Parliamentary opposition part of the network to destroy SI-China diplomatic relations
THE MALAITA provincial government appears to be enjoying a free hand in spreading false and misinformation aimed at destroying the three-year-old diplomatic relations between Solomon Islands and the People’s Republic of China – thanks to Members of the Parliamentary Opposition.
Solomon Star has established that the on-going campaign has left East Kwaio Constituency among others confused and angry. East Kwaio is part of the Southern Region grouping.
“East Kwaio people are confused and angry,” they told a meeting at Nunubilau Village, Sinarangu District in East Kwaio yesterday.
“We are confused because the provincial government says we will be independent and yet no one has explained anything about this to us. Is it possible that a province can communicate with the United Nations on a matter such as this?, some asked at the meeting.
The seed of confusion could be traced back to a meeting of the South Sea Evangelical Church (SSEC) Southern Region leaders who met at Ro’one Village in Small Malaita last September.
It was there that the MP for Small Malaita and former Prime Minister Rick Houenipwela requested a meeting with the church leaders, according to Chief Elder, Pastor Eric Siriongo.
“He (Mr. Houenipwela) talked to us about the State of Public Emergency (SOPE) regulations and how Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has and is continuing to use these regulations against the people.
“Soon, we will find he will be more powerful than even the powers of the Queen as the Head of State, the Judiciary and so on. He must be forced to resign,” Pastor Siriongo said yesterday.
Asked how ordinary people would remove Mr. Sogavare, Mr. Houenipwela allegedly told the church leaders to use ‘people power.’
“Collect up to 500 signatures from Constituency voters and ask your MP to resign from the DCGA government,” Mr. Houenipwela said.
The East Kwaio people were also told that Prime Minister Sogavare’s government has already entered into land deals with the Government of China to “sell off” all the customary land in exchange for loans from China.
“Nothing angers the people of East Kwaio more than someone selling off their land without their knowledge. This is generating anger and hatred of Mr. Sogavare’s government.
The refusal by the MP for East Kwaio, Stanley Festus Sofu to resign from the DCGA government is a hot issue.
“Those two (Mr. Sogavare and Mr. Sofu) should come to visit us here in East Kwaio,” they said.
There was a sigh of relief when it was explained to the meeting that the government has never borrowed any money from China since Solomon Islands switched relations to Beijing from Taipei.
Between September 2019 and this year, China has ploughed about $2billion in infrastructure development, particularly in the development of the venue for the 2023 Games.
Meanwhile there’s been a breakthrough in negotiations between Premier Daniel Suidani’s government and the members of provincial MPAs to reconcile. Brokered by the Ministry of Provincial government, the first of the talks were held in Auki last week.
They will meet again early next year, according to an Opposition MPA.
By ALFRED SASAKO
Sinarangu, East Kwaio
