At least half of the 17 FijiFirst party Members of Parliament will retain their status as independent MPs following the recent deregistration of the party. Opposition MP Mosese Bulitavu confirmed that he will not align with any political party and intends to remain independent.
Mr. Bulitavu stressed his commitment to supporting key government initiatives. “I can confirm that about eight to 10 of us will remain independent to move the country forward, focusing on passing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and reviewing the 2013 Constitution,” he said. He pointed out the lack of clarity in the rules and constitution regarding independent MPs, a scenario not anticipated by the drafters of the 2013 Constitution.
The Speaker of the Parliament had requested MPs to declare their status last month, asking whether they intended to join any party or stay independent. “We will submit our response today (Wednesday),” Mr. Bulitavu stated. He conveyed that this approach had been discussed with other MPs as a chance to promote national unity and support the government’s efforts.
Highlighting the need for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Mr. Bulitavu mentioned it as a means for leader Voreqe Bainimarama, who is currently serving a prison sentence, to seek forgiveness and reunite with his family. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of addressing existing loopholes in the 2013 Constitution.
Mr. Bulitavu also disclosed that ample time had been given to the party to respond to the Supervisor of Elections, Ana Mataiciwa. However, the founding members resigned, leaving them without the authority to amend the Constitution. Legal advice was sought but failed to provide a solution due to the lack of authority.
Some businessmen offered financial assistance to clear the party’s debts, but party members decided against it. “When businessmen get involved in the party, they want to influence the board and make decisions for their own benefit, which was the culture in the past where they determined the direction,” Mr. Bulitavu explained. “We do not want this to happen at the expense of our voters’ interests in advancing the country.”
The MPs plan to seek further legal opinions and appealed to FijiFirst voters for their continued support.