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Opposition Group

Wale Calls for Explanation on Unauthorised SEZ Deal

By Eliza Kukutu

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CARE Leader Matthew Wale

The Leader of Opposition Hon. Matthew Wale has called on the Prime Minister to explain what disciplinary actions he is taking against the Minister for Commerce and officials involved in the unauthorised trip to Vietnam and the controversial signing of an MOU with the SI Group.

The SEZ Bill was passed by Parliament on 26 May 2025. The following day, Minister Vokia and his delegation departed for Hanoi. By 2 June 2025, a sweeping MOU had been signed with the Vietnam-based SI Group, naming the group as strategic advisor, priority investor, and global promoter of Solomon Islands’ first Special Economic Zone.

Hon. Wale described the incident as a reckless act of rogue diplomacy that bypassed Cabinet authority and revealed a serious breakdown in government discipline and accountability.

“This is no small matter. A government delegation led by a Minister, accompanied by a political appointee and other non-official individuals, travelled to Hanoi and signed an MOU with foreign investors. This was done on a matter of national strategic importance without the knowledge or approval of the Prime Minister or Cabinet. It is a blatant disregard for established processes, for Cabinet authority, and for the Prime Minister’s leadership,” Hon. Wale said.

Hon. Wale said the Prime Minister’s public clarification that he did not authorise the MOU confirms the serious nature of the breach.

“This was not simply miscommunication. It was a deliberate circumvention of Cabinet and the Prime Minister. Those responsible acted without authority and must be held to account,” Hon. Wale said.

Hon Wale warned that failure to act decisively would damage the integrity of government and investor confidence in the country.

“This kind of freelance diplomacy corrodes public trust and undermines the foundations of good governance. If the Prime Minister is serious about protecting the national interest and maintaining Cabinet integrity, then decisive disciplinary action must follow. Anything less would set a dangerous precedent,” Hon. Wale concluded.

Ends//

– OPPOSITION PRESS

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