Solomon Islands Police

Key points:

• Daniel Suidani has long been a critic of China's relationship with Solomon Islands 
• Mr Suidani was ousted as Malaita's provincial premier after losing a vote of no-confidence 
• The Lowy Institute's Mihai Sora says the dispute between Malaita and Honiara predates the recent geopolitical competition

Daniel Suidani, a fierce critic of his country's relations with China, was ousted as premier of Malaita Province this morning after 17 provincial assembly members voted to remove him.

The Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation said the boat left Gizo on Saturday, January 1, for the Shortland Islands.

Sibere Tauroa from Taro police, who is supervising a search operation, said among the 14 missing are women and two children - a nine-year-old and a four-year-old.

Mr Tauroa told SIBC News that two boats left Gizo on Saturday and travelled alongside each other destined for the Shortland Islands.

He said the arrest brings the number of suspects arrested to three.

He told the media investigation remains very active.

The police boss said, they are looking for numbers of other people who they believe are also involved.

“I cannot say too much on that because matter is subject to investigation and also before the court,” he said.

The robbery which stunned Malaitans resulted in three armed masked robbers escaping with more than $200,000.