Many Fijians have lost faith in the government because laws are not being applied equally to those in power, Fiji's opposition says.
Sodelpa MP Lynda Tabuya. Photo: Wikimedia commons / Stemoc
Sodelpa MP Lynda Tabuya told Parliament on Monday most Fijians felt despair at the outcome of the alleged assault case between MP Pio Tikoduadua and Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama.
Ms Tabuya said people watched the video of the incident, outside the Parliamentary complex on 9 August, after it went viral on social media.
Fijians also watched as police dragged the case on for weeks, she said.
"In the end, the prime minister apologised and flew off to be a chief guest overseas while the assaulted Pio Tikoduadua got suspended for half a year without pay.
"Because of this, many of us have lost trust in the custodians of those laws, our government."
Frank Bainimarama and Pio Tikoduadua Photo: AFP and CC BY-SA 4.0
Ms Tabuya was responding to the president's speech during the opening of Parliament last week.
She said President Jioje Konrote's speech had encouraged members of the House not to sow the politics of fear but to deliver solutions to challenges.
The first step in delivering solutions to the country's problems was to admit that there was a problem, she said.
"Many Fijians feel disheartened and betrayed...a nation that is demoralised and left with little hope."
"Section 20 [sub section D] of the parliamentary powers and privileges act states that any person who assaults a Member of Parliament within the precincts of Parliament is guilty of an offence."
Section 32 stated that a written authority by the attorney-general was to be given to refer the matter for prosecution.
But she said the Attorney-General had not issued that authority.
"The truth is when citizens believe that police do not investigate and charge leaders and those that are in authority to the same standards as ordinary citizens, it is a problem.
"And many people lose trust in that institution."
Ms Tabuya praised former Parliament staff Iliesa Raduadua for standing his ground even after he was forced to resign for leaking the video.
A GoFundMe page raised over $US3700 for Mr Raduadua to help care for his sick mother, his small farm and market produce, she said.