PM DEFENDS A-G, MUSLIMS

Bainimarama condemns social media attacks, praises work

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has defended Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum against criticisms and praised his work. He has also condemned attacks on social media against Muslims. Mr Sayed-Khaiyum is a Muslim.

Mr Bainimarama was asked what role did Mr Sayed-Khaiyum play in Government during a talanoa session at Vusasivo village, Cakaudrove. He was there to open the new classroom and teachers’ quarters for Vuanisaiki District School. Mr Bainimarama said that the A-G was the second highest authority in any Government. “Everyone in my Cabinet advises me and the Attorney-General advises me when it comes to legal matters,” Mr Bainimarama said.

“He advises me whenever I am about to take the wrong direction. He tells me you are going the wrong way and we might end

up in court. Go this way.”

He said people were commenting on social media and criticising Muslims and the A-G because of the developments under his leadership.

He said none of those talking could even do close to what the A-G had done for the country. Mr Bainimarama said there should be less talk and more work so that our land and nation could prosper. He said we would progress as a nation if we took away racial discrimination.

He said there were rumours doing the rounds that Muslims would take over Fiji.

Muslims make up 4.2 per cent of the Fijian population.

He asked how could they take over Fiji?

He warned the people to watch out for political rhetorics that did not mean anything.

Before, he said there was talk of discrimination. It was between the iTaukei and Indo-Fijians. Now it was between iTaukei and Muslims.

The villagers also raised questions of why IndoFijians were getting more Toppers scholarships than iTaukei.

Mr Bainimarama replied that the scholarships were given not on the basis of race or ethnicity. He said that those who worked hard to get top marks would get the scholarship. He added that his Government had been giving free school fees, free bus fares to lighten all parents’ burdens.