Pio Tikoduadua Photo: Government of Fiji
Fiji's Home Affairs minister has held an urgent meeting with the nation's military chief after he expressed concern about the new government.
The government, a three-party coalition led by Sitiveni Rabuka, has been in power for less than a month.
On Tuesday, Major-General Jone Kalouniwai warned the government was taking "shortcuts that circumvent the relevant processes and procedures" which could lead to "long-term national security consequences".
Kalouniwai's statement also highlighted the military's "guardian role" in the constitution, which he claimed was to ensure "excesses [of power] of the past are not repeated".
Home Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua said he and Kalouniwai had had a frank exchange of views, but both were committed to respecting the result of December's election.
In a statement, Tikoduadua said he assured the commander that all the government's actions had been guided by the law.
"The commander and I have spoken, and we have expressed our views frankly to each other. We both believe in the rule of law, democracy, and the rights of every citizen to go about their affairs in peace.
"We are both committed to respecting the will of the people through the outcome of the 2022 General Election and protecting that decision, let come what may.
"No one should forget that the commander and the military have also helped us navigate our way, democratically, to a new government a month ago when many people were uncertain that Fiji could achieve a successful transition of government.
"All of us are learning. We are slowly undoing all the misconceptions about democratic governance that have been allowed to take root over the last 16 years. Our institutions are absorbing the impact of a new govemment with different ideas and new priorities.
"But through all of this, we will be talking to each other, in the spirit of consultation to provide the best for the Fijian people."
The FBC reports Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said he was not concerned about the public utterances made by Jone Kalouniwai.
He said he had no concerns over the relationship he shares with the military, and he is confident in the RFMF leadership and also the Force members.
Former Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama and army commander Jone Kalouniwai (right). Photo: Fiji govt