Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (14 Nov 2014) - Solomon Islands, Kiribati, PNG, Fiji

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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.]

Solomon Islands: Corruption hinders growth here, says High Court judge. Corruption is a hindrance to development in this country, says High Court Justice Stephen Pallaras, who completed his three-year term and shared his observations in a news interview. http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/4880-corruption-hinders-growth-here-says-high-court-judge

Kiribati: Official suspended over missing funds. The Kiribati Government has suspended a deputy minister-level official as part of an ongoing investigation into a missing aid fund donated by Taiwan earlier this year. http://www.pina.com.fj/?p=pacnews&m=read&o=202694692954616d24897b3d0a20b6

PNG: More MPs face arrest over fraud. Warrants of arrest are expected soon on "a couple of fraud cases" involving members of parliament, police said. http://www.pina.com.fj/?p=pacnews&m=read&o=194648886154627bc2a8c6ff8854ea

PNG: Maprik MP arrested, 15 MPs investigated for official corruption. Fifteen Members of Papua New Guinea Parliament are being investigated for white collar crimes which include official corruption. http://www.pina.com.fj/?p=pacnews&m=read&o=20175705355461798f53c738dc477b

PNG fraud squad probes MPs.  The head of the Papua New Guinea police National Fraud and Anti-corruption Directorate says the spate of recent corruption charges against MPs shows corruption is a problem across all levels of society. http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/pacific/259164/png-fraud-squad-probes-mps

Fiji: PAC furor. Opposition leader Ro Teimumu Kepa has stood firm on her nomination of NFP leader and Opposition member Professor Biman Prasad as Public Accounts Committee chairman. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=285985

Fiji: Immunity won't stop it. Fiji's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has the power to summon those implicated in any misuse of public funds to appear before the committee and provide evidence. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=285815

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