Fiji's opposition MPs who were taken in by police for questioning after their criticism of a government land bill say they won't be intimadated or silenced.
NFP leader Biman Prasad. Photo: RNZI / Alex Perrottet
Police have since released several leaders of the opposition who were taken in late Sunday.
One of those taken in by police, the National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad, said he was wanted in relation to his party's criticism of government moves to amend the iTaukei Land Trust Act in parliament in recent days.
After two hours of questioning, he was later released, telling RNZ Pacific on Monday that it felt like an attack on Fiji's democracy.
"We don't blame the police. This is coming from the government. They are using police to oppress the opposition's political leaders, and that's not the way democracy works."
Prasad said the government failed to consult the public properly over the bill, and there are now calls to withdraw it because it is seen as abusing the rights of indigenous landowners.
"We are elected members of parliament. Our job is to continue to speak and we are not going to be intimidated by such tacticcs by the government to silence the opposition who have an important contribution to make in the process of any lawmaking in the country."
Another leading opposition MP, Lynda Tabuya, was also taken into custody and accused of a malicious act by police for her social media posts about the Land Bill.
She said she was accused of a malicious act by police for criticising the government's moves to push through an indigenous Land Bill.
Tabuya had given a blunt message to Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama via social media:
"We are sick and tired of all the bullying and fear mongering. We are sick and tired of all the death and destruction allowed on your watch because of your recklessness. We are sick and tired because you don't give a damn. You don't give a damn about iTaukei, you don't give a damn about human rights."
Fiji's Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama. Photo: Facebook/Fiji govt
The Fijian government and police have been approached for comment, but there has been no response for an interview.
However, over the weekend - before police took in the MPs for questioning - Bainimarama did speak out for the first time condemning his opposition leaders on Facebook.
"These are a bunch of urban elite who are nothing but stirrers. Only a few control the show, and they become the gatekeepers of what is right and what is wrong."
Bainimarama defended the government's planned amendment to land legislation.
"Even this amendment makes ultimately iTaukei land a lot more attractive. It removes bureaucracy without undermining any of the protections. We should not be concerned about a piddly thing such as this when we should all be happy about it."
Meanwhile, the Acting Police Commissioner, Rusiate Tudravu, said his officers were not questioning the politicians for the purpose of intimidation, but as a pro-active means to find the truth.
He was reported in local media as saying not everyone who was brought in for questioning would be charged.