MINISTER REFUSES SUIDANI’S PLEA FOR MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENTS

The Minister for Provincial Governments and Institutional Strengthening, Hon. Rollen Seleso has refused to formally appoint new ministers following their nominations by Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani.

A government statement confirmed, Suidani nominated seven members of the Malaita Provincial Assembly on 13 September to replace those that resigned from his MARA Executive early this month.

In a letter to the Premier on September 24, Minister Seleso informed Premier Suidani that he will not be making the appointments for three reasons.

“First, the letter from Suidani advising the Minister of the nominations was made purportedly by Suidani himself on 14th September when he was outside of the Country and in accordance with the advice of the Attorney-General, the Premier does not possess the power to make those appointments whilst out of the Country. Suidani only arrived in the country on 17th September.

The second reason is that Minister Seleso is in receipt of letters from two MPAs including Hon. Jimmy Rerehe and Hon. Martin Mae stated their refusal to be appointed as Ministers,” the statement said.  

Since then Minister Seleso has not received any subsequent letter revoking their revocations.

“The third reason is that the Minister has been advised by the Attorney-General that Premier Suidani has commenced proceedings in the High Court against himself for failing to make the appointments,” the statement explained. 

It added, although Minister Seleso has not been served with Court Documents, the commencement of those legal proceedings may prohibit him from making any appointments whilst it is before the Courts.

Apart from the matter being “sub-judice”, there is also a legal question surrounding Suidani’s presence in Quarantine renders him as “absent from office” and whether his “absence from office” qualifies him to advise the Minister to make those appointments.