By RNZ.co.nz
Fiji’s Coalition government will not interfere with the law as investigations into former government ministers and senior elections official continues.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Manoa Kamikamica, made the comments as he met members of the Fijian community in Wellington on Wednesday.
In the capital, leading a Trade Mission seeking discussions on possible investments in Fiji and partnerships focused on helping revive the Fijian economy, Kamikamica said a return to true democracy was the new government’s focus.
“And that includes letting the justice system takes its own course, with no interference from government,” he told the gathering at the Taranaki Wesley Church hall.
“I want to confirm here tonight that we, your government, does not have anything to do with current Police investigations against the former Prime Minister, the suspended Police Commissioner, the former Attorney General or the former Supervisor of Elections.
“Fiji Police is doing their own investigations on reports filed by members of the public in Fiji.”
Former Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama and suspended Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho appeared in the Suva Magistrates court on March 10, with one charge each of abuse of office. They were bailed and told not to leave the country.
The former Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, and Mohammed Saneem, the former Supervisor of Elections, were both interviewed by Fiji Police this week.
Kamikamica said the Coalition government in place now wants to ensure there is true democracy across the board in Fiji.
Manoa Kamikamica is garlanded during his meeting with the Fijian community in Wellington Photo: Iliesa Tora/RNZ Pacific
Trade mission
Three months into government, Kamikamica, who is also Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications, said the trade mission to New Zealand is important in a lot of ways to Fiji.
He told the community members that both countries have a long-standing relationship that goes back a long time.
“For us the trade mission is important because it gives us the opportunity to meet with investors, business owners here and those of our own who have made it successfully here, and tell them that Fiji is ready to welcome them,” he said.
“Government has identified some key areas that we want to develop and these are what we are discussing with businesses and likely investors. This includes renewable energy, agriculture and manufacturing. We want to tell interested investors that Fiji is ready to host them and be the place for them to do business.”
The trade mission hopes to secure at least 50 companies and investors to invest in Fiji on this trip, the first by the Coalition government to any country.
Pacific hub
Manoa Kamikamica revealed that the government wants to make Fiji the business hub of the Pacific.
That, he added, would help lift the Fijian economy while at the same time also help boost economies of Pacific countries.
For example, he revealed that a Fijian company in Nadi will be manufacturing LED lightings that will be exported to New Zealand.
“That is a plus and something that we want to develop so we also become the hub of business in the Pacific and assist other Pacific economies in that way,” Mr Kamikamica stated.
“That creates more work for Fijians and also boosts the economy at home and assist here in New Zealand.”
