Constitution should be reviewed to remove its perceived connection to a political party - Naupoto

Independent MP and former Army Commander, Viliame Naupoto says the 2013 Constitution should be reviewed as soon as practically possible, and while speaking as a former Army Commander, Naupoto also says that the powers of the military in the 2013 Constitution are too broad.

Naupoto who is the Whip of the Opposition Bloc of 9 led by Ioane Naivalurua, while making his end of the week statement in Parliament, says it should be reviewed to remove its perceived connection to a political party.

The MP says this has been a downside to this Constitution, perhaps because of the process that was followed to create it and when there is at least a perception that this Constitution, or any Constitution for that matter, is connected to a political party, the Constitution becomes a political point scoring issue.

He says it should never be used a political campaign point because that will make one's support of the Constitution contingent on which political party one supports.

Naupoto says the role of the military, has been the subject of criticism and discussion.

He says as a former holder of the head of the military, in his view, it is too broad and a lot of our hope is dependent on the character and the good judgment of the head of the military to exercise his powers correctly.

The MP says the situation they are in right now where there is no party in the Opposition but they are all independent is not covered in the Constitution and the only reference in the Constitution closest to this situation refers to independent MPs who are not in support of the Prime Minister, to be included in the voting process to appoint a leader of Opposition.

Naupoto says upholding it, in his view, means that they must also ensure that the Constitution remains relevant to the situation that the nation encounters.

He also says the 2013 Constitution has good and bad things.

He says the anti-coup clause is worth keeping but in his view, Chapter 5 referring to the remuneration and benefits to judicial officers which states the salaries and benefits payable to the Chief Justice and the President of the Court of Appeal shall be determined by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister following consultations by the Prime Minister with the Attorney General should be amended.

He says the Constitution should have the support of everyone, and it should not be limited to the perceived support of one party.

Naupoto stresses it is the duty of all the parliamentarians to take the Constitution to the people for their views and to have a review of the document.

He says to review and amend the Constitution is never anti-anything or anti-anybody.

He adds this is pro-people and it should be done.

Naupoto says it is now their time and their turn, and to remove it’s imperfections.

He stresses that the review of the Constitution should be done before a Truth and Reconciliation process.

Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka says he is in favour of the completion of this task, and to ensure that all constituencies are consulted during the review of the Constitution.

He says there might be a thought within the military on what about them and how will they fare in any new arrangement.

HE further says they know they have the support of three quarters of the Members of Parliament but it will be difficult to determine and calculate three quarters of the registered voters so he hopes that before we get to that stage, we will have worked out a more achievable formula.

Rabuka says those who exercise power must be held accountable to the people they serve and it is particularly important in a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multicultural nation like Fiji to have a Constitution brought about by consensus and with consent and ownership of all constituent communities.

He says as a former peacekeeper, he has seen the destruction of ethnic differences being taken out and weaponized and so, he hopes we do not get to that stage.