Minister for National Security and Defence Ratu Inoke Kubuabola has hit out at Opposition Whip Mosese Bulitavu’s comments a media release last month.

Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Ratu Inoke condemned Mr Bulitavu for his short-sightedness and lack of substance in the claims that he made on February 28.

Ratu Inoke reiterated the need for Members of Parliament to carefully consider what they put out for public consumption.

“There were reasons behind all the decisions made on this operation, and I will elaborate more on this later but this was an occasion that needed careful and deliberate planning given the difficulties faced on the ground on the day.

“It should not be used as a platform to gain political mileage when families of the victims were dealing with the uncertainties regarding the lives of their loved ones,” Ratu Inoke said.

Ratu Inoke explained to the august House that the delay in the decision of the deployment of the air search teams were not a result of the delays in the processes mentioned by Mr Bulitavu.

He said this was a deliberate decision based on the unfavourable weather that existed at the time.

“It would be unreasonable for us to put our aerial search teams out when visibility was almost none,” he said.

“In addition, we do not want to risk losing additional lives when common sense dictates that it would be untenable to deploy those assets and responders in unfavourable flying and search conditions.”

He said Pacific Flying School used their assets during the first and second day but could not locate the site because of very poor weather.

Commenting on suggestions made by Mr Bulitavu to give parachutes to air-travellers, Ratu Inoke said it baffled him to think that an honourable member of the House would make baseless and misleading statements in public.

“Parachutes are not considered lifesaving equipment for all fixed wing aircraft.

“The most basic training requires several hours of theory and several practical jumps with experienced jumpers before a lay person such as a passenger on a commercial flight can even consider making that jump.”

He said jumping out of a fixed wing aircraft with a parachute with or without training was more than likely to be met with a fatal outcome.

“I humbly urge members of this house to take time to think through issues before we put them out for public consumption,” Ratu Inoke said.

Edited by Mohammed Zulfikar

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