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Remembrance Day

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, Solomon Islands, use the occasion of Remembrance Day to honour the memory of those lost in war but also to pursue the path of reconciliation and peace at home

This coming Sunday is Armistice Day, also known as Remembrance Day and the day when people in Britain, the Commonwealth, France, Belgium and in many other countries remember those who were lost in the Great War, the Second World War and who died in conflict since those times.

In my published book ‘Policing a clash of Cultures,’I wrote the following Dedication

“For the men and women who fought and died defending the nation during the occupation of the Solomon Islands during World War II

The sacrifices made by their selfless acts of bravery and heroism should serve as a lasting legacy of the need to serve, protect and preserve the sovereignty of the Solomon Islands now and forever”.

The Solomon Islands endured civil conflict between late 1998 and up till 2003 and this Sunday one might reflect on the causes of that conflict and in the collective consciousness of the people declare there will be no more internal conflict and vow to pursue the path of reconciliation and peace.

I would ask you all to remember “Without freedom there can be no ensuring peace and without peace no enduring freedom.”

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

A timely notice of Taiwan’s development assistance to SI

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, Solomon Islands Prime Minister, the Hon Rick Hou, last week spoke during a business workshop in Honiara about Taiwan’s development assistance to his country.

The PM was quoted by the Solomon Star newspaper has having said.

“Much innovation has been established in the agriculture sector, including fruit trees, vegetables, crops, poultry, pig-farming and the introduction of green energy to rural villages.

“Taiwan’s assistance programs in strengthening the delivery capacity in our health and medical services and tertiary education; cooperation in meteorology data system management, climate change and disaster prediction systems installation and training, continue to be implemented,” he said.

“Their impacts are felt throughout many rural communities, villages, households and even within the wider government circles,” he said.

Mr Hou said since Solomon Islands gain independence, the two country’s ongoing diplomatic ties continue to strengthen their partnership.

Taiwan has often been criticised for having put money, annually into the Solomon Islands political elite by contributing “constituency development funds,” better understood to be discretionary funds made available to the Members of Parliament to use in funding projects and infrastructure in their own constituencies.

Often the arguments are raised that such funds have done little, or anything to aid the constituencies with few tangible results.

Putting the focus on what Taiwan has done by way of direct assistance programs, as the Prime Minister highlighted, was a good way of demonstrating the real development work done by Taiwan’s assistance since Solomon Islands gained independence.

It was also, in my view, a timely notice because it can be expected that with visit to Port Moresby for the APEC meeting of President Xi Jinping of China, the Chinese leader might very well take the opportunity of saying what China could do to aid struggling small nation states like the Solomon Islands and claim they are missing out.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

Is the demise of the RSIPF engineered from within?

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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By Alfred Sasako

IN the wake of the departure of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) in 2013, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) was more than just an organisation.

It was a hype of activities.

In many ways it was more or less a workshop to continue to remould a new emerging police force in a post-conflict situation.

The idea is to maintain the continuity of the good work that RAMSI has done in its 10-year tenure in restoring law and order in Solomon Islands. Because many old members of the RSIPF were blamed for taking sides based on ethnic line during the ethnic tension, those who engineered the training of the new force of youthful and energetic men and women want to see the new outfit is free of taints from the past.

Ordinary Solomon Islands men and women too were proud of the new RSIPF. RSIPF’s new image was the by-product of years of hard work.

One of the many good things that the RAMSI administration has put in place is the setting up of a Professional Standards Internal Investigating (PSII) unit. Its work, amongst other things, is to investigate complaints against members of the new RSIPF.

There were other internal matters that the public knew little or nothing about.

One of these is the setting up of a new crack unit to investigate national leaders such as Members of Parliament.

Six people were tasked with the assignment. Their mandate is to investigate arrest and charge Members of Parliament (MPs) who have abused their offices by way of misuse of public funds, commonly known as the controversial Rural Development Fund (CDF) grants.

It is estimated that in the seven years to September this year, all 50 MPs have received combined grants totalling $2.215 billion. Despite this hefty investment, there was little to show for it either in Honiara or in the rural areas, where 85 per cent of the population lives.

Members of this crack unit – this Unit is quite separate from what the public know today as JANUS – were hot on the heels of faulting MPs. In 2016 for example, members of the unit interviewed the Member for East Kwaio over the alleged misuse of hundreds of thousands of dollars the MP received from the $10 million National Cattle Rehabilitation Project funded by Taiwan.

Investigators travelled to the Kwaibaita River Basin on east Malaita in September of that year. It is public knowledge that Kwaita River Basin in Ward 17 is where much of the $800, 000-plus funding was to have been spent. They came back with fresh evidence, but this was where the case stopped.

Private lawyer, Leslie Kwaiga, said on social media earlier this week that the MP for East Kwaio had been cleared of any crime.

Our investigation found that two key people investigators meant to interview never did, because they never followed it up. In the process, files on the case were reportedly missing, resulting in the investigators taking the usual easy way out.

So while the East Kwaio people still wait for justice, it seems police officers tasked with the investigation had never bothered. Why?

There is a probable explanation for this too.

While investigators were busy working on cases, someone, somewhere deep within the RSIPF had allegedly cooked up a plan, perhaps intentionally to dismantle the crack unit of six senior police investigators.

The dismantling of the unit probably explained why things have come to a snail’s pace in terms of progress.

Only one officer, a Constable, survived the onslaught.

Michael Kemadika led a new group of 14 recruits, who according to sources from within were left to their own devices.

“These new recruits were engaged in largely fund-raising activities,” RSIPF insiders said.

Their leader, Kemadika too had been accused of allegedly using Police Headquarters at Rove for giving election-related pep talks even before he arrested the MP for Savo Russell, Dickson Mua, over a week ago.

“He told the people who came to him of his own plan to contest the Savo/Russell seat because the MP was going to jail,” according to some who had listened to him.

There were serious allegations against police investigators who were digging into cases involving Members of Parliament. In many cases, police officers do not go directly to the MP(s) in question. Instead, they go through a third party.

One officer for example went through an intermediary – in this case an agent who was organising the purchase of a vessel for the MP’s Constituency.

“The officer asked the agent to tell the MP that he (the officer) wants a 60hp engine and a banana boat in return for the case against the MP to be dropped. The message was conveyed but the MP refused to entertain the request.

“That’s bribery and I do not want any part of it. If there’s anything against me, let the police bring out the charge(s),” the MP reportedly told the agent to tell the officer.

There was another case, which involved an incumbent MP and a former MP. Both were approached directly by police officers who asked for large sums of money in return for their case to be dropped.

“Both men refused,” the source said.

Some said there were cases where large sums of money were paid, but it did not stop the case going into the courtroom.

Whoever drew up the plan to dismantle the crack unit of senior police officers appears to know what he or they are doing.

There are growing speculations of mass arrests of MPs in December this year. Some termed it the 17/17 before 17 December this year when the House is dissolved.

If there are none, it might mean substantial payments must have changed hands between now and 17 December 2018.

19 drivers arrested during weekend check

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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THE Traffic Department of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) has arrested and formally charged 19 drivers with presence of alcohol in the blood over the legal limit during an operation in Honiara from November 2-3, 2018.

Supervising Director Kukum Traffic Police, Inspector Brian Surimalefo says, “During the traffic operation my officers checked 590 vehicles. Out of that, 19 were positive with presence of alcohol in their blood over the legal limit.

“All the 19 drivers were charged and released on bail to appear in Court at a date to be set.

“Three drivers were also charged for driving unlicensed vehicles and released on principle bail to appear in Court at a date to be set.

“During the two nights operation there were no emerging issues except for three vehicles that were involved in accidents at different locations over the weekend. These accidents were the result of driving under the influence of liquor.”

“We will continue the traffic operations at any time in Honiara during the week to ensure that our roads are safe for all road users.

“I appeal to vehicle owners and drivers not to drink and drive. If you thinking of taking alcohol make sure you arrange for someone who has not consumed alcohol and who has a valid driving licence to drive you safely home to avoid any accident.”

“Be responsible for your actions when you are driving. Check your driver’s licence, third party documents and ensure you have a valid vehicle license. Your vehicle must also be road worthy.” says Inspector Surimalefo.

–POLICE MEDIA

PAC concerned about Solomon time

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY GEORGINA KEKEA

THE Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is concerned about the recurring practice by the government of procrastination.

In its report on the 2017 Supplementary Appropriation Bill (SAB) 2018, the Committee said, the process of bringing forward arrears from previous years to another fiscal year have a diverse impact on the following year’s budget.

The report said, this will also have a diverse bearing on the implementation of government’s action plans which will cause unnecessary strain on the current budget.

The 2017 SAB 2018, though already been spent a year ago, is a requirement by the Public Financial Management Act 2013.

As required by the Act, the hearing into the said SAB is to correct monies spent through Contingencies Warrant (CW) and Advance Warrants (AW).

In the report, the Committee concluded that most of the requests made in the 2017 SAB 2018 were foreseeable and could have been factored in the 2017 Appropriation Bill 2017.

“Except for issues of unknown nature as stipulated in provisions of the National Constitution and the Public Finance Management Act 2013,” the report said.

On this note, the Committee reiterates it previous calls for the Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MoFT) to have robust planning processes within the fiscal budget year and factor these known expenditures in that year to prevent the application of a CW and further supplementary appropriation for that fiscal year.

MoFT in August this year (2018) during the 2019 National Budget Launch, highlights procrastination and complacency as all-time issues faced by the Ministry.

Lack of procurement planning in Government’s ministries is also an issue.

At the same launch, during the 2019 National Budget Launch, a representative of the Core Ministerial Coordinating Committee in the Office of the Prime Minister made a strong call to agencies and senior officials. The coordinating committee as part of their aims and objectives are to ensure implementing agencies and senior government officials are accountable for their actions or non-actions in delivering the priority policies of the government.

The National Budget is a priority policy of the government.

Judicial spending on Contingency Warrant concerns PAC

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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The High Court of Solomon Islands. Photo by SIBC.

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

THE amount locked for the remuneration of the High Court Judge to preside over the Town Ground Plaza civil case has cost government more than one million dollars.

In the PAC report on the 2017 Supplementary Appropriation Bill (SAB) 2018, $1,380,064 was itemised as additional funding for High Court judge’s remuneration to preside over the Town Ground Plaza civil case.

With this much amount budgeted under Contingency Warrant (CW), the PAC is concerned that CW has not been fully utilised for the case.

“These locked up funds could be utilised for other purposes,” the Committee said.

The PAC is also concerned that local judges lacked technical skills to preside over complex commercial civil cases such as the Town Ground plaza case.

The Judicial Ministry had confirmed before the Committee that the case has gone to the Court of Appeal and judgement delivered.

The Ministry also told PAC that the law was said to restrict the number of judges to six so the Ministry is unable to recruit additional judges.

“There is a need to upskill and train high court judges so that they can be able to preside over complex commercial cases,” a recommendation from the PAC report said.

At the same time, the committee noted that the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs had found it difficult to recruit a consultant for a project on dispute resolution.

During the scrutiny of the 2017 SAB 2018, the Ministry informed the Committee that a CW was raised for $2.5 million in 2017 to fund a study on alternative dispute resolution.

This was not spent, thus it was appropriated again in 2018 under the 2018 Appropriation 2018 Act.

Since the Ministry found it difficult to recruit a consultant for the project, funds provided by DFAT was held under the watch of the Office of the Prime Minister.

The Committee in its conclusions said, responsible ministries, in particular Ministry of Finance fails to adhere to repeated advices by the Committee to strengthen its budgetary process and make provisions to avert the use of CW for foreseen expenditures and recurrent expenditures.

The Committee also re-emphasise that spending of monies intended for public good without parliament’s approval is illegal and monies should be appropriated prior to any expenditures.

At the same time, underspending was also an issue raised by PAC in their report.

Gov’t to reintroduce Dual Citizenship Bill

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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National Parliament of Solomon Islands

By Gary Hatigeva

AT its resumption on Friday, November 9, Parliament is expected to receive the return of the Dual Citizenship Bill for its pre-deliberations as well as first reading.

This was confirmed by the Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela when presenting the government’s businesses that have been scheduled for Parliament ending Friday.

The Dual Citizenship Bill comes in the form of two supporting bills, namely the Dual Citizenship (Constitutional Amendment) Bill 2018, and the Citizenship Bill 2018.

The Constitutional Amendment Bill is looking at amending the Constitution to allow for Dual Citizenship, because currently, it prohibits any dual citizenship status, while the Citizenship Bill looks into the structures and application of the dual citizenship proposed legislation.

The Bill will be presented for the first reading and then later be put down for the Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC’s) inquiry, where it will be scrutinised before it is taken up again for its second and third readings, including the Committee of the Whole House’s thorough proceedings.

The Dual Citizenship Bill was tabled early this year during a previous sitting of parliament but forcibly withdrawn, and according to the Prime Minister, this was done because the house was one MP short of the two thirds majority required to pass constitutional amendments.

The withdrawal was also done in recognition of the Bills and Legislations Committee’s recommendation, based on issues highlighted to be missing in the bill, which would have helped tightened it.

Initially, the BLC recommended for the Dual Citizenship (Constitutional Amendment) Bill to be withdrawn and have the Citizen Bill withdrawn, but the government had decided for the withdrawal of both bills.

But the Deputy Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare during that session, explained that the Procedures on dealing with a bill is outlined in Standing Orders 43 to 60, which he clarified that when a bill is introduce into the system of parliament to the stage where it is now ready to be moved for second reading, the only provisions available for not to deal with it is under Standing Order 59, and that for the withdrawal of Bills.

He said the Bills will have to come through the normal processes again when they are ready to be reintroduced to Parliament, and the government had ensured this is so, now that the bill is confirmed and ready to be reintroduced.

The bill’s later proceedings, which include its second reading, scrutiny through the Committee of the Whole House, and third reading, are all expected in the coming weeks as parliament continues to deliberate on the remaining government bills.

Other Bills that are also lined up for Parliament’s deliberation include the Payment System Bill 2018, the Development Bank of Solomon Islands Bill 2018, and the Traditional and Custom Facilitation Bill 2018.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister also announced that a few of the Bills will also be put down for their further proceedings in the house this Friday when Parliament resumes.

However, due to the current situation parliament is going through, especially with the loss of its House Committee Chairman, the outlined are still in doubt, as Friday is also a private members day, and would require an approval by the Committee to allow for government businesses to be tabled on that day.

RSIPF warns against use of laser pointers at aircrafts

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

THE Royal Solomon Islands Police Force is encouraging members of the public to report any one using high powered laser pointers at night against aircrafts taking off and landing at the Henderson International Airport in Honiara.

This call follows a report by the Civil Aviation Authority of Solomon Islands of the increasing number of high power laser green strike incidents on aircraft arriving or departing at the Airport.

Some of the reported incidents took place immediately after take-off and probably before the pilots had fully transitioned into instrument flight or when the aircraft is approaching the runway.

The latest laser incidents were recorded on October 28, 2018 with sources coming from Point Cruz and the Lungga/Burns Creek areas.

“The use of the high powered laser pointers at night can cause a tragic air disaster. People using them must be aware they can be prosecuted under the Solomon Islands Civil Aviation Act 2008.

“If found guilty under this Act a person could face a maximum fine of $300,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years. This is how serious this offence is,” says Assistant Police Commissioner, National Capital and Crime Prevention Simpson Pogeava.

“RSIPF is working together with the Civil Aviation Authority and Solomon Airlines to ensure people using the high powered laser pointers at night stop their action immediately before a tragic accident happens.

“We urge members of the public especially around the Henderson International Airport including Lungga and Burns areas to report to police anyone who they know is using the pointers.”

Police can be contacted through the Police Communication Centre on phone 23666 or the Police Emergency Toll Free line 999.

–POLICE MEDIA

No public transport to operate tomorrow

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0
Buses

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

NO public transport bus and taxis are to operate tomorrow as a march to the Inland Revenue Division (IRD) is planned out today by the public transport associations.

Local public transport business owners and members of the public transport associations want explanation from the Ministry of Finance and Treasury as to why the recent enforcement of tax returns late last month is too costly, being unfair compared to their daily business takings and expenses financially not forgetting to mention the day-to-day cost of living in Solomon Islands.

According to the Bus and Taxi Association members, part of the tax returns being implemented is for public transport vehicles operating since 2015 to pay yearly taxes starting from 2015 to this present 2018 which will be $7,000 yearly per taxi and $10,000 yearly per bus.

Within the timeframe since 2015 to this present 2018 means that each taxis operating since then to this present will have to pay $21,000 each, while for each public bus will be $30,000.

What is the purpose for such new tax implementation is what the public transport Associations are really curious about stating that the enforcement is not fair.

Public transport businesses in Honiara were reminded through the media last week that they will now pay tax to the government after IRD issued a notice in October for all to comply.

Despite call attempts were not possible yesterday to IRD, from their documents, it was revealed that any form of business that charges goods and services with the intention to make profit must file annual return. Therefore bus and taxi vehicles operating transport services are categorised as business operators obliged to file income tax returns, pay income tax and keep business records. All annual income for one year would be taxed 30 percent.

On the goods service tax, taxi drivers are questioning too on which goods are referred to stating that they only provide transport service for human passengers.

“If the government stand on their stand then on what basis do they stand on? If the government wants a tax return then they should do it in a way that is reasonable on expenses and the struggles faced every day in the country financially. Such move will only lead to problems in the future for our people through our service,” stated taxi drivers.

The public transport Associations that were joined by heavy load public transport owners during the public transport Associations meeting yesterday in front of the Multi-purpose Hall formed a Committee that will lead a march accompanied by public transport owners and workers to demonstrate their disapproval over the new tax enforcement on them.

All the public transport Association members meeting yesterday are advised to meet today (Wednesday) 12pm in front of the Multi-purpose Hall to receive the memo that will be distributed to them for their plan.

Spokesman for the public transport Association Mr Leonard Ofa along with the Interim Chairman of their public transport Associations Committee expressed over the new tax enforcement that there has not been any proper consultation done to make the people and public as a whole to be aware.

“It is not only us who owns public transport vehicles who will be affected but it is all of us consumers in the Capital who will be affected.

“So we have to ensure our rights for our leaders and implementers so that they respect our rights too rather than depriving them and imposing such taxes as these that are really unfair. As Solomon Islanders we have our rights to demonstrate our disagreements.

“This service is not only too for vehicle expenses, people have been doing this service with the means for survival of their families, school fees and such over which increasing tax this way will cause problems for families to not be able to meet daily needed expenses.”

The public transport Associations meeting yesterday ensured that their plan and proposal must be taken into action by the responsible authority.

Another local public taxi owner sharing his disappointment to Island Sun reminds that registering to operate public business transports in Honiara can be seen as the only current business many locals are engaged in as many other business services in the country have already been dominated or observed as taken over by Asian foreigners especially.

“Seeing with vision that this is one of the only main businesses locals turn to engage to is why we have to push for our right to ensure that we also want to enjoy a suitable environment to operate our businesses in,” said the local taxi owner.

It is understood from the public transport associations Committee that they will be informing Police Traffic and the Honiara City Council (HCC) to be aware of their plans for tomorrow, assuring to be in a peaceful way.

If the government only wishes to remain on their stand then many from the public raise fear over the suggestion to then increase public transport charges as well.

Meanwhile, fuel price has also increased overnight Thursday last week adding worry for public transport owners looking on the other side of expenses. The fuel price increase is the Means of Platts Singapore (MOPS) prices for this month being confirmed when queried.

Ngella Constituency Office to register Vaka Motor

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

NGELLA Constituency’s Office has confirmed that the Constituency’s debated ‘Vaka Motor’ will be registered.

The Constituency Office has not denied the fact that the said $4.5-million vessel was detained by police stating that it is the ‘marine order’.

“Because we have not registered the Constituency Vessel yet since its arrival is why the marine gave out the order over which the Constituency Office has already approached the ‘Company Haus’ on Monday this week and are only waiting for the Solomon Islands Maritime Safety Administration (SIMSA) heads to return back from their overseas trip before we finalise up registration,” responded Ngella Constituency’s Office to Island Sun yesterday.

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) at Tulaghi Station when queried over the matter has remained silent over the detainment hinting only that investigation is in place.

Meanwhile, Ngella Constituents disapproving of the vessel being purchased for the Constituency demand for it to be sold in order to purchase a new vessel for Ngella that would be suitable to operate as a passenger vessel.

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