Fiji opposition accuses AG of whipping up ethnic emotions

The leader of the opposition in Fiji Ro Teimumu Kepa has accused Fiji's Attorney General of whipping up ethnic emotions in a speech this week condemning attacks on several Hindu temples.

Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said vandalism would not be tolerated on any places of worship.

He also warned that politicians had either added fuel to the fire or stayed silent over the matter.

Ro Teimumu refuted that by saying the opposition was the first to condemn the attacks.

She said the Attorney-General reminding people of the events of 1987 and 2000 was provocative and a calculated scheme "to whip up ethnic emotions, grossly mislead our people and to develop vote bank politics in Fiji."

She said the opposition's alternative policies and leadership have created fear in the government.

The opposition leader reiterated that the opposition deplored the attacks and called on the police to apprehend those involved and "take them to task."