Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates – 26 Nov 2016: Fiji, PNG, Vanuatu, Tonga

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These updates are provided by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Anti-Corruption Project for Southeast Asia, and the joint UNODC - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC) Project, with support of the Australian Government.
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FIJI:
Kamlesh Arya charged with abuse of office.  Former politician and Registrar of the University of Fiji Kamlesh Arya has been charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption with one count of abuse of office and one count of general dishonesty causing a loss.
http://fijivillage.com/news/Kamlesh-Arya-charged-by-FICAC-with-abuse-of-office-ksr529
Former sugar boss faces probe.  The Sugar Ministry has ordered an investigation into allegations that former Fiji Sugar Corporation executive chairman Abdul Khan may have abused his office for personal benefit, ministry's permanent secretary Yogesh Karan confirmed.
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=379527
Military officers and a businessman appear in court for bribery offences.  Three Republic of Fiji Military Forces officers and a Labasa businessman who are charged with bribery offences appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court.
http://fijivillage.com/news/3-RFMF-officers-and-a-businessman-appear-in-court-for-bribery-offences-rk9s25/
PNG:
Calls for crack down on tax evasion in PNG.  The Oro Governor, Gary Juffa, has called on the government of Papua New Guinea to crack down on tax avoidance in the forestry and fisheries industries as well as in the property and consultancy areas of businesses.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/318682/calls-for-crack-down-on-tax-evasion-in-png
TI-PNG slams proposed election laws.  Corruption watchdog Transparency International-PNG has condemned proposed changes to election laws describing them as “undemocratic and unconstitutional”.
http://news.pngfacts.com/2016/11/transparency-international-png-slams.html
VANUATU:
Vanuatu government faces no-confidence motion.  Vanuatu’s Parliament will sit next week to vote on a motion of no confidence in the government of Prime Minister Charlot Salwai.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/318760/vanuatu-government-faces-no-confidence-motion
TONGA:
MP pushing for more women in politics.  A Tongan MP says the mindset that women do not belong in parliament needs to be changed.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/318552/tongan-mp-says-public-should-get-behind-govt
For more information about the UN Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC) Project, please get in touch with:
Maria Adomeit, Regional Anti-Corruption Adviser, UNODC, maria.adomeit@unodc.org
Mihaela Stojkoska, Anti-Corruption Specialist - Pacific, UNDP, mihaela.stojkoska@undp.org
Luisa Senibulu, Governance Programme Associate, UNDP/UNODC, luisa.senibulu@undp.org
Samita Singh, Programme Assistant - Anti-Corruption, UNDP/UNODC, samita.singh@undp.org

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