Opposition Leader warns govt. not to interfere

[posted 3 May 2005, 1330]

Opposition Leader Mahendra Chaudhry has told government he will not brook interference in the performance of his duties.

H was reacting to an attempt by Home Affairs Minister Josefa Vosanibola to stop him from having direct contact with the Police Commissioner and the army Commander.

In a letter to Chaudhry this week, Vosanibola said the Opposition Leader needed to go through him if he wanted to speak to the Police Commissioner or Commander RFMF.

Chaudhry told the Minister he was "naïve" to even suggest this.

"You forget perhaps that I am not a civil servant and that I am not bound by the rules of the civil service. As an elected representative of the people, and more so as Leader of the Opposition, I have personal access to both the Commissioner and the Commander on legitimate official business.

He reminded the Minister that, in a democratic society, even ordinary citizens had the right to an audience with any civil servant, irrespective of status or rank, on matters of concern to them.