WHAT RABUKA SAID: ‘RELAX’
Relax! This was the assurance by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in response to a statement released by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Commander, Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai. In a statement yesterday, Major-General Ro Jone said the RFMF had quietly observed with growing concern over the past few days, the ambition and speed of the Government in implementing ‘sweeping changes’ and creating shortcuts that circumvent the relevant processes and procedures that protect the integrity of the law and the 2013 Constitution. Mr Rabuka said the RFMF Commander was reacting to something that a minister was reported to have said in a newspaper.
“I have asked the Minister responsible for Defence to speak to the Commander and assure him that the Government will abide by the rule of law,” Mr Rabuka said.
“Do I look worried? The people of Fiji should not be worried,” he said. When asked if the setup of the Mercy Commission or statements on the changes of legislations prompted the RFMF Commander to have written his statement, Mr Rabuka said the issue of the Mercy Commission was part of their manifesto and they had agreed to the establishment of the commission. “We don’t dictate to the Mercy Commission what they do. The Mercy Commission is an instrument of the Constitution of Fiji,” he said.
“If we have to amend the Constitution, we will follow the Constitution, which means two thirds majority of the house and two thirds on the streets with a referendum.” He added that he was not concerned at Major-General Ro Jone’s statement in the media. “When people in office are pushed and they feel that there needs to be a response given to a statement given in a medium, they must respond in that medium. In this case it was a newspaper and he went to the newspaper,” Mr Rabuka said.
“I have no concerns about my relationship with the military, I have every confidence in them, in their leadership, their command and the members of the force.”
He also confirmed that he was not in the meeting with the Minister for Home Affairs and the Commander RFMF, but was briefed before and after their meeting.
Meanwhile, when asked if it was the intention of the RFMF to take over the government following his statement yesterday, Major-General Ro Jone said that was never their intention.