Leader of the Opposition Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau has welcomed the support of private citizens who have come forward to assist with legal costs, as the Opposition prepares to take court action over the Government’s continued refusal to release the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report on the Citizenship Commission and Related Matters.
The outspoken Member of Parliament (MP) for Port Vila said the offer of assistance reflects growing public concern over the lack of disclosure, noting that calls for the report’s release are not new and have been raised repeatedly since last year.
He said the Opposition believes the matter has now reached a point where court intervention is necessary to bring clarity and certainty.
“The report was funded by taxpayers’ money, and the public has a right to know what it contains,” Kalsakau said.
He said concerns that members of the Opposition may also be named in the report should not prevent its release.
“Regardless of who may be mentioned, public funds were used, and the report should be made available to the people,” he said.
Kalsakau cited Order 72 of 2024, saying it places responsibility on the Council of Ministers to ensure proper disclosure of the report.
He commended private citizens who have offered to cover legal fees should the matter proceed to court.
“I want to acknowledge these private citizens for stepping forward. Their support shows that people want openness and accountability, and they are prepared to stand behind that,” he said.
Kalsakau confirmed that the Opposition has issued a formal 14-day notice, as required under government legal procedures, before initiating court action against a state minister or government department.
He said the notice was rectified on Monday, with the Minister of Justice and the Office of the Attorney General formally notified, effective from 23 January 2026.
The Opposition is seeking a Supreme Court ruling to determine whether the COI report should be released.
“If we are wrong, the court will tell us so. If we are right, then the public will finally have answers. The Supreme Court is the appropriate place to resolve this,” Kalsakau said.
He also raised concerns about perceived conflicts of interest, pointing to the political relationship between the Minister of Justice, Job Sam Andy, and Prime Minister Jotham Napat, who belong to the same political party.
He said a court process would help remove any perception that decisions are being influenced by political considerations.
“The intention is not to target individuals, but to ensure fairness and objectivity,” he said.
Kalsakau said the COI relates to the Citizenship Commission and concerns over the granting of citizenship, including cases where citizenship may have been used to obtain diplomatic passports.
He said the issue has affected Vanuatu’s international standing, with concerns raised by international partners, including the European Union and the United States, over individuals who obtained Vanuatu citizenship and were later found to have criminal backgrounds.
He said checks with international partners and countries of origin confirmed that some individuals granted citizenship had criminal records.
“This is why the report matters. It can guide reforms and prevent misuse of citizenship and diplomatic appointments,” he said.
Kalsakau said if certain sections of the report are considered sensitive, those parts could be removed while the rest of the report is released.
He added that as the sponsoring ministry, the Ministry of Justice has a responsibility to present the report to the Council of Ministers and ensure it is properly gazetted and made public.
He confirmed the Opposition is consulting its lawyers on next steps and remains committed to pursuing the matter through the courts.
