25 Jul 2005

Solomons group chides PM for convening parliament

3:31 pm on 25 July 2005

The lobby group, Malaita Ma'asina Forum, has condemned the Solomon Islands government for calling parliament this week, saying it has done so to please foreign interests.

The Forum says the government misused public funds in calling Parliament for that sole reason.

The group says they question why parliament was convened to pass two legislative acts for the benefit of foreigners.

The Malaita Ma'asina Forum says the Prime Minister Sir Allen Kemakeza needs to explain why a government whose term is expiring is pushing so hard to pass the new Foreign Investment Bill.

It says fraud is being committed upon the people of the Solomons because foreigners who breach investment laws can be forgiven and legislatively protected while locals are being prosecuted and punished for laws they breach.