Privileges Committee currently looking into matter of privilege concerning Tikoca

The Parliamentary Privileges Committee is currently looking into a matter of privilege concerning SODELPA parliamentarian Ratu Isoa Tikoca.

The committee will report back to parliament with its recommendations this week.

Chairman of the committee Ruveni Nadalo has confirmed to Fijivillage that he has excused himself from chairing the meeting as he was the Speaker in Parliament when the incident occurred.

Speaker Doctor Jiko Luveni confirms that government MP Netani Rika was chairing the committee meeting.

The Speaker and the Parliamentary Secretariat have not released details on the matter of privilege and the MP concerned.

However Fijivillage has received information that the Prime Minister had filed the matter of privilege regarding Ratu Isoa Tikoca's comments in parliament during the National Budget Debate.

Voreqe Bainimarama had said at the time that Tikoca’s comments are unacceptable and he needs to be careful of his racist comments.

Bainimarama and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed‑Khaiyum were not in parliament when Ratu Isoa Tikoca read out the names of selective people in government positions because they are of the Muslim faith.

Tikoca had also said that Sayed‑Khaiyum is leading Fiji with his own kind.

Meanwhile Opposition Leader Ro Teimumu Kepa has refused to make any comments.

Doctor Luveni says that she expects the report from the committee this week.