THE Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) Coalition members are reportedly gunning for the Member for Central Honiara Constituency, Gordon Darcy Lilo, who was forced to withdraw the Motion of No Confidence (MONC) on Monday for lack of numbers.
Government politicians believe withdrawing the motion on the floor of Parliament is a victory worth relishing. And they are celebrating.
For the 30-strong GNUT coalition MPs, led by Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, the victory is not only against the Opposition grouping, it is also against Western allies who use such occasion to have a go at China.
Of all people in government, the Minister for Police and National Security, Jimson Tanaganda, was named as one of the frontline shooters who has MP Darcy Lilo on sight for an attack during his Sine Die address next week.
“We will get him (Hon Darcy Lilo) in the debate,” one insider said.
But one commentator pointed out, Minister Tanagada should be the last person to be making such a threat.
“He should be counting his blessing after revelation he was involved in setting up an offshore company in Singapore. Setting up such a facility is not in itself unlawful.
Who hold shares or equity in the company does, according to the Electoral Act 2018,” the commentator said.
News reports suggest a Chinese national who lives in Honiara holds a 20 per-cent stake in the Singapore company. It is believed one restaurant once rented by or connected to the man is on the radar of the Inland Revenue Division (IRD) for falling behind tax payments.
In other jurisdictions, Minister Tanagada would have been sacked, investigated and faced a potential jail term.
The Leadership Code Commission could have pounced on him for compromising the integrity of this nation’s security.
To be fair, MP Gordon Darcy Lilo is a courageous politician, who knew he did not have the number but made an attempt.
“Be strong and run the country in a responsible way,” he urged the government on Monday.
“Be strong. Run the country in a responsible way. Don’t raise rules, you know, for you to derail confidence in running the government of our country,” a reasonable and fair statement.
He told Parliament those who decided to propose this motion have retracted and have left their support in that way.
“I can only say to you, please, do more to hold the vote together. Don’t expose yourself too.
“So please, think about our people, our beloved country that is struggling. … please, build that trust. That broken trust. Try to rebuild it.”
He quoted one founding father who said, “in politics, there is no permanent enemy and no permanent friend.”
“So, make use of that advice,” he urged the government.
A member of the public was quick to condemn MP Darcy Lilo for withdrawing the MONC.
“He is not a leader. He should debate the motion so the people of this country can hear the issues,” the man said.
“Withdrawing the motion is the correct and responsible way to deal with issues at hand given that the situation is rather fluid. Proceeding with the debate would have given troublemakers the platform to air their own grievances,” one other observer said.
The observer said MP Darcy Lilo has woken the government to its responsibility.
GNUT needs to straighten up the chaos in the mining industry, for example. They need to tell the nation why senior officials are not doing anything about the non-reciprocal trade access agreement a potential source of revenue for the country.
Our people are dying as if it is no one’s business … no drugs no nothing.
“Worst of all, why bring a $1.3 billion deficit budget, knowing full well you may never find a donor willing to help sort it out. It’s the height of irresponsibility big time,” the observers said.
By Alfred Sasako
