We have the right to ask them to resign, they also have the right not to accept our request - Rabuka

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says they have the right to ask Commissioners from the Constitutional Offices Commission and the Public Service Commission to resign, and they also have the right not to accept their request.

Rabuka made this comment when asked by fijivillage News on the claims made by the Leader of Opposition, Voreqe Bainimarama that they have heard reports that personnel from the Prime Minister’s Office allegedly contacted Commissioners from the Constitutional Offices Commission and the Public Service Commission to tell them to resign because there is a new Government.

Rabuka says they would like to move in with a cooperative civil service, particularly at the senior level of service.

The Prime Minister says it is not fair of them to expect all the senior civil servants to cooperate with them seamlessly during the change of government as they have given their loyalty and service to the previous government.

When questioned on Bainimarama’s statement for them to follow the Constitution, Rabuka says the Constitution is there and the recommendations are made by the Constitutional Offices Commission in certain cases and in some cases, the Public Service Commission makes the appointments.

He adds they have tried to set up the Public Service Commission according to the Constitution and also advise those that hold the Constitutional Offices Commission of the things that they can do.

The Prime Minister says people must expect changes in recommendations as the Constitutional Offices Commission is chaired by the Prime Minister, and there has been a change in the Prime Minister.

He says they are following the Constitution as best as they can.

In a video message on the FijiFirst Facebook page, Bainimarama says anyone with basic acumen would know that these Commissioners stay on despite a change of government and claims these Commissioners were not informed that they had the right to stay on.

Bainimarama asks why was the Prime Minister’s Office involved in this matter when the Constitutional Offices Commission and the Public Service Commission are independent bodies and also asks where is the Attorney General in all of this.

He also asks why is the Minister for Home Affairs asking the Commissioner of Police to tender in his resignation when clearly he has no powers to do so and says why all of a sudden, the Constitutional Office Commission was having a meeting yesterday.

Bainimarama says he wants to inform the uneven three legged stool government of Sitiveni Rabuka, that they have to follow the Constitution and the law and they cannot do whatever they like.

He adds he is informing all Permanent Secretaries and other civil servants and those serving on various boards, organizations and independent bodies that they must not resign from their positions, even though the new government and their supporters will bully them, intimidate them and even threaten them.

Bainimarama has asked them to be strong as they have not done anything wrong and have been appointed through a due process and because they had the skill sets, know how, knowledge and acumen to contribute to their organisations and to Fiji.