Opposition MPs Sachida Nand and Shalen Kumar supported the motion to amend the 2013 Constitution as they believe that it is a living document and must adapt to the changing needs of the people.
While speaking during the debate, Nand says it has been claimed that the 2013 Constitution was a product of extensive consultation with the Fijian people, but people were given approximately two weeks to provide feedback before it was implemented.
The MP asks is this really sufficient time for the people to engage meaningfully in the processing of a document as important of our Constitution.
Nand says in his view the process was rushed and the voices of the people was not adequately heard.
He says the process taken by the Prime Minister to amend the Constitution is democratic as people will get the chance to voice their view on the Constitution after it is passed in the second reading where a Committee will take it to the people.
The Opposition MP is urging all those who are fear mongering and spreading misinformation to stop using the people of Fiji for their own political gain.
While responding to being called a snake after voting for the tabling of the motion to suspend the Standing Order to allow for the Bill to be tabled, Nand says last year, Parliament voted for a Remuneration Bill and he voted for it without hesitation despite knowing his colleagues abstained but when it came time from those colleagues to benefit from those rewards, many of them who had abstained or voted against wriggled their way to the banks and ATMs and accepted the pay.
He says he finds this behaviour questionable.
Nand asks who is the snake and is it someone who without fear or favour makes a decision based on principle or is someone who lies low, waits for the opportunity and grabs whatever benefit may come their way like a coward or an opportunist.
Opposition MP Shalen Kumar says amending the Constitution will allow them to deal with the threats, misconceptions and the draconian ironclad clauses that exist throughout the Constitution.
Kumar says the Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and it guides our governance, establishes the rights of our people, and outlines the roles and responsibilities of the government.
He says as in all living democracies, circumstances evolve, and they must adapt to meet these challenges.
He adds that there is a need to amend our institutions, and this starts with the Constitution.
The independent MP says while the concerns about rushed reforms are acknowledged, it is important to note that many of the laws are under review.
He says those under review are outdated and no longer aligned with the evolving needs of present-day Fiji.
He adds the government is committed to ensuring that these legal reforms reflect contemporary realities, uphold human rights, support national development and lay the basis for our future legal and political developments.
Opposition MP Sanjay Kirpal did not speak during the debate while Rinesh Sharma did not support the amendments to the Constitution.
The Bill was defeated.
40 MPs voted for the amendment, 14 were against it and one Member of Parliament did not vote.
The Government required 41 votes.
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