The Solomon Islands government has launched an investigation into activities of the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant (MPIP) judges, following fraud allegations made during the crowning of the Miss Pacific Islands in Honiara on Saturday, 8 February.
A “Stop notice” restricting the pageant judges from leaving the country was lifted at noon, yesterday, 12 February.
"Despite the withdrawal of the Stop notice, the investigations are continuing. Formal charges will be made upon determination of the facts presented through the investigations," the Solomon Islands government stated today.
The Solomon Islands' Minister of Home Affairs instructed the Immigration Division to impose the Stop notice on all pageant judges on Sunday, 9 February, after receiving several complaints and allegations of fraud prior to the determination of Miss Samoa as the new Miss Pacific Islands.
In a statement today, the Solomon Islands government said that the allegations were deemed serious against relevant laws of Solomon Islands and as a result, all judges of the MPIP were restricted from departing Solomon Islands until the issue was resolved.
"As the main sponsor of this regional event, the Government of Solomon Islands must be satisfied that such events were not marred by allegations of fraud and that the results were credible and obtained through transparent processes."
The Stop notice was issued pursuant to section 89(1)(iv) of the Solomon Islands Immigration Act 2012.
However, at the time of issuing the notice two judges namely, Tongan judge, Ma’ata Mo’ungaloa Tupou and Mr. Pakop Sovo a PNG national, had already departed Solomon Islands.
Samoan Leiataualesa Jerry Brunt, a ni-Vanuatu Jane Kanas, and a Solomon islander Jedidah Korinihona are the only judges remaining in Honiara.
"The Stop notice was necessary to ensure that all judges were present to provide information or assistance in the investigation to resolve the issue of whether fraud was involved in the final results of the MPIP. All judges including the scrutineers and organizers were asked to provide statements."
During the initial stages of the Stop notice, authorities including the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) commenced investigations and collected statements from relevant individuals.
The Solomon Islands also stated that authorities in Tonga, American Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and Vanuatu will be notified of any requests by Solomon Islands Government through Mutual Assistance Requests to provide further information and or actions to take.
"Individuals found to have violated the Solomon Islands laws will be dealt with in accordance with relevant national laws and if those persons are already outside of jurisdiction, the Government of Solomon Islands will also be issuing Mutual Assistance Requests in accordance with the relevant laws."
Meanwhile, the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant Board of Directors stated today, "The Miss Pacific Islands Pageant (MPIP) Board recognizes and deeply regrets. the distress caused by recent disputes concerning the results of the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant 2025. Unfortunately, these allegations have escalated to the extent of subjecting contestants to degrading treatment and issuing threats against the lives of certain judges, thereby detrimentally impacting the camaraderie and ethos of the pageant."
