The Opposition members boycotted today’s parliament sitting.
None of the Opposition MPs turned up in parliament as the proceedings commenced at about 10 o’clock this morning.
The Government side then asked why the Opposition had not showed up and whether they will be paid for today.
Speaker of Parliament Doctor Jiko Luveni informed the Government side that the Opposition MPs spoke to her earlier today.
Doctor Luveni says she will decide later on whether the Opposition MPs will be paid for today.
Meanwhile, the SODELPA and National Federation Party members started walking out of parliament last night after the motion was passed for Opposition MP Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu to be suspended from parliament for two years from yesterday.
27 Members of Parliament voted in favor of the Parliamentary Privileges Committee’s recommendation last night while 18 members voted against it and four members did not vote.
The Opposition also filed a motion that if any breach is found, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu should be asked to withdraw the comments he made and that be the end of the matter, however this motion was defeated in parliament.
As strongly recommended by the Parliamentary Privileges Committee, Ratu Naiqama must also issue a public apology in writing to the Speaker.
This case is in relation to the foul language and derogatory comments made by Ratu Naiqama in a SODELPA public meeting in Makoi last Thursday when he was asked about the Speaker’s decisions.
Parliament has been adjourned to July 6th after the passing of the Companies Bill.
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