‘Personal revelation’: New Kiribati MP backs Taneti Maamau

Ruth Cross Guancin
photo: Screenshot/Ruth M. Cross KOM – Technical Expert in Kiribati

As Kiribati lawmakers debate who to support in the presidential election, one of the 17 new members of parliament has made clear his support for incumbent President Taneti Maamau.

Ruth Cross Kwansing won one of three seats in the TUC’s capital constituency of Tarawa Teinainano. She said on her official Facebook page Her Christian faith led her to join Maamau’s Tobwana Kiribati Party (TKP).

She wrote that she hoped the TUC and the rest of Kiribati would be able to form a strong coalition government that would preserve and defend Kiribati’s sovereignty and work with the international community in the country’s best interests.

The MP also reiterated her plan to serve only one term in parliament.

“This past week I was faced with a difficult decision: which political party to join,” she wrote.

“I have met with all parties to analyse the way forward in the best interest of our beloved Trade Union Congress and all of Kiribati, which is what I promised you during the election campaign.

“Thanks to Almighty God, I am grateful for the personal revelation I received during my meeting with Maamau. My heart is filled with joy as I know that my mission is to strengthen the collective vision of our beloved nation of Kiribati and work together with the Tobwaan Kiribati Party to better serve you.”

The new Kiribati Parliament, Maneaba ni Maungatabu, Prepare to meet First time on September 13th.

The first item on the agenda at this meeting is the election of the Speaker, who is not usually an elected member of Parliament.

After that, the parties will begin to nominate their own presidential candidates, usually nominating three candidates.

A popular election will then be held in October.

RNZ Pacific’s Kiribati correspondent Rimon Rimon said “everything will be returned to the people”.

“I should say it’s really an up-and-coming game right now. We can’t really say for sure. Sure, the cards might be in his favor, but we can’t predetermine what people want,” he said.