The Government is looking to enable the military to respond more quickly to national security situations under a proposed “hybrid model,” Parliament heard on Monday.
Minister for Defence Pio Tikoduadua said the approach aims to clarify the roles of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and Police, while removing delays caused by legal uncertainties.
“That was the model that we had looked at… there was a strong persuasion by the public at large in many places that they wanted the Military to come in,” Mr Tikoduadua said.
He acknowledged the Government’s caution, noting Fiji’s history, but said discussions were held at the National Security and Defence Council level to explore how such cooperation could work under proper legal frameworks.
“Obviously, we were quite reluctant about that, given the history that we have, but we wanted to suggest ideas on how this could work out together, given the enabling legislation,” he said.
Mr Tikoduadua explained that under current arrangements, the military can only be deployed in support of Police upon request.
“For the Military to come out in support of the Police… is something that has to be endorsed and requested by the Police,” he said.
He added that operational and tactical responsibilities must be clearly defined to ensure effective coordination and accountability.
“Understanding the demarcation of the role of the Police and the Military… is critical to make sure that no one gets into trouble,” he said.
The proposed hybrid model is expected to be supported by legislative reforms, including the new Republic of Fiji Military Forces Act and Defence Management Act.
Mr Tikoduadua said the reforms are aimed at allowing the military to “almost immediately react” in future emergencies.
“Through consultations… we will be able to see the transformation of the future roles of the RFMF to be able to almost immediately react without having to wait,” he said.
The move signals a shift towards faster and more coordinated national security responses, while maintaining clear legal and operational boundaries between the military and police.
