18 Aug 2026

The Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Mr Noah Salakae has resigned from Cabinet with immediate effect following a personal statement in Parliament yesterday. Mr Salakae said his resignation came as a result of an August 13 summons from Directorate on Corruption of Economic Crime (DCEC)

However, he said his resignation was not an admission of guilt, but rather a move to focus on a personal legal matter due in court on August 28.

According to Mr Salakae, there have been allegations concerning financial misconduct and asset ownership, particularly regarding a house linked to supposed favouritism toward a Chinese contractor.

He rejected the allegations and said he was determined to address them through the judicial system, focusing on the transparency of justice and the dangers of state overreach.

He therefore said he would fully cooperate with and allow the legal process to run its course, adding that he had fully cooperated with the DCEC investigations since September 2025.

However, Mr Salakae  raised concerns about unauthorised disclosures of information by a senior DCEC officer and the subsequent public misinformation circulated by local media.

He criticised the DCEC for allegedly misusing corruption laws, emphasising the need for a justice system that served citizens rather than power. He condemned a raid on his home by DCEC, saying they were unjust actions, which violated legal norms, were intrusive and distressing particularly to his family. ENDS