Samlimsan executive faces attempted murder charge
A LOGGING company executive is facing an attempted murder charge in relation to last Saturday’s brutal knife attack on a Rennell chief in Honiara.
Malaysian Pau Kiu Den, owner of the notorious Samlimsan logging company, appeared in court on Wednesday and was remanded until November 26.
He was accused of conspiring with three locals, who allegedly attacked Rennell chief Poly Tepai at the Kingsley Food Bar at Point Cruz.
The three locals who were arrested and charged with the same offence are Ben Alami, Buddley Fakani, and Frank Fakani.
They are all from Malaita.
Mr Tepai nearly lost his left hand when accused Ben Alami came from behind and hacked him with a 60 centimetre-long knife, while he was having a meal with another Asian and a local.
Doctors were however, able to save his hand and life, and he has since been discharged.
Mr Tepai had told the Solomon Star he believed the attack was related to a logging dispute on his home island with Samlimsan.
Buddley Fakani has been referred to in court documents as a security officer for Samlimsan, while Frank Fakani is the driver of the get-away car.
Police arrested Frank Fakani on Monday after tracing the get-away car, and later nabbed Alami on the same day.
Den and Buddley Fakani were arrested on Wednesday.
Last Saturday’s attack had sent shock waves throughout the city.
Mr Tepai flew in from his village into Honiara, arriving around 10am and made his way from the airport to Kingsley Food Bar when he was attacked.
He believed his attackers must have trailed him from the airport to the food bar at Point Cruz.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN