SUIDANI: PROPOSED BAN OF FACEBOOK IS NOT THE ANSWER TO PEOPLES’ FRUSTRATIONS

The outspoken Premier of Malaita Province, Daniel Suidani, is amongst the first to blast the government saying the proposed plan to ban Facebook is not the answer to peoples’ frustrations.

 “What will the government achieve by banning face book from the country? So many people included myself cannot see any better reasons to ban the world’s most popular social network from SI,” he said in a statement today.

“It should be plain and clear to the national government and the cabinet that complaints seen on Facebook is a reflection of people’s frustration towards the government. Especially on how the government is running the affairs of the country. It is simple one cannot be his own judge,” said Suidani.

He said the Cabinet needs not to go to Pluto or to the Moon to see why people say the things they said on social media like Facebook.

“People are no longer ignorant of the issues surrounding them and they are frustrated because their concerns have not been listen to. That is the simple truth.

 He continues: “It is not a question of using other media plat forms but rather is the question of how do we ensure we use our responsibilities as leaders in a fairer way to help our people use these platforms more appropriately.”

Suidani said transparency and accountability that leaders have talked so much about is a two-way process and that there is no one way traffic in a democratic society.

“Do not go into public life and make laws and decisions for your own good or for your own protection as is seen with the banning of Facebook. Doing this will only lead to further frustrations.  You can be guaranteed that going against your people only leads to failures.

“It is time the leaders and especially the government learn to listen to our people and address the issues raised and discussed on the many local Facebook pages. Times have change and the demand for change in leadership attitude and style is real. That is really the call for us leaders of today,” he said.

Minister of Communication and Aviation Peter Shanel Agovaka who is responsible for communication has confirmed that the Cabinet had agreed to ban Facebook others say it is not a ban but a suspension.