Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates – 25 Feb 2016: Solomon Islands, Fiji

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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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SOLOMON ISLANDS:
Government urged to pass Anti-Corruption Bill.  The Malaita Ma’asina Forum is calling on the Prime Minister and his government to bring the Anti-Corruption Bill before the parliament for its second reading rather than wasting time on strategy.
http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/12343-gov-t-urged-to-pass-anti-corruption-bill
$10-M scandal.  Five people facing criminal charges in connection to the $10 million scandal from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services will appear in the Honiara Magistrates’ Court.
http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/12330-10m-scandal
Disclosures into Oto’s case still to complete.  Lawyer of Steven Jude Oto, the senior government officer accused of fraudulently obtaining more than $800,000 of public funds through dishonest tender processes, is yet to receive full disclosures into the case.
http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/12316-disclosures-into-oto-s-case-still-to-complete

FIJI:
AG and 5 Political Parties clash over Saneem’s post and elections portfolio assigned to Sayed‑Khaiyum.  The leaders of the five Political Parties are calling for the removal of the Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem and the scrapping of the elections portfolio assigned to the Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed‑Khaiyum.
http://fijivillage.com/news-feature/AG-and-5-Political-Parties-clash-over-Saneems-post-and-elections-portfolio-assigned-to-SayedKhaiyum-92krs5/
TV journalist's job shift questioned.  The Fijian Media Association says it is exhausting all strategies to ensure a journalist with the local broadcaster Fiji TV can continue to work freely.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/325167/fiji-tv-journalist's-job-shift-questioned
Former Fiji PM claims government interference in Fijian Holdings election.  A former Fiji Prime Minister is accusing the government of interfering in the result of the election for the directorship of Fijian Holdings.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/325184/qarase-claims-govt-interference-in-fijian-holdings-election

Thank you to the team at UN Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption Project for sharing these updates.  For more information, please contact:
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

Maria Lee, Peace & Development Administrative Assistant, UNDP/UNODC, maria.lee@undp.org

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