Attempts by a small minority to set up an alternative state — a so called Christian State — or to overthrow the Government are unlawful and contrary to national interest, says President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau.
He made the call at his last official Parliamentary address in Suva yesterday labelling such actions as an assault on democracy.
“Attempts to overturn the will of the people freely expressed almost a year ago are disruptive to economic stability. They cannot be condoned under any circumstances,” Ratu Epeli said.
“Such actions may be publicly condemned, in particular given our political history, in no uncertain terms.
Such actions and any such proposed actions must be emphatically condemned by all those who truly adhere to and believe in the democratic principles upon which our Government, this Parliament and our new Fijian state is built upon.”
Ratu Epeli said that if members of Parliament failed to condemn such actions, it may cast doubts on them.
“I repeat — there is no justification whatsoever to defy the will of the Fijian people. And especially on the spurious grounds that have been advanced by the supporters of these insurrections, who attempt to justify their illegal behaviour on religious or ethnic grounds.
“And those who subvert the national interest — who try to thwart the will of the Fijian people — must be and will be subjected to the full force of the law.”
