Two candidates for Malaita’s provincial speaker

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May 10, 2024

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Newcomer Phillip Kwato’o has replaced Daniel Suidani as the leader of their camp ahead of Malaita’s premier election next week.

Mr Kwato’o, part Malaita and Choiseul, is the MPA for Ward 29, in Central Kwara’ae and was nominated on Wednesday this week.

He brings with him the sense of fresh blood and positive change into the arena of provincial governance politics of Malaita.

But, leadership and service is not new to Kwato’o.

Before entering politics, Kwato’o was engaged in years of philanthropic work for his communities in and around his village of Malawai in Central Kwara’ae and communities in Choiseul. These include the building of rest houses, clinic and classrooms.

He holds a bachelors in Mining Engineering, and had worked in various organisations including heading the School of Gemology and Jewellery at the Technical Institute of Malaita, Training Manager at SolBrew, Camp Manager for an exploration operation in Isabel.

Kwato’o is up against the odds, coming in to lead a camp that is reportedly with a minority group of 13 MPAs against Elijah Asilaua’s camp, which claims to have 20 members.

However, Kwato’o is unfazed, saying that in politics the buck stops with the announcement of results.

Thus, he says they are confident of boosting their numbers ahead of the premier’s election next week.

Kwato’o believes that the other camp has genuine leaders who will believe in his visions for the province, and will join his camp.

He said he believes in working together for the betterment of Malaita, so all MPAs should have a part to play in his administration.

Meanwhile, Asilaua’s camp continues to claim they are strongly bonded heading to next week’s election.

An MPA from Asilaua’s camp, Jerry Hite said they are waiting on Sikaiana’s MPA to arrive in Auki before their 20-strong membership is complete.

Hite said they are also working on luring MPAs from Kwato’o’s camp.

Aoraunisaka calls for unity, collaboration

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May 9, 2024

Re-elected Provincial Speaker Peter Aoraunisaka.

BY INDY MAEALASIA

THE re-elected provincial speaker for the Guadalcanal Provincial Assembly has called for collaboration.

Addressing the twenty (20) Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) after swearing-in yesterday at the Provincial headquarters, Speaker, Peter Aoraunisaka urged for unity onwards.

“Even if the speaker is recognized as the head of the legislature of Guadalcanal Provincial Assembly, I want us to all work together” he remarked.

He reminded them that there will be challenges to address ahead and more work that needs to be done.

Aoraunisaka mentioned that there are few non- assented ordinances that require their attention and other development matters that needed to be dealt with.

He than thanked them for the support and the trust they have in re-electing him to be the speaker.

Public transport user urges respect for women’s safety

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May 9, 2024

46440169-5e59-4085-b6fe-e31c1444e5a3 — Harassment

BY NED GAGAHE

In a plea to public transport providers, a young mother is speaking out about the urgent need to respect of female passengers.

The mother who wishes to remain anonymous, shared her experience with the Island Sun recently recounted her horrifying ordeal after an incident earlier this week.

As a regular client of a well-known taxi service in Honiara (name withheld), the mother called for a cab to transport her from her residence in Kaibia to her workplace at Point Cruz.

However, what should have been a 10-15 minutes ride turned into a harrowing experience, prompting her to raise her voice on behalf of women elsewhere.

“On the way, he started asking me, disrespectful questions then started touching my legs and hands.

“Despite my pleas for him to stop, he ignored.

“The worst happened as we approached the King Solomon Hotel, he reached for my chest and then to my breast.

“I fear the worst might yet to come, if I fought back, he might harm me, so I tried to keep calm at the same time using my hands to keep him from touching me.

“The window for me to escape arrived when he slowed down at the raintree in front of King Solomon Hotel.

“I quickly opened the door and escaped. As soon as I backed out, I took a photo of the cab’s number plate.” The mother said.

she confirmed she is pursuing the harassment case with police.

Meanwhile, the mother believes her story highlights the critical importance of ensuring that public transport services maintain a safe and respectful environment for all passengers, particularly women.

Asilaua’s camp with 20 MPAs

Politics

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May 9, 2024

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

THE camp led by MPA for ward 11 Elijah Asilaua claims the majority of 20 out of 33 MPAs under Malaita provincial assembly as of yesterday afternoon.

Asilaua confirmed this to SunAuki saying they expect an inclusion of one more MPA to join the camp ahead of speaker’s election tomorrow.

He said his camp currently holds the majority of the assembly with 20 MPAs, and they are confident to form the next provincial government of Malaia province.

Spokesman MPA for Raroisu’u ward 21, Jerry Hite reaffirmed the number of 20 MPAs in a conversation with this paper yesterday.

“We are 20 rock solid and I’m confident we will be together till the election next week, despite the fact that lobbying is still underway,” he said.

Hite said the camp has 20 MPAs and they expect another one which will be the MPA for Sikaiana ward 33 of Malaita Outer Islands (MOI).

He said the MPA is still in Sikaiana and is expected to be in Auki either by Friday or over the weekend for the election of the premier next week.

When asked on whether the withdrawal of Daniel Suidani from contesting the premiers post could encourage MPAs to defect to their camp, he said he’s confident it won’t happen.

He said lobbying is still active and anything can happen, but they continue to consult each other even keep close surveillance on those who seem easy to defect.

Hite said similar goals and ambitions shared by MPAs at the camp believe to be the fabric for their number strength and form the next government of Malaita.

Also, this paper yesterday witnessed the three MPAs whom one of them reported earlier this week they are still yet to join a camp had already at Asilaua’s camp.

They are MPA for ward 27, Simon Ke’ebo, MPA for ward 9, George Ganiau and MPA for ward 10, Jimmy Daoni.

Ke’ebo and Daoni were last week at the camp once led by Suidani. Another MPA that was also seen at the camp is MPA for ward 12, Henry Maenu’u, who is also at Asilaua’s camp.

While Asilaua’s camp is claiming 21 MPAs, the other camp is reportedly with only 12 MPAs. Thus, lobbying is still active and change on the numerical strengthen of the camps is likely to happen.

Asilaua refutes allegations of luring MPAs with $300,000 each to his camp

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May 9, 2024

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Elijah Asilaua has refuted allegations leveled against his camp of luring MPAs with $300,000 and lucrative development projects for MPAs to join his camp.

The MPA made the statement in an interview to respond to the allegations, describing it as fabricated and aimed to tarnish the reputation of his camp.

The allegations published by Malaita Issues last week said, “the Honiara-based camp (Asilaua’s camp) has been accused of employing questionable tactics to lure MPAS to their side.

“Sources revealed that they have been offering large sums of money, as well as promising lucrative development projects, in an attempt to get MPAs to defect from Suidani’s camp.

“MPAs currently residing in Suidani’s camp disclosed that they have been receiving phone calls from the Honiara group with promise of $300,000 and projects for their respective wards if they switch allegiance,” Malaita Issues said.

Asilaua acknowledged the allegations as political language as lobbying is underway.

‘It holds no truth and only false’, he said

He said his camp is about reconnecting the disconnect with the national government. Opening arms to all partners to develop Malaita province.

Asilaua said this is what lured MPAs to his camp, because they shared similar ideas to work together with national government to drive the province forward.

Spokesman for the camp, MPA for Raroisu’u ward 21, Jerry Hite echoed Asilaua’s comments.

He said their camp wasn’t aware of the allegations and that they are false.

Hite said they want to work together with the national government and development partners.

He said this was what had pulled them together as they look forward to work towards achieving development for Malaita province.

Asilaua added that the outgoing redirection government had begun reconnecting the disconnect with the national government and it must continue.

He said only through close synergy with national government and development partners Malaita province will realize its visions and dream for the province.

Suidani withdraws candidacy for Malaita premier post

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May 9, 2024

da012ab3497df8f41cf4cbecc9695f71_L — Daneil Suidani.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Daniel Suidani has announced his withdrawal from the contest for the premier post of Malaita province.

Mr Suidani, MPA for west Fataleka ward 5 said his withdrawal is based on principles of genuine leadership for Malaita.

His withdrawal is his response to wide speculations that he would pose hinderance to proposed development projects for Malaita, such as the planned tar-seal road project for Auki.

Suidani said he does not have any notion of blocking any development plans for Malaita, and to prove this, he is stepping down from the premiership race.

The announcement was made in a video clip published by Malaita Issues on Tuesday this week as he publicly declared his withdrawal due to issues targeted at him.

He said since lobbying began there have been speculations going round that he would pose a stumbling block to proposed development for Malaita, such as the Auki tar-seal road project.

Suidani said the claim was false and he has nothing as as such in mind toward any development for Malaita.

He said if the development was agreed to by the past government and is good for Malaita province, he has nothing against it or would hinder its implementation.

Suidani said the claim has become an issue in Auki and amongst them elected MPAs and he wants to remind the public of Malaita that what was leveled against him is not true.

He explained that his stance during the MARA-government was on issues that were not clear and as a government they must question issues of the interest of the province.

He expressed his worry on how MPAs took the issue against him, which was only fabricated and even seen as personal hatred on him.

He said to prove his good intentions for Malaita, he has decided to withdraw his candidacy to represent the camp he once led for the premier’s post in the election next week.

Suidani added that his decision to withdraw also was to show that he does not to be seen as an obstacle to development in Malaita.

He said he will support any government that leads the province and also assured his support for the Auki road tar-seal and other projects for Malaita province.

Guadalcanal province elects speaker

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May 9, 2024

According to GP statement, the nomination and election for the Deputy speaker is likely to be on Monday 13^th.

BY INDY MAEALASIA

THE Guadalcanal Provincial Assembly re-elected Peter Aoraunisaka as its provincial speaker yesterday.

Th election which took place at the provincial headquarters saw Aoraunisaka as the highly favoured candidate with an overwhelming 19 out of 20 votes.

Following the close of nomination at 4pm, Tuesday 7^th, four (4) candidates were officially nominated for the position they were: Robert Feratalia, Peter Aoraunisaka, Daniel Donua and Jacob Kinai.

Provincial Assembly Clerk, Edward Juvia who oversaw the election announced the following votes for each candidate.

Peter Aoraunisaka: 19 votes

Robert Feratelia: 1 vote

Daniel Donua: 0 vote

Jacob Kinai: 0 vote

Aoraunisaka was sworn in to office at 1 pm in a small ceremony which was witnessed by the MPAs and staff members.

Addressing them promptly after the ceremony, he expressed gratitude to the MPAs “Thank you all honorable members for the trust and the confidence you have displayed in the election of the speaker. Truly, it shows the overwhelming support for me to work alongside all of you to work together”.

Prior to his re-election for the 10^th Assembly, he was initially elected as the provincial speaker in 2019 to 2024 and also served as the Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) for Birao Ward in 2014-2019.

The newly elected speaker will be presiding the election of the new premier which is scheduled for Friday 10^that 2pm.

Appointment process for Governor-General next

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May 9, 2024

Rev-Bp-David-Vunagi,-Principle-Of-Selwyn-College-delivering-his-speech-01 — Governor General Sir David Vunagi

BY CAROL-ANNE SULEGA

IN the Solomon Islands, the appointment of the Governor-General is a procedure distinct from electoral processes, according to official sources.

Contrary to popular election procedures, the Governor-General is appointed by the Monarch – King Charles III, following the recommendation of the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands.

This appointment is made after careful consultation with relevant stakeholders, including the Prime Minister and other key officials.

Once appointed, the Governor-General assumes the role of the Monarch’s representative in the Solomon Islands, undertaking ceremonial, constitutional, and diplomatic responsibilities on the King’s behalf.

According To the Solomon Islands Constitution, it stipulates that the term of the Governor General is five years.

Sir David Vunagi commenced his term as Governor General in 2019.

As such, the position of Governor-General is not subject to electoral contests but rather follows established protocols and procedures outlined in constitutional frameworks.

12th Parliament’s first sitting date determined by constitutional provision

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May 9, 2024