Duran Angiki wrote from Mid North Coast NSW, Australia:
In my years as a working journalist in Solomon Islands, I was privileged to interview, socialize and meet political, church and community leaders at personal and professional levels. And also listened, reported and appreciated some of their challenges, successes, achievements and failures in life. But I have never come across a person with many contradictions in life like Alfred Sasako.
For the public record, Sasako is amongst few journalists from Solomon Islands, who have made names for themselves in the mainstream media in the Pacific Islands region - before tragically becoming a politician.
In a developing nation like Solomon Islands, with very little choices of potential candidates for national leadership role, one would have hoped that with Sasako's very impressive professional background and international exposure, compared to his colleagues then in parliament, he would be a potential candidate for national leadership and even a good role model for other national leaders. Oh....how wrong I was - he became a tragic story.
I guess this is where the story begins and ends. Now it is time for you to know that some of us, who are keenly observing and hoping that politics in Solomon Islands will turn for the better, are not only flabbergasted, but disappointed, by the hypocrisy and contradictions of your ongoing media commentaries about politics, leadership, governance, accountability and transparency, ethical and moral standards.
Alfred - there is no point of trying to divert public attention from the real issues of your sideline expert analysis and advice, especially your recent ones against having a Malaitan or Guale as Prime Minister, while trying to put a positive-spin in favor of the former government legal battle to prolong the scheduling of parliament, in order for a minority government to remain in power.
No one can easily forget your media barraging of both former Prime Ministers, Alan Kemakeza for corrupt practices, and Manasseh Sogavare for abuse of power, dictatorship and sourcing direction from fortune tellers in his leadership and decision making. Sadly in both cases, you joined them as a Minister and as a Media Consultant.
As a Minister of State Assisting the Prime Minister in 1998, during the beginning of the ethnic tension in Solomon Islands, you labeled the ethnic conflict as: "A storm in a tea-cup". Your storm in a tea-cup was spilled all-over the table and crashed the nation of Solomon Islands and condemned it to oblivion.
You were once a major player as a former minister in two governments- flirting from one political grouping to another in search of a ministerial opportunity. In both cases, you got them.
Alfred - there are countless cases of your political leadership life-style and ceaseless media commentaries on issues of good governance, accountability, transparency and anti-corruption that are miles away from your real life.
(Signed)
Duran Puia Ma'ungasua Angiki
Response to Sasako
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this letter are those of Duran Angiki and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Solomon Times Online.
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