RFMF within its rights to correct misleading information that may lead to problems later

They have every right to speak up because it is entrusted with their responsibility to keep everyone safe.

Fiji has achieved remarkable recovery since 1987 when the country had its first military coup. Those coups set in motion a chain of events that plunged the country into political turmoil including the 2000 coup by George Speight.

During the course of that dark part of our history, blood was shed as some of our citizens died needlessly. As anarchy ruled the streets of Suva, businesses were looted. Enough people were made homeless. Images of these events still send shivers down our spine. No one wants to go back to that period of great shame for a once proud nation that used to champion democracy, the peaceful co-existence of the different ethnic groups and pristine environment with the slogan “Fiji - The way the world should be.”

Today we have rebuilt that reputation. We are now a nation of one people with a rich diversity.

We have enjoyed seven consecutive years of economic growth and the future looks even brighter even though the threat of climate change hangs over our heads. We are taking big strides in many areas of our development. Our infrastructure development is continuing at an unprecedented pace and opening up new opportunities for economic activities. Business investor confidence continues to rise.

This is what the Republic of Fiji Military Forces is working hard to protect. It is aware that it will continue to get better provided we have peace and stability. We have no doubt learned from 1987 and 2000 what the country went through.

Lest we forget, it was Sitiveni Rabuka, now SODELPA leader, who overthrew an elected Government in 1987 and began the era of coups.

People still remember what happened in 1987 and how it ripped apart our nation.

He is making a political comeback and SODELPA has given him a lifeline to do it.

No doubt those in RFMF’s hierarchy have not forgotten the mindless violence that ensued after the Speight coup in 2000 and the terror it caused.

The RFMF has every right to speak up because it is entrusted with the responsibility to keep everyone safe. It has seen enough, unscrupulous politicians taking advantage of people’s emotions and naivety for their own benefit.

When the RFMF feels uncomfortable with what it sees, it is a legitimate concern. It has every right to speak out against it.

Fiji is again seeing positive things happening in the country. The RFMF has every reason to be wary about Mr Rabuka because of his history.

Our military officers have learned a hard lesson from 1987 and the events which followed.

We should always remember them to remind us that it was an awful time which we do not want to revisit. When they speak up now it is in the interests of the nation.