Lilo questioned over junket
Transparency Solomon Islands announced that, despite claims that his trip was entirely funded by the government of Indonesia, prime minister Lilo and his entourage of 15 spent over SBD 1 million in public funds. They questioned the size of the delegation and its benefit to the country. Mr Lilo hit back, saying that the size of the delegation shows the “importance the current government places on Indonesia, particularly as a trading partner.” His office further stated that trade between the two countries had increased by more than 17% in the last five years.