Comments against former PNG PM condemned

The Fiji Labour Party has condemned comments made against former Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Rabbie Namaliu, which led to him resigning as a nominee for the chair of the President's Political Dialogue Forum.

Acting Secretary General Lekh Ram Vayeshnoi said the attack is totally baseless and unwarranted, and criticized political parties that have made demeaning statements against Sir Rabbie "as a puppet of Australia and New Zealand".

Vayeshnoi said at a time like this we need to be making friends and not be alienating those nations that are already our friends. He adds such irresponsible statements makes one ask whether such people should be part of the political dialogue process.

Meanwhile the Permanent Secretary for Public Service Parmesh Chand said they do not want to comment on Sir Rabbie's resignation as it is a non issue as they have not received anything formal on the matter.