Reshuffle is avoidance, not accountable: Wale

The Leader of Opposition Hon. Matthew Wale has condemned the Prime Minister’s decision to reshuffle Minister Vokia, describing the move as weak leadership and a betrayal of public trust.

“Is this the discipline the Prime Minister promised the nation? After all the talk, all that has happened is a quiet reshuffle, as though nothing serious occurred. This is not discipline. This is weak leadership,” Hon. Wale said.

Hon. Wale said the facts surrounding Minister Vokia’s dealings with the controversial SI Group violated government processes and placed the country at serious risk.

“What took place was clear insubordination. The Minister acted behind the Cabinet, behind the Caucus, and behind the Prime Minister. 

These are not minor breaches. Such actions undermine the very foundation of government,” Hon. Wale said.

“Further, the decision made by Vokia opened the door for a foreign entity of questionable legitimacy to gain influence in national affairs. 

That is a direct threat to the sovereignty and integrity of this country. Any Minister who exposes Solomon Islands to that level of danger must be removed, not quietly reassigned,” Hon. Wale added.

Hon. Wale questioned the logic behind the reshuffle.

“If nothing wrong was done, then why was the reshuffle necessary? But if the actions were indeed as serious as reported, why has there been no dismissal? Are Solomon Islanders now accepting that breaching Cabinet authority and exposing the country to foreign risks carries no real consequences?” Hon. Wale asked.

Turning to the wider fallout, Hon. Wale also called out what he described as a blatant double standard.

“It is deeply troubling that a senior staff member was sacked for simply carrying out ministerial instructions, while the Minister who issued those instructions remains a Minister. One standard applied to staff, and another to Ministers?” Hon. Wale said.

The Opposition Leader said the Prime Minister’s response reflects indecisiveness and weak leadership, both of which corrode good governance.

“Politics has once again triumphed over principle. The reshuffle does not restore confidence. It further erodes trust and deepens public cynicism,” Hon. Wale said.

Hon. Wale added that the Opposition’s warnings, both during the debate on the Special Economic Zones Bill and again last week, continue to be ignored.

“It was made clear that the SEZ framework lacked basic safeguards and was wide open to exploitation by unscrupulous investors. 

“That warning has been proven true. Last week’s warning, that a reshuffle would not amount to real discipline, has also now come true,” Hon. Wale said.

Hon. Wale concluded by urging the Prime Minister to put the national interest first.

“This is a complete failure of leadership. The Prime Minister has chosen to protect power instead of protecting the nation. 

“By refusing to act decisively, the Prime Minister has betrayed the trust of the people and undermined the integrity of his own office. Above all self-interest, the interest of Solomon Islands and its people must come first,” Hon. Wale concluded.

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Opposition statement