Speaker Ratu Epeli Nailatikau last night slammed Opposition Member of Parliament Ro Filipe Tuisawau for withdrawing his motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama.

Ratu Epeli said to have withdrawn the motion hours after tabling it was highly improper and discourteous. He said it was a gross abuse of the parliamentary process and not an appropriate use of Parliament’s time.

He said a motion of no confidence in the PM had grave consequences and should not be treated lightly in the wily nilly manner demonstrated by Ro Filipe.

He said it showed a lack of respect, and decorum for Members of Parliament, the Speaker and the Fijian people.

Ratu Epeli said the motion was received at 4.04pm yesterday by the Secretary-General of Parliament for the purpose of Section 94 of the Constitution.

Pursuant to Standing Orders 49 (5) the debate on such a motion is to take precedence over any other business and under Standing Order 49 (1) and Section 94 (2) of the Constitution it must be called for a vote within 24 hours of the notice of motion being given.

Accordingly, Ratu Epeli adjourned Parliament for dinner so that this motion could be immediately tabled and voted upon after dinner.

After he adjourned Parliament, another notice was received at 6.57pm seeking to formally withdraw the motion.

Ratu Epeli said motions of no confidence were a serious matter. For that reason, he said, the Constitution provided they must be voted on without delay in 24 hours. They should not be taken lightly.

It is understood that the motion was submitted to pre-empt a motion against SODELPA Opposition MP Mosese Bulitavu. It was designed to distract attention from the Bulitavu motion.

(Tomorrow: The drama in SODELPA Opposition).

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