HOU SPEAKS OF SACKING

• I know it’s coming • Sogavare lied to nation and development partners about China switch • Sogavare’s Our Party orchestrated China switch • Decision to switch was made in a rush By ANDREW FANASIA SACKED government minister Rick Hou says he accepts his termination, but the nation needs to know the truth about the…

PM urged to impose duty on APID 

MAKILI: TAX THE MINERS By IAN M.KAUKUI PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare has been urged to revoke the 100% tax exemption duty granted to the bauxite miners on Rennell island, Renbel Province. The bauxite mine is owned by Chinese logger APID Ltd, which had contracted Hong Kong-based company Bintan Mining, to carry out the operation. Local activist…

Backhoe driver jailed

THE man who drove a Backhoe Excavator into the Coral Sea Resort’s lobby causing damages and fear to the hotel’s guests and employees last year has been sentenced to a total of two years imprisonment. Dickson Irofinao was sentenced following his guilty pleas to the charges of intimidation and wilful and unlawful damage. Principal Magistrate…

BRIBERY ATTEMPT EXPOSED

Pro-China MPs’ $1m attempt to bribe Malaita Premier fails By WILSON SAENI In Auki   A BRIBERY attempt by pro-China Members of Parliament (MPs’) within the DCGA to lure Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani with SBD$1million to support the China switch has been exposed, it was disclosed. A source close to the provincial government made the revelation…

FRC bypassed, MP unhappy

Member of Parliament (MP) for East Are Are Constituency and Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Peter Kenilorea Jr has expressed disappointment over the government’s move to ignore the recommendation by the Foreign Relations Committee (FRC) before switching ties with China. In a statement on Sunday Kenilorea Jr said it is discouraging that the establishment of diplomatic relations…