Leader of the Opposition, Voreqe Bainimarama says President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere has failed the Fijian people and he will go down in history as the person who aided and abetted the most incompetent and divisive government
He also says unfortunately, he has to inform the rank and file of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces that all the philosophical commitment and years of hard work of the RFMF is now being undermined and disregarded by this Government.
While responding to the President’s speech in parliament, Bainimarama says the President who we looked up to because we believed that he genuinely believed in the values and principles of Constitution has done an about turn.
The Opposition Leader says Fijians, in particular the weak and vulnerable, those who want actual and practical implementation of the rule of law, those who want the practical implementation of the Constitution and those Fijians who want socio-economic stability, all look up to the RFMF to guarantee these if and when it is under threat.
He appealed to the rank and file of the RFMF to preserve their manna, to maintain their credibility and their calling and not forsake their constitutional role.
Bainimarama says he wishes to inform the RFMF that its gift and legacy, the Fijian Constitution, is being ignored and bashed on a daily basis and the current Prime Minister wants, what the RFMF worked so hard for, removed.
The Opposition Leader went on to say that the recent FBC saga epitomizes the disaster and chaos that is unfolding rather rapidly under the Rabuka led government.
Bainimarama says we have the matanigasau farce as it is making a mockery of iTaukei culture.
He says the amount of matanigasaus, sevusevus, salusalus we have seen in the past few weeks can be summarized as, not only self-glorification but the denigration and commodification of iTaukei culture.
The Opposition Leader also says the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister are at loggerheads over the question of a mini budget.
Bainimarama goes on to say the Fijian public are further subjected to frightening information about the Prime Minister’s secret think tank group who without any proper appointment or authority subject countless civil servants with illegal daily instructions which are only followed because of the fear of threats of phone tapping and victimization.
He also claims the government continues to appoint their cronies and failed candidates to jobs without these positions being advertised or applications and interviews being undertaken.
Bainimarama also claimed in parliament that the “love all” Rabuka government doesn’t see the irony in constantly preaching about freedom of speech, free media and lecturing Fijians about not fearing anyone but at the same time taking in activists and following lawyers and journalists at night and stopping them and questioning them gestapo/nazi style because they are apparently ‘persons of interest’.
He claims all of this under the watch of Home Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua who he says appears to now be the defacto Commissioner of Police.
The Opposition Leader also paid tribute to the former Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem, who he says is a professional with international acclaim and a man who proficiently conducted 3 successful elections.
He also thanked the Electoral Commissioners and all the relevant development and bilateral partners including the co-chairs, Australia, India and Indonesia of the Multinational Observer Group who all ensured that we successfully conducted the 2022 General Elections.
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