Speaker suspends convicted Lands Minister

[posted 18 April 2005, 1300]

The Speaker Ratu Epeli Nailatikau has ruled that convicted Lands Minister Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu cannot attend Parliament while he is serving his jail sentence, even if extra-murally.

The Speaker's ruling comes amid very strong reaction from the Labour Party, the army, the DPP's office and civil society bodies such as the Law Society and the Citizens Constitutional Forum to the release of the two convicted chiefs after serving only 11 days in prison.

Deputy Leader of Opposition Poseci Bune said Laisenia Qarase had brought discredit to the office of the prime minister and was not fit to continue in office.

Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu and Government-appointed Senator Ratu Josefa Dimuri were convicted for criminal offences relating to the May 2000 coup and sentenced to 8 months imprisonment.

The DPP's office has sought an explanation from Prison authorities before deciding on whether to challenge the decision. Both the CCF and the Law Society have condemned the release, in the light of the universally accepted principle of equality for all before the law.

Law Society president Graham Leung said he had personal doubts about the legality of the release.

Mr. Bune described the release of the two as a travesty of justice and said it made a mockery of the entire judicial process. But added that the move was not unexpected considering the SDL government's long record of showing disrespect to the rule of law.

He said the takeover of the Sukanaivalu Barracks in Labasa spearheaded by these chiefs had unleashed a spate of terror and lawlessness in the North. Scores of helpless rural communities in isolated settlements were forced to flee their homes as their properties and crops were plundered and ransacked or hid in bushes and drains overnight to escape the marauding gangs.

Both the chiefs must take full responsibility for these heinous crimes against the people, he said.

Army Commander Frank Bainimarama, the main driving force behind the determination to bring all conspirators and perpetrators of the May 2000 coup and the army mutiny to justice, said he was "frustrated, disturbed and disappointed" at the release of the two.

He said the move has grossly undermined the judiciary and made a mockery of the military, the police and the judiciary. He warned that there can be no reconciliation in Fiji unless there was an acceptance that the events of 2000 were wrong and those responsible be punished.