Vanuatu's Prime Minister Charlot Salwai has assured the public his government is secure.
The Prime Minister said he had written to the State Law Office and speaker of parliament for clarification of the Deputy Prime Minister Joe Natuman's status after he was given a suspended two-year jail sentence.
Mr Salwai challenged the leader of opposition, Ishmael Kalsakau and his deputy, Sato Kilman, to take the matter to court instead of questioning the credibility of the office of the prime minister.
Vanuatu's Charlot Salwai. Photo: RNZ/Koroi Hawkins
The Daily Post reports the Prime Minister as saying even the office of the prime minister needed legal clarification as to whether in a the case of a suspended sentence, a government minister must automatically forfeit his status or not.
The prime minister also warned all MPs who have joined Sato Kilman's new political bloc in Vanuatu to think carefully about their decision saying, it is up to the people to judge whether his government had contributed to development.
He then listed Van17 or the Pacific Mini Games at the end of last year, the new Luganville Wharf, Port Vila Wharf, the current upgrade of Port Vila International Airport, and first tar-sealed roads on Tanna and Malekula as recent major developments.