RAKUBA MAINTAINS PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE
HE REPLIES TO A COLUMN BY NEMANI DELAIBATIKI TITLED “POLITICIANS LIKE RABUKA SHOULD NOT POLITICISE HEALTH ISSUES LIKE A VIRUS THREAT WITHOUT KNOWING THE FULL FACTS”
The Parliamentary Opposition Leader, Major-General (Ret’d) Sitiveni Rabuka issued this statement in his “Right of Reply” to an article by Fiji Sun Editor Nemani Delaibatiki published on January 31, 2020, titled “Politicians like Rabuka should not politicise health issues like a virus threat without knowing the full facts.”
The Office of the Leader of the Opposition has been a Constitutional Office since Fiji gained independence 50 years ago.
I issued my statement given the seriousness, and in many ways unknown health factors and threats posed by the coronavirus.
There is no time for complacency and finger-pointing by commentators like Delaibatiki.
Now is the time to be united and work together to protect our nation and our people.
The fact is that all people of Fiji matter. Not just those who voted for FijiFirst. Government must listen to all its citizens.
I represent more than 77,000+ voters and my Party has the second biggest number of representatives in Parliament.
I will continue to provide alternatives to government and carry out my responsibility as a constitutional office holder, and Leader of Opposition. As I have said before, FFP does not have a monopoly on intellect.
Three days ago, we knew the World Health Organisation was conducting its own evaluation, and today (Friday) made the declaration, that this novel coronavirus is a “Global Health Emergency of international concern.”
The WHO Declaration has vindicated the cautionary statement that was issued three days ago.
In the statement issued on the 28th of January, I urged Government to establish proper quarantine facilities. This measure is provided for in the Public Health Act.
It is a necessary precautionary and protective measure.
Given there is still so much that is unknown regarding the coronavirus, and that over 170 people have died from it, taking precautionary measures is only common sense to ensure the protection of our citizens. Delaibatiki may not be aware that the Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, has announced Christmas Island as its national quarantine centre, for precisely this reason.
The people of Fiji have a reasonable expectation that Government will take the necessary precautionary measures to protect their health and lives.
Indeed, in my view, this is a basic duty of any Government.
In my statement, I acknowledged measures announced by our neighbours in the Pacific and that is the very reason why I recommended that Government consider these additional measures.
And Government has now implemented some of those measures, so why is Delaibatiki complaining? There is provision under the Public
Health Act that empowers the Health Minister to make a declaration on an infectious disease which the Minister has done today (Friday), and I commend him for doing so. As Parliamentary Opposition Leader, I express my views on national issues, with the mandate given to me by citizens of Fiji.
The Parliamentary Opposition has a role in a democracy, and Delaibatiki should be fully aware of this.