Functions of all public service continue as normal when there is a change of Govt

Republic of Fiji Military Forces LieutenantColonel Netani Kaukimoce’s reminder to Battalion 23 during the Contingent Commander and Commanding Officer’s parade in Iraq that the change in Government should not affect their roles was reassuring to the troops.

This was after the new Minister for Home Affairs, responsible for the disciplined forces, Pio Tikoduadua had withdrawn military officers working in Government to return to the barracks.

He has also announced there would no pay cut or strength reduction. He was responding to rumours on social media.

The First Battalion Fiji Infantry Regiment is serving under the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq.

Lieutenant-Colonel Kaukimoce said it was crucial for the officers to always adjust to the atmosphere of change. He also acknowledged the troops for their tireless effort throughout the year.

After years of asking for a pay parity compared with other peacekeepers from contributing countries, it was Voreqe Bainimarama who granted their wish. Mr Bainimarama’s defeat in the December 14 election may have got some troops worried. But with Mr Tikoduadua’s and Lieutenant-Colonel Kaukimoce’s reassurance the troops should carry on as normal.

While Mr Tikoduadua and Mr Bainimarama are in opposite political camps, they were part of the same team that started the journey together after the 2006 military coup which toppled the late Laisenia Qarase’s Soqosoqo ni Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) Government.

The return of military officers in civilian role back to the barracks might have ruffled a few feathers in the military fraternity.

Police have taken over and it was a move that was designed to strengthen their confidence and lift their morale in the wake of the resignation of Assistant Commissioner of Police and Chief Operations officer, Abdul Khan.

He quit because the military was being asked to come and help the Police keep the peace at the height of the election fever.

It did not help when the Commissioner of Police Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho was a senior military officer before he joined the Police.

If Mr Tikoduadua’s earlier remarks are anything to go by regarding the Police Commissioner, Brigadier-General Qiliho’s days in the force are numbered.

He is a close ally of former PM and now Opposition leader Voreqe Bainimarama. So he is likely to go and be replaced by someone that embraces the policies of the new Coalition Government.

But as far as the Republic of Fiji Military Forces is concerned, it’s business as usual like LieutenantColonel Kaukimoce said.

He was echoeing the sentiments of RFMF Commander Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai who said before the election that the military would uphold democracy and respect the outcome of the election.

The same message from Lieutenant-Colonel Kaukimoce can be replicated in all Government ministries and agencies.

When there is a change of Government public services continue as normal.

NEMANI DELAIBATIKI

Feedback: nemani.delaibatiki@fijisun.com.fj