MUSICAL CHAIR POLITICS AT STAKE

THE MUSICAL chair politics in the Solomon Islands is on its feet again. Recently, the crossing over of the trio MPs to the government side has prompted concern as to why and how does Members of Parliament (MPs) move freely forth and back from the opposition to the government side when there is an integrity bill in placed unless it is rectified by the bill.

For the MPs, the crossing over to the government side or vice versa is for the goodness of the people and the nation as they will suggest, while for others it is “POLITICKING “, or for self-interest.

 

The grass hopping of MPs from the opposition side to the government or vice versa is owed largely to the infusion of many hidden agendas. It may be for some unforeseen reasons perchance good or bad- It may engender on the issues of nepotism, wantok system or islandism, favoritism or misappropriation of funding`s, who knows!

Historically, the governments that have been formed have always accommodated the “musical chair”  or grass hopping politics if you like. Having said that, in the Solomon Islands, it has becoming a norm that within any ruling government all proper financial proceedings  can be over ridden by political will whether it is in the best interest of the people, nation or not.

Dr. Gordon Nanau, a politics lecturer at the University of the South Pacific once revealed that the instability within SI government is also the cause of the never-ending musical chair politics of the national parliament.

The lately crossing over of the MPs might portray appalling picture on the current government, hence, citizens’ trust and welfare  on the current DCC government might be in jeopardy.

In addition, the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) or what the current DCC government termed as “ PEOPLES` BUDGET”, have generate high expectation from rural-urban people. But who knows, the crossing over of the trio MPs might be numerically attached to the peoples` budget funds or not let`s wait and see!

Furthermore, the CDF are not used for its intended purpose, as there is other personal and political demand to attend to by the Politicians. This creates major instabilities in the government as it has proven the major reasons for MPs tripping over to the government side to the opposition or vice versa.

A political science scholar Derick Mane divulged that the crossing over of MPs are politics of patronage- Politicians worry more of their voters than issues of this nation.

Mane furthers that MPs switch to where they can find sources to sustain their voters for the next election. 

The trio political figures that moved over to their current political benches are eyeballed and will be criticized by the opposition groups and their constituents if their performance and tasks as MPs are not fulfilled.

The numerical attachment of the MPs moving forth and back is an alarming issue requiring an in-depth probing. Should there be a bill or the recent marionette integrity bill to address these musical chair politics will be of importance.

It is unclear whether the crossing floor of the MPs emanates from the reasons of self-serving. The question boils down to what is the stand of the integrity bill. Is the integrity bill still enforced?