The Leader of Opposition Hon. Matthew Wale has slammed GNUT’s $29M tax exemption to Wan Chen Company Limited, calling it a blatant betrayal of the people of Solomon Islands. 

Latest documents obtained by the Opposition Office have revealed that two exemptions were granted to Wan Chen Company; $19, 970, 114.17 and $9, 310, 076. 54.

The total for both exemptions is $29,280,190.71 million. 

Wale said this exemption alone could fund the annual budget for medicines for the country.

Wan Chen Company is owned by Harry Chen who also operates Goodwood Wharf, TBC Hardware Ltd and Injoy Restaurant.

Wale described the Government’s string of exemptions as a slap in the face of every hardworking Solomon Islander who is helplessly watching as their government’s revenue is being used to subsidise foreign interests. 

“$29m for this warehouse means the government is paying for the construction of that building. This is most absurd. Why this preferential treatment? What about other companies in the same industry?

“This is outrageous. GNUT and the finance minister are allowing foreign companies to feast on government revenue while Solomon Islanders are struggling.”

The Opposition Leader described Sogavare’s actions as those of a Finance Minister who is out of control.

He said this is just one of the many multimillion dollar exemptions granted by GNUT and it is shocking indeed. 

“The worse thing is we only know of the three exemptions because they were leaked to the public. 

“We do not know the full extent of loss of government revenue due to exemptions.

“Local businesses can barely operate in this economy, families cannot afford basic food, school fees, our roads are disintegrating, hospitals and clinics are starved of essential medicines. 

“GNUT can’t even finance its own budget. Yet GNUT forfeits millions to foreign companies without a second thought.

“Do they seriously believe that local Solomon Islanders are stupid? This is unacceptable. Is this the transformation promised to Solomon Islanders?”

Wale said it is even more insulting that the Prime Minister remains tight-lipped over all these controversial issues happening under his nose.

He said it only reveals that the Prime Minister is either unwilling or incapable of reining in this reckless conduct. 

“A Prime Minister with any sense of integrity would have sacked those responsible for such irresponsible actions. 

“The Prime Minister’s silence sends a clear message. He is weak, complicit, and incapable of providing leadership,” Wale adds. 

The Opposition Leader also warned other GNUT Members of Parliament, that their silence is equally damning. 

He said MPs in GNUT provide political cover for this nonsense to be perpetrated, and they are equally responsible for the nonsense done in their name; if they do not do something decisive about it, they are facilitating it.

“The current precarious state of this country demands leaders with courage and integrity, those willing to confront wrongdoing and stand against it.

“Anything less makes them complicit in this betrayal,” Wale said. 

He added that Solomon Islanders must demand accountability from Prime Minister and GNUT on this matter.  

“Solomon Islanders must demand accountability for this bad governance. 

“How is the people’s government supposed to provide services when it is being choked by its own leaders? 

“Our country needs leaders who will protect our national interests, not those who sell it off piece by piece for 30 pieces of silver,” Wale said.

Comments are being sought from the Ministry of Finance.