PM: Kamikamica still People’s Alliance deputy party leader

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has confirmed that Manoa Kamikamica remains the deputy party leader of the People’s Alliance, despite stepping down from his Cabinet roles.

Mr Kamikamica officially handed over his portfolio as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, Small and Medium Enterprises, and Communications to Prime Minister Rabuka yesterday at the Prime Minister’s Office.

The handover follows court proceedings initiated by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).

“The removal from Cabinet, as a Cabinet Minister and as Deputy Prime Minister, has nothing to do with the party,” Mr Rabuka said.

 “He’s still the deputy party leader as far as the party is concerned. As one of the founding members of the party, we will continue to be with him.”

Mr Rabuka said the Government would wait for the court process to conclude before making any further decisions. “We can only proceed once we are cleared. At the moment, he’s before the court, and we’ll wait until after that,” he said.

When asked about appointing an acting Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Rabuka said there was no need. “No, no need to. I already have two Deputy Prime Ministers,” he said.

He also addressed the Government’s decision to apply for a judicial review rather than referring the matter to the Judicial Services Commission.

“Everyone before the court has the right to apply for a judicial review. It’s up to the court to grant or not,” Mr Rabuka said.

 “If it’s government or those named in the review, we will have to justify and defend our positions in court.”

Mr Rabuka confirmed that he is among those named in the judicial review and will appear in court when required.