The Fiji Police Force has no issues with the Bill to change the National Flag .

However, while making submission to the Parliamentary standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights, Fiji Police Force director legal Superintendent of Police Sakeo Raikaci said the proposed Bill did not fully discuss who was responsible for prosecuting offences.

However, he accepted that the new flag was part of moving Fiji foward.

Part 3 of Section 7 of the National Flag Protection Bill 2015 discusses the prohibitions on the use of the flag.

It states: “Any person who uses the flag or associates the use of the flag with any action,speech,writing,or other means, to demean, disrespect or insult the State, the Government or any member of Government or the general public, commits an offence.

(2.) Any person who uses the former Flag for any purpose under subsection (1) commits an offence.

Committee chairperson, Ashneel Sudhakar said that this is already covered in the Crimes decree, the offences and penalty decree and the crime procedure decree.

“This will be referred to the Secretary General for voice of reference,”Mr Sudhakar said.

Opposition member, Niko Nawaikula also questioned the impact cost the change of Flag and Coat of Arms can have on the Force.

Superintendent Sakeo Raikaci did not know what costs there would be.

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