Speaker refers Bainimarama to the Parliamentary Privileges Committee

Speaker of Parliament, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has referred Leader of Opposition, Voreqe Bainimarama to the Parliamentary Privileges Committee.

The committee has to meet from later today and report back to parliament regarding Bainimarama this Friday.

The Privileges Committee is chaired by Deputy Speaker, Lenora Qereqeretabua and the members include Lynda Tabuya, Ratu Rakuita Vakalalabure, Esrom Immanuel, Faiyaz Koya and Jone Usamate.

Home Affairs Minister, Pio Tikoduadua had raised the matter of breach of parliamentary privilege against Bainimarama.

Ratu Naiqama confirms that this is in relation to Bainimarama’s comments in parliament while responding to President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere’s speech.

Tikoduadua says Bainimarama uttered words that are denigrating, humiliating to the Head of State and also as Commander-in-Chief when appealing to the rank and file of the RFMF which in view of Tikoduadua are highly seditious and disrespectful while dishonoring the dignity and bringing parliament into disrepute which contravene the parliamentary standing orders.

Ratu Naiqama says the words used by Bainimarama are matters which are out of order in parliament and constitute a prima facie breach of privilege. Bainimarama had said 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 said unfortunately, he has to inform the rank and file of the RFMF that all the philosophical commitment and years of hard work of the RFMF is now being undermined and disregarded by this Government.

Bainimarama said 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 said 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 said 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.

Section 62 of the parliamentary standing orders says when speaking a member must not impute improper motives to any other member.

It says the President’s name may not be introduced to influence Parliament or any committee, the conduct of members, the President, the Chief Justice (performing the functions of the office of President under section 88 of the Constitution), members of the judiciary, or other persons acting in a judicial capacity must not be raised, except on a motion with notice introduced with the Speaker’s permission.

In any other situation, reference to the conduct of any of these individuals is out of order.

The standing orders also says it is out of order for a member, when speaking, to use offensive words against Parliament or another member; treasonable words; seditious words; or words that are likely to promote or provoke feelings of ill-will or hostility between communities or ethnic groups within Fiji.