Joint Opposition Caucus unanimously agreed to protest - Kepa

Opposition Leader, Ro Teimumu Kepa says the Joint Opposition Caucus unanimously agreed to protest the punishment voted in by the FijiFirst against Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu in Parliament last night by not taking their seats in Parliament yesterday.

Ro Teimumu says a delegation from the Opposition informed the Speaker of their decision, prior to the start of Parliament yesterday morning.

She says Friday was the Members day and there were a number of Questions and Motions that Members had filed to be heard today.

However she says the opposition sees Ratu Naiqama’s two year suspension from parliament as excessive punishment, and the opposition members opted to forgo their day in order to protest.

Ro Teimumu says the Joint Caucus is currently reviewing matters and will meet next week to decide on its next course of action.

None of the opposition MPs turned up in parliament as the proceedings commenced at about 10 o’clock yesterday morning.

The government side then asked why the opposition had not showed up and whether they will be paid for yesterday.

Speaker of Parliament, Doctor Jiko Luveni informed the government side that the opposition MP’s spoke to her earlier yesterday.

Doctor Luveni says she will decide later on whether the opposition MPs will be paid for Friday.

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