Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama stressed that he is not getting a $700,000 salary.
Speaking to Fijivillage, Commodore Bainimarama said the claims now being brought up by fugitive, Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara are ridiculous and it’s unbelievable that people think that this is being done.
“If I was getting that amount of money, there needs to be an investigation done because I’m not taking it home, somebody else is taking it home.”
Commodore Bainimarama said it’s clear that Ratu Tevita Mara is now getting his information off the blog sites to justify his escape from the court case.
He also said people should know that the overseas media is now using the misleading information from the blog sites to report on issues in relation to Fiji and are not verifying the information.
“I've always informed my people, the military and people close to me – don’t read the anti-government blogs because they come up with rumors, they come up with stories that are unfounded and not true and he’s properly picked it up from somewhere and he’s run with it thinking it’s a great thing.”
Meanwhile, Tonga’s acting attorney general said there is no rush to examine the extradition application for a former Fiji soldier which his office received today.
Fiji is seeking the extradition of Ratu Tevita Mara, who fled to Tonga while facing sedition charges.
Samiu Vaipulu said the application is a large box, which will take some time to sort through and he is working with the solicitor general's office over the application.
PM disparages claims made by Ratu Tevita regarding Sayed-Khaiyum
Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama said he has always made decisions that are fair and just for all citizens of the country and he has rubbished comments made by fugitive, Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara that Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum is making all the decisions.
Speaking to Fijivillage, Commodore Bainimarama said it is sad to see that Ratu Tevita is using the race card which is not acceptable in the new Fiji.
However he said it is good to see that Ratu Tevita's true colours can now be seen by everyone.
“...Aiyaz the AG is one of the two Indo Fijians in Government...and he is the Attorney General and the Minister for Enterprise... he comes up with good anti corruption laws and he comes up with good business practices and he has forwarded it to cabinet for endorsement but it is more racist than anything else...”
Commodore Bainimarama also revealed the military council was told from the beginning that the best people to do the job would be taken on board, to ensure that the planned reforms are implemented.
He said unfortunately Ratu Tevita did not have much to offer.
“...I have informed the senior military officers from the start that we should leave the running of the Government to professionals... in the private and public sector...the Military is not in a position to run Government...the only reason that some of us are in Government is to ensure that we complete the reforms that we started off...but it is now accepted and endorsed by the public at large so that is no problem now...if his advice is not taken...then it is not a professional advice...if his advice is not accepted is because it is not constructive...for those of us in the military we know that his advice is only shallow and lacks substance...and always based on emotions...we all know Rokoului and that is the reason why he is always complaining...because we are not in a position to accept unconstructive and shallow advice...”
Fiji PM questions NZ PM’s motives
Fiji Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama iyesterday questioned NZ Prime Minister, John Key's motive in suggesting that fugitive, Ratu Tevita Mara may be granted political asylum by NZ.
Commodore Bainimarama said it is sad to see that the NZ government wants to further strain its relations with Fiji by taking this action.
Key also stated earlier this week that the travel sanction against Ratu Tevita Mara will be lifted.
Commodore Bainimarama questions the NZ government on its current stance as he said that NZ has continued to block a number of sportspeople from entering the country to take part in tournaments.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
