BY ALEX DADAMU
Leaders of the Honiara-based Malaitans group who are behind yesterday’s proposed protest are working to resubmit another Petition to the office of the Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and government today, Tuesday,10 August.
Speaking to the huge crowd of people claiming to support the petition on Monday, spokesperson and one of the Leaders of the group, Lawrence Makili explain that the first petition which was submitted to the Prime Minister two weeks ago have some technical errors and said they are working to correct those errors and resubmit the petition.
Makili explained that the reason why the Office of the Prime Minister did not make a response to the earlier petition was because they technically fail to include important information as to who will the Government respond to.
“We must do things proper and will put our names in that petition so that they respond to us, the organizing group. We’ll put our signatories in the petition and resubmit it,” Makili said.
Another spokesman for the group, Knoxley Atu told the crowd gathered at Kukum Market area that petition will be resubmitted through the office of the Commissioner of Police who will then submit it over the Government.
Atu confirmed that the petition lacked proper contacts and address thus it will be added when they resubmit the petition today, Tuesday, August 10, 2021.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in his nationwide address Monday reminded the nation that public assembly and public procession is not allowed during this State of Public Emergency.
“I would like to call on all good people of Solomon Islands not to take the law into their own hands. Let us all respect our laws and do things lawfully as provided for under our laws. Solomon Islands is our country, Honiara is our city, let us all work together for a safe, peaceful and secure future, for ourselves, our children and their children,” Prime Minister Sogavare said.
Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau on Monday also strongly advise the people not to join the protest.
“The planned protest was illegal under the Procession Act and the current State of Public Emergency Regulation. RSIPF will not tolerate such illegal activities that threatens Public Safety and National Security. The Police is on top of the situation and have advice the organisers not to progress with any protest whatsoever,” Commissioner Mangau said through a statement.
It was reported that the huge crowd that gathered after hours of negotiations with the police and group leaders dispersed from the Kukum market area at around 6: 30 pm.
