BY BEN BILUA

FORMER Speaker of Makira/Ulawa province says the Anti-Corruption Bill is not a curse but a blessing that will transform Solomon Islands once it becomes a law.

In an interview with this paper Mr Goldie Kaea said the Bill is for the good of Solomon Islands and that members of Parliament must throw their support without fear so that the progress of the Bill runs smoothly.

He said the Bill is a trademark of the current government and all members of parliament and dropping the Bill for the second time will cause disappointment nationwide.

“Our members of Parliament must understand that the Bill is not a threat to them but a significant piece of legislation that would put across a strong message to all sectors in the country that corruption is bad and not good for Solomon Islands and its development aspirations,” Kaea said.

He said the continual adjournment of Parliament this week to next week plants doubt to many Solomon Islanders with questions whether the Bill will made it through to the Parliament this year.

Kaea said the Bill has a long way to go and he fears that Members of Parliament will play with people ignorance to slip the Bill away.

He adds that there is fear that the Bill (once it become Act) will going to remain inactive like other Acts the government and responsible authority are yet to enforce though the act were passed in parliament.

“I want to make reference to the Tobacco Act and the CDF Act. These two acts have never been enforced for unknown reasons.

“If the enforcement of these two acts are politicised, I fear this Anti-Corruption Bill will fall on the same road,” Kaea said.

He acknowledged the civil society organisations for taking the lead in making sure public views are presented to the leaders.

On the same note, Kaea called on the government to support the return of the Anti-Corruption Bill in the next meeting.

POLICE in Honiara have arrested a 35-year-old male in connection with the death of a 10-year-old boy in the West Kola Ridge area of the city yesterday.

It is alleged that the deceased was playing with other kids of his age outside his parents’ home between 9am to 10am yesterday morning when the male suspect appeared with a knife and allegedly stabbed the deceased.

Police responded to a report on the incident and after enquiries the 35-year-old male suspect was arrested and placed in custody

Supervising Provincial Police Commander, Honiara City, Barry Saukiu says, “Police are investigating the incident and our sympathies go out to the family and relatives of the deceased.”

–POLICE MEDIA

BY BEN BILUA

SOME Solomon Islands students had received threats over a Facebook post which had provoked users from Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.

A recent post on Facebook had attracted hundreds of comments from SI and PNG nationals.

The trend in comments turned nasty after heated exchanges between FB users from both countries.

Certain FB users from PNG threatened to harm students from Solomon Islands studying in PNG in retaliation to provocative remarks by SI users.

It is reported that SI students studying at the University of PNG had actually received threats thereafter.

In an interview with this paper, one of the students Ms Brenda Atani said the situation has died down but Solomon Islands students especially women and girls are still traumatised over the affair.

“We heard some of the students from PNG mentioned something similar to the post and start threatening us.

“This is very bad as most of us are innocent and have no connection with what is going on Facebook,” she said.

Atani strongly recommends Solomon Islanders to be mindful when commenting on social media.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

CLOSING submission into the case against murder-accused, Edmond Sae, will be made today at the High Court after the completion of the trial.

Prosecution, during the trial, called on a number of witnesses with the defence calling one witness in support of their case while the accused elected to remain silent.

The law provides for that alternative way of testifying, if the court agrees.

The trial started on February 9 and ended on October 10. The entire trial was held in-camera as witnesses were concerned about testifying openly in an open court.

Edmond Sae is faced with one count of escaping from police custody, two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, and two counts of purchasing, acquiring and possession of firearm and ammunition without licence.

He was accused of gunning down former police commissioner Sir Frederick Soaki on February 10, 2003, at the Auki Motel in Auki, Malaita.

Prosecution said the late Sir Fredrick was attending a workshop with other participants at Auki on the demobilisation programme for special constables.

The workshop was organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) office.

The prosecution said the accused, after escaping from police custody, avoided police arrest for more than 10 years.

With much police effort, the accused was then re-arrested in October 2015 and brought to Honiara to face court.

Prosecution said one of the murder charges and the attempted murder relates to an allegation on April 30, 2003 at Auki Police Station in Malaita, where a man in custody was shot dead, and another injured.

He allegedly committed those offences shortly after he escaped from police custody after his initial arrest for the murder of Sir Fredrick.

The Director of Public Prosecution Ronald Bei Talasasa Jr and Mrs Margaret Suifa’asia represent the crown while the accused is represented by Mr Howard Lawry and Mr Ben Alasia of the Public Solicitor’s Office.

POLICE in Choiseul Province are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of an Asian male adult at the Luti Logging Camp in South Choiseul.

Taro Police were informed of the incident on October 19.

It is believed that the person died as a result of eating poisonous fish.

Acting Provincial Police Commander, Choiseul Province, Rolland Lapo said, “It was alleged that three Asian male adults working for the logging Company, Chia Tai Enterprises Limited operating in South Choiseul Province, ate a fish local known as balloon fish from the company mess on October 18, 2017 after which all three complained of head ache and body numbness.

“The three men were then transported by boat to Sasamunga Hospital but one of them died on the way.”

The two other Asians were transported from Taro to Honiara on October 19 for medical attention while the body of the deceased was later taken to the National Referral Hospital in Honiara on October 20.

The body of the deceased was flown back to Malaysia on October 24.

Police in Taro are investigating the incident.

–POLICE MEDIA