TRANSPARENCY Solomon Islands (TSI) says the ongoing serious allegations of bribery involving Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) in Malaita Province must be reported with evidence for arrest and investigation.
In a statement on Monday, TSI said the ongoing blaming of MPAs for the act of bribery is really disturbing.
TSI said it seems the lobbying tactics normally done by Members of Parliament (MP) with cash and valuable material goods at the national level is now practiced at the provincial government.
In the past weeks there have been reports of serious allegations to unseat the Premier of Malaita Province Daniel Suidani where some MPAs received $10,000 cash as payments for resigning from the Malaita Alliance for Rural Advancement (MARA) government.
“Over the weekend the premier respond to a bribery allegation that alleged MARA government promised $20,000 and shell money for MPAs who remain with the MARA government.
“These are very disturbing news that calls for those with evidences to report the allegations to police and other relevant institutions like the Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption (SIICAC),” the TSI statement said.
This country cannot continue to allow such practice of corruption, by means of bribery to gain power, be it provincial government or national government, TSI said.
“Lobbying prior to election of Prime Minister or Premier by using cash or wealth to lure votes is a crime that must be punished if anyone found guilty,” the statement said.
TSI believes corruption is everyone’s business to report.
It added the bribery allegations that always arise during a political upheaval were never reported with evidences to the rightful authorities for investigations and prosecutions.
