Solomon Islands Opposition Leader Matthew Wale, MP has officially welcomed the revocation of the controversial fuel tax exemption previously granted to a high-profile retailer, but he warned that the move does little to salvage the government’s battered credibility.
While the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) recently announced that the tax break for BS Pacific Resources was canceled, Wale claims the process was a “scramble” characterized by deception and backdated paperwork.
He said the action comes too late, following earlier contradictory statements between the Minister and the beneficiary, reportedly a key GNUT financier as published in the media.
Wale said reliable sources within the Ministry have confirmed to the Opposition that the revocation was in fact backdated.
“Sources have confirmed the Minister scrambled when caught red handed. This points to a deliberate attempt to provide cover for the Finance Minister’s earlier act of deception,” Wale said.
He said it is deeply concerning that this may not be an isolated incident, but part of a wider pattern of opaque decision-making surrounding exemptions issued by the Minister.
Meanwhile, Wale called on the Minister to publish a full list of all exemptions issued under his authority.
“The public has the right to know what other controversial exemptions have been made behind closed doors without scrutiny,” he said.
The Opposition Leader said this matter can no longer be dismissed or managed through selective disclosure.
“Full transparency is required,” Mr Wale said.
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