5 Apr 2004

Fiji coalition reported split

3:49 pm on 5 April 2004

A split has been reported in Fiji's governing coalition between the Prime Minister's SDL party and the pro-coup Conservative Alliance Matanitu Vanua party.

The Daily Post says at issue are the government's affirmative action programmes for indigenous Fijians and the large number of scams.

An unnamed member of the Conservative Alliance is quoted as saying the affirmative action programmes are not reaching needy indigenous Fijians.

He is questioning the value of large state investments when villages are still without clean drinking water and electricity, school furniture is broken and children are without books.

The member also says the Conservative Alliance is concerned about the large number of scams which have appeared since the government took office, all which would affect the outcome of the next general election.

The information minster, Simione Kaitani, has confirmed there are differences of opinion, but says these are normal and there is no split.