Main priority
Tikoduadua: Bring back confidence in defence institutions
NEWLY-ELECTED Home Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua says his main priority is bringing back the people’s confidence in Fiji’s defence institutions.
Speaking to this paper yesterday, he said the Fiji Police Force (FPF), Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), Fiji Corrections Service (FCS) and Immigration Department were necessary institutions for the future of Fiji.
“I want to assure the Fijian people that we have their interest at heart,” Mr Tikoduadua said.
“I think that is paramount right here, it is confidence building.
“Confidence building and trust by the people in these institutions that are established for them – that is very important.”
He said he would work with disciplinary services in “making their work relevant to the Constitution”.
“These are not institutions for the government; I want to make that very clear. These are institutions for the protection of Fiji and its people and so that will be the primary area that we will be looking at.
“And so if there are certain things that we will need to renew, these are certain things that we will have to work with the disciplined services in terms of making their work relevant to the Constitution.”
However, he said it was also important for the people to maintain law and order.
“It is important, as I’ve always said, that the people uphold law and order and security in our nation. It’s built into our society. At the moment I am glad that Fiji is peaceful and quiet and people are enjoying their newfound freedom despite living through the past and what it brought with it.
“The discipline institutions in terms of the police and the military are there for us and they have a strategic role.”
Mr Tikoduadua will be meeting with RFMF Commander Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai and Commissioner of Police Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho today.