TWO more Ministers are expected to leave the MARA Government today as the political crisis which plunges the Malaita Provincial Government into chaos, deepens.
Members of the Non-Executive (Opposition) confirmed early this morning that two senior MARA Government Ministers are due to hand in their resignations later today or over the weekend at the latest.
If the resignations are effected, it will leave the MARA government with just six – a potential trigger for Premier Daniel Suidani’s exit from power.
According to the attendance record at last Wednesday’s Budget meeting, only eight MPAs including Mr. Suidani voted for the budget. They are:
Premier Suidani
Hon. Timaeus Waledala
Hon. Benjamin Baetalua
Hon. Mesache Maukera
Hon. Dickson Pola
Hon. Peter Taraumae
Hon. Jimmy Daoni
Hon. Simon Keebo
The budget, riddled with allegations of misappropriation, non-payment of Ward Grants to provincial members, disqualification of Malaita Province from the PCDF and the breach of the Malaita Communique by the Suidani government. Was defeated on voices.
“We are waiting for the resignations to be made formal. As soon as they are handed in, it provides a trigger point for Mr. Suidani to exit because by then he would no longer has the support of members to remain Premier.
“At that point, he simply has no choice but to go,” sources familiar with the unfolding political crisis on Malaita told Solomon Star this morning.
The sources said the defeat of the budget shows even Mr. Suidani’s own ministers no longer had faith in his leadership.
“The man has created a huge problem for Malaita and its people. Now the people that his government has misled over the past three years will realise that it’s been all hot air he has been spreading,” the sources said.
Asked on whether the Opposition would support the potential suspension of the Malaita Provincial Government, the sources said a suspension would not be necessary as the Opposition is fully aware of what is wrong and what to do about it.
“I think the Opposition should be allowed to take over and work through the issues until the next election. In that way, a better framework for the development of Malaita would have been in place when the next election comes around.”
Meanwhile Members of the Non-Executive, now numbering more than 18, has called on Mr. Suidani’s political advisor Celsius Talifilu to stop misleading the people of Malaita about the defeat of the budget.
Mr. Talifilu has been appearing on a number of platforms to continue arguing that Western countries would develop Malaita.
“That’s what he’s been saying for the last three years. In that time, we have seen nothing.
“The message to him is this: stop misleading the people of Malaita. They are not fools,” the sources said.
By Alfred Sasako
