Pacific Anti-Corruption Update (9 July 2014) - Samoa, Fiji, PNG, Marshall Islands

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[Facilitator's note: Thank you to Tony Prescott, Annika Wythes, Isikeli Valemei, Luisa Senibulu, and Samita Singh of the joint UNDP-UNODC Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption Project, for sharing these updates.]

Associate minister in Samoa faces arrest. Samoa police have issued a warrant for the arrest of the associate minister of trade, commerce and industry, Muagututagata Peter Ah Him, on four charges including fraud, falsifying accounts, and theft. http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/pacific/249158/associate-minister-in-samoa-faces-arrest

Fiji: FIU report released. The Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit received 522 suspicious transaction reports, 380,430 cash transaction reports and more than 1.47million international remittance transaction reports from financial institutions last year. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=273460

PNG PM O’Neill withdraws court proceedings. Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has instructed his lawyers to withdraw all court proceedings, including appeals, to let government agencies do their job in verifying legal bills paid to Paraka Lawyers. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2014-07-07/png-prime-minister-peter-oneill-instructs-his-lawyers-to-withdraw-all-appeals-over-his-arrest-warran/1339372

Sacked PNG corruption fighter considers options. The sacked chairman of the now defunct Task Force Sweep Sam Koim is considering what steps he'll take next. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacific/radio/program/pacific-beat


Lax law enforcement keeps Marshall Islands on trafficking watchlist. The US could impose economic sanctions on Marshall Islands, after it recently placed the Marshalls on a human trafficking watchlist for the second year in a row. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/lax-law-enforcement-keeps-marshall-islands-on-trafficking-watchlist/1338786

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