PRIME Minister Voreqe Bainimarama took a swipe at the Opposition on Tuesday, claiming that some of their actions and behaviour were “unpatriotic”.
In concluding his ministerial statement on his COP23 journey, Mr Bainimarama said members of Parliament should not stop being an MP when they left the Parliament chamber.
“Your behaviour on social media or around the grog bowl should reflect that,” he said.
“Lies in your videos, this behaviour is despicable and below the standard elected officials should hold themselves to.
“It is unpatriotic. “Every member of Parliament, we should no longer put up with such behaviour and I challenge the Opposition Leader to hold these members accountable.”
He said all Government MPs pledged to present the Fijian people with facts and he had started doing this on his Facebook posts and on his local television program.
“We will not use Parliament as a podium of misleading the Fijian people. And I wish I could say the same for the members of the Opposition,” he said. Mr Bainimarama said he would use the platform of his television program to highlight what he claimed were misrepresentations and deceit the Opposition had present in this Parliament.
“I want to put them all on notice.
“Mr Speaker, I’m sure you will agree that we should, at all times, maintain the integrity of this august Parliament.”
Responding on behalf of the Opposition Leader, Opposition MP Niko Nawaikula said the PM was like a “crybaby”.
“He comes here and cries and cries,” Mr Nawaikula said.
“If you want to come into this House, develop a thick skin because this is a house of debate. Don’t ever come back with those kinds of comments, please.”
In response to the ministerial statement, Opposition member and National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad said it was unfortunate that the PM decided to conclude his statement by attacking the Opposition when he could have in fact ended his statement on a positive note.
“Yes, we have misinformation and lies at times, but it also comes from the other side as well,” Prof Prasad said.
“I hope that the Prime Minister will take that into account when he next talks about that as well.”