Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (8 December 2018): Kirbati, Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands

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KIRIBATI:

Kiribati NGO calls for release of Butiraoi report findings.  The NGO Kiribati Citizens Against Corruption is calling for the findings of a report into the Butiraoi sinking to be released.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/377382/kiribati-ngo-calls-for-release-of-butiraoi-report-findings

 

FIJI:

FCOSS calls for collaborative approach to combat corruption.  Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) executive director Vani Catanasiga has urged businesses to work with non-government organisations (NGOs) on developing local tools for combating corruption.

https://www.fijitimes.com/fcoss-calls-for-collaborative-approach-to-combat-corruption/

Former manager facing corruption charges to take plea next year. Reginald Lal who is charged with one count of falsification of documents appeared this morning before Magistrate Deepika Prakash.

https://www.fijitimes.com/former-manager-facing-corruption-charges-to-take-plea-next-year/

Two WAF staff front court for alleged fraud.  Two Water Authority of Fiji staff have been charged with two counts of obtaining a financial advantage after they were alleged to have sold water tanks to residents in Nadi.

https://www.fijitimes.com/two-waf-staff-front-court-for-alleged-fraud/

Financial intelligence unit records 566 suspicious transactions. About 566 suspicious transactions reports were recorded by the Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) for the year ending July 2018.

https://www.fijitimes.com/financial-intelligence-unit-records-566-suspicious-transactions/

 

PNG:

PNG's former solicitor-general eligible to apply for asylum in Australia over 'payback' fears: court.  Papua New Guinea's former solicitor-general is allowed to apply for a protection visa in Australia, a court ruling has found, based on fears of harm after raising corruption allegations in what has been called the country's "biggest" alleged fraud case.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-04/court-rules-former-png-official-eligible-to-apply-for-asylum/10544460

Court rules former PNG SG can apply for protection in Aust.  The ABC reports the Federal Circuit Court of Australia heard that in 2012 Neville Devete made a complaint to PNG's National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Squad in relation to alleged "improper payments" made to PNG's biggest law firm, Paul Paraka Lawyers.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/377462/court-rules-former-png-sg-can-apply-for-protection-in-aust

 

SOLOMON ISLANDS:

Solomon Islands MP Dickson Mua arrested for corruption.  A member of parliament in Solomon Islands, Dickson Mua, has been arrested and charged with corruption.

https://herdongazette.com/solomon-islands-mp-dickson-mua-arrested-for-corruption/119545/

 

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

Annika Wythes, Regional Anti-Corruption Adviser, UNODC, annika.wythes@un.org

Mihaela Stojkoska, Anti-Corruption Specialist - Pacific, UNDP, mihaela.stojkoska@undp.org

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

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