Several news articles published in the local Solomon Islands media today, Tuesday, relating to the use of the media, corruption, and respect for authority have combined and brought me to respond to what the Hon Prime Minister had to say at Tenakoga Form 6 graduation ceremony last Sunday.
Prime Minister Sogavare generally expressed his concern as what he described as a lack of respect for authority and for each other in the country.
Over the past 24 years of close association and observation of happenings in the Solomon Islands in particular, but also regionally and globally, I have to say that I have often felt dismayed by changes in values, principles of faith, and a lack of support for the ideals of society I was brought up to know and still hold dear.
It is true to say that some academics have witnessed that the importance of respecting authority has fallen since the beginning of the 20th century.
I guess I remain as one that shares in authority based morality, which prizes duty, deference, and social order. It abhors those who show disrespect and disobedience, I also believe in fairness-based morality, which stands in opposition to authority-based morality. One who judges right and wrong using values of equality, impartiality and tolerance, and disdains bias and prejudice.
I can agree with the Prime Minister that some press reporting, particularly of late in the Solomon islands has heightened polarization of the population and has tended to be a set back to the gains of reconciliation and nation building very much still needed after the tragic and wasted years of civil, internal conflict.
I am on record as having said I have been horrified by gender based violence which has seen growing numbers of violent sexual offences against women and children. Purity based morality, rooted in sanctity, purity and piety must get greater church attention. The courts too must play their part in bringing down greater punishment of convicted sexual offenders, especially on those convicted of rape of women, child rape and incest.
Of late many communities have drawn up and implemented community by-laws which I hope will bring about a reduction in community law and order problems, but also bring back the respect for tribal chiefs and elders.
Youth groups have formed civil community partnerships aimed at fostering community-based projects aimed at curbing social disturbances, environmental protection and conservation and partnerships.
I wish all those youth associations and groups, but all youths working individually for the betterment of their lives, communities, and the nation, could be identified and guided, supported and coordinated by a government-led administration. Some youths I know are spending their own money to coordinate and develop youth initiatives but feel left out and unseen by both the national and provincial administrations.
I am too often disappointed by what I perceive as lip service to the needs of the 60,000 people with disabilities in the community. Indeed I perceive a degree of stigma to the rights and needs of disabled people. I have tried to help in many ways but now frail in age and health, I would hope those agencies and development partners’ friends of the Solomon Islands will take up the causes that a simple “lifting of the lid” would soon uncover and remedy. I have in mind all those in need of help suffering from lack of mobility, such as those awaiting prosthetic limbs, those needing wheel chairs, hearing aids, spectacles, and awaiting legislation to provide for their rights and physical access to premises.
Since 1997 I have thought of one country and all the citizens of one country – the Solomon Islands – and done my utmost for all. Now, I please request those that can to carry the torch to assist national unity, respect for each other, for authority, and for the less fortunate in society.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
