A Solomon Islands group representing the interests of Malaitans is giving the government two weeks to investigate its claim that 500 Asian nationals have illegally gained citizenship in the country.
The Malaita Ma'asina Forum says the group's own investigations have found hundreds of Asian business people and employees in Solomon Islands have defied the Citizenship Act, which stipulates that foreign nationals must be residents for 10 years before they are eligible to apply.
The group's President, Charles Dausabea is calling for the government to investigate these cases and take them to court or the Malaita Ma'asina Forum will take legal action.
"Once the high court declares that those citizenships are invalid, they are not citizens of this country. And their action to obtain their citizenship is illegal. And therefore they should be dealt with by serving time and then get deported from the country."
Charles Dausabea says all foreign nationals found to be residing and operating businesses in Solomon Islands illegally should be deported.
