National Federation Party (NFP) president Tupou Draunidalo has encouraged the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) to stay out of politics.

“The military must not publicly comment or act on political matters. That’s not for them. No one elected them,” the NFP president said while responding to the President’s address at the opening of the 2015 – 2016 parliamentary year.

She said she was pleased to note what was in the print media two days ago in which the military was requested to make comment on what Niko Nawaikula said on social media about the President’s address. But the Land Force Commander, Colonel Sitiveni Qiliho resisted as it was in the political sphere.

“That is encouraging, please stay on that track,” she said.

The NFP president said section 131 of the Constitution gave the RFMF even more power.

She said the military could and should use its powers under section 131 of the Constitution to independently and fearlessly advise the elected government of the day to not embroil the military in political matters. “As this leads to trouble of the kind that we all wish to avoid.”

“I say to the military forces through you, if there are no security threats, then it must independently and fearlessly advise the elected government of the same. National security is its domain.”

She said if RFMF believed that the elected government was saying and doing things that incited or might incite security issues then it was the duty of the military to independently and fearlessly advise the elected government of the same.

“But you must never usurp government that is not your role.”

Colonel Qiliho said they would not comment on anything said in parliament as the Minister for Defence Timoci Natuva would.

Mr Natuva told the Fiji Sun yesterday that he was taking notes and would reply on Thursday.

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