[ap-intact] INFO: Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (5 Feb 2015) - Samoa, Kiribati, Cook Islands, Fiji, Solomon Islands

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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.]
Samoa: PM rejects call for anti-corruption body. Samoan Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, has rejected a call by the Opposition Party for the government to set up an Anti-Corruption Tribunal.  http://www.samoaobserver.ws/other/government/12785-pm-rejects-call-for-anti-corruption-body
Samoa: Associate Minister Found Guilty Of Forgery. The Court has proven forgery charges against the Associate Minister of Trade & Commerce Muagututagata Peter Ah Him. http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2015/February/02-04-07.htm
Kiribati: GOPAC Member Moves Motion to Help Recover Assets. In the fall of 2014, the Hon Alexander Teabo, GOPAC member, brought forward a motion in the Kiribati House of Assembly in an effort to find out how more than $1.1 million was stolen from the State’s coffers. GOPAC Newsletter January 2015 http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=7c2d86341e1d62c7f33d28763&id=c2216ddd74&e=52b901a635)
Cook Islands: Questions Asked About Chinese Gifts - Will machinery be maintained, what is expected in return. In the wake of more than $6 million [US$4.4 million] worth of heavy machinery being handed over to the Cook Islands by the Government of China last week, questions are being asked about the motives behind the generous gifts. http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2015/February/02-04-08.htm
Fiji: $30 million drug raid: Two appear in High Court. Australian national Ethan Kai, and Nadi businessman Mohammed Shaheed Khan, 40, appeared at the High Court in Lautoka this morning for charges related the alleged illegal importation of illicit drugs. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=294022
Solomon Islands: Promise to combat Solomons corruption looked upon with skepticism.Transparency Solomon Islands says the country's Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, has a lot of work to do if he is to live up to his promise to tackle corruption. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/264873/promise-to-combat-solomons-corruption-looked-upon-with-scepticism

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