Privilege Committee member and Government MP, Alvick Maharaj

Privilege Committee member and Government MP, Alvick Maharaj says Opposition members initially agreed to sign off on the report.

This, in regard to the breach of privilege by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and MP Pio Tikoduadua.

Speaking on the amended motion in Parliament, Maharaj says there was a consensus that all members of the Privilege Committee agreed to the recommendations to have both Bainimarama and Tikoduadua apologise or face immediate suspension from the House for six months.

However, less than 24 hours later, Maharaj says the Opposition Members on the committee represented by Mosese Bulitavu and Adi Litia Qionibaravi were forced to renege on their initial agreement.

“Independence of the committee was compromised from Opposition. The two Opposition Members agreed to sign the report but their caucus interference forced them to change their tune this morning. We accommodated Opposition’s views at every step of the way during past five days.”

The report was tabled in the House this morning without the signatures and thus the endorsement of the Opposition members.

Meanwhile, debate on the Opposition’s amended motion which calls for the Prime Minister to apologise and be suspended for two years continues in Parliament.

Other members of the Privileges Committee includes Dr. Mahendra Reddy and Inia Seruiratu.