Speaker Butala clears air on Malaita Provincial Government political divide
MALAITA Provincial Assembly Ronnie Butala has stepped in to clear the air on the political crisis on Malaita, dismissing claims the defeat of the Provincial Supplementary Budget has something to do with China.
“It has nothing whatsoever to do with China. The issue which led to the defeat of the budget is non-compliance. The non-executive members recognized this at the outset and their action in voting against the budget reflects their decision not to be part of the budget which has not complied with procedures and requirements.
“As Speaker, I am guided by these procedures to do the right thing. So, when the budget was defeated, I sought and received advice that I have no powers to reconvene the Assembly. The defeat of the budget concluded that particular meeting,” Speaker Butala said.
“It is very, very important that the people of Malaita are given correct information about what is happening. I wish to repeat once again that what is happening has nothing to do with China but has everything thing to do with non-compliance,” he said.
The Speaker said there is so much misinformation on the political crisis on Malaita, largely by people with vested interest.
He said the people of Malaita are entitled to correct and true information on the Malaita Provincial Government crisis and this is the reason I have come out to clear the confusion.
“As everyone knows, the Office of the Speaker is apolitical (independent). What I can say is that my Office is awaiting advice from the Minister of Provincial Government on the way forward,” he said.
Meanwhile the Speaker has released details on when and who attended the Budget debate last Wednesday.
The handwritten record of attendance shows Premier Daniel Suidani only attended the morning session when he presented the Budget in his speech.
But he was absent all afternoon for the debate which later led to the defeat of the budget on voices.
The record also shows 10 non-executive members and two executive members attended the proceedings. Five Provincial MPAs were absent from the full Assembly meeting, according to the meeting record.
By Alfred Sasako
