MAELANGA CALLS FOR SENSITIVITY ON GUADALCANAL LAND ISSUE

The Deputy and Acting Prime Minister, Manasseh Maelanga, has called on people to exercise sensitivity and fairness when commenting on land issues on Guadalcanal. (Pic: Andrew Fanasia Jr.

Andrew Fanasia Jr.

The Deputy and Acting Prime Minister, Manasseh Maelanga, has called on people to exercise sensitivity and fairness when commenting on land issues on Guadalcanal.

The Acting Prime Minister Mr. Maelanga made the call in a press statement following comments recently made by certain individuals in the media which Mr. Maelanga has decribed as having the potential to trigger resentment by Guadalcanal people.

Last week, a local newspaper carried comments from individuals in relation to a legal land battle between former Guadalcanal MP Nollen Leni and Levers Solomons Limited (LSL) which has angered some Guadalcanal people.

Mr. Maelanga said that while the court rulings have been in favour of the company, he strongly urged the company and its owners to be mindful of public comments they have made against Mr. Leni and more generally, the people of Guadalcanal.

The Acting Prime Minister Mr. Maelanga said that land dealings on Guadalcanal was one of the core issues that had triggered resentments amongst Guadalcanal people and which subsequently led to the outbreak of the ethnic tensions that gripped Solomon Islands nine years ago.

“As a national leader, I wish to encourage individuals to be mindful of public comments, particular on land issues on Guadalcanal,” Acting Prime Minister Maelanga said.

“Anti Guadalcanal comments has the potential to stir trouble which is not in the best interest of this nation,” he said.

He added that the government is putting in a lot of effort in trying to sort out land disputes on Guadalcanal, and it is crucial that insensitive and unfair comments which some individuals make in the media are not allowed to disrupt the process.

Mr. Maelanga also stressed that it is important that while people must respect the judiciary, they must at the same time, honor the customs of the people of Guadalcanal, particularly at a time when the government is trying to redirect the way forward for Solomon Islands.

During the early stage of the legal battle between former Guadalcanal MP Nollen Leni and Leavers Solomon Limited, Guadalcanal Premier Mr. Steven Panga said that while the law is superior, we must respect the feelings of the people of Guadalcanal when it comes to issues related to land.

Meanwhile, attempts to get Mr. Panga to comment on these new developments on issue was unsuccessful.

MSG MEETING IN HONIARA

“We will develop stronger partnership with our immediate neighbours in our Region including the Members of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) and the members of the Pacific Islands Forum,” Prime Minister Philip said. (Pic: Andrew Fanasia)

By Andrew Fanasia Jr.

Sources within the Solomon Islands Government has offered that the Solomon Islands Government has offered to host this year’s Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) meeting scheduled to be held in Fiji on 22-23 July when the current Chairman Vanuatu Prime Minister Edward Natapei cancelled the scheduled meeting at the last minute.

Explaining his decision at that time Prime Minister Natapei said that to allow Fiji’s military leader Frank Bainimarama to become chair of the MSG would threaten the MSG’s democratic values.

He claimed at that time that Solomon Islands and PNG had supported the position he had taken but had subsequently failed to back him publicly.

The Prime Minister’s Office in Vanuatu is reported to have confirmed that MSG members have now agreed to meet on the 22nd of October in Honiara.

Confirming the Government’s offer to host the MSG meeting Government sources in Honiara informed the National Express yesterday that the Government’s offer to host the meeting is motivated by a need to help MSG find a way out of the situation.

The Government sources in Honiara have however declined to say whether or not by hosting the MSG meeting, Solomon Islands would assume the chairmanship of the MSG rather than supporting Fiji assuming the chairmanship after the Honiara meeting.

The problems encountered by the MSG relates to the decision which the Pacific Forum has taken to suspend Fiji from the Forum as well as regional trade initiatives such as PACER and PACER Plus negotiations.

Before the MSG meeting scheduled to be hosted and Chaired by Fiji on the 22-23 July this year; two academics well versed with regional issues; Professor Walsh and Australian-based Prof. Brij Lal, said that the Fiji Interim Prime Minister had attempted to invite other Pacific Forum countries to attend the MSG meeting.

Prof. Brij Lal described the invitation as an attempt Interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama to hijack the MSG in response to its suspension from the Pacific Forum adding that Bainimarama could well have a point, though hijack is too strong a word. Suspended from the Forum, excluded from PACER and PACER Plus negotiations almost certainly due to Australian and NZ persuasion, Fiji has merely struck back.

The two academics believe that the Forum Melanesian nations were never totally happy with Australia and New Zealand’s hard line on Fiji and on more than one occasion have sought a more conciliatory approach.

They also claimed that Kiribati, Tuvalu and Tonga have also expressed doubts; and the north-western Micronesian states (Nauru, Marshall Islands, Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia) have said nothing. Only Samoa (for its own reasons) and Cook Islands and Niue (with close tries to NZ) have shown unquestioning support for the Australian and NZ position.

However, speaking on the step of Parliament House after he was elected Prime Minister in August, Prime Minister Danny Philip said that his Government would embrace the Fiji situation.

During the official last week the Prime Minister said that his Government’s Foreign policy would be guided by constructive engagement based on investment, trade, economic and security considerations.

“We will develop stronger partnership with our immediate neighbours in our Region including the Members of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) and the members of the Pacific Islands Forum,” Prime Minister Philip said.

Economist criticizes PER 2010 Increase

Chief Executive Officer for Chamber of Commerce Mr. Calvin Ziru said the PER over the years until now have become the means of attraction for the parliamentarians.(Pic. Supplied)

By Andrew Fanasia Jr.
Sub Editor
National Express Newspaper

University of the South Pacific (USP) S.I center Economic lecturer has condemned the increases in the Parliamentary Entitlements Regulations 2010.

“The PER 2010 does not reflect well on the current economic state of this country,” Mr. Vincent Nomae told the high profile speakers and members of the public at the debate held jointly by TSI and the University of the South Pacific S.I center.

“This is a pure contradiction to the early statement of the NCRA Government on the expense reduction.”

Mr. Nomae said the country is still struggling to stand on its feet whilst our leaders are craving for more benefits through these entitlements.

TSI have brought to light some of the potential entitlement collected by an average MP which exclude others like pensions, and various other small entitlements such as for drivers, mobile and landline reimbursement, life increase and relocation allowances.

It was understood that maybe one of the justification for such increase is because our Parliament Members need to have these entitlements for them to perform their duty as a leader more effectively.

Mr. Nomae however said, this does not rule out the economic situation the country has encountered

He added that the Parliamentary Entitlement Commission must measure the entitlements of our leaders with our standard Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer for Chamber of Commerce Mr. Calvin Ziru said the PER over the years until now have become the means of attraction for the parliamentarians.

He added that it seems that PEC as the regulator body did not independently deal with the PER.

On the same issue, TSI Board Chairman Bob Pollard said PER needs to be fair, “the process to award this entitlement must be independent, transparent and fair for the public.”

Most of the public attending the debate on Wednesday were shocked to hear and see the actual amount each member of the parliament receive in terms of the entitlements.

TSI to scrutinize PER 2010 in High Court.

TSI Board Chairman Mr. Bob Pollard yesterday said TSI is disappointed and concerned by the Parliamentary Entitlement Commission (PEC’s)

Andrew Fanasia Jr.
Sub Editor
National Express Newspaper

The Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) will likely to scrutinize the Parliament Entitlement Regulation (PER) 2010 in High Court if the Attorney General approves it.

This came up after the high profile speakers and the public engaged in a robust debate yesterday on PER 2010 held jointly by TSI and the University of the South Pacific (USP) center in Honiara.

TSI Board Chairman Mr. Bob Pollard yesterday said TSI is disappointed and concerned by the Parliamentary Entitlement Commission (PEC’s) continued disregard for requirements under section 69B of the Constitution.

The PER 2010 like the previous PER has not made a general call to the public for submissions on such factors as the state of the national economy and changes in the retail price index and has not tables a report to justify the entitlements.

TSI strongly believes that the tax payers of Solomon Islands have the right to be fully informed of the Entitlements their elected leaders are receiving.

Mr. Vincent Nomae an Economic Lecturer in USP affirmed that the increase done by the PEC’s is unnecessary and unfair.

“Our leaders in the parliament must consider the economic state of this country.”

“Leaders who designed this PER 2010 have totally disregard the state of our economy for their own benefits,” Mr. Nomae said yesterday during the PER 2010 debate.

According to the background information from the TSI Office, the PER 2009 was “quashed” or rejected by the High Court on application by the Attorney General.

Therefore the most recent PER in force before PER 2010, was PER 2008 according the TSI.

TSI stated the court challenged whether there had been a call for submissions made in accordance with the constitution and also commented there had been no report from the PEC’s to justify the PER 2009.

According to the reports obtained from the TSI, substantial increases have occurred since PER 2008.

And these are; funds for charitable purposes (to be spent at the discretion of MP) have increased by 87.5%, salaries have increased at rates varying between 12 .28% and 12.5%.
In regards to the constituency touring allowance; Zone 1 has increased by 25%, Zone 2 by 20%, zone 3 by 15.38%, zone 4 by 16.88% and zone 5 by 47.54%.

Express understands that no document has been tabled to support the increases on economic grounds.

Aggressive Reform government offers hope to S.I

PM. Hon Danny Philip in front S.I National Parliament (Pic. Andrew Fanasia Jr.)

By Andrew Fanasia Jr.

Prime Minister led coalition government has finally launched their policy framework which will aggressively pursue new direction and leadership approaches that offers hope for new Solomon Islands.

Mr. Danny Philip addressing the nation outside the National Parliament after his election on August 25th this year said, “Fundamental reform is one of the priorities my government will address in the next four years.”

At last, now we have the National Coalition for Reform and Advancement (NCRA) Government which comprises members of seven political parties.

As stated in their policy introduction, this policy framework is an undertaking by NCRA to pursue a major shift in policy direction for the next four years.

The policy statement highlights the urgency for a comprehensive reform program focusing on the Constitution and the Economic.

Meanwhile, the main drivers of the current focus of reform can be divided into three category; Fundamental Reforms which include the constitutional reform, Social Reform which encompass the much talk about land reform and the Economic reform.

The new coalition government believed that the shift in policy direction for the next four years would bring about social and economic advancement, which ensures fair distribution, equal access to and opportunities for all.

Addressing the nation during the policy launching yesterday, Mr. Philip said his government will take a leading role in driving its policy forward through the Bureau of Social and Economic reforms (BSER) within the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

However, the questions raised at the back of the minds of the ordinary citizens of this country is, will the government four years terms is sufficient to fulfill these reforms.

And to fully implement its reforms, the government must have its source of funds rather than using public funds to implement their policy intentions.

In one of the previous MASI media conference with Mr. Philip prior to his election, the Transparency Solomon Islands (TSI) Board Chairman Bob Pollard told Mr. Philip that constitutional reform takes more than four years and it is very expensive.

However, it is believed that the NCRA Government acknowledges the cost involved, for this reason they will work in partnership with both bilateral and multilateral donors.