21 May 2015

Fiji MP poised to be banned for two years for slur

3:01 pm on 21 May 2015

Fiji's Parliamentary Privileges Committee has recommended that the opposition's Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu be suspended for two years effective immediately.

Last week, the Attorney-General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, moved a motion in parliament to refer Ratu Naiqama to the Committee over an alleged slur about the speaker, jiko Luveni, made during a constituency meeting.

FBC News says the Committee recommends that during the suspension Ratu Naiqama be banned from the parliamentary precincts and the opposition office.

It is not known if Dr Luveni lodged a police complaint for alleged defamation.

Last week, the prime minister, Frank Bainimarama, who shut down the last parliament as part of his 2006 military coup, expressed sadness at reports of the alleged slur about what he called the esteemed position in the supreme law making body.