OPINION – By the board of Transparency Vanuatu
PORT VILA: "The scandalous physical attack (a crime under Vanuatu’s Penal Code) on the Daily Post publisher, Marc Neil-Jones, allegedly instigated by the Minister of Public Works, Harry Iauko Iaris – the latest in a line of reported accusations of unwise or 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 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 Vanuatu. As a minister of State, Mr Iauko represents the whole country, not just his own small group of voters.
"If the Sato 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 witnessing the sickening display of gang of undisciplined brutes …" - Pacific Scoop/Pacific Media Watch
Read the full statement by Transparency Vanuatu
Read these news items and others on Pacific Media Centre Online:
www.pmc.aut.ac.nz
Transparency Vanuatu’s view
IFJ joins Pacific condemnation
Daily Post publisher fears inaction after assault
Newspaper publisher to press for dismissal of minister
Pacific media condemn minister ‘and his thugs’
Publisher vows to press assault charges against minister
Daily Post (March 5) front page report of the attack on the newspaper
Pacific Media Watch
