Opposition Whip Ratu Isoa Tikoca has been suspended for the rest of the term of parliament until 2018.
Tikoca has to make a public apology and cannot enter the parliamentary precincts during the term of his suspension.
30 parliamentarians voted for the motion to suspend Tikoca, 13 MPs voted against it while 7 MPs did not vote.
The Parliamentary Privileges Committee had recommended earlier today that Tikoca be suspended for the rest of the term of parliament.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama had filed the matter of privilege regarding Ratu Isoa Tikoca’s comments in parliament during the National Budget Debate.
Tikoca had read out the names of selective people in government positions - all the names were of people who follow the Muslim faith.
This is part of Tikoca’s comments during the budget debate.
While speaking on the motion to suspend Tikoca for the rest of the parliamentary term, Bainimarama said racial or religious attacks will never be tolerated in parliament.
Bainimarama says this is how hatred starts, and hatred can easily lead to violence like what happened in Nazi Germany and issues of racial inequality and now racial stereotyping seen in the US.
Suspended Opposition Whip Ratu Isoa Tikoca who spoke before the vote, said that he was speaking on behalf of his community when he made those comments.
After the suspension, he also said that he stands by his comments as it was not directed against any race or religion.
Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mere Vuniwaqa asked all the members of the parliament to study Tikoca’s statement and then ask themselves honestly leaving their political differences and biases aside whether there was evidence of ill will against a group of people in this country.
She says it is evident to her as an individual and a member of parliament that Tikoca’s statements were a direct attack against the Muslims of this country.
Opposition MP Semesa Karavaki pleaded with members of parliament to refrain from suspending Tikoca for the rest of the parliament term.
Opposition MP and NFP Leader, Biman Prasad says the penalty for Ratu Isoa Tikoca is too harsh.
He says that there is no religious hatred in Fiji and he agrees with SODELPA MP, Viliame Gavoka that Tikoca be suspended for 30 days.
Leader of the House in parliament Inia Seruiratu says parliamentarians should never play the race or religion card, and never use words that are likely to promote or provoke feelings of ill will amongst communities in Fiji.
He stresses that everyone is equal in Fiji.
Opposition Leader Ro Teimumu Kepa is calling for a 30 day suspension for Tikoca.
She says she is the last person to be a racist as the people of Rewa had recently received the Indo Fijians as people of Noco.
Employment Minister Jone Usamate says Fiji must never go back to the divide and rule tactics.
Industry and Trade Minister Faiyaz Koya says Tikoca’s comments are unacceptable and Koya says every person Tikoca named on the list were appointed on merit.
Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations
