POLITICAL Appointees (PA) who are cronies to former Ministers who have resigned from the Democratic Coalition for Change Government (DCCG) are likely to lose their jobs.
Political speculations predicted about 17 officers of the 39 political appointees are more likely to be axed from their jobs under the new political leadership reform.
The Solomon Star understands that former political appointees of the Independent group whose members have joined forces with the government have officially relinquished their previous portfolio assignments so they could be free to take up new political appointment positions under the new political make up of the Government.
Asked to verify the arrangement, Special Secretary to Prime Minister Andrew Muaki said, he is not in a position to confirm or deny the speculations.
“I am not in a position to confirm or deny what appears as political speculation of rumours. The only thing I can say is that the Caucus, Policy and Private Offices within PMO are operating as normal and unaffected by the recent political events. We shall inform the media if and when changes are made,” he said.
Press Secretary to Prime Minister Deli Oso said, it is quite normal in such political situation that when Ministers or Member of Parliament left the government by resignation or being axed, their cronies or political appointees automatically follow suit.
Ms Deli however, pointed out that it depends very much on the government of the day.
“If the government wants them to stay on they will remain but certainly the new Ministers have the prerogative over their choice of political appointees,” she said.
A former Political appointee who wish to withhold his name said, by the nature of their appointments, job security of political appointees is not guaranteed.
“If your Minister or Member of Parliament resigns or terminated from the government definitely you will follow suit,” he said.
It is not clear whether the rumoured move would also include permanent secretaries.
One source claimed, some Permanent Secretaries have already moved out in anticipation of possible sacking because they were known to have actively involved in the political lobbying which failed to form a change of Government leadership.
BY CHARLES KADAMANA
