Suidani respond to nine Malaita MPs
"They have seen fit to label my call for a referendum illegal as if they were the court."
Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani lashed out the statement made by the nine Parliament Members of Malaita province saying the the call for referendum is unlawful.
In a statement, Premier Suidani says, the statement clearly undermines the separation of powers, a principle deeply entrenched in our democracy.
Mr Suidani says, the MPs would have been spared the legal blunder if they took time and talk to the people.
He says, the court is responsible to give decision whether the call for referendum is unlawful but not the nine MPs.
“Firstly, it is not for the MPs to judge whether an act is unlawful, but for the courts. It appears that the 9 Malaita DCGA MPs have taken over the responsibility of the courts (Judiciary) in interpreting the law. They have seen fit to label my call for a referendum illegal as if they were the court.”
Meanwhile, Premier Suidani says, a referendum is unlawful because the Provincial Government Act does not make a provision for “a referendum” does not mean it is illegal.
He adds, any referendum in the Solomon Islands can be seen as a survey- a legitimate action for any government or non-government organization to carry out.