PRIME MINISTER Sitiveni Rabuka has issued a solemn guarantee to the citizens of Fiji that the Special Parliamentary Committee will treat the military’s constitutional submission with the utmost seriousness.
After accepting the submission by RFMF Commander Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai in Suva over the weekend, Mr Rabuka reflected on Fiji’s arduous democratic journey.
“Their (RFMF) concerns as conveyed to us by Maj-Gen Kolouniwai in his capacity as commander Republic of Fiji Military Forces, commanding elements in Fiji and deployed abroad, an understanding that whenever we have had disruptions, national disruptions, the nation has had to solicit the support of our military forces and support of the police force to restore law and order and return it to the hands of the public,” said Mr Rabuka.
While welcoming the Commander’s submission, the Prime Minister emphasised the 1995 legislative process of changing Fiji’s Constitution which represented a vital reopening of parliament to the voices of the public and that the process was once again being undertaken.
“Now we once again come back to that point where we open parliament, we open the legislative arm of the government of Fiji to listen to the people and construct a constitution, and we pray it will last for generations to come.
“And that is why we welcome you, Commander. We welcome your views.
“Because if things don’t go right, then either you or your successor will have to bring it back to order.
“The Prime Minister then promised to consider the RFMF’s submissions which included the surrendering of institutional immunity.
“We receive your submission and we promise you that we will consider it with the same deliberation and seriousness that you have employed to construct this very meaningful submission.”
