VOTERS are urged to vote for MPs who will go into parliament to perform their constitutional mandate as legislators.
Legal adviser for the National Transformation Party of Solomon Islands (NTPSI) James Apaniai made the statement at the launching of the party’s manifesto at Gavagha Tourism Site.
Mr Apaniai said parliament is a law making institutions, hence those voted in there should be contributing to parliament proceedings.
“Parliamentarians are lawmakers as stated in our constitution,” he said.
“The recent survey TSI did based on MPs attendance and their contribution painted a bad picture of this nation.
“It is a shameful thing to know that most of oour MPs never contribute to debate on national issues on the floor of parliament.
“When MPs engage more on constituency matters is far from his/her role that they should be doing as legislators.”
He said the TSI survey finding is a wakeup call for voters to vote the right people.
“Parliament is for MPs who know how to debate constructively on bills and motions,” he said.
“Today’s politicians have almost taken over the role and responsibility of the public service.
“They’ve stepped over the line and have influenced the way the public service implements government policies.
“The three arms of the government has stated it clear that politicians are supposed to be law makers.
“That’s what they were elected to do.
“Implementation of policy matters should best be left to public servants to do,” Mr Apaniai said.
By ELLIOT DAWEA
