Transparency Pacific Chapters Challenges People's Forum: "Stop Re-Electing Corrupt Leaders"

Politicians are not gods, are temporary, and can be voted out, participants of the Pacific Peoples Forum in Honiara were reminded today.

Speaking to the gathering of Pacific civil society and community organisation representatives, Transparency International Solomon Islands Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ruth Liloqula said the permanent, absolute power and authority of the state belongs to the people of the Solomon Islands.

“The government does not have the absolute and unlimited power and authority of the state. To exercise that, it must consult with the permanent part of the state – citizens,” Liloqula said.

“The officers of state institutions are expected to be politically neutral, enabling them to resist the political interests of the government of the day – when not for the common good.”

She added that it is the responsibility of citizens to hold government in check when it does not represent the permanent interests of its people and country.

Transparency Vanuatu CEO Dr Willie Tokon reminded participants that when citizens elect someone to parliament, they are entrusting them with the power to make decisions.

“Many people complain about corruption but continue to re-elect the same leaders from their constituencies. Why do we do that? This points to the need for critical, informed voting,” Tokon said.

Responding to questions on institutional reforms, Tokon acknowledged that tensions exist.

“Vanuatu has been a regional leader in adopting policies such as the Right to Information (RTI) policy – among the first in the Pacific,” he said.

However, he highlighted recent challenges, including the Council of Ministers blocking public access to parliamentary decision-making, which undermines transparency efforts.

“This shows the ongoing tension: strong reforms on paper but resistance in practice,” Tokon said.

The Pacific Peoples Forum concludes this afternoon, with convenors – the Pacific Islands Association of NGOs and the Development Services Exchange Solomon Islands – expected to issue an outcome statement at its conclusion.

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