PM defends President

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has disputed claims that President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu is "unfit" to perform his presidential duties.

Following the Opening of the 2025 Parliament session on Monday, criticism arose on social media and by some political commentators questioning whether Ratu Naiqama is medically fit to perform his official duties.

During the parade, Ratu Naiqama was aided to walk while nearly falling as he proceeded to face the parade outside Parliament.

The opening ceremony was telecast live on the Parliament of Fiji Facebook page.

"Ask them to put their names to their "concerns" in view of Section 26. (3) (a) of the Constitution, in a Petition, and ask me as PM to invoke the appropriate provisions of Section 89 of the Constitution," Mr Rabuka said.

"That will have to be determined by a medical board. At the moment I have no reasons to institute a medical board because he is performing as expected of him."

Section 26 (3) (a) of the 2013 Constitution prohibits unfair discrimination against a person based on their race, culture, ethnic or social origin, colour, place of origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, birth, primary language, economic or social or health status, disability, age, religion, conscience, marital status, or pregnancy; essentially guaranteeing equality before the law and protection from discrimination on these grounds.

Section 89 states how the President can be constitutionally removed from office. Section 89 (3) (a) (ii) states: in the case of alleged inability to perform the function of the office, a medical board, consisting of a chairperson and two other members, each of whom is a qualified medical practitioner.

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