11 Apr 2014

Fiji opposition to make another police complaint about regime

1:09 pm on 11 April 2014

A leading Fiji political grouping says it plans to make a police complaint today on the regime leader's use of the Fiji coat of arms.

A spokesperson for the United Front for a Democratic Fiji, Mick Beddoes, says Rear Admiral Frank Bainimarama's campaign bus bears Fiji's coat of arms in contravention of the Coat of Arms of Fiji Act.

But the Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, has rejected the claims, saying the UFDF is trying to seek publicity.

Mr Beddoes says that is not correct.

"The law clearly stipulates that it cannot be used, if the design in any way resembles the coat of arms in a manner that is likely to deceive. So, your guess will be as good as mine, what do you call that thing that's on the side of Frank's bus? That's a coat of arms."

Mick Beddoes says he will also ask police why it is not investigating a complaint lodged last month about Rear Admiral Bainimarama campaigning without having a party registered.

He says it is unlikely any complaint against the regime will be followed up until democracy is restored.