High Court rules that the former Malaita premier was unfairly dismissed by government in 2023

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Former Malaita premier Daniel Suidani has won his court case against government over his unfair dismissal in 2023.

Mr Suidani, current provincial member (MPA) of Malaita’s ward 5, West Baegu/Fataleka, won his court case against former Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) Rollen Seleso yesterday [Thursday, March 13, 2025].

Suidani was dismissed as MPA for ward 5 in 2023 by then MPGIS Minister Seleso. This move by government was seen as a political response to Suidani’s unwavering stand to continue recognising Taiwan despite Solomon Islands’ diplomatic switch to the People’s Republic of China in 2019.

Following the dismissal, Suidani petitioned Minister Seleso at the High Court for unfair dismissal.

Suidani’s dismissal came by way of a letter from the Minister dated March 20, 2023.

A snippet of the High Court decision issued by High Court Judge, Ms Maelyn Bird, yesterday said:

• I hereby declare that the Second Respondent has acted ultra vires his powers when he disqualified the Petitioner to be a member for Ward 5, West Baegu/Fataleka, Fataleka constituency, Malaita province by letter dated 20 March 2023. The disqualification of the petitioner is null and void ab initio.
• Consequent to paragraph (i) above, I further declare that the decision and public notice published by the First Respondent in which he declared vacant the seat of Ward 5, West Baegu/Fataleka Ward of Malaita province, is null and void ab initio.
• I subsequently declare that the petitioner had remained lawfully elected provincial member of ward 5, West Baegu/Fataleka Ward of Malaita province and that the seat was never vacant.
• I also declared that the petitioner is entitled to wages, allowances and all other entitlement payable to him or receivable by the members of the Malaita provincial assembly, including all wages, allowances and other entitlements withheld.
• I award cost for the petitioner on the standard basis

In an interview with Suidani after the High Court decision was issued yesterday, he thanked the traditional leaders of Malaita and all those who stood by his side to ensure justice is prevail on his case.

He also acknowledged the High Court judge for seeing into the reality and upholding the judiciary system of the country.

Suidani stressed that it becomes new normal nowadays that sometimes when decisions come from those in authority, people tend to think it is the right decision.

“The High Court decision on my case had clearly shown that even decision or advice made by people in authority, we can pursue them if we thought it is not right.

“Sometimes, they made advices based on their conveniency, and it doesn’t mean it is the right decision.

“And to prove their decision, challenge it in court. This is the avenue you can know whether any advices or decisions taken against you is right or wrong,” he said.

On that note, he emphasised the need to ensure every decision or advice comes from authority needs to go through checks and balance.

He stressed this is vital for the country to be in order in terms of judiciary and above all the system of democracy that governs Solomon Islands.

“The High Court decision today, to me is lifting up the democracy of Solomon Islands.

“It always expensive to pursue court process, but if we want to get fair and right decisions, we must go to the court of law.

“I welcome the High Court decision issued on my case,” Suidani said.

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