No Cause for Concern: Pio

The recent release of 2000 coup frontman George Speight and former Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit (CRW) leader Shane Stevens last week should be no cause of concern for Fijians.

Minister for Home Affairs Pio Tikoduadua made this assurance last night.

Speight and Steven’s release from prison through presidential pardon after over 20 years have been received with mixed reactions by the public recently.

While many have welcomed the duo’s return to freedom, others have spoken openly about the scars left behind by the events of 2000.

Assuring Fijians, Minister Tikoduadua said the safety and security of the Fijian public was a priority.

“Let me say as Minister for Home Affairs, I am reassuring the Fijian public that their safety and security is assured. It is not dependent on George Speight or whoever. Their safety and security is assured,” Mr Tikoduadua said.

“We have come a long way since 2000, you are hearing of reconciliation and good spirit particularly from the most important institutions,” he said.

“There will be politics, you can’t avoid that.

“People will not be happy, but I can assure everyone that there is nothing to be concerned about. We recognize that people will have different opinion and we respect that too.

“There is no cause for concern.”

Mr Tikoduadua said the process for mercy was enabled under the law.

“Under the 2013 Constitution, anybody that is convicted is entitled under that law to apply.

“It is always the law at the forefront, it is to be expected that members of our community will have mixed reactions.

“There will be people who agree and many that disagree but one thing that goes without saying is that Speight and Shane Stevens are entitled under the law to apply for mercy.”

He said the Mercy Commission was an independent commission, that have considered the men’s plight, and the full process followed.

“That is what it is. Not everyone will be happy, we recognise that.

Echoing similar sentiments, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka assured: “You are very safe. You have nothing to worry about from Speight nor Mr Stevens.”

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