IN a recent panel discussion on the Corruption Perception Index 2023, the Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption Chairperson, Sir Frank Ofagioro Kabui, described the commission as a “tiger without its teeth.”
Sir Kabui’s statement reflects his concerns about the effectiveness of the commission in combating corruption within the country.
“The animal (Anti-Corruption Act) that is set up is a tiger, but it has no teeth to bite. It can’t bite. That is the first problem. Have a big name; very honorable can shout big, but it cannot bite, so what’s the reason for having it there? Sir Kui argued.
The Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption (SIICAC) was established under the Anti-Corruption Act 2018, passed by the National Parliament in July 2018.
He revealed that previously, he had discussed with the Office of the Prime Minister reviewing the Anti-Corruption Act 2018.
“The Prime Minister’s office, when approached to review the Anti-Corruption Act, responded with a letter outlining the government’s policy to make the commission part-time,” Sir Kabui said.
He contested this decision, stating that there is no precedent for an anti-corruption commission to operate on a part-time basis.
“No anti-corruption commission around the world exists in a part-time manner except one or two. So we are powerless. We are sitting there for nothing. The government has done nothing about reviewing the Act until today.
“There’s nothing wrong with changing the law. We can go to Parliament and get it passed. It is as easy as that. But it needs commitment from the government. But they never did,” the SIICAC Chairperson said on Friday at Justice Ground, Town Ground.
The chairman expressed disappointment in the government’s role, highlighting how the commission was initially established as a separate entity to tackle corruption but was subsequently ignored.
He stressed that the Anti-Corruption Commission, despite being a law enforcement agency approved by Parliament, had been relegated to a part-time status, hindering its ability to fulfill its mandate effectively.
Sir Kabua reflected on the humble beginnings of the commission in 2018. He said it was initiated by only two individuals without any financial backing from the government.
He compared the commission to a newborn child, small and in need of nurturing, stating that despite having a powerful name, it lacked the necessary tools to effectively address corruption.
Expressing frustration at the current state of affairs, Sir Kabua made a passionate call to the government to provide the necessary support for the Anti-Corruption Commission.
He emphasized the commission’s importance in the fight against corruption and stressed that it was established as a commitment from the government, a commitment that has not been upheld.
