Prof. Prasad hits out against Bainimarama’s leadership

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad and Opposition MP Faiyaz Koya had a heated debate in Parliament this evening on the leadership of the previous Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and that of Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.

In his Right of Reply during the debate on the Review of the Office of the Prime Minister and Department of Immigration 2018–2019 Annual Report, Professor Prasad says in the last 16 years they have seen not only the lack of leadership internationally but a total disregard and failure of leadership in the Pacific and regional unity was fractured under the government of those who are sitting on the other side.

He say fortunately after 16 years, Fiji has a Prime Minister who can stand on his feet, be respected, shows humility and has an understanding not only of regional and international politics but what he is doing right now in the country.

Opposition MP, Faiyaz Koya then raised a point of order and said he thinks it is absolutely offensive for Professor Prasad to be talking about the former Prime Minister who took this country to one of the fastest growing countries in the world.

At this point, the Speaker of Parliament, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu had said he has been hearing rude exchanges throughout the day and all in Parliament should be developing a very thick skin and if they can give it then they can take it as well.

Professor Prasad then responded that the MPs will get used to being in the Opposition after a while.

He says they are under this illusion, and some of them are still hallucinating that they are in government.

He says they should stop moralising where Opposition MP Alvick Maharaj had stood up and talked about Minister for Sugar Charan Jeath Singh but they forget that their leader assaulted a Member of Parliament.

Another point of order was raised by Koya regarding relevance and he said Professor Prasad should stop talking nonsense.

Professor Prasad added they as a government are going to be different and they are going to provide inclusive, consultative and leadership with humility.