‘Two party members speak out ’
By ANDREW FANASIA
THE motion of Sine-Die motion has provided a platform for two Democratic Alliance Party (DAP) leaders to pour out their dissatisfaction against each other on the floor of the Parliament, Tuesday.
Member of Parliament for Small Malaita Rick Hou and MP for Hograno/Kia/Havulei Jeremiah Manale have both shared their position on the issue of China and why they separated from each other.
It was the sacked Minister in the Sogavare led government and a member of the DCGA Coalition Hou who first spoke against his former member Manele on the floor of the parliament.
Hou was one of the six MPs that abstained from voting on the Taiwan – China issue when it was put to vote by Caucus.
It is also understood he has been openly critical of the move to switch, leading up to the vote and in Cabinet
Hou expressed his disappointments accusing Manele on party political affiliation integrity and political stability in his Sine-Die motion yesterday.
He further told the parliament that some the MPs including Manele have sacrificed their personal integrity by getting inducements to join ‘OUR Party’.
But Manele in his response said this is not true.
“I have decided to join OUR Party because a good number of policies in the DCGA government come from the Democratic Alliance Party (DAP).
“And I want to see these policies implemented because they are in our national interest,” Manele argued.
Hou also commented that some are like ping pongs creating political stability.
But Manele said when one points fingers at other four of the fingers are pointing back at you this is what happen to Hou right now.
He further reminded Hou that two years ago the DAP including both of them left the Opposition group and joined the then DCCGA government which he (Hou) became the Prime Minister.
“Is this not ping pong,” Manele questioned Hou on the floor of the parliament yesterday.
Manele however concurred to the calls for review and amendments to the Political Party Integrity Act.
“But we must also appreciate that we are a new democracy and it will take time for political parties to take root and mature in this country,” Manele said.
This paper understands that the Sine-Die Motion will continue tomorrow which the Prime Minister will likely to sum up the motion as he will respond to all the issues raised during the debate.
