By Geoff Kakaramo
Umi Solomon Islanders, we must be careful with the words “National Interest.” It is a noble phrase. But noble words can be misused by olgeta MPs and our leaders whose actions are anything but ” not soo Noble”.
Today our country is at crossroads and we hear “National Interest”, being used to defend political decisions, shifting alliances, questionable appointments, AGs salary, lack of consultation, on going self-interest, questionable deals, silence in the face of wrongdoing, and the protection of political interests. But let us ask plainly: Is it really the “National Interest”—or is it the interest of the Politicians, the political camps, the wantok networks, the fear of the SP games investigations., the 33 shipment or the next election? Our people are not fools and karange ia olgeta MPs!.
The ordinary Solomon Islanders sitting in the villages, at the markets, on the buses, at the wharfs, in the offices, or listening to Parliament understands what is happening. They may not speak loudly in Honiara, they may not speak loudly in Sikaiana nor in Shorthands but they see. They hear. They remember. They suffer! They see MPs who speak about the “National Interest” while protecting themselves.
They see MPs who preach accountability but become defensive when questioned about accountability. They see MPs who condemn corruption when it involves their opponents but become strangely quiet when it touches their own circle. They see political loyalty being rewarded while competence is pushed aside. They see public resources treated as though they belong to the MPs in power and their Associates. And then they are told: “These are in the National Interest”, my karange!! Enough and Nafu nao!!!.
The “National Interest” is not a magic phrase that makes bad leadership good. It cannot be used to wash away corruption. It cannot hide deceit. It cannot turn selfishness into patriotism. It cannot turn incompetence into good leadership. And it certainly cannot be used to silence the people who elected these MPs in the first place. Moreover, there is a particular danger in our Solomons Political Culture when wantokism, dishonesty, reciprocity, political loyalty and foreign influence, become confused with “Public Duty”.
We understand relationships. We understand relatives, frens and our wantok system. We understand our social obligations. We understand helping our wantoks. These are deeply rooted in our Melanesian society and our culture. BUT Parliament is not a wantok house nor a house blo olgeta relatives & frens blo umi nomoa ia!!!. The government is not a private “garden”. The national purse is not political self-serving compensation insurance agency or self-serving charitable fund.
When an MP enters Parliament, the obligation is NO LONGER only to the people who helped put them there. The obligation is to Solomon Islands as a whole—including the people who did not vote for them. That is what “Political Maturity” looks like and should be. A mature leader can say, “I was wrong.” A mature leader can accept scrutiny. A mature leader can disagree without becoming childish and being stubborn. A mature leader can lose political advantage and still choose what is right for the country.
A mature leader does not need to hide behind “National Interest” because their conduct already demonstrates it. And this is where Solomon Islanders must become much more discerning!. Do not judge our leaders by the “speeches” they make. Judge them by the “decisions” they make when nobody is watching. Judge them by how they handle public money. Judge them by who benefits from their decisions. Judge them by whether they strengthen institutions or weaken them. Judge them by whether they protect the “public interest” or their political survival. Judge them by whether they serve all their constituents or a few!.
Our country has been independent for over 4 decades. Our political thinking must also grow. We cannot continue rewarding childish political behaviour and then complain that the country is not progressing We cannot continue confusing political survival with leadership. We cannot continue accepting “National Interest” as a political shield for self-interest and corruption. Solomon Islanders deserves better. Our children deserve better. Our Provinces deserve better. Our communities deserve better. And ordinary Solomon Islanders—who carry the real burden when government fails—deserve leaders who understand one simple truth: – “Public office is Not for personal Ownership. It is Stewardship” Power is not Entitlement. It is “Responsibility and Accountability”. And “National Interest” is not what a politician says it is!.
The “National Interest” is what protects; the dignity, the resources, the future and the wellbeing of Solomon Islands and its people. Anything less is NOT leadership. Any less is self-serving, Anything less is corruption and anything less is abuse of power and public trust
Note -about the Author – Geoff Kakaramo, is a former International Adviser with RAMSI from 2005 to 2012 & now an International Entrepreneur who owned & have estabished businesses in both Solomon Islands and Australia
