25 Apr 2017

Bainimarama opposes Fiji constitution review

12:42 pm on 25 April 2017

Fiji's prime minister Frank Bainimarama has dismissed opposition calls for a partial review of the 2013 constitution.

The Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama at Government House in Auckland

The Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama at Government House in Auckland. Photo: RNZ/ALEX PERROTTET

Speaking in parliament, he said he did not have the political will to review it and pointed to the endorsement given by his political party which has an overwhelming majority in parliament.

Mr Bainimarama also dismissed claims by opposition MP Niko Nawaikula that the real constitution was burnt.

The claim was withdrawn because Mr Nawaikula could not back up his statement.

He had referred to a draft which the military regime, led by Mr Bainimarama, had commissioned but later rejected.

Police seized draft copies and had them burnt, with the information ministry saying the papers were destroyed for security reasons and to preserve the integrity of the constitutional process.

The 1997 constitution was abrogated in 2009 after Mr Bainimarama's post-coup regime was declared to be illegal.

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