‘Follow the Constitution’

Opposition Leader Bainimarama calls on PM and ministers

SINCE the implementation of the 2013 Constitution, the FijiFirst government had adhered, both in spirit and practice, every single provision of the Constitution.

FijiFirst party leader and former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama said this in a video that was posted on the party’s Facebook page yesterday.

He called upon Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and his ministers to follow the 2013 Constitution and the law.

In his video, Mr Bainimarama also called on civil servants, permanent secretaries, all those appointed to various boards, commissions and independent bodies to stay strong and not to resign from their positions.

“You must not resign from your positions even though the new government and their supporters will bully you, intimidate you and even threaten you,” Mr Bainimarama said.

“Please be strong. You have not done anything wrong.

“You have been appointed through a due process and because you had the skill sets, know how, knowledge and acumen to contribute to your organisations and to Fiji. “Do not leave your posts.”

He said appointments made under the 2013 Constitution were transparent and were based on merit.

“It (Constitution) set up independent institutions and allowed for the appointment, through new and transparent processes, independent heads of those institutions.

“It set up a transparent process for appointment on merit of civil servants, board members, commissioners, and heads of discipline forces.

“It facilitated for the first time a wide range of civil political and social economic rights.

Mr Bainimarama said the 2013 Constitution facilitated common and equal citizenry, with every citizen to be called a Fijian.

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