BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Opposition Leader Matthew Wale has said that the Solomon Islands was once completely free from corruption.
Reflecting on good leadership and governance during the SIDP Podcast recently, Wale discussed how the quality of political leadership in the Solomon Islands has evolved over time. He stated that corruption was virtually unheard of in the country’s earlier days.
Recounting his earliest memory of corruption, Wale shared the case of a logging company that bribed a minister to obtain a license to operate in East Malaita.
“It was SBD 4,000. People might say that our culture is already corrupt, but no, that is not true. Our culture is not corrupt,” Wale argued.
Acknowledging the changing nature of political leadership, Wale emphasized that corruption has gradually become entrenched, evolving into a “new normal” for the nation’s politics and culture.
“In the past, one of my uncles was jailed because he failed to account for just six cents. Our past leaders did not tolerate nonsense. They knew that what is right is right, and what is wrong is wrong,” said the MP for Aoke Langalanga.
He attributed the onset of corruption in part to the introduction of logging into the country, describing it as a decisive influence.
Wale called on citizens to play an active role in promoting good governance and leadership within the political sphere.
“Reflecting on corruption, there was a time when we were 100% free from it. We can return to that. But, of course, it requires commitment and willpower at various levels—not just at the political level, but across all levels of society,” he said.
He expressed hope that the Solomon Islands could return to its “wonderful, glorious past,” free from corruption.
“All citizens have a duty—a duty of care. This is very important. Care about what happens in the country, in the province, the constituency, the ward, and the tribe. Citizens must exercise this duty of care,” he said.
Wale stressed the importance of democracy, noting that power lies with the people, who must be adequately informed to exercise that power wisely.
“This means the people must demand good leadership, better leadership, good governance, and right governance. If there is no demand for good leadership and governance, it leaves the government highly vulnerable,” he said.
“All these things are connected. We deserve the leaders we get. That’s the basic principle,” concluded Wale.
