BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) has raised serious concerns over the rejection of Solomon Kalu for the Director General position at the Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption (SIICAC), questioning both the legality and rationale behind the decision.
SIICAC has remained without a Director General since the expiry of John Kouni’s contract in April last year.
Mr Kalu, a former Chairman of the Leadership Code Commission, a lawyer, and the current Team Leader for Governance at the United Nations Development Programme country office, was recommended for the role by an independent interview panel.
The panel comprises of the Ombudsman Fred Fakarii, Judicial and Legal Service Commission (JLSC) member Dr Patricia Rodie, and Law Reform Commission Chairman Philip Kanairara.
Despite the panel’s recommendation, Attorney General John Muria Junior advised the JLSC to reject Mr Kalu’s appointment, citing his alleged non-compliance with the former government’s “No Jab, No Job” COVID-19 policy.
Mr Kalu was one of three candidates interviewed for the position, alongside former Director General John Kouni and former Law Reform Commission Chairman Frank Paulsen.
In response, Transparency Solomon Islands expressed grave concern over the matter, particularly the prolonged vacancy at SIICAC.
TSI said the rejection of the interview panel’s recommendation based on vaccination status was unacceptable.
TSI further said that the policy was enforced under a State of Emergency that has since been revoked and that many affected workers have since returned to employment.
TSI called for transparent and legally grounded explanations for decisions affecting key governance institutions, warning that weak decision-making could undermine public trust and the country’s fight against corruption.
“Integrity, accountability, and due process are essential if SIICAC is to fulfil its mandate,” TSI said.
A letter cited by Island Sun also confirmed the revocation of the cabinet’s decision for implementation of the ‘No Jab, No Job’ together with the Mandatory Vaccination policy.
According to the letter signed by the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Public Service, Luke Cheka, the cabinet cancelled the policy in its 35th meeting on December 31, 2023 and applied to all public servants.
Based on the signed document, applicants seeking jobs within the Solomon Islands government are no longer required to produce evidence of COVID-19 vaccination.
The letter dated February 2, 2024, was forwarded to secretary to the Cabinet, the Secretary to the Prime Minister’s office, Permanent Secretaries and equivalent, Private secretary government house, Clerk to National Parliament, Provincial Secretaries and Human Resources.