The Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei (SVT) Government with Sitiveni Rabuka as Prime Minister had removed dual citizenship after the 1987 coup.

Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said previously under the Immigration Act, a minister at his or her discretion could grant citizenship to anyone which happened during the SVT days.

“People who had run away from the law from other countries were granted citizenship within six months. What does that do to the value of our citizenship? It undermines the value of citizenship,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.

“We’re trying to elevate the level of our citizenship. We took away the discretionary powers of the ministers. You must stay in Fiji for at least 15 years to be able to get citizenship.

“Sitiveni Rabuka removed dual citizenship in Fiji after the 1987 coup, but Bainimarama brought it back. Multiple citizenship.”

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said as a result of bringing back dual citizenship, many former Fijians had now returned to Fiji.