21 May 2007

Transparency Solomon Islands questions appointment of police commissioner

6:18 am on 21 May 2007

Transparency Solomon Islands says it is concerned about the appointment of the country's new police commissioner, Jahir Khan.

Mr Khan, a Fiji national, was sworn in last week to replace Shane Castles from the Australian Federal Police who was not allowed to return to the Solomons to continue his job after his Christmas break.

Transparency's executive officer, Joses Tuhanuku, says Mr Khan was appointed by the prime minister, instead of the Public Service Commission, and there was no formal job advertisement, which is troublesome.

"It is a big worry and we are finding it very fishy how they have been dealing with this and it creates a lot of suspicion in the country. It is going to be another issue to be added on to the Moti Saga that we have not gone over yet."

Mr Tuhanuku says he regards this appointment as a conspiracy.

The chair of the Public Service Commission Edmund Andresen, has also expressed concern over the appointment.