Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (16 March 2019): PNG, Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga

PNG:

UPNG interim chancellor resigns – report. The minister cited allegations of corruption and sexual misconduct among reasons for the move.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/384732/upng-interim-chancellor-resigns-report

PNG bishops attack govt over corruption. Catholic bishops of Papua New Guinea have lambasted the government for failing to take action on corruption and for what they call its general incompetence.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/384461/png-bishops-attack-govt-over-corruption

 

FIJI:

$89,623 proceeds of crime forfeited to Fiji. Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum stated the Government plans to utilize the forfeited assets to fund efforts to strengthen Fiji’s capacity to combat money-laundering.

https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/crime/89623-proceeds-of-crime-forfeited-to-fiji/

Plea time in FICAC case against ex-WAF workers. A former employee of the Water Authority of Fiji, Lasisasa Valesu, charged with abuse of office, forgery obtaining a financial advantage and aiding and abetting obtaining a financial advantage will take his please on March 26.

https://fijisun.com.fj/2019/03/09/plea-time-in-ficac-case-against-ex-waf-workers/

 

VANUATU:

Chinese Investment Fueling Corruption in the Pacific. Chinese investment is fueling corruption and causing resentment among the local people, says the Vanuatu Foreign Minister Ralph Regenvanu. He said the local people were being sidelined by increasing amounts of imported workers.

http://www.solomontimes.com/news/chinese-investment-fueling-corruption-in-the-pacific/8914

 

TONGA:

Senior civil servant convicted of fraud in Vava’u. Viliami Latu was convicted of fraudulently converting $1,200 pa’anga, while working as the second in charge at the Ministry of Finance in Neiafu.

https://matangitonga.to/2019/03/13/senior-civil-servant-convicted-fraud-vava-u

 

  

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