Special Secretary to Prime Minister (SSPM) Andrew Muaki has come under the spotlight for allegedly assaulting the Member of Parliament (MP) for Central Makira over the weekend.
Reports reaching the paper said, the incident occurred at the Iron Bottom Sound (IBS) hotel in Rove, West Honiara on Friday night.
It all happened after both men met at the hotel around mid-night. Its unclear whether two of them were heavily intoxicated at the time of incident or not.
Reports said, there were some exchange of words involving politics especially the next national general election. However, it was further claimed Mr Ghiro raised a private issue which may have got Mr Muaki angry.
Because of that Mr Muaki reacted and allegedly assaulted the MP resulting in bleeding to his nose.
Security officers and a number of people close to them intervened and got the situation under control.
Following the incident Ghiro’s family members and relatives approached the SSPM at his home and demanded compensation.
As a result he paid $500 in cash to settle the matter.
Mr Muaki yesterday said, he received some insulting comments from the MP at that time which resulted in the incident.
The incident since it happened has gone viral via social media and is said to be public knowledge.
Mr Ghiro yesterday told the paper, he had accepted the money as part of Makira’s traditional way to settle any dispute.
However, he added according to Makira’s culture $500.00 is still below the minimum amount of $1000.00, which is used to compensate problems that involves blood spill.
But in his case, he accepted what was offered by the SSPM to his brothers and relatives. “This should now settle the problem once and for all,” he said.
In light of the payment, Mr Ghiro has appealed to everyone in the constituency, family members and relatives to remain calm and not to drag the problem further as he had forgiven Mr Muaki and forget about the incident.
Now he wants his people in Central Makira to prepare and concentrate on the upcoming Easter programs including some of the sports events being planned for them.
By AATAI JOHN
