The Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption (SIICAC) remains without leadership, following the expiry of Director General John Kouni’s contract in April.
Sources have confirmed that the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) has yet to renew Kouni’s contract, leaving the commission largely inactive since its establishment under the Anti-Corruption Act 2018.
In addition to the leadership vacuum, SIICAC’s operations are hampered by the government’s failure to appoint a new Director of Investigation and Director of Prosecution—two key positions central to its anti-corruption mandate.
Sources say the OPMC has only appointed a Director of Public Education and two Deputy Chairpersons responsible for public awareness campaigns.
“The Director of Investigation and Prosecution are the heart of the commission’s operations. The Deputy Director of Investigation has been appointed, but without a Director, they are effectively powerless,” a source said.
Former SIICAC Chairman, Sir Frank Kabui, echoed these concerns in February 2024, famously describing the commission as a “tiger without its teeth.”
“The Anti-Corruption Act created a tiger, but one that cannot bite,” Sir Frank said. “It may have a big name, but it lacks the power to act. So what’s the point of having it?”
Sir Frank disclosed that he had previously approached the OPMC to review the Anti-Corruption Act, but was told of a policy shift to turn the commission into a part-time entity.
“There is no precedent globally—except in one or two cases—for an anti-corruption commission to operate part-time,” he said. “We are powerless. We’re sitting here doing nothing. The government has done nothing to review the Act to this day.”
He emphasized that changing the law is not a complicated process if there is genuine political will.
“There’s nothing wrong with amending legislation. Parliament can easily pass it, but it requires commitment—something that’s clearly missing,” Sir Frank stated.
He expressed deep disappointment in the government’s approach, noting that the commission was originally intended to function as an independent law enforcement body, only to be sidelined by lack of support.
Reflecting on SIICAC’s formation in 2018, Sir Frank recalled how it was started by just two people without any financial support from the government. He likened the commission to a newborn child—small, vulnerable, and in need of care—but said that despite its strong name, it lacked the tools to tackle corruption effectively.
In February this year, the OPMC appointed five new commissioners to SIICAC: former Attorney General and judge James Apaniai (Chairman), lawyer Florrie Alalo (Deputy Chair), Jimmy Sendersley (re-appointed), Alfred Ghemu Kituru, and Michelle Lam.
Under the Anti-Corruption Act, the objectives of SIICAC are to combat corruption in all its forms by:
- Establishing an independent commission to prevent, investigate, and prosecute corruption offenses;
- Creating a system for receiving and managing complaints of corruption in both public and private sectors;
- Raising public awareness about the effects and prevention of corruption.
Despite these ambitions, the commission continues to struggle without the leadership and structural support it needs to operate effectively.
By Eddie Osifelo
Solomon Star, Honiara
