FijiFirst MPs Claim No Written Directive was Issued
The MPs claimed that they were only told that a directive came from FijiFirst party leader Voreqe Bainimarama through his lawyer’s hours before the report was tabled and debated on Friday.
Thursday 30 May 2024 | 09:53
Four FijiFirst Members of Parliament have revealed that no written directive ever came from the Party President or its Acting General Secretary in regards to their voting on the emoluments committee report in Parliament last Friday.
This is in response to party president Ratu Joji Satakala’s statement last Sunday which outlined that 16 of the FijiFirst MPs went against the party position and directive by voting for the salary and benefit increase.
This was even after the FijiFirst party in its recommendation to the emoluments committee recommended a raise.
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Mr Satakala in his statement said that all FijiFirst members of Parliament were directed in writing during a caucus meeting last Friday.
He said the written directive was from the Acting General Secretary to vote against or abstain from voting on the salary and benefit increase for the Members of parliament.
The members that the party claimed voted against the directive were: Mosese Bulitavu, Sanjay Kirpal, Semi Koroilavesau, Shalen Kumar, Virendra Lal, loane Naivalurua, Sachida Nand, Vijay Nath, Viliame Naupoto, Ratu Josaia Niudamu, Penioni Ravunawa, Taito Rokomatu, Inia Seruiratu, Alipate Tuicolo, Naisa Tuinaceva and Jone Usamate.
The 16 MPs who now face termination from the party await their fate.
The Fiji Sun reached out to four FijiFirst MP’s who claimed that there was never a directive issued.
The MPs claimed that they were only told that a directive came from FijiFirst party leader Voreqe Bainimarama through his lawyer’s hours before the report was tabled and debated on Friday.
Questions have also been raised by certain FijiFirst MPs on how the new party president was chosen.
Meanwhile, in a statement yesterday Opposition Member of Parliament Jone Usamate said the representatives of the 16 members of parliament met with the Speaker Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu and the Secretary General of Parliament yesterday, seeking clarification of the processes of Parliament.
This as the party founding members deliberate on actions to take against the 16 MPs.
The Speaker has assured that all the due processes of Parliament will be followed, should a notification be received by his office.
Feedback: inoke.rabonu@fijisun.com.fj
