22 May 2015

Fiji MP suspended for slur

9:52 am on 22 May 2015

Fiji opposition MP Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has been suspended from the House of Representatives for the next two years.

Fiji government buildings

Fiji government buildings Photo: RNZI / Sally Round

FBC reports that late last night, parliament passed a motion to suspend Ratu Naiqama based on the recommendation of the Priviledges Committee.

He is not allowed to enter Parliament precincts including the Opposition Office until the suspension expires.

Ratu Naiqama uttered a slur against the Speaker Jiko Luveni last week.

The acting prime minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum who moved the original motion against Ratu Naiqama says there was no way to let the incident go without taking action.

The Tui Cakau Ratu Naiqama also spoke as the House debated the motion and revealed that he had privately apologized to Dr Luveni.

27 MPs voted for the motion, 18 voted against and 4 MPs did not vote.