MEMBER of Parliament (MP) for Aoke Langalanga and Leader of Opposition, Mathew Wale has denied claims against him of involving in the recent unrest.
Mr Wale made the denial in his statement during the Motion of no confidence in Prime Minister Debate in Parliament, Monday.
“I am aware that rumor was ripe that I chartered a ship or perhaps several ships to bring Malaitans to Honiara after the reconciliation. There is simply no truth to any of these accusations.
“The Prime Minister accused me in the media of inciting Malaitans to come to Honiara. Again, this is a fact-free accusation. I am aware that there are even rumors that I planned the protests and violence as a power grab. Again, these are yet more fact-free accusations,” the Opposition Leader said.
He added at no time did he or any MP in the Opposition participate in any planning or incitement of Malaitans to do anything.
“These accusations are the PM’s way of diverting attention away from the cause of the discontent and anger that led to the recent tragic events,” Mr Wale said.
Meanwhile, Wale said, “To understand why Malaitans have acted the way they did over the recent weeks, we should look no further than their own pleas to be heard by the Prime Minister.”
“They petitioned the Prime Minister in writing, and a whole month had elapsed before he denied having received the petition, although it was delivered directly to his EPS, I’m told,” Wale said.
He described this as the Prime Minister’s deceptive delay tactic employed as his style of dealing with Malaita.
“I received a copy of that petition the same day it was delivered to the PM. A second version of the petition was then issued to the Prime Minister, who casually hands it off to his SSPM who announced that the legitimate body to deal with these matters is the Malaita Provincial government,” Wale said.
He added several requests were made for permits for peaceful protest marches.
“These requests met with the same deceptive games designed simply to stop any protests and not address the need for dialogue over the issues raised. Unfortunately, the police were dragged into the PM’s deceptive schemes in this matter.
“At the time, I called on the PM and Commissioner of Police to allow peaceful protest so people can ventilate their issues and receive acknowledgement from the PM. But the response to that call was sheer arrogance and a blunt no,” Wale said.
By ESTHER NURIA
Newsroom, Honiara
