Solomons People's Alliance Party formally withdraws support for Opposition team

The People's Alliance Party (PAP) has formally withdrawn its support from the Parliamentary Opposition.

A meeting of more than 20 PAP supporters and Parliamentary Wing leader, North-west Choiseul MP Clement Kengava on Saturday unanimously agreed on PAP's withdrawal.

A statement from the party says other PAP MPs including former Prime Minister Sir Allan Kemakeza, North Vella La Vella MP Milner Tozaka and the MP for Shortlands Augustine Taneko were absent from the meeting.

The meeting agreed that PAP, the longest surviving political part in the country, has withdrawn because it was not functioning since the riots of April 2006.

The meeting also resolved that PAP would remain neutral of both the government and the opposition.

PAP supporters say the leadership of the Opposition was a non issue because they believe the opposition leader, Fred Fono has been doing a good job.

The meeting also agreed the party was not interested in taking over the leadership of the Independent group in parliament which is an ally of the opposition.

The meeting elected a seven member interim executive committee, headed by the president of the former PAP executive, James Mekab.

Source: SIBC