THE Malaita Premier, Daniel Suidani, has welcomed his defeat on the floor of the Malaita Provincial Assembly despite his absence.
Mr Suidani was ousted in his absence during a motion of no confidence moved by the MPA for Ward 3, Martin Fini.
Mr Suidani and his MARA executive boycotted the Motion of No Confidence yesterday based on two reasons and these were:
- That MARA instigated a High Court challenge to the Speaker’s decision for the premature voting on the revised 2022-2023 Budget which the High Court is yet to decide on; and that
- MARA believes that the National Government was behind the motion which is the third against Suidani and his MARA government.
The news of Suidani’s defeat was delivered to him and his supporters shortly after the Malaita Assembly was adjourned.
All 17 MPAs on the non-executive side turned up for the meeting, led by the mover of the motion, MPA for Ward 3, Martin Fini.
Speaking on the floor of the Provincial Assembly in what was a one-sided debate due to the absence of Suidani and his supporters, Mr Fini voiced his disappointment stating that Suidani and his supporters should attend to debate the issues raised in the motion of no confidence.
The Speaker of the Malaita Provincial Assembly, Ronnie Butala, following the Motion of No Confidence declared that the Malaita Provincial Premier seat to be vacant. Adding that the Deputy Premier, Glen Waneta, would be the acting Premier.
Speaking to Solomon Star Auki following his defeat, Mr Suidani said he humbly accepted the decision, adding that he is ready to leave the Premier’s residence in Auki in the next seven days.
He then congratulated and thanked the faithful MPAs who served under the MARA government over the past years until his defeat.
Mr Suidani also thanked Malaitans who stood by the MARA government throughout its challenging leadership journey.
“It was not an easy journey as there were always forces who wanted to get rid of the MARA government over the past years and they finally succeeded in the final four months of the current assembly.”
By WILSON SAENI in Auki
