Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) has raised serious concerns about the integrity of government recruitment processes following reports published in the Solomon Star on Saturday, 24 January 2026, under the headline “Appointment Rejected Twice – Attorney General Rejects Kalu to Head LCC and Now SIICAC.”
TSI said it is “gravely concerned that the position of Director General of the Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption (SIICAC) remains vacant” after the Judicial and Legal Service Commission (JLSC) declined to approve the recommendation of an interview panel.
Background to the SIICAC Appointment
The interview panel had recommended Mr Solomon Kalu, a former Chairman of the Leadership Code Commission, a lawyer, and the current Team Leader for Governance at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Office, for the post.
The position has now remained vacant for almost a year.
“This turn of events is not good enough,” TSI said, stressing that the people of Solomon Islands had strongly advocated for the establishment of SIICAC to address corruption that “fuels conflict and social disorder, by diverting funds from public goods towards private interest.”
Why the Delay Matters
TSI warned that corruption also “shapes opportunities for conflicts by providing incentives for the corrupt to influence and control executive government (extractive industries), and threatens democracy and durable peace by undermining public trust in the State’s capacity and its willingness to enforce Anti-Corruption legislation.”
The organisation said the prolonged vacancy is undermining the operational readiness of SIICAC at a critical time.
Call to Appoint a Qualified Director General
Transparency Solomon Islands urged the Judicial and Legal Service Commission (JLSC) to reconsider its decision and appoint Mr Kalu, stating that he “has the right experiences, qualification, and is a very active and committed person to good governance in his work and conduct.”
“It is important that the right person is appointed to this post to support the new Commissioners,” TSI said, adding that effective leadership “was lacking in the previous commission as pointed out by the former Chairman quite often.”
Government Commitments and Institutional Gaps
Fighting corruption is a flagship policy of the current government and featured prominently in its first 100 days programme.
While acknowledging progress, TSI said the actions of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission — particularly those attributed to the Attorney General — are “unacceptable, unless there is something more serious than what was reported in the print media.”
“To date, the newly appointed SIICAC Commissioners have not met at all and the office is in disarray to say the least because it does not have a Director General,” TSI said.
“It is now going on to their second year and the appointment of the Director General has become most urgent.”
Questions Over the Attorney General’s Justification
TSI further questioned reports that the rejection of the panel’s recommendation was based on Mr Kalu’s alleged non-compliance with the former government’s “No Jab, No Job” COVID-19 policy.
“This does not make sense nor is it a valid reason for this rejection,” TSI said, noting that the policy was introduced under a State of Emergency that has since been revoked and that “many who were laid off because of this are now working.”
The organisation asked if the AG preferred another person of his choosing and called for transparency if there are other concerns.
“If the Attorney General has other more damning reasons for the rejection of Mr Solomon Kalu… he should share it with the public and give Mr Kalu the opportunity to respond to those than this no-good rationale,” TSI said.
Risk to Public Confidence
TSI stressed that SIICAC is a cornerstone institution in the fight against corruption and warned that “any perception that its leadership appointments are subject to questionable decision-making, inconsistency, or political influence undermines public confidence before the institution can even fully function.”
“A vacant Director General position delays operational effectiveness and weakens the national anti-corruption framework at a time when public trust in institutions is already fragile,” the statement added.
Call for Transparency and Due Process
Transparency Solomon Islands called for “clear, transparent, and legally grounded explanations for decisions affecting key governance institutions,” emphasizing that “upholding process is not a procedural luxury.”
“These are essential for upholding integrity, accountability, and public trust,” TSI said.
TSI concluded by warning that “the fight against corruption cannot succeed if the systems designed to protect integrity are themselves weakened by questionable decision-making.”
