STATEMENT BY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE ON ALLEGATIONS OF BRIBERY RAISED BY MALAITA PREMIER

“I refer to the front page articles published yesterday, Tuesday 24th September 2019, in the Solomon Star and Island Sun newspapers alleging that unnamed Members of Parliament offered a bribe to the Premier of Malaita. Province, Hon. Daniel Suidani.

Knowing the seriousness of these allegations, I immediately sent a letter to the Hon. Premier yesterday, 24th September, requesting him to meet with my officers and provide a report to police.

Today, 25th September I sent a senior RSIPF investigations team to Auki, led by the Assistant Commissioner of Crime & Intelligence.

The RSIPF takes allegations of corruption seriously, as demonstrated by our actions. Without the Hon. Premier’s witness statement, or any other witness evidence, the RSIPF is unable to investigate the allegations made in the newspaper articles.

Should any person have relevant evidence to provide to police about this matter, I call on them to contact the RSIPF.”