The Acting Prime Minister and Attorney General believe cheque-book diplomacy was at play with the decision to suspend Fiji from the Pacific Islands Forum.

Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum told Radio New Zealand that Australia and New Zealand will continue to dominate the Forum, because their economies are larger and many of the forum island countries are smaller and will continue to remain vulnerable.

Sayed-Khaiyum said the decision is regrettable and short-sighted, and is calling on leaders of these two countries to come and see for themselves what is happening in Fiji.