Protest in The Solomon Islands: Malaysians Are Safe

Wisma Putra on Friday said it is closely monitoring the latest outbreak of unrest and protest in the Solomon Islands (Honiara. It says the Malaysians are safe and are in close contact with the High Comm of Malaysia in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

“The High Commission has been in contact with 231 Malaysians in Honiara and around 950 Malaysian citizens outside of the city. They are all reported to be safe.

Malaysians requiring consular assistance in the Solomon Islands are strongly urged to contact the High Commission of Malaysia in Port Moresby, or the Ministry through the following channels: HIGH COMMISSION OF MALAYSIA IN PORT MORESBY, PAPUA NEW GUINEA Tel: +675-3251506; 7703 5933 +675-79702003 (contactable via WA) +675-79646292 (contactable via WA) E-mail: mwportmoresby@kln.gov.my,” it says.

Social media: @mhcpng (Facebook) | @MYHCPNG CONSULAR DIVISION
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS Office hours: +603-88874201 / 4530 After office hours: +603-88874570 PUTRAJAYA

Protests were probably in defiance of lockdown while people are struggling to make ends meet, sources say.

Protesters called on prime minister Minister Manasseh Sogavare to resign as riots took place for a second day. Australia said it would send a peacekeeping force to the Pacific nation seized by inter-island tension.

Manasseh Sogavare blamed anti-government protests, arson, and looting in the capital Honiara on Friday on foreign interference in his government’s decision to switch alliances from Taiwan to Beijing.

However, critics blamed the unrest on complaints about a lack of government services and accountability, corruption, and Chinese businesses hiring foreigners rather than locals.