Fiji’s Immigration Director, Nemani Vuniwaqa, has confirmed that the prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama had banned Fiji-born (Mere)oni Kirwin from entering the country.
Oni Kirwin is a controversial figure who lives in Australia.
According to some commentators she has little credibility and little support.
Vuniwaqi told the Fiji Sun that Kirwin was “in attempts to form a so-called Christian State in Ra and Nadroga.”
Professor Brij Lal, Indo-Fijian historian at the Australian National University says he is baffled by the separatist intentions.
“You have crazy people all over the world, it’s simply ridiculous. Western Fiji is fully integrated into the economy. This is a nonsensical.”
Oni Kirwin, who describes herself as attorney-general of the Ra and Nadroga Christian state, said she is “not frightened or scared at all”.
Kirwin rose to prominence late last year, after she claimed that she was to go to London to meet the Queen and discuss Fiji’s independence.
It is believed this meeting never took place.
It was also rumoured that Kirwin has taken the issue to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
It is believed that is also untrue.
“There is a takeover in Fiji and it is not a good one,” said Kirwin.
“We’re concerned by Muslims. Their influence is very, very high,” Kirwin says.
She points to Muslims holding high office in the Bainimarama government, including attorney-general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
About seven per cent of Fiji’s population is Muslim.
Supporters of the Christian state have allies in Australia.
They were blessed by the Reverend Fred Nile during a meeting with a group led by Kirwin in the New South Wales upper house of parliament in April.
More than 60 people allegedly linked to anti-Muslim separatists have been detained in Fiji, accused of plotting to create a breakaway state on the western part of the main island of Viti Levu.
Brij Lal is also critical of Bainimarama, “I think, as some critics suggest, it’s a diversionary thing from criticism of the government and diversion from the economy,” he said.
“He (Voreqe Bainimarama) has in his sights people who are critics of the government. He equates criticism of the government as an attack on democracy.”
Last Friday Bainimarama warned Fijians living overseas who support the Christian state movement.
“If you encourage sedition you are committing a serious offences.” The hand of the law is very long. And rest that the authorities in Fiji will not rest until you are brought to justice.”
“If you encourage sedition, you are committing a serious offence,” he said.
Bainimarama did not name any individuals.
Source
- 3news.co.nz
- sbs.com.au
- radionz.co.nz
- fijileaks.com
- crosbiew.blogspot.co.nz
- Image: crosbiew.blogspot.co.nz
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News category: Asia Pacific.
