TV calls on Vanuatu PM to punish Minister Iauko [1]
Wednesday, March 9, 2011 - 13:10. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
THE scandalous physical attack (a crime under Vanuatus Penal Code) on the Daily Post publisher instigated by the Minister of Public Works, Harry Iauko Iaris, the latest in a line of reported unwise or allegedly corrupt actions by the Minister, is definitive proof that Iauko is totally unfit to hold any public office, let alone a leadership position.
It is clear from the "Letters to the Editor" that the conduct of this Minister,
whose daily life is paid for from public funds, is a shameful embarrassment
to the people of this country. As a minister of State, Mr. Iauko represents
the whole country not just his own small group of voters.
If the Kilman government wants to retain any serious credibility, swift and
decisive sanctions will need to be taken against Minister Iauko.
Instead of the political maturity that we should have the right to expect
from our Government Ministers 30 years after Independence, we are
instead witnessing the sickening display of a gang of undisciplined brutes,
reportedly urged on by a State Minister who swore the following oath:
I Harry Iauko Iaris, having been elected a member of Parliament do swear that I will
bear true faith and allegiance to the Republic of Vanuatu, will uphold the Constitution
and the law, and will conscientiously and impartially discharge the responsibilities to
the people of the Republic of Vanuatu upon which I am about to enter. [So help me
God]"
MP Iauko is in his position to serve the public, not help himself to
whatever he wants, either for himself or for his political cronies, and
certainly not to assault people who are doing their normal job of reporting
local politics.
Have any of the serious allegations raised in the media against Minister
Iauko been shown to be wrong? Minister Iauko has the same recourse to
the Letters to the Editor page, or to make his own Media Release, or in
extreme cases to the defamation laws just like any other citizen if he
believes he is being unfairly represented.
Ironically, it is not the medias portrayal of Minister Iauko that is
diminishing his reputation it is, especially after this latest incident, his
own behavior.
In the private sector Iauko would have been sacked immediately for such
outrageous and embarrassing conduct, and would likely find it very difficult
to be hired again in any position of authority or decision-making, especially
concerning money or other assets.
However, the volatile and unstable nature of Vanuatu politics will make it
difficult for the Prime Minister to do what should be done without question.
Instead, if the past political maneuverings are any guide, embarrassing
and incapable Ministers like Iauko will most likely find a way to survive, will
somehow concoct some back room deal to stay alive politically.
The last thing Vanuatu needs 30 years after Independence, when other
political leaders are talking about "maturity", is an undisciplined thug
turning the clock back to earlier times by leading a gang of "bully boys"
into a newspaper publishers office, where reportedly attempts were made
to strangle and beat him.
If Harry Iauko has any plans to continue in politics he had better get used
to media comment and media criticism. And certainly if he plans to
continue to respond to any unwelcome criticism by violent criminal attacks
then he had better brace himself for the barrage of criticism that will most
certainly follow. This act of criminal thuggery against the Daily Post
publisher is a dark stain that will not easily leave Iaukos personal or
political reputation.
Not only are Minister Iaukos actions a blatant breach of the Leadership
Code, which should disqualify him from Parliament, they are serious
criminal offences under the Vanuatu Penal Code.
Is Minister Iauko so deluded that he believes people will sit meekly and
quietly as they read more and more reports of how he has engineered
schemes designed to permit him and his political cronies to plunder public
funds or public assets (land deals, compensation payments of huge
amounts of monies, etc..).
Mr Iauko wants to be thought of as a "big man". He claims to be the real
leader of the Vanuaku Party. He has apparently made it clear he intends
to be Prime Minister. In fact Iaukos petulant tantrum is the action of
someone angry at being repeatedly exposed in the media for his
allegedly unscrupulous and corrupt actions, tired of reading the letters to
the editor outlining how the ordinary public are sick and tired of his
reckless, greedy and self-serving actions.
This weak and entirely disproportionate action by the Minister of Public
Works should be utterly condemned. Condemned by the Government.
Condemned by the Opposition.
Leadership is not only about respecting the law; it is about setting an
example worthy of following.
Transparency Vanuatu condemns the actions of the Minister of Public
Works, Harry Iauko Iaris, for his central part in the criminal assault on the
Daily Post Newspaper.
Transparency Vanuatu calls on the Prime Minister to sanction Iauko
without delay, and calls on the Police to ensure that the publishers
criminal charge against Minister Iauko does not join the many other
complaints that have simply been swept under the carpet like the assaults
of Mark Neil Jones by Christopher Emelle family and Jackson Noal, the
latter now being a senior executive in the Police. Transparency Vanuatu, 07/03/11.