Sitiveni Rabuka has labelled as “narrow-minded” National Federation Party president, Roko Tupou Draunidalo’s criticism of the military budget.

The SODELPA leader was responding to Ms Draunidalo’s Facebook rant after the Budget announcement last week, in which she criticised spending on military.

She said: “Like I said of the Budget details last night, it’s nothing personal etc against the military – soldiers and their families will also benefit from more monies to hospitals, education, dialysis machines, homes for the elderly etc,” she said

“Au sa oca saraga na vosa.” (I am tired of talking).

Mr Rabuka said Ms Draunidalo should be reminded that Government’s role was to allocate funds for the RFMF so that they would be able to carry out the role bestowed upon them.

“Government gives them the role and it is their responsibility to provide the funds too so that they can fulfill that role,” he said.

“If a ministry or department is given a role; it is the responsibility of the Government to fund them.”

He said Government’s spending on the military was felt worldwide.

Mr Rabuka said Fiji was able to get a profile through peacekeeping efforts.

“In fact majority of that money will go towards troops who are deployed overseas and we have a very high profile with a very low population profile.”

Out of the RFMF allocation of $96.4million for 2016-2017, $77.3million goes to

peacekeeping missions. In the 2016 Budget announced last November $77.26million was allocated to peacekeeping out of the total allocation of $170million.

“You look at the feedback of our national allocations to the military and look at the international implication of that expenditure; that is the way to look at it.

“If we feel we can’t afford it then we would lose some of that profile that we are projecting to the international community,” he said.

Mr Rabuka didn’t agree with Ms Draunidalo that funds allocate to the military was not a good investment by Government.

“We are investing on manpower, investing on human resources and development,” he said.

Mr Rabuka further said the RFMF had progressed over the years in its size and role.

“They are much better looked after now in terms of pay wise particularly when you look at the pay scale compared to the people in the civil service or the private sector.

“So in that case we are rewarding them not only what they put back into the nation and what they contribute to international stability,” he said.

Ms Draunidalo said: “Before I leave the capital and fb for a while I thought I’d just recall some of the costs of the 30yr coup culture and extremism for you.”

She included the  rule of law, parliamentary democracy, removal of BLV…etc.

Edited by Nemani Delaibatiki

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