The MP for Gizo-Kolombangara Hon Jimson Tanangada says he was shocked at the manner in which prominent Independent Group politicians use cheap political tactics in their effort to garner public support, saying Solomon Islanders deserve better.
Hon Tanagada was referring to an Independent Leader’s media statement on Friday which stated that he (Hon Tanangada) was assigned by the Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare to offer large sums of money to Lau Baelelea MP, Augustine Auga to rejoin the DCC Government.
Hon Tanangada, who is the Minister for Rural Development, denied any such thing ever happened, rubbishing the ‘cheap politics’ coming from the Leader of the Independent, Derek Sikua in trying to discredit the leadership of DCC Government.
“How could such as prominent MP such as Dr Sikua continually lie through his teeth, by propagating false information to score political points?
“It was a shocking surprise, coming from him (Leader of Independent), and a waste of time.”
Mr Tanangada said it is ‘laughable’ to think that the Prime Minister would assign him for such a task, labelling it a ‘blunted and desperate lie’.
“As a newly elected MP, I am sick and tired of hearing these cheap politics, coming from the same prominent MPs. Solomon Islanders deserve better leaders who have integrity to make own decision as elected leaders,” he said.
”Apparently, the DCC Government leadership do not believe in ‘money politics’ and I believe the current strength of the DCCG is not about money but by putting the country and its people first,” Minister Tanangada said.
The Rural Development Minister said cheap politics entertained by prominent leaders such as Dr Derek Sikua is childish and a waste of time.
He said such tactics is ‘politics of the past’ adding that Solomon Islanders deserve better in their leaders than those that easily fall for cheap political mud-slinging.
The Gizo-Kolobangara MP wants to assure his constituents that as their elected representative in Parliament, he will maintain his integrity as the elected leader in his right, capable to making decisions that will benefit his constituency, and not to be swayed by money politics.
“I want to assure the constituents of Gizo-Kolobangara that I did not involve in any mission to buy MPs of the other camps, for I was not elected to undertake such missions, nor intend to do so in the future,” he said.
Special Secretary to the Prime Minister Andrew Muaki said the DCCG was continually implicated in money politics but the formation of the DCCG has nothing to do with money as they have no such resources at its disposal.
However, he said the DCCG is confident of its numbers to defeat any planned any planned Motion of No Confidence in this week’s seating of Parliament, and would not be engaging in any elaborate effort to induce former DCC MP’s now in the Opposition to regroup with the DCC Government.
The DCC Government viewed their (former DCCG MP’s) moving across to the Opposition camp as a testament of their shaky commitment to put the country first but only pursuing personal interest over matters of national importance.
“The truth of the matter is that it was Hon Augustine Auga who wants to return to the DCC Government after he left the Coalition, that he personally went to the Prime Minister’s residence at Lungga and offered traditional Malaita shell money to the Prime Minister as reconciliation to allow him to return to the DCCG camp and retain his position as the Minister for Agriculture and Livestock.
“As it happens, the Coalition Executive put on hold any decision of his offer.
The DCC Government does not use financial inducement to lure MP’s to its side, knowing very well the commitments and allegiance of certain MP’s, now in the Opposition and Independent Offices, maintaining that their numbers are intact.
“In fact, the DCC Government would be content that they, the likes of Hon Augustine Auga, continue to remain in those offices.”
The Prime Minister stands ready to answer questions regarding the numerous allegations levelled at him in Parliament, then in an on-going media debate, as the DCC Government prepares to bring the 2016 Budget to National Parliament.”
– PM’s Press Secretariat
