Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (16 February 2019): Solomon Islands, Micronesia, Samoa, Vanuatu, Fiji

SOLOMON ISLANDS:

Group eyes trading votes for cash. A group of voters in Ward 17 in East Kwaio Constituency, Malaita Province said they will not cast their votes in the April 3 national general election, unless they are paid with cash.

http://www.solomonstarnews.com/index.php/news/national/item/21381-no-cash-no-vote

 

Solomon Islands MP Mua trial adjourned. He is accused of diverting $3 million (US$376,000) shipping grant intended to purchase a ship for his constituency in 2013.

http://pina.com.fj/?p=pacnews&m=read&o=8284804375c53cab0afbe1dca7b3d1

 

Money the focus of Solomons elections Transparency. Transparency Solomon Islands says MPs should not have direct control over funds for their constituencies.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/382306/money-the-focus-of-solomons-elections-transparency

 

FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA:

Bribery case against FSM airport official details cash, cars and trips. Federated States of Micronesia government official who allegedly received bribes from a contractor who sought to secure engineering and project management contracts from the FSM government.

https://www.postguam.com/news/local/fsm-airport-official-arrested-in-bribery-case/article_c36fd35a-2f07-11e9-ae1f-871a77d22d46.html

 

SAMOA:

American Samoa, Guam, Samoa added to EU blacklist, Vanuatu removed. The European Commission added Saudi Arabia, Panama, U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam and Samoa to a blacklist of nations it considers a threat because of lax controls on terrorism financing and money laundering, the EU executive said.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-saudi-moneylaundering/eu-adds-saudi-arabia-to-dirty-money-blacklist-upsets-uk-us-idUSKCN1Q215X

 

Man who threw pig’s head at Samoa PM escapes punishment.  Mr. Pauga told Newsline his action was a protest against corruption in the ruling Human Rights Protection Party.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/382307/man-who-threw-pig-s-head-at-samoa-pm-escapes-punishment

 

VANUATU:

Vanuatu's new Labour chief says she won't tolerate corruption. She told the Daily Post her officers are there to help people, and any conducting themselves in an improper manner will face disciplinary measures.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/382092/vanuatu-s-new-labour-chief-says-she-won-t-tolerate-corruption

 

 

FIJI

Aquaheat South Pacific Ltd signs corporate integrity pledge. The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption had its first Corporate Integrity Pledge signing.

https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/aquaheat-south-pacific-ltd-signs-corporate-integrity-pledge/

 

Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit receives and analyses 650 suspicious transaction reports. The Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit received and analyzed 650 suspicious transaction reports and disseminated 448 intelligence reports to law enforcement agencies for further investigation of possible tax evasion, money laundering and other serious offences in 2017.

http://fijivillage.com/news/Fiji-Financial-Intelligence-Unit-receives-and-analyses-650-suspicious-transaction-reports-s9rk52/

 

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