Dear Editor – I read with great interest Waeta Ben Tabusasi’s and J.R William’s letters to the editor, Star No.5787 dated Thursday 9 April, 2015.
As a former reasonable political leader and senior citizen of our beloved country, one can say with certainty that Mr Tabusasi’s appearance in our daily paper must have been based on observations since our independence from Great Britain.
I can also say that Mr Tabisasi’s diagnosis of our economic activities; especially in the business sector “development” is signaling a bigger problem ahead if it’s not addressed now.
One can deduce this from this quote: “Do you remember the lesson we leant in April 2006? Or have you already forgotten about?” end of quote.
His urging the government, especially the DCCG, must not be taken lightly. The writing is clear on the wall.
That particular Act of parliament; the Foreign Investment Act must be reviewed, with the purpose of protecting and nurturing Solomon Islands entrepreneurs in this world of competition where the rule of the jungle is practiced; which says ‘the survival of the fittest’.
Mr Tabusasi’s prescription to cure this emerging ugly problem is also right.
He must have been one of those who architect that particular Act of parliament during his tenure as an MP.
The Foreign Investment Act was changed during Sir Alan Kemakesa’s leadership. At that time our country was licking its wounds which were inflicted by the ethnic tension and was declared a failed state.
On the advice of the Asian Development Bank Sir Alan’s government went ahead and changed the FI Act.
Can one not see that the push for change in the Foreign Investment Act was initiated by foreign interests, and not by our politicians, paving the way purposely for foreign interests in the name of widening the economic base of Solomon Islands which finances the government’s budget?
There can’t be a better time to suggest such change to enter the country but legally. But I wonder if our leaders ever can now see the results of their makings?
It is a fact that when we cannot think for ourselves others will do it for us and this has been our experience ever since we gained independence.
Much of what goes on in our country, especially in our parliament are determined and initiated by foreign interests.
Today Honiara turns overnight into an Asian city, Asians owning the prime sites, dominating the property, retail, wholesale, transport sectors.
Their control of this country also reaches into the rural sector or the subsistence economy controlling exports of our natural resources, and attempts are on the way to entering the parliament of Solomon Islands.
The Asians must be laughing at our political leaders, especially their (our leaders) short-sightedness and ignorance, and much more our public service officers who can be bribed so easily.
J.R. Williams right points out that the Micronesians overstaying in Solomon Islands is not a problem and I agree with him.
Quote “the real problem is the number of Asians and their method of doing business” end quote.
I think our poor Micronesians overstaying is not a sore tooth, economically like the Asians who floods the Immigration office day- in day-out, bribing its officers; signing and approving imigration matters under mango and coconut trees and air conditioned vehicles.
Moreover, I have lived in Ngossi since 1986 and have known that the Herbarium or the Botanical Garden encompasses the area east of my house.
Notices about this restricted area as part of the Garden were installed by the government. But today a number of houses by Asians are being erected amongst these notices.
Who gave these lots to these people but out lands department officers?
Truly Solomon Islanders are a laughing stock because we can sell even our birth rights for a bowl of soup like Esau to the schemers, like the so called foreign investors.
The DCC government must heed the warning posed by one of our senior citizens.
Jeffrey Aihunu
Honiara
