PRIME Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says complaints about a viral video showing a preacher addressing students at a prominent secondary school in Lautoka should be referred to the relevant authorities, not directly to him, as investigations into the incident continue.
Speaking to reporters, Mr Rabuka said he had read reports about the incident but had not watched the video.
He stressed that the Government operates through its agencies and that allegations arising from the incident should be handled by the appropriate enforcement bodies.
“Those that are aggrieved by the depiction in the video should take it to the right authorities, not the Prime Minister,” Mr Rabuka said.
He said concerns should be reported to agencies responsible for investigating possible breaches of the law.
“They take it to the police, they take it to the Online Safety Commission, they take it to all those, and it will eventually come to Government.”
He said while the Government was responsible for setting policies and passing legislation through Parliament, enforcement rested with the relevant departments.
“Government can only lay down the policies that are legislated in Parliament, but the actual execution of those things are done by those departments.”
Responding to suggestions that the matter raised constitutional issues, Mr Rabuka said the focus should remain on compliance with existing laws.
“What has the incident got to do with the Constitution?
“We just have the laws that people have to abide by. If anybody pushes it, then the law will have to push back, and that’s when they face the consequences.”
The video has attracted widespread public attention, with calls for authorities to investigate the circumstances under which the preacher was allowed to address students at the school.
