Transcript
Manasseh Sogavare's government tabled the long anticipated anti-corrution bill in parliament shortly before the vote of no-confidence. He lost that vote only by a slim majority. But the core of his government remained intact and was joined by several others from the opposition, including Rick Hou, for Wednesday's election of a new prime minister.
Rick Hou, the Small Malaita MP, was selected by parliament 33 votes to 16 over the other candidate, Central Honiara MP John Moffat Fugui. Addressing parliament as the new prime minister, Mr Hou noted the huge demand by Solomon Islanders to see the passage of the Anti-Corruption Bill.
"Corruption has caused inefficiencies in operations, it has undermined public trust in government, and it has exhausted public resources and money as well as causing injustice through advantaging a few at the expense of many. It has robbed vital resources from our schools and hospitals. I assure this nation that my administration will deliver this important legislation and we are committed in ensuring its implementation before the end of the 10th Parliament."
The chairperson of Transparency International Solomon Islands, Ruth Liloqula, welcomed Mr Hou's elevation to the role.He previously faced a leadership code charge regarding alleged misuse of constituency funds. But Ms Liloqula says that as Central Bank governor before entering parliament, Mr Hou often highlighted how Solomon Islands public money was wasted.
"Mostly spent on wasted efforts not really achieving much, or indirectly where it's just not being used for the things that it should be used for so yeah, the choice is good. Most people here in the Solomons are happy with the outcome of the election and his stand on fighting corruption."
She says Mr Hou should be given the benefit of the doubt about his stated intention to have the legislation passed.
"Maybe there is a turnaround in our politicians. Maybe we're seeing the start of the turn from what used to be the diverters, for their own interests, now to thinking about the country. So we are hopeful and we will be monitoring what's going on."
Peter Shanel, who is expected to remain the Communications and Aviation Minister, says the new prime minister has useful connections from his experience at the World Bank, which will help in the country's aid relationships.
"Lately we have not been having a good relationship with our aid partners. Our previous Finance Minister (Snyder Rini) was not open to these people, the aid donors, particularly like the World Bank and Asian Development Bank and the EU. But with Rick there we will perhaps be able to build the relationship back."
The new cabinet line-up is to expected be revealed in the coming days, with Mr Sogavare likely to be made deputy prime minister in a sign of his continuing influence on government.
