[ap-intact] INFO: Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (11 June 2015) - Solomon Islands, Nauru, Fiji

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

Solomon Islands: urged to make sure ICAC is independent. Transparency Solomon Islands is calling on the government to exclude itself from election or appointment processes in the country's proposed Independent Commission Against Corruption. [Note: The workshop was organized by the joint UN Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC) Project. Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) were also represented through special permission by the Office of the Prime Minister.] http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/275654/solomons-urged-to-make-sure-icac-is-independent

Solomon Islands: Clean up Ministry of Mines. Landowning groups in Solomon Islands Rennell and Bellona province are hoping the government keeps its promise to clean out corrupt officials from the Ministry of Mines. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/275801/solomons-to-clean-up-ministry-of-mines

Solomon Islands: Court Judgement on Money Laundering Case. The High Court will deliver its judgement for a former Central Bank Officer charged with more than 30 counts of money laundering and two counts of larceny and embezzlement this week. http://www.sibconline.com.sb/court-judgement-on-money-laundering-case-this-thursday/

Solomon Islands: Concerns over bauxite export saga. The Parliamentary Opposition Group has expressed grave concern over revelations that a senior Cabinet Minister has been roped in the bauxite export saga. http://www.sibconline.com.sb/opposition-expressed-grave-concerns-over-bauxite-export-saga/

Solomon Islands: Sasako denies links to miners. The Government has denied claims its ministers have close links with Indonesian mining firm PT Mega Bintang Borneo. http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/7275-sasako-denies-links-to-miners

Solomon Islands: Fake permit exposed. Indonesian firm Bintang Borneo Limited has been caught attempting to deceive Customs with a fake export and consignment permit. http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/6845-fake-permit-exposed

Nauru: Call for unimpeded police inquiry in bribery claims. A suspended Nauru MP is calling on the government to allow a full police inquiry into bribery allegations implicating the Justice Minister David Adeang. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/275802/call-for-unimpeded-police-inquiry-in-nauru-bribery-claims

Nauru: Bribery allegations causing a storm. Former Nauru president Sprent Dabwido is currently a suspended member of the Opposition. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/former-president-bribery-allegations-causing-a-storm/1456688

Fiji: FICAC tightlipped on Fiji Corrections Services investigation. The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption is still tightlipped in relation to the ongoing investigation against the Fiji Corrections Services. http://fijivillage.com/news/FICAC-tightlipped-on-Fiji-Corrections-Services-investigation-s52r9k/

Fiji: Online fraud. Some locals have been gathering confidential information of unsuspecting persons and passing them to their overseas counterparts who then hack into bank accounts in Fiji. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=309251

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