National Federation Party (NFP) leader Professor Biman Prasad has written to Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka outlining his party’s concerns over the rushed constitutional reform process and proposing changes to the current arrangements.
Speaking at the Fiji Medical Association town hall meeting in Nasinu last night, Prof Prasad said the NFP remained opposed to the tight timeline for public consultations and the proposed implementation of constitutional changes.
“The timeline is too tight. The process is rushed, and I can confirm today that I have this afternoon written to the Prime Minister the party’s position on the process, and we’ve made certain proposals and suggestions,” he said.
Prof Prasad stressed that being part of the Coalition Government did not mean the NFP was required to support every government decision.
“Coalition doesn’t mean we have to agree with everything in government, so that’s the first point.”
He said the party had made its position clear even before the constitutional reform report and draft Bill were presented to Parliament.
The NFP, he said, would not support rushed public consultations or the hurried implementation of constitutional changes.
Prof Prasad said the party had consistently raised concerns about the process, including during parliamentary debate on the Bill.
While acknowledging that the consultation process had allowed political leaders, non-governmental organisations, institutions and members of the public to express their views, he maintained that the timeline remained inadequate.
He also revealed that the NFP would announce its next steps at a press conference on Saturday.
“And on Saturday, we will hold a press conference to inform the people and the media what NFP will do in terms of going forward.”
Prof Prasad reiterated that coalition membership did not prevent the NFP from taking an independent position on constitutional reform.
