Rabuka: Decision illustrates double standard
THE law of common assault applies to everyone else but not to the Prime Minister.
This was the sentiment shared by Opposition leader Sitiveni Rabuka after the Director of Public Prosecutions closed the file on assault claims against PM Voreqe Bainimarama.
National Federation
Party parliamentarian Pio Tikoduadua had accused
PM Voreqe Bainimarama of assaulting him in August this year.
Mr Rabuka said the DPP’s decision illustrated the double standard in Fiji where citizens were treated differently based on their status.
“Put simply, this case shows that the law of common assault applies to everyone else, but it does not apply to the Prime Minister,” he said.
“The law and order situation in the country continues to deteriorate because of such double standards as some people are treated more equal than others.”
“I believe the DPP considers that the honourable Prime Minister has committed a criminal offence because there is sufficient evidence for the matter to proceed to court, but for the Privileges Committee recommendations, and its endorsement by Parliament.”
Mr Rabuka said it was sad that the people knew that some decisions were biased towards the interest of the governing elite, rather than the nation as a whole.
He said the Social Democratic Liberal Party was vehemently opposed to the referral of the matter to the Privileges Committee.
“We raised our reservations with the Speaker, based on the Constitutional guarantee that we are all equal before the law, therefore, the Parliament cannot give MPs special treatment or exemption from the criminal law which applies to ordinary citizens.”
Mr Rabuka said that a dangerous precedent had been set where a member of Parliament, no less than the PM could commit an assault, plead privilege and get off with a simple apology.