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Issue No: 578; 14 March 2001
Fiji's Great Council of Chiefs defied the 1997 Constitution and decided to appoint a President without consulting the Prime Minister. The Fiji Court of Appeal had decided this month that the 1997 Constitution remains the supreme law of the country. According to the 1997 Constitution The Great Council of Chiefs appoints the President but after consultation with the Prime Minister (c90). But in making their decision yesterday, neither did the Chiefs meeting invite the Prime Minister nor did their Council consult him. It even ignored the advice of former High Court judge and high chief Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi that the Prime Minister be consulted for the appointment. Today's Fiji Sun states that this was "an unfortunate oversight for [the President's] 750,000 plus Fiji Islanders". |
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People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands |
