Dear Editor – Radio New Zealand International’s news report on 2 March 2017, carried a story which stated the chairperson of Transparency Solomon Islands, Ruth Liloquala, as saying she had it from a credible source that the majority of MPs in the Solomon Islands Government do not support the proposed legislation.
The report went on to claim that Ms Liloquala had said the bills have been effectively shelved.
A subsequent article in the Island Sun Newspaper the same day was headed – “Green Light for Anti-Corruption Bill.”
The story, filed by Ben Bilua, said the the Prime Minister had given the green light for the much anticipated Anti-Corruption Bill, saying that, “Caucus has agreed to table the bill.”
Mr Bilua wrote (and I quote)
“Hon Manasseh Sogavare made the announcement when Parliament debated the Land and Survey Bill (now Act) last week.
“The Prime Minister said that Caucus has agreed that the Bill’s strategic requirement must be completed before the Bill is tabled in Parliament.
“We want to bring the National Anti-corruption strategy and regulations before members of parliament to debate and that the Caucus has agreed to draft the bill’s strategy before debate will be made in parliament.
“The Prime Minister said a number of regulations and strategies of certain Acts have not been completed since the bills were passed in parliament and that his government does not want to repeat such failure.
“Hon Sogavare said the government’s ambition is to give specific requirements to the bill so the members of Parliament have a clear direction to discuss the bill in parliament.
“The Prime Minister said the delay to table the bill is due to the matter but he said the bill will be brought before parliament anytime from now.
“Hon Sogavare continues to say that there are concern raised by both side of the government with active complains against the Anti-Corruption bill.
“I heard complains that some of the MPs are saying that if the National Anti-corruption is passed, they will be dead.
“But why did we recommend the National Anti-corruption bill to parliament?” the Prime Minister said.
“Hon Sogavare said the Anti-corruption bill is important as it will strengthen the enforcement of other bills such as the Ombudsman Bill, revised Town and Country Planning Act, Land and Survey Act and Whistle Blower Bills.”
I am left rather confused by the statement reportedly made to Radio New Zealand International by Ms Liloquala on the same day that Ben Bilua’s article appeared claiming the PM had given the green light to bringing the Anti-Corruption Bill to Parliament anytime from now.
I find it extraordinary, if true, that MPs said they would be dead if the anti-corruption legislation is passed.
I would really hope that all MPs will give their undivided support to the anti-corruption legislation so long held up and legislation the great majority of the citizens of the Solomon Islands consider vital to bring about an end to corruption and corrupt practices that have plagued the nation for years.
Personally, I cannot believe that MPs would fail to back the anti-corruption measures the Prime Minister is, seemingly, insisting be brought before the Parliament again because they would, I feel, face extreme criticism and if the letter in today’s Solomon Star from Andrew Maomaisi is anything to go by, he wrote (quote) “ How bae iumi putim olketa back moa lo power, come the next National General Election next year?”
Frank Short
Bangkok, Thailand