Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (7 July 2017): Fiji, Suva, PNG, 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:
Fiji Minister resigns from government.  Minister for Education, Heritage, Arts and National Archives of Fiji, Dr Mahendra Reddy has submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, saying he wishes to step aside while the charges laid against him by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) are heard.
http://fijivillage.com/news-feature/Education-Minister-Dr-Mahendra-Reddy-resigns-from-government--5srk29/

Dr Mahendra Reddy charged by FICAC.  Education Minister Doctor Mahendra Reddy has been charged by FICAC with one count of bribery and one count of undue influence.
http://fijivillage.com/news-feature/Dr-Mahendra-Reddy-charged-by-FICAC-r95ks2/

SUVA:
Former employee of the office of Trademarks and Patents convicted.  A former Examiner of Trademarks and Patents at the Office of the Trademarks and Patents in Suva has been found guilty for two counts of soliciting and accepting an advantage.
http://www.fbc.com.fj/fiji/52318/former-employee-of-the-office-of-trademarks-and-patents-convicted-

PNG:
Bank of Papua New Guinea recognised.  The Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG) has taken the lead on a number of initiatives aimed at improving PNG’s status as a safe destination for investment opportunities.
http://postcourier.com.pg/bpng-recognised/
Transparency PNG continues to receive complaints from disappointed voters.  Widespread complaints from Papua New Guineans about the conduct of the national election have led to plenty of criticism and commentary from leaders across the country.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/programs/pacific-beat/2017-07-05/transparency-png-continues-to-receive-complaints/8680388
Church leader questions failure to acknowledge PNG electoral corruption.  Across Papua New Guinea, various reports of bribery, threats and intimidation that have been circulating are nothing unusual in an electoral regime that overlays the Wantok system.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/programs/pacific-beat/2017-07-04/bishop-questions-failure-to-acknowledge-png/8675856
Lawyer’s absence delays trial.  The absence of the lawyer of a suspended police officer accused of accepting bribe from a bus driver to escape breaking a traffic rule has delayed a trial that was supposed to commence yesterday.
http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/13143-lawyer-s-absence-delays-trial

TONGA:
Counterfeit money found in Tonga.  The National Reserve Bank of Tonga is warning that there are counterfeit 50 pa'anga notes in circulation in the Kingdom.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/334522/counterfeit-money-found-in-tonga

To know more about the UN Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption Project please contact the team members:
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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