While responding to pleas from villagers on Saturday, Bainimarama said if Government handed out assistance to a certain church group, others would follow suit.

He said this could not be done because Government did not have the funds just to assist religious groups but funds for all Fijians to improve livelihoods.

Turaga ni yavusa Bucaisau, Ratu Alipate Lautiki asked Mr Bainimarama for a boat and outboard engine to help transport villagers to church on Sundays.

Mr Bainimarama said if he approved it, other churches would also ask and costs could be exorbitant.

Bainimarama made his views known at the opening of the $4.39 million Coqeloa bridge outside Labasa on Friday.

Earlier this year in an address at the 25th Asia‑Pacific Parliamentary Forum Bainimarama says his government is very proud of the significant strides they have made to address social and economic inequality in Fiji.

He says ten years ago, Fijian society was riddled with institutional biases on the basis of religion, ethnicity, gender, provincialism and socioeconomic status.

Bainimarama says while it is a work in progress, they have knocked down many long-standing barriers to equal opportunity and have laid out a clear progressive path for national development.

He says the Fijian people stand more united and more prosperous than at any time in their history.

Source

• fijitimes.com
• fijivillage.com
• Image: radionz.co.nz

Singh claims that the prime minister has violated section 26 of the Fiji constitution, and he should be charged under the criminal code.

Bainimarama made an off the cuff response after watching a FBC TV programme, broadcast in early in January, 'Have Your Say'.

The programme which made references to the Constitution, equality and same sex marriage, featured Shamima Ali, the Women's Crisis Centre co-ordinator.

Ali said after the programme was aired that she last spoke to FBC TV last November and she did not say anything on same sex marriage.

Fiji Sun, reported that Bainimarama said "Tell Shamima Ali, there will be no same sex marriage in Fiji, a topic pushed by NGOs such as hers under the issue of human rights."

He added: "Not in her lifetime and not in ours."

"They should not be confused with the wording of the Constitution about the equality and love for one another."

The Constitution, he stressed, did not refer to equality as the opportunity for same sex marriage or love for all as love by Sakaraia for Ropate ending at the altar.

For a woman who wants to get married to another woman he said: "Go and have it done in Iceland and stay and live there."

"Fiji does not need that rubbish."

Jasmine Kaur, founder of the gay activist group Oceania Pride, called the prime minister's comment hateful and intolerant, and she has called for him to apologize.

"He actually needs to apologize to the LGBTIQ community," she said. "We need to create a culture of acceptance not (in)tolerance, and that is what I would like him to teach the nation."

Sexual activity between people of the same sex has been legal in Fiji since 2010. Same-sex marriage, however, has been expressly banned in the country since 2002. (It has been legal in Iceland since 2010.)

Source

• lifesitenews.com
• www.radionz.co.nz
• fijisun.com.fj
• huffingtonpost.com
• Image: www.radionz.co.nz

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

Twelve people from Nadroga-Navosa were scheduled to appear in the Sigatoka Magistrates Court on Monday morning but were later informed that the case will be heard in Nadi.

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Christopher Pride says there is no evidence to suggest these people are related to a group from Ra that has also been charged with sedition, nor is it related to members of an alleged para-military training group facing the same charges.

The Fiji Police Commissioner, Ben Groenewald, has described a group of men conducting military-style training in the hills of the northern province Ra as more like members of a cult who pose no threat to national security.

The Fiji Sun has reported that authorities believe a British Army veteran has been overseeing secret military training as part of a plot to form a breakaway "Christian" state.

The group has been accused of engaging in military training where a movement has reportedly been pushing to break away and declare the Ra Sovereign Christian State.

An expert on Melanesia, Jenny Hayward-Jones, from the Lowy Institute in Sydney, said the British army veteran was "more likely to be a Fijian" than a British citizen.

"There may well be retired British officers living in Fiji but I am not sure if there are younger ones who are energised to do this sort of activity," she said.

37 people in three separate groups appeared in court last week, facing charges such as sedition and inciting communal antagonism.

Groenewald says there is no indication the group is political in any way.

He says there's no confirmation the men had been training with weapons, rather he believes they may have had wooden replica guns.

Fiji's prime minster, Voreqe Bainimarama, has refused to comment specifically on the cases, but reinforced the police commissioner's statement that the groups posed no threat to national security.

He says there is no threat to i'Taukei or Christianity, and anyone who swears an illegal oath or encourages political violence will face the full force of the law.

Bainimarama said people should not follow instructions that could land them in jail.

"We should not tolerate any form of instability and we should not be swayed by those who wish to divide us," he said.

A lawyer representing some of the arrested said they were ready to take a quick trial date.

The court was told of the extensive media coverage on the case and concern was raised that it would not be fair on the accused persons.

But the State's lawyer said some disclosures were yet to be filed.

He asked for two weeks to serve the information. The case will be called in September.

Source

• radionz.co.nz
• fijitimes.com
• fjitimes.com
• radionz.co.nz
• fijitimes.com
• newindianexpress.com
• telegraph.co.uk
• radionz.co.nz
• Image: telegraph.co.uk

"He stood for equal opportunity, justice and dignity for every Fijian," said the Prime Minster of Fiji, Voreqe Bainimarama, in his message of condolence.

"Every Fijian joins me in mourning the passing of Archbishop Petero Mataca, the former head of the Roman Catholic Church in Fiji. He was a towering figure in the church and the wider community, serving as the Archbishop of Suva for a remarkable 36 years."

"Archbishop Mataca was a man of great integrity who was always prepared to take a stand for what is right. I came to deeply appreciate his personal qualities when he and I co-chaired the National Council for Building a Better Fiji. We shared a vision of a nation in which a common and equal citizenry work hand in hand for the common good and I deeply valued his commitment and support as we strove to meet that common objective."

"It is sad that Archbishop Mataca did not live to see the first genuine democracy that he so passionately believed in take hold in Fiji after our General Election in September. But when it happens, it will be in large part because of the building blocks he did so much to set in place."

"I will never forget his courage in standing up to the forces of division in Fiji, nor the great moral authority he exercised as Archbishop for the common good. As I mourn his passing, I renew my commitment to achieve Archbishop Mataca's vision for our beloved nation."

"He stood for equal opportunity, justice and dignity for every Fijian. And those are the principles on which a better Fiji is being built."

Dans un communiqué de condoléances, mardi, le Premier ministre Franck Bainimarama a rendu un vibrant hommage à un « homme d'une grande intégrité, toujours prêt à s'engager pour ce qui est juste .

"Pacific Conference of Churches General Secretary, Reverend Francois Pihaatae said Mataca has contributed immensely towards the development of the country and religion"

"Mataca had lived a life dedicated to service of God, and was passionate about social justice and addressing the needs of the under-privileged," he said

Pihaatae said that under his leadership, the Roman Catholic church made significant contributions to national development including the building of 12 secondary schools.

He added Mataca would be remembered for the emphasis he put on localising positions within the local church at a time when Fiji was taking its initial steps as an independent nation.

Acting general secretary of the Methodist Church in Fiji Rev Dr Epineri Vakadewavosa said Mataca "was committed to the ecumenical movement and understood that the journey of searching for visible unity of the Body of Christ was a long road that required a patient and loving heart."

"In the times when the church in Fiji was able to speak with one voice, he was with us. In the times when we could not find our common voice, he held his hand out in friendship." and reconciliation."
Source

• The Jet
• FBC
• The Fiji Times
• NewPad-pacific
• Image: NewsPad-pacific.info

Last week barefooted and with disposable medical gloves on their hands, the cadets were not phased by the lack of military garb as they put their best foot forward to impress Rear Admiral Voreqe Bainimarama.

He said the cadet program should not be a one-off exercise but a tool to direct students on the right path daily.

Boarders at Ratu Emeri school are reported to be sleeping on old and deteriorating beds.

During a talanoa session the school management and board committee members asked the Prime Minister to provide at least 20 new beds.

Committee member Sepesa Kula said the beds were brought in by a Catholic priest in 1955 and were slowly deteriorating.

He said the 22 boarders shared beds sometimes and the students would be grateful if the government could assist the school with 20 new beds.

The Prime Minister requested the Education Ministry to take note of the plea.

Source

• The Fiji Times
• The Fiji Times
• Image: The Fiji Times

Methodist Church general secretary Reverend Tevita Nawadra said the church had asked government for two weeks in which to hold the annual conference.

"We wanted to hold our singing competition in the first week and hold our conference on the second week annual conference," Nawadra said.

He said the 40 hours given to them by the Fiji Police Force was not enough to complete their agenda.

They have sent a letter to Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama asking for more time and were hoping to get a reply soon.

"We have not heard from the PM and we are hoping to get a time extension for more democratic talks on issues surrounded by the church."

Nawadra said if their request to the PM's office is unsuccessful and the time is not extended, they will prioritise the agenda to make sure all major issues get discussed at the annual conference despite the restricted four-day permit.

Source

• The Fiji Times
• The Fiji Times
• Image: FijiLive.com