14 Jan 2013

Solomons call to probe alleged residency fraud

12:01 pm on 14 January 2013

There's a call for the deportation of Asian nationals if they are found to be residing and operating businesses in Solomon Islands illegally.

The call has been made by Charles Dausabea, the President of the pressure group, the Malaita Ma'asina Forum.

He says the Forum has evidence that naturalised citizens from Asian countries obtained citizenships after being in Solomon Islands only for two to eight years, defying the Citizenship Act which stipulates that foreign nationals must be residents for 10 years before they are eligible to apply.

Mr Dausabea says the government should set up a taskforce within two weeks to investigate the claims.

He says the Ministry of Home Affairs which is responsible for citizenship issues and the Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour and Immigration which looks after business licences, residence and work permits must be represented in the taskforce.

Mr Dausabea says there's evidence a number of Asian businessmen and workers working in logging companies do not have valid business licences,