moving forward.

“We will engage transparently and constructively, which means we will listen, collaborate, and coordinate at every step of the way.  We will also work to empower a strong and united Pacific Islands Forum, which will strengthen your voice on the world stage as we continue to work together.

“We will also better coordinate our efforts with allies and partners.  And to do that end, we recently launched the Partners in the Blue Pacific, which includes Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and, of course, the United States.

“All of this work recognizes that our partnership with the Pacific Islands spans a wide range of issues.

“With respect to the climate crisis, for example, you are on the frontlines of an existential crisis for our entire planet …and the world’s emissions have an outsized impact on your nations.

“The evidence, of course, is that sea levels are rising.  The coral reefs that protect your islands and foster fisheries are bleaching.   And ocean warming is accelerating.

“This is why, as we work with the world to reduce emissions, we will continue to partner with you to build resilience, support adaptation, mobilize climate finance, and ensure sustainability of fisheries and marine resources,” Harris says.

She adds that United States is also intended to expand the overall economic relationship with Pacific Island countries.

Harris says United States will pursue infrastructure projects that are sustainable, high quality, climate friendly, and, very importantly, that do not result in insurmountable debt.

She also says United States will continue to stand with Pacific Island nations to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We will continue our leadership combatting illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, because we know that it devastates fisheries and coastal states like yours.

“We also want to build on our existing work together with regard to food security, with regard to maritime security, education, and disaster relief.

“All of this work together presents an extensive agenda, but each of these issues is incredibly important to this region and to the United States.

“And there is one last principle that I believe must guide our work.

“In this region and around the world, the United States believes it is important to strengthen the international rules-based order — to defend it, to promote it, and to build on it,” Harris says.

“These international rules and norms have brought peace and stability to the Pacific for more than 75 years — principles that importantly state that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states must be respected; principles that allow all states, big and small, to conduct their affairs free from aggression or coercion,” she adds.

Solomon Islands welcomes United States 60 million assistance.

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Minister Rexon Ramofafia sitting, Rosalie Masu standing right and Tony Kabasi government officer after the announcement

BY BEN BILUA
Suva, Fiji

SOLOMON Islands has welcomed the United States support worth 60 million per year towards Fisheries management and other related issues that continues to threatens the blue pacific resources.

Minister of National Planning and Development Coordination, representing Solomon Islands during the announcement, Rex Ramofafia says Solomon Islands is pleased with the assistance as it will play a major role in addressing Solomon Islands’ maritime challenges such as climate change, maritime security and other issues.

“This is a welcome news not only for Solomon Islands but also as a forum family within the blue pacific.

“I on behalf of the people of Solomon Islands welcome this support and looking forward to working closely with the rest of the forum family,” he said.

Ramofafia also acknowledges Vice President Harris for reminding the forum family the need to respect sovereign boundaries with shared values and common understanding.

Deputy Secretary Technical of the Ministry of Fisheries, Rosalie Masu shares similar sentiment saying that the assistance will help Solomon Islands long standing issues on maritime resources and safety.

“For Solomon Islands, Tuna is our very important resource. It is a commodity that drive our economy and this assistance will be of great importance to address some of the issues we have.

“Other areas that we will be looking at will be on climate change, maritime security, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and conservation,” she says.

Masu says the Solomon Islands Ministry of Fisheries is looking forward to work alongside the Forum Secretariat to tap the assistance.

Kamala Harris, the vice President of the United States announced today that United States will allocate 60 million per year for the next ten years.

“We will request from the United States Congress an increase from $21 million per year to $60 million per year for the next 10 years.  Sixty million dollars per year for the next 10 years.

“These funds will help strengthen climate resilience; invest in marine planning and conservation; and combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing; and enhance maritime security.

“All of us convened here, we — we recognize there is so much we can do together.  We have a strong foundation.  And we will build on this and embark on a new chapter, all in the spirit of partnership, friendship, and respect.

“We must remind ourselves that upholding a system of laws, institutions, and common understandings — well, this is how we ensure stability and, indeed, prosperity around the world.

“We will continue to work with all of you, and all of our partners and allies, to craft new rules and norms for future frontiers grounded in our shared values of openness, transparency, and fairness,” she said.

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