A person with Ratu Naiqama’s record cannot be accepted as President – Chaudhry

A person with Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu’s record cannot be accepted as the country’s President, and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has come under strong criticism for what looks like blatant bias in appointing people from his own province of Cakaudrove to positions of high authority.

Those are the comments of Fiji Labour Party Leader and former Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry as he says the Office of President must be held by a person of unquestionable integrity, widely acceptable to all communities.

Chaudhry says the President must be seen as a symbol of unity.

He says Rabuka’s nominee for President meets none of this criteria.

Chaudhry says Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has a questionable political record, he is a known ethno-nationalist who was seen closely collaborating with the George Speight group and engaging in treasonable activities in 2000, he was convicted for participating in an “unlawful assembly” at the Sukanaivalu Barracks at the height of the 2000 coup and on 4th April 2005 was sentenced to 8 months imprisonment.

The FLP Leader says while sentencing him, Labasa Magistrate Sunil Kumar said Ratu Naiqama “had played a role in influencing the rebel soldiers to act criminally” when as a high chief he should have provided proper guidance.

Chaudhry says Ratu Naiqama later joined the Conservative Alliance Matanitu Vanua party well known for its ultra nationalist stance. He adds as a parliamentarian, his membership was suspended for two years in May 2015 after he was found guilty of making “scurrilous” remarks about the then Speaker Jiko Luveni.

The FLP Leader says recently, Ratu Naiqama was widely criticised for his ‘racist’ remarks against Opposition Member Aliki Bia when he castigated the Melanesian community.

Chaudhry says Rabuka’s handling of the names of nominees for the presidency has also raised questions.

He says it is not clear whether he is the Coalition’s or People’s Alliance nominee.

Chaudhry says SODELPA and NFP have not made their position clear on Ratu Naiqama’s nomination. The FLP Leader says for someone who is forever mouthing rhetoric on national unity, it seems strange that the Prime Minister should openly embrace parochial politics instead of attempting to unify the nation.

We are awaiting a response by the Prime Minister.