[ap-intact] INFO: Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (24 Jan 2015): Pacific Youth Forum, PNG, Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, Fiji

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Facilitator’s note: Thank you to Annika Wythes, Luisa Senibulu, and Samita Singh of the joint UNDP-UNODC Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption Project, for these updates.]

Pacific youth invited to capture corruption in photo contest. Youth from around the Pacific region are being encouraged to capture images of the effects of corruption and to enter the images in a photo contest that could win them an all-expenses paid trip to Fiji to attend the Pacific Youth against Corruption Forum in February 2015. http://www.pina.com.fj/?p=pacnews&m=read&o=91133179954bc587c585c904dd704c

PNG: Third MP jailed for corruption. Another Papua New Guinea MP has been jailed for misappropriation of public money. The Komo-Magarima MP, Francis Potape, was sentenced to two and half years in prison with hard labor. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/264044/third-png-mp-jailed-for-corruption

Cook Islands: Prime Minister Closely Watching By-Election. Prime Minister Henry Puna says he is keeping a close eye on alleged illegal behavior by the Democratic Party One Cook Islands coalition in the run-up to the Vaipae-Tautu by-election. http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2015/January/01-22-08.htm

Solomon Islands: Government must put its house in order. Hearing of family corruption cases that come before the courts will be given the same priority as other criminal and civil cases, assured Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer. http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/5615-gov-t-must-put-its-house-in-order-cj

Solomon Islands: CJ calls on gov’t to boost judiciary. The government’s slow or non-responses to requests sought for increases or improvements within the judiciary is unsatisfactory and must not be tolerated, says the Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer. http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/5614-cj-calls-on-gov-t-to-boost-judiciary

Solomon Islands chief justice calls for action on corruption as millions of government funding 'unaccounted for'. Solomon Islands' chief justice has called on the newly-elected government of prime minister Manasseh Sogavare to tackle corruption and halt the appointment of "cronies" to top jobs. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-22/solomon-islands-chief-justice-calls-for-action-on-corruption/6036168

Fiji: Bogus agencies. Members of the public are being advised to demand for an authorisation certificate when they deal with foreign employment agencies. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=292318

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