A Government minister who travelled overseas and signed a controversial deal without Cabinet approval has been reshuffled, but not disciplined.

Commerce minister Lency Vokia recently went to Vietnam with two political appointees within the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and signed an agreement with a company that called itself SI Group.

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele responded by sacking the two political appointees – Mackfadden Aoraunisaka (chief of staff) and Farlaii Katalake. 

Manele then told journalists disciplinary actions is being considered against Vokia.

But today, his office announced Vokia has been re-assigned to the Ministry of Lands and Survey to replace Polycarp Paea, who has been moved to the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology. 

Trevor Manemahaga, who held the Environment portfolio, is now the new minister for Commerce.

Many believed Manele feared causing a political upheaval if he decides to sack Vokia, who is the parliamentary wing leader of Kadere Party, a partner in the current coalition.

Others criticised the decision, describing it as “weak” and “setting a bad precedent”.

Earlier, Manele said the agreement Vokia signed with SI Group “is non-binding”.

According to its website, SI Group describes itself as “the premier provider of global immigration solutions, trading consultancy, import-export business, and international real estate investment”.

The group claims to have operations in 20 countries, including Australia and New Zealand.

The Foreign Investment Division in the Ministry of Commerce said SI Group has no legal right to conduct business in the Solomons.

In an apparent move designed to cool off the negative publicity, SI Group has partnered with Kadere Party to bring in a Jamaican musician, Busy Signal for a free concert in Honiara this Saturday.

Meanwhile, Opposition leader Matthew Wale described the decision to reshuffle Minister Vokia as “weak leadership and a betrayal of public trust”.

“Is this the discipline the Prime Minister promised the nation? After all the talk, all that has happened is a quiet reshuffle, as though nothing serious occurred. This is not discipline. This is weak leadership,”Wale said.

He said the facts surrounding Minister Vokia’s dealings with the controversial SI Group violated government processes and placed the country at serious risk.

“What took place was clear insubordination. The Minister acted behind Cabinet, behind Caucus, and behind the Prime Minister. These are not minor breaches. Such actions undermine the very foundation of government.

“Further, the decision made by Vokia opened the door for a foreign entity of questionable legitimacy to gain influence in national affairs. 

“That is a direct threat to the sovereignty and integrity of this country. Any Minister who exposes Solomon Islands to that level of danger must be removed, not quietly reassigned.”

Wale also questioned the logic behind the reshuffle.

“If nothing wrong was done, then why was the reshuffle necessary? But if the actions were indeed as serious as reported, why has there been no dismissal? 

“Are Solomon Islanders to now accept that breaching Cabinet authority and exposing the country to foreign risks carries no real consequences?” 

Turning to the wider fallout, Wale also called out what he described as a blatant double standard.

“It is deeply troubling that a senior staff member was sacked for simply carrying out ministerial instructions, while the Minister who issued those instructions remains a Minister. One standard applied to staff, and another to Ministers?” 

The Opposition Leader said the Prime Minister’s response reflects indecisiveness and weak leadership, both of which corrode good governance.

“Politics has once again triumphed over principle. The reshuffle does not restore confidence. It further erodes trust and deepens public cynicism,” Wale said.

He added that the Opposition’s warnings, both during the debate on the Special Economic Zones Bill and again last week, continue to be ignored.

“It was made clear that the SEZ framework lacked basic safeguards and was wide open to exploitation by unscrupulous investors. 

“That warning has been proven true. Last week’s warning, that a reshuffle would not amount to real discipline, has also now come true,” Wale said.

He urged the Prime Minister to put the national interest first.

“This is a complete failure of leadership. 

“The Prime Minister has chosen to protect power instead of protecting the nation. 

“By refusing to act decisively, the Prime Minister has betrayed the trust of the people and undermined the integrity of his own office. 

“Above all self-interest, the interest of Solomon Islands and its people must come first.”