North Malaita Anglican Priest sworn in as a member of the SI Prerogative of Mercy Committee

A North Malaita Anglican priest, Father Richard Suiga has been sworn in yesterday by Governor General Sir Nathaniel Waena besides another colleague as two new members of the Solomon Islands Prerogative of Mercy committee.

Father Richard Suiga was a South Seas Evangelical Church (SSEC) pastor of Onebusu Village near Suidara in North Malaita, before deciding to become an Anglican Priest in the 1990s.

The other new member also sworn in yesterday is medical doctor Obed Alemaena of Isabel province.

The Committee, whose role is to recommend to the Head of State prisoners’ applications for pardon was inactive since 2005.

Chairman of the Committee, Emanuel Kauhota said the inclusion of the two new members will enable the committee to again carry out its duties. The committee is comprised of three permanent members and nine ordinary members from the nine provinces in the country.

The Permanent members are selected from professions including a medical doctor, a social worker and someone with a legal background.

Governor General Sir Nathaniel said the national constitution requires the proceedings of the committee and yesterday morning's swearing in will enable the committee to carry out its function.

Source: Government Communications Unit