Bainimarama to Act as Finance Minister

The Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama has stressed that Fiji's electoral system needs to change and the Pacific Forum cannot decide on this issue.“It is more important for Fiji to agree on a better way forward on the peoples charter, thing just having an election in March 2009 under the current seriously for an undemocratically electoral system. Businesses forum cannot decide for Fiji on this issue. At the Presidents dialogue forum, we should agree to change the electoral system, legally, unconstitutionally, broadly acceptable world that is supported by the majority of the people of Fiji. Once we agree on the change for how it is to be done, then we can also agree on the date of the election and how soon we can have it. Under the new electoral system, according to the independent electoral commission, it will take atleast another twelve to fifteen months to prepare for election. That is why I have said that the most possible date for the general election under the new system cannot possibly be March 2009”.Meanwhile Commodore Bainimarama has also announced that he will now act as the Interim Minister for Finance and National Planning following the resignation of Mahendra Chaudhry, Lekh Ram Vayeshnoi and Tom Ricketts.Interim Education Minister, Filipe Bole will take over Local Government and Employment Relations and the Interim AG, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum will take over the portfolio of Commerce, Industry and Tourism. The Public Utilities of Energy and Water will be assigned to the Interim Minister for Transport and Works, Captain Lesi Natuva while the portfolio of sugar will be assigned to the Interim Minister for Primary Industries, Joketani Cokanasiga.Bainimarama said this is a mini reshuffle of government before substantive ministers are appointed to the portfolios left vacant.The Interim PM reveals that he had spoken to Chaudhry about his resignation. However these are all petty issues compared to their overall vision.“I confirm that there was communication from me to him about resigning, however in the overall scheme of moving Fiji forward this issue does not matter, indeed this matter now should be put to rest given the decision made by the Fiji Labour Party during the weekend that all these three member should resign from the interim government. We must move away from petty perritcual politics. We must show vision, leadership and to instate leadership. The Ministers concern Mr Chaudhry, Ricketts and Vayeshnoi were invited to serve in the interim government in individual capacities, not because they had represented Fiji Labour party. They have all played a pivotal role in moving Fiji forward. And for this the interim government and indeed the people of Fiji must be greatly appreciated and thankful. I look forward to the Fiji Labour Party and indeed all political parties to be constructively engaged in taking Fiji forward through the vision of the peoples charter”.