Political Reviews The Region in Review: International Issues and Events, 2011 nic maclellan Melanesia in Review: Issues and Events, 2011 david chappell, jon fraenkel, gordon leua nanau, howard van trease, muridan s widjojo The Contemporary Pacic, Volume 24, Number 2, 359–431 © 2012 by University of Hawai‘i Press 359 political reviews • melanesia 407 rmol, Rakyat Merdeka Online. aging events and decisions are high- http://www.rakyatmerdekaonline.com/ lighted in this review as well. Political Script Survei Indonesia. developments throughout 2011 again http://scriptintermedia.com/ confirmed the adage that in Solomon Islands politics “anything is possible.” Suara Merdeka (Voice of Freedom). Daily. After the national general elections Jakarta. Online at http://suaramerdeka .com/ and the election of the prime minis- ter in late 2010, the ruling National Suara Pembaruan (Voice of Renewal). Coalition for Rural Advancement Daily. Jakarta. Online at http://www (ncra) and the official Opposition .suarapembaruan.com/ were closely matched in terms of Tabloid Jubi Online: An Alternative membership strength. For instance, Media in Tanah Papua. at one point in February 2011, http://www.tabloidjubi.com/ then-Opposition leader Steve Abana tempo.co. Indonesian weekly magazine. claimed that the two sides were even, http://www.tempo.co/ at 24–24 (sibc, 3 Feb 2011), but there were uncertainties over the real tempo Interaktif. http://www .tempointeraktif.com/ allegiances of some members of Parlia- ment. Prime Minister Danny Philip vivanews.com. http://www.vivanews.com/ and his advisers were very tactful in Voice of America. http://www.voanews maneuvering through this volatile .com/ environment after the 2010 elections. Even as citizens anticipated an imme- West Papua’s People’s National Recon- ciliation Team. 2011. Press conference, diate fall of government, new minis- 22 August. ters from the Opposition side of the House were sworn in to replace those who defected. The first sign of a crack in the Philip-led ncra government appeared Solomon Islands when Minister for Forestry Bodo Like the preceding year, 2011 was Dettke was relieved of his portfolio. It politically intense for Solomon Islands, was alleged that Dettke was overseas marred by political instability and when his sacking was announced, and the actions of citizens frustrated over he protested, asserting that he had leadership neglect of pertinent issues. been sacked for ordering the seizure The year’s most dramatic events were of logs from mv Pacific Banghu in related to the ongoing and never- the Western Province a few months ending “musical-chairs politics” of earlier. Despite that assertion, people National Parliament. Moreover, there felt that his initial appointment as was a change in the leadership of minister for forestry had bordered the ruling government. Also notable on a conflict of interest, as he owns were the activities of nongovernment the Success Logging Company (The organizations and civil society groups Age, 1 Sept 2010). Nevertheless his in pursuit of a better life and services ministerial appointment had gone for Solomon Islanders. Some encour- through, along with those of some 408 the contemporary pacific • 24:2 (2012) other newly elected members of Parlia- which was highly controversial and ment of questionable character. These received an immediate rebuttal from included Jimmy Lusibaea, a former the Australian government. This militant who was then facing murder “secret intelligence report” suggested charges; Mark Kemakeza, who has that the Australian Labor Government an unresolved case of abuse of funds was behind moves to topple the ncra for fisheries projects in his constitu- and that their choice for prime minis- ency; and Snyder Rini, the short-lived ter was Opposition member Matthew prime minister ousted by popular riots Wale. It further alleged that Australia in 2006 over corruption allegations. promised a reward of si$200,000 to Their appointments as ministers made each government member of Parlia- the initial formation of ncra some- ment who would cross the floor. what unpopular. Moreover, it claimed that Australia The “musical chairs” in Parlia- had set aside si$20 million in in-kind ment continued into the first half and monetary support to the Opposi- of 2011. While the government and tion for this cause (ISN, 8 Feb 2011). Opposition were matched in numeri- The Australian government and the cal strength, Prime Minister Philip coordinator of the Regional Assistance kept the country in suspense and Mission to Solomon Islands (ramsi), delayed the parliamentary sitting until who were both implicated in the March. Meanwhile, the prime minister report, strongly denied the allegations, seemed to have been having difficul- and in Canberra, the Solomon Islands ties in appointing ministers to head high commissioner was summoned to vacant ministries. His special secretary, explain the basis of the report (sto, Andrew Muaki, responded to this and 9 Feb 2011). Wale ultimately sued the delayed sitting by saying that “the Sasako; the court held him partly four vacant ministries have already accountable for the report, and on 24 been filled up by acting ministers” November 2011 he was ordered to (pina, 3 Feb 2011). When six govern- pay si$5,000 in nominal damage plus ment ministers moved to the Opposi- costs to Wale (SSN, 28 Nov 2011). tion, the Philip-led government nearly Security continued to be a national collapsed, but the insecurity was concern throughout the year, espe- rectified by a countermovement of six cially when the government and Opposition members of Parliament to ramsi broached the topic of a transi- the government camp. By April 2011 tional phase for the regional interven- Prime Minister Philip had a majority tion project. Rumors about ramsi’s to rule at least for a little longer. eventual exit have been floating Besides having to live with numeri- around for a number of years, but in cal uncertainty, a string of allega- December 2011, the cabinet endorsed tions of corruption and use of insider a plan that laid the foundations for information did not improve the what will be the gradual drawdown ncra’S negative image. For instance, of ramsi’s presence in the country. there was the so-called Intel Report Tasks regarded as outstanding from by the prime minister’s press secretary the work of ramsi will be redesigned and veteran journalist Alfred Sasako, and channeled through normal Aus- political reviews • melanesia 409 AID and NZAid activities. Ultimately, less, the cabinet has authorized the funding that comes under ramsi Police Response Team to use nonlethal will decrease, since tasks will now be weapons to practice and deal with handled under bilateral arrangements public disorder situations (sibc, 8 (sto, 6 Dec 2011). Earlier in the year, March 2012). a leaked cable revealed the United Constitutional reform efforts and States diplomatic assessment that processes also featured throughout ramsi had failed to establish stability 2011. The Constitutional Congress in the country and had wasted at least and the Eminent Persons Advisory a billion dollars of Australian taxpay- Council, who are responsible for ers’ money. The cable claimed that ensuring that the draft constitution Solomon Islands would relapse into undergoes a thorough consultative turmoil as soon as ramsi left (sto, process, met during the year. Reports 30 Aug 2011). Despite this negative coming from the Prime Minister’s view, many Solomon Islanders have Office indicated that the process for appreciated the efforts of ramsi so far, the draft to reach Parliament is on and there was an air of unease on the schedule. Since the consultations announcement of ramsi’s transition involve a lot of money in the form and ultimate withdrawal. of imprests (ie, advances or loans Another major issue that drew of money), the Ministry of Finance public debate was that of rearming offered a workshop in July to educate the police force. This debate has been provincial and Honiara City Council ongoing since ramsi’s intervention team leaders on the financial pro- began in 2003. Police rearmament is cesses regarding the standing imprest a national security concern because arrangements. This is to ensure that the police force was compromised team leaders properly account for during the Guadalcanal tensions. In money they use to carry out the last 2007, then–Prime Minister Manasseh stages of their constitutional reform Sogavare had to back down from his consultations (ISN, 13 July 2011). plans to rearm police because of heavy Choiseul province held its Provincial criticism from trade unions, churches, Convention on the draft constitu- and Australia (sibc, 26 Feb 2011). In tion late in 2011, and the other nine a recent statement after riots on the provinces and Honiara city will do day of his election as prime minister, the same in 2012. It is anticipated that Gordon Darcy Lilo announced that a national convention on the draft rearmament of the police would take constitution will take place in the lat- place but that it would be approached ter part of 2012 before a final draft is cautiously (sto, 16 Jan 2012). Soga- submitted to the cabinet for endorse- vare welcomed the announcement, as ment and to Parliament for a decision it confirmed his earlier attempt, but at the end of 2012. another former member of Parliament, Women in leadership, especially the Peter Boyers, expressed the opinion idea of reserved parliamentary seats that police officers would not be ready for women, also gained prominence in for rearmament for another six to ten 2011. Although an attempt by female years (sto, 13 Jan 2012). Neverthe- candidates in 2010 to gain seats in 410 the contemporary pacific • 24:2 (2012) the national Parliament was unsuc- Dec 2011). Although nothing spe- cessful, women leaders felt that they cial was mentioned about this new learned something from that experi- relationship, the respective countries’ ence. Permanent Secretary for Women, ambassadors to the United Nations Youth, Children and Family Affairs expressed optimism that the rela- Ethel Sigimanu commented that tionship will grow from strength to women should have reached as many strength and evolve for mutual benefit.