Parliament

AG steps down, Rabuka follows suit after opposition from government

September 3, 2019 4:48 pm

Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and Opposition Leader Sitiveni Rabuka

Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has stepped down from the Privileges Committee with Opposition Leader Sitiveni Rabuka also being told that he cannot be part of the committee.

Sayed-Khaiyum and Rabuka were part of the committee to deliberate on the NFP President Pio Tikoduadua and Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama’s case.


Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama [left] and NFP President Pio Tikoduadua

Yesterday, at their first meeting Rabuka wrote a letter to the Speaker questioning AG’s involvement in the committee.

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In the letter, Rabuka stated that AG should not be part of the meeting as he had already made public statements on the issue.

Sayed-Khaiyum told FBC News that he has also written to the speaker for him to step down and let the process continue with Mahendra Reddy replacing him in the committee.

“The reality is we have said that we do not want any blemish or taint the proceedings of the Privileges Committee and so I have decided to withdraw myself.”

He says Rabuka also made public statements and it was hypocritical for him to demand this.

However, Rabuka was also subjected to the same issue as the AG as he had also delivered a public statement on the case which also disallowed him to be present in the meeting.

“And because of that statement my presence in the committee was objected to because the objection was raised, I did not wait for a ruling, I recused myself out of respect to the member who raised the objection and to the Chair of the Committee and also I’ve noticed the Attorney General who was also subject to the letter we wrote to the Speaker had recused himself”

He was initially understood to have been hesitant to step down from the committee but had to back down after strong opposition from the Government side.

Rabuka has been replaced by Mosese Bulitavu and he is now in the committee meeting with Adi Litia Qionibaravi.

NFP leader Professor Biman Prasad has also just told media that all three party members in Parliament, including Tikoduadua and Lenora Qereqeretabua have been summoned to appear before the committee.


NFP leader Professor Biman Prasad

The matter relates to alleged personal attack by Tikoduadua against the Prime Minister and also the altercations between Bainimarama and Tikoduadua.

Tikoduadua had on August 9th launched a scathing attack on Bainimarama, saying the PM should not be talking on violence against women and should be the last person talking about violence against women in this house and also should know what is happening in his own house.