Wale questions termination of top tax investigator

The Leader of Opposition has expressed disgust at the removal of a top investigator in the Inland Revenue Division (IRD) allegedly directed by Prime Minister Sogavare.

Matthew Wale in a statement issued on Monday said, of the $130 million of extra tax that was recovered as a result of tax audit and investigations, this particular investigator’s efforts resulted in $110 million of that total.

“Clearly this is the best performing investigator in the Inland Revenue Division in the Ministry of Finance. You would think that such a star performer would be protected and encouraged to continue with his good work for the government and people of Solomon Islands,” he said.

Hon. Wale said, this now sacked top tax investigator was summoned to see the Prime Minister, who scolded him for being “rude” in his tax investigations of Mr. Ging Hii, the Malaysian honorary consul and owner of MEGA logging company.

Mr Hii is also associated with Mamara Developments and the company contracted by Prime Minister Sogavare to provide ePassports to Solomon Islands for USD20 million. Clearly, Prime Minister Sogavare was acting on the instructions of Mr. Ging Hii, the statement said.

The investigator sought advice from the Commissioner of Inland Revenue who rightly advised him to continue his work and disregard the Prime Minister.

But as a result, the top investigator’s contract was cancelled by the Prime Minister, and he no longer works for the Inland Revenue Division.

Mr Wale said, he is dumbfounded as to why the Prime Minister would sack a top tax investigator who brought in $110 million in extra taxes from his investigative work.

He questions the Prime Minister’s relationship with Mr Hii, and why the Prime Minister is protecting Mr Hii from tax investigations.

“What is Prime Minister Sogavare’s interest in protecting Mr. Ging Hii?” The Opposition Leader questioned.

The Opposition Leader said the Prime Minister has abused the powers of his office to protect his longtime logging crony, and in so doing has used the office of Prime Minister against the interests of Solomon Islands.

Hon. Wale is calling on the Commissioner of Inland Revenue to employ the same top tax investigator as a private consultant to continue the investigations of Mr. Ging Hii’s tax affairs.

Further, Mr Wale calls on the PM and the Finance Minister to not interfere in these investigations, adding that the public must take an interest in these tax investigations, and especially in the relationship between Prime Minister Sogavare and Mr Hii.

Hon. Wale said, the logging industry continues to control the Prime Minister and government, and this is yet another clear example of this decay.

“It is shameful, but worse it is depriving the country of scarce resources to pay for medicines and health services, etc. The people of Solomon Islands must be very concerned about the abuse of their government for personal interests,” said the Opposition Leader.