24 May 2010

Fiji interim regime withdraw its earlier suspension on pensions for critics

2:05 pm on 24 May 2010

The government in Fiji has revoked a decree which gave it the power to stop government pensions to those who criticised the interim regime, or incited hatred.

The Fiji Sun reports the interim Prime Minister has confirmed that the Regulation of Pensions and Retirement Allowances Decree, which was introduced last December, will be lifted.

Commodore Frank Bainimarama says pension payments will be reinstated from tomorrow, and that a point has been made to the people who are against the regime.

The Prime Minister's office previously stated that the pensions of more than 20 former government ministers had been cut under the decree, although the former SDL led government could not confirm whether its members had been affected.

A former Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, who had confirmed that his pension had been cut, told the Fiji Sun he is very glad it is now being reinstated.