George Speight has served his time and life needs to move on.
Those are the comments of Opposition MP, Mosese Bulitavu as he says we need to move away from our past and through reconciliation seek restoration.
Bulitavu says he totally disagrees with the views of his fellow MP, Ketan Lal.
Bulitavu says the Republic of Fiji Military Forces is leading the process of reconciliation, and the release of George Speight is a breakthrough towards the right direction.
He says Speight's application was properly assessed and he has met all requirements before being awarded a Presidential pardon as recommended by the Mercy Commission.
Bulitavu says only a few of politicians like him who have also served time behind bars will understand why a fully rehabilitated prisoner deserves a second chance.
He says for us outside the walls of prison, we just need to unlock the second prison that is the view of the society on the crime they committed and accept them back as one of us after undergoing the Fiji Corrections Service rehabilitation process.
Bulitavu says the late Nelson Mandela former President of South Africa said: “As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison. If I did not leave behind my hatred and bitterness I would be locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow mindedness. Both the oppressor and the oppressed needed to be liberated."
Bulitavu says welcome back home George and congratulations to be free at last.
