TSI WELCOMES GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO STRENGTHEN SIICAC

Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) welcomes the renewed commitment by the Great Coalition Government under Prime Minister Matthew Cooper Wale to strengthen the Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption (SIICAC),.  Transparency Solomon Islands sees this as a positive step towards restoring integrity, accountability and public confidence in the country’s anti-corruption framework, which was dormant for two-years since the appointment of Chairman and the other four members of the Commission.

Since assuming office following the successful motion of no confidence, the Mathew Cooper Wale, Prime Minister led Executive Government initiated a series of governance reforms aimed at strengthening public institutions, improving accountability and addressing longstanding chronic governance issues and challenges. These efforts are commendable and demonstrates GREAT Coalitions Government’s commitment to tackling corruption and rebuilding public trust, in the Machinery of Government.

Over the years, TSI has consistently advocated for the Anti-Corruption Act that establishes the SIICAC and for this institution to be adequately resourced to be fully operational. The commitment and action of the GREAT led Coalition gives full recognition that corruption continues to undermine good governance within the Machinery of Government negatively affecting service delivery and economic development. Corruption undermines and weakens public confidence state institutions.

Established under the Anti-Corruption Act 2018, SIICAC is created to prevent, investigate and prosecute corruption offences. It must have the ability to receive and manage corruption complaints and promote public awareness on corruption prevention. The Commission was intended to serve as an independent institution safeguarding, its own integrity and that of both the public and private sectors.

Despite its legislative mandate, SIICAC struggles to fulfil its responsibilities due to persistent funding constraints, staffing shortages, leadership capabilities and limited operational capacity and knowledge of corruption in the country. These challenges have significantly affected its ability to investigate and prosecute corruption cases and carry out its preventative functions effectively. The reforms therefore should include inward assessment of how it has or has not performed, the review of the Anti-Corruption Act 2018 based on these assessments. 

TSI therefore welcomes the recent meeting between Prime Minister Wale and SIICAC Chairman Commissioner James Apaniai, signals the Government’s determination to ensure the Commission not only exists in law but functions effectively in practice, and continues to be a five-member commission per legislation. It would have benefitted the Prime Minister better had the Chairman included all the commissioners in this meeting.

Prime Minister Wale’s reaffirmation of his government’s commitment to strengthening SIICAC and restoring public confidence in the institution is timely. His acknowledgement of the urgency to address the Commission’s operational challenges, including the prolonged vacancy of the Director General position since April 2025 is welcomed.

“It is time to bring back integrity and trust. We must prove to our people that SIICAC is working,” Prime Minister Wale stated. Transparency Solomon Islands recommends that GREAT Executive led government reviews the Institution for reforms that would strengthen its work.

TSI believes this commitment reflects the GREAT led Executive Government’s recognition that strong and independent integrity institutions are essential in preventing corruption and promoting accountable governance. 

TSI acknowledges previous Executive Government’s commitments aimed at strengthening SIICAC, such as the decision to provide the Commission with its own dedicated budget head. Financial independence is a critical component of institutional independence. This will enable SIICAC to plan strategically.

However, funding alone will not guarantee the Commission’s success.

TSI respectfully calls upon the GREAT Coalition Government to expedite the appointment of a substantive Director General. Filling this critical leadership position is essential to restoring SIICAC’s operational effectiveness in providing strategic direction, strengthening investigations and prosecutions and ensure the Commission can fully discharge its statutory mandate.

The appointment of capable leadership coupled with adequate resources and sustained political will to support SIICAC is recommended. It will help SIICAC to become the strong and independent anti-corruption institution envisioned by the citizen when they advocated and demanded for the enactment of the Anti-Corruption Act 2018.

TSI remains encouraged by the Government’s continued efforts to strengthen institutions of integrity and accountability. The organisation looks forward to seeing these commitments translated into measurable action that delivers tangible outcomes for the people of Solomon Islands.

As the country’s peak body for leading anti-corruption watchdog, Transparency Solomon Islands reaffirms its commitment to working constructively with the government, the oversight institutions, civil society and development partners to promote integrity, transparency and accountability that strengthens governance and ensure corruption is prevented and addressed without fear or favour.

PRESS RELEASE