Suidani raises concern on engagement of PRT officers in Auki launching today

Former Premier of Malaita Province Daniel Suidani has expressed grave concern on the engagement of Police Response Team (PRT) to provide security for caretaker Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare for OUR Party’s launching in Auki today.

Speaking from Auki this morning Suidani said the presence of PRT officers in Auki has raised eyebrow amongst Malaitans.

He adds this sends a wrong signal to Malaitans and how they are perceived by Sogavare.

Suidani points out that party leaders from the CARE Coalition, UMI4Change and today Our Party have also launched their campaigns in Auki and without security from the PRT.

Suidani said the presence of PRT officers in Auki will discourage Malaitans from raising issues of concern directly to the OUR Party leader.

“Our people will be afraid to speak directly and ask questions to Sogavare because of the PRT officers,” he said.

Suidani said the best thing would be for the OUR Party leader to go to Auki just like any other leaders and directly engage with the people of Malaita.

“I am not happy when he uses state resources for the benefit of his party in Malaita,” he said.

Suidani said also today in Auki, United Party will launch in Malaita without any PRT officers.

“This is what we want. We want to listen to the party leaders and engage freely and not to be protected by PRT officers,” said the former premier of Malaita.

When contacted this morning, the RSIPF Media Unit says though it is an OUR Party launching, Sogavare is still the caretaker Prime Minister and still has the right to police security, if that is requested.