‘OUR INTEREST IS THE COUNTRY’

Gordon Darcy Lilo presents new group as poised to save country from current ‘economic and social’ problems

BY IRWIN ANGIKI

The new coalition set to bring down the GNUT government is doing so for the interest of the country.

Gordon Darcy Lilo, the man behind the motion of no-confidence against Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele set for Tuesday next week, says this as he fronted media yesterday [Thursday, May 1].

Mr Lilo, MP for Central Honiara, says the country is facing problems from all corners, drawing attention to the dire state of the economy, crippled social sector, higher cost of living, presence of a lot of ‘empty companies’ which are looking for fast profits off the country’s resources – and the culminating loss of confidence in the government leadership.

He said because of this, the new coalition formed between the Opposition group and the 10 defectors from the GNUT government are determined to create a new government and save Solomon Islands.

“Our interest is the country. We are not interested in our own personal issues.

“We are interested in putting forward the national interest of our country, that this country must move forward, that this country must have a better policy to be able to develop all other economic and social facets of our country. That is our interest. That is the interest of this group.

“We have remained quiet and then remained focused on the putting up the best alternative policy that we can put forward to be able to show that there is an alternative policy that can take this country going forward. We all know the situation that we are facing, the cost-of-living situation, inflation, lack of real investment in our country.

“So these are the real issues that we are determined to tackle right now. And I want to say to you that I’m really impressed with the makeup that is forming this group. It is a makeup that is comprised of seasoned leaders, well-experienced, qualified people and also leaders that have great interest for our country.

“And I can say to you that we can present an alternative government that is more positive in its outlook and also looking at the critical areas that we need to consider to be able to ensure that the development pathway and trajectory of our country moving forward is well-guaranteed.”

Will there be power struggle?

The new coalition contains three former prime ministers, two former deputy prime ministers and a veteran opposition leader who has been reportedly eyeing the PM post.

When posed the question how this cocktail of ambitious high-flyers will be kept under a stable coalition, Mr Lilo said the MPs in his group are held together by the interest of the country despite their individual interests.

“In terms of political theory that is what people will say. I am telling you that these are leaders, and I can assure you that the leadership spirit that is now oozed out of these leaders is one of national interest.

“So, there won’t be any power struggle.

“I’m not talking about the political side of it. I’m putting forward to you that this grouping has shown a very, very strong, decisive, and determined leadership spirit to put the interest of our country, our people, and also the condition of our own country, the economy, the social sector, and all of the infrastructure, real investment has dropped. And you’ll be quite surprised, you know, to see that that’s the kind of addition that we will present.

“So there won’t be any power struggle.”

Confidence of the new coalition to win the motion of no-confidence

Lilo is confident that the new coalition will hold together come Tuesday next week and successful vote PM Manele out.

“The way that I see the situation right now, I can just say to you that these leaders are determined to really disprove all the kind of assessment that has been made.

“And the numbers that we have, as you can see, on the floor on Tuesday [April 29], I can only make reference to that particular situation. There were 25 of us. One is overseas, so that’s 26 like that.

“But for anyone to suggest that the 26 will move, I can confidently say that we are determined to deliver, that there is no confidence on Prime Minister on Tuesday.”

New coalition yet to decide on line-up

Lilo rubbished lists published on media which purport that the new coalition has assigned their members to the various government portfolios for when they come to power.

He said the new coalition is for now focusing on voting out PM Manele on Tuesday next week, and have not deliberated on who will be given which portfolios.

“The only media release from the grouping is what I am doing now. There won’t be any other media release apart from the fact that if we are going to raise some issues to the media, then we will put i out in the media.

“So, those assessments that came out from that particular media release that you are talking about, we are not aware of that. I don’t know where that came out from. So, don’t feed yourself from those kind of outlet.

“Fake news are always around here. So, please stop it now. It could be a propaganda tool.”

Lilo submitted a notice for a motion of no-confidence against Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele on Monday this week.

This followed the resignation of 10 MPs from the government, led by finance minister Manasseh Sogavare earlier that day.

Since the GNUT government was formed after the national general elections last year, this is the second motion of no-confidence against PM Manele, both being moved by Lilo.

The first one, put on notice on December 5 last year, was withdrawn on the floor of parliament by Lilo on December 13 after government MPs who had initially supported it reneged in the 11th hour.

Meanwhile, Wednesday this week, April 30, marks the first anniversary of the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) government.

As of last night, GNUT government reportedly has 23 MPs, while Lilo’s group has 26 MPs.

Lilo is a former prime minister (2011-2014).

The other former prime ministers in the Opposition group are: Mr Sogavare, MP for East Choiseul, who has served four terms (2000-2001, 2006-2007, 2014-2017, and 2019-2024). Rick Hoenipuela, MP for Small Malaita (2017-2019).

The former deputy prime ministers are: Manasseh Maelanga, MP for East Malaita, who held the post three times (2010-2011, 2011-2014, 2019-2024), John Maneniaru, MP of West Are’are who held the DPM post for six months when DCGA formed in April 2019, but was sacked by then-PM Sogavare for abstaining from voting to switch diplomatic ties to China from Taiwan.