BATTLE TO FORM THE GOV’T BETWEEN TWO CAMPS

Snyder Rini, Leader for the Honiara Hotel Camp. Pic: Supplied

Editor's Desk

 THE battle to form the next government is now set to be fought between two major camps.

This followed the merger of three camps in Honiara at the weekend, which immediately claimed a membership of 35.

They include the Pacific Casino, Mendana Hotel, and Honiara Hotel camp.

Matthew Wale, Spokesman for the group at Heritage Hotel

However, the Heritage Park Hotel camp, comprised mainly of members of the last government, is also confident of forming the next government.

Heritage Park Hotel camp spokesman Mathew Wale said claims by the other group of having 35 members did not affect their numbers.

“Currently we have 22 signatures, but three – Clay Forau, Samuel Manetoali and Walter Folotalu – will arrive tomorrow,” Mr Wale told the Solomon last night.


“Another MP is hopefully going to sign with us tomorrow  and that should give us the edge,” he said.

Mr Wale said he had various discussions with individual MPs from and other groups yesterday.

Each group needs a  majority of 26 members to form the government.

Governor General, Sir Frank Kabui is expected to announce the date of the election of the prime minister this week.

This followed the gazetting of the national election results yesterday.

The announcement will open up four days of nomination which will be followed by the election, expected early next week.

Mr Wale said it’s sad to see the process of forming the next government being driven by the issue of prime minister rather than policy issues.

He said policy issues should come first before we could even discuss the issue of whose going to be the next prime minister.

The Heritage Park Hotel camp last night held its fellowship led by president of Solomon Islands Democratic Party Fr John Ini Lapli.