Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (1 December 2018): PNG, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Fiji

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Nauru, PNG, Fiji criticised for obstructing freedom. Civic freedoms in three Pacific nations are under threat, according to the international watchdog group, Civicus.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/376935/nauru-png-fiji-criticised-for-obstructing-freedom

 

PAPUA NEW GUINEA:

PNG PM told to stand down over corruption allegations. Papua New Guinea's prime minister, Peter O'Neill, has been called upon to stand down and allow an inquiry into allegations of personal and corporate impropriety.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/376940/png-pm-told-to-stand-down-over-corruption-allegations

PNG fraud squad begins Bougainville investigations. The police team was invited by the Bougainville President John Momis after revelations of a massive fraud involving the autonomous government's payroll, along with the misappropriation of millions of kina of disaster funds.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/376900/png-fraud-squad-begins-bougainville-investigations

 

SOLOMON ISLANDS:

Journos told: Do more probing stories. Local journalists attending a week-long Anti-Corruption Reporting, Promotion of Integrity, Transparency and Accountability training in Honiara were being told to write more investigative stories.

http://www.solomonstarnews.com/index.php/news/national/item/21134-journos-told-do-more-probing-stories

Corruption investigations on public officials continues. Investigations are continuing into the ten highly ranked public officials who are under police radar for corruption allegations.

http://www.sibconline.com.sb/corruption-investigations-on-public-officials-continues/

High profile corruption convict refused bail in Solomon Islands. He was convicted on three counts of official corruption earlier this month and given a two year jail sentence.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/376652/high-profile-corruption-convict-refused-bail-in-solomon-islands

Dausabea urges Police to probe corruption. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Indigenous Chamber of Commerce and Trade Solomon Islands (ICCTSI) Charles Dausabea is urging police to investigate corruption allegations rather than waiting for someone to lodged a complaint.

http://www.solomonstarnews.com/index.php/news/national/item/21140-dausabea-urges-police-to-probe-corruption

$1m mysterious payment. The one million ($1m) in shipping grant that was supposed to be received by Didao Development Cooperation remains a mystery and untraceable since documents related to the payment were missing from the Ministry of Finance.

http://www.solomonstarnews.com/index.php/news/national/item/21145-1m-mysterious-payment

 

SAMOA:

Minister disappointed at spike in misuse cases. Minister of Finance Sili Epa Tuioti says he is “extremely disappointed” with the increasing number of public funds misuse cases within Government ministries.

http://sobserver.ws/en/26_11_2018/local/38830/Minister-disappointed-at-spike-in-misuse-cases.htm

 

FIJI:

High Court discharges case against Chand. The case against the former vice-chancellor of the Fiji National University (FNU) was today discharged by the High Court in Suva.

https://www.fijitimes.com/high-court-discharges-case-against-chand/

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