THE government strongly denies knowledge of any proposed move by backbenchers and other MPs to boycott the upcoming and final parliament sitting.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Rural Development Fred Fono said the headline article in yesterday’s Solomon Star took them by surprise.
“We are surprised because we are not aware of any moves by backbenchers to boycott the sitting,” Mr Fono said.
In his article, freelance journalist Alfred Sasako quoted government sources as saying backbenchers and some MPs have threatened to boycott the upcoming parliament sitting over non-payments of their grants.
The article stated that the “revolt” is over demands that half the grants for this year be paid to MPs between now and April.
However, Mr Fono said all the MPs and backbenchers are surprised to see the news article.
“We have spoken to backbenchers and MPs but everyone knew nothing about the proposed boycott revealed by Sasako’s unknown sources.
“No MPs would want to involve in such undertaking because this is a critical time when such action can reprimand voters.
“It will vividly tell voters of a MP’s attitude towards money and what they are made of and it can backfire.”
The Deputy Prime Minister explained that Taiwan clinched onto grants for the first two tranche for this year because of non-retirement of acquittals by some MPs.
“All the MPs need to retire acquittals on how they used last year’s RCDF, Millennium and Micro project funds.
“As a Minister for the Ministry responsible for the acquittals, only half of the MPs retired acquittals on how they used last year’s grants. Half are yet to retire details on their spending.”
Mr Fono said it is ROC’s policy that all acquittals must be retired before they release the next set of grant to MPs, which ROC graciously released yesterday.
“If they fail to retire details of their spending on these grants, it will affect them in the upcoming elections because it shows clearly who did not wisely use the money and who did.”
He said that is all they are aware of and nothing about the “proposed boycott”.
“We are not aware of any demands for those funds but we are aware that Taiwan has been awaiting the acquittals before releasing the last two tranches, only up to April when parliament dissolves.”
Taiwan yesterday released the grants to Prime Minister Dr Derick Sikua.
The deputy Prime Minister appealed to MPs to act responsibly as leaders and retire details of their spending so that they have clean names for the upcoming National General election.
Meanwhile, Caucus chief whip James Tora also denied knowledge of any plans to boycott the upcoming sitting.
Mr Tora said they have not received any information on MPs wanting to boycott this Parliament sitting.
“I think the information was only from outside officials and not from anyone inside the Caucus.”
He said should there be any MPs wishing to boycott this coming Parliament sitting then that should not happen because it’s not in the best interest of the people.
He said as a chief whip, he wanted those who have any problems with the decisions made to go to the Caucus and discuss matters in a professional way.
Opposition members also detached themselves from any proposed boycott of the parliament sitting (see letter’s to the editor today).
By EDNAL PALMER
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