Tabuya raises point of order against FijiFirst MP, Ketan Lal for imputing an improper motive to the PM

Leader of the Government in Parliament, Lynda Tabuya today raised a point of order against FijiFirst MP, Ketan Lal for imputing an improper motive to another member of parliament, Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka.

Tabuya says Lal had imputed that because of the Prime Minister, there is a rise in the crime rate in the country without providing any evidence or statistics connecting the Prime Minister to the increase in the crime rate.

She says under the Standing Orders, it is out of order for a Member of Parliament to use offensive words against another Member of Parliament.

Tabuya says Lal has said offensive words against the Prime Minister by referring to his age, that he is not fit to lead and told him to go out.

She also says it is also out of order for a member when speaking to use words that are likely to promote or provoke feelings of ill-will or hostility between communities or ethnic groups in Fiji.

Tabuya says Ketan Lal referred to the 1987 coup, for no other reason but to attack race relations in Fiji.

She says yesterday, not even one MP from the government side attacked the former Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama or mentioned about the 2006 coup because it is the aim of the coalition government to bring about national reconciliation and unity in parliament and the country.

Ketan Lal has withdrawn his comments.