10 Apr 2017

Solomons MPs legalising corruption - Transparency SI

10:01 am on 10 April 2017
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Photo: RNZI Koroi Hawkins

The chairperson of Transparency Solomon Islands says self-serving MPs are effectively legalising corruption in Solomon Islands.

This comes after MPs were given a 3.5 percent pay rise on April 1st the same day that tax was reinstated on their previously tax free salaries.

Ruth Liloqula said the action meant MPs would continue to receive the same amount of money they had been receiving on tax free pay effectively negating the reinstated tax.

Ms Liloqula said this was a very selfish action and while they might argue it is legal she said it does not make it right.

"They should be operating under the basic fundamental principles where it is spelt out in the constitution that we should make decisions for the benefit of everybody and not for the benefit of a few groups or certain groups of people but more and more we are seeing that happening. Legalised corruption or legalised abuse and misuse of entrusted power."