Party politics encourages ‘Minority Rules’

Globally, the basic principle of democracy is ‘Majority Rules’. However, in the Cook Islands a different definition of democracy is practiced and is increasingly dividing the people of the Cook Islands into many pieces. A trend that many want to stop but how?

The Cook Islands uniquely re-defined democracy on the 24th December 2009, when it introduced its ‘Tight Five’, now ‘Sexy Six’ concept of running the country. As for the remaining 18 Members of Parliament, the Marurai style of governance took them all by surprise. No one foresaw what was going to happen, especially when William Heather (Junior), Wilkie Rasmussen and Apii Piho had previously made a stand to Marurai’s style of leadership; moaning and groaning about Sir Terepai Maoate. Who would have thought that Marurai, after being challenged by the ‘trio’ for his Prime Ministership, would forgive them so quickly and find them worthy of being re-instated into his administration?
There have been many criticisms about Prime Minister Jim Marurai but no one has asked him publicly, the question, why is being Prime Minister so important to him? Maybe it is time to ask him that very question and many other questions to understand the Marurai Mindset.
Gaining ‘Prime Ministership’ by a simple default in 2004 and again in 2006 is a result of Marurai’s ability to be strategic and align himself in a timely fashion, with appropriate individuals or groups when the time arises. The guy is a ‘Strategist’ that no one can outsmart. Time and time again, Marurai has proven his ability to outplay his veteran politicians, as well as those who are fairly new on the block of Politics. He has become untouchable. So why has he become untouchable? Who is protecting him?
Prime Minister Marurai has been unaffected and more importantly allowed to implement through his regime of sacking, reinstating and re-jigging of his Cabinet members. These series of regimes has produced an accolade of division and deceit amongst Democratic Party circles. It has also drawn international attention, especially from our neighbouring country New Zealand. The fact that McCulley met with Sir Terepai Maoate and Sir Geoffrey Henry strongly suggests that New Zealand is concerned over the Marurai Administration. The reality is we have not contained our political upheaval instead we have paraded our politics to the world.
Perceptions held by the general public of Marurai’s Prime Ministership has been both positive and negative, but not to the point where the people of the Cook Islands are united in removing him and his team who are presently in government.
Having identified many political loop holes and established appropriate allegiances Prime Minister Marurai has protected his position as Prime Minister. However, the bigger and deeper question that needs to be answered is, to what cost do the people of the Cook Islands allow for such form of governance to continue, given the dividing impact it has on families and friends? Is it worth it? Or Are we just the biggest supporters of such division?

Herald Issue 463 10 June
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