Builsa North Member of Parliament James Agalga has dismissed suggestions that he could be intimidated if selected to serve as Majority Leader, insisting that his extensive parliamentary experience has prepared him for the role.
Mr Agalga said his years in Parliament, including his time as a Ranking Member and Chairman of the Defence and Interior Committee, have given him the leadership experience required to coordinate the business of the Majority Caucus.
His comments follow remarks by former Defence Minister and former Minority Leader Dominic Nitiwul, who questioned whether Mr Agalga had the leadership credentials necessary for the position.
Mr Nitiwul acknowledged that Mr Agalga is one of Parliament’s longest-serving legislators but argued that he had not previously occupied one of the House’s top leadership positions.
Responding to the criticism in an interview with Citi FM on Friday, August 7, Mr Agalga said his performance in the position, if selected, would ultimately determine how his leadership is judged.
“I think that the end shall justify the means. Do I look like somebody who can be bullied?” he asked.
“We leave the rest for the people to judge when we settle down to work.”
‘I am not new to leadership’
Mr Agalga rejected suggestions that he lacks parliamentary leadership experience, pointing to the senior positions he has held during his time in the House.
“I want to assure you that I am not new to leadership in Parliament. I have been Ranking Member for eight solid years. I am currently the Chairman of the Defence and Interior Committee. And so, to that extent, it cannot be said that I am new to leadership,” he said.
He also said his long service in Parliament has earned him the respect of his colleagues and dismissed the suggestion that he could be bullied by other lawmakers.
“I am a full-term Member of Parliament. And so, I do not think that any colleague of mine in the House can bully me,” he said.
Mr Agalga maintained that the effectiveness of his leadership should be judged by his performance once Parliament resumes and he assumes responsibility for the Majority’s business.
“But like I said, the end shall justify the means,” he added.
