The Attorney General and Tourism Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the increased growth in tourism numbers in particular from Australia and NZ is a testimony that Fiji is a safe, attractive and peaceful holiday destination for everybody.

Sayed-Khaiyum has made these comments after a statement by the NZ Law Society President Jonathan Temm.

Temm said the political situation in Fiji is so serious that would be tourists should seriously consider the implications before taking holidays here.

Sayed-Khaiyum said Temm also suggested that the four foreigners including two New Zealanders that died recently were victims of lawlessness claiming they died in unexplained circumstances.

The Attorney General said this is a lie and Temm needs to verify his facts simply by checking with the Police.

Sayed-Khaiyum said freedom of religion continues to be respected in Fiji and at no time has anybody been prevented from attending or entering or praying, including in churches.

He said Temm and members of the NZ Law Society have been repeatedly invited to Fiji in order to meet members of the legal profession, including the Fijian Chief Justice in order to decide for themselves the true situation with regard to the rule of law in Fiji.

Sayed-Khaiyum said Temm should not rely on the lies from sections of the NZ media or politically motivated individuals from Fiji.


Story by: Vijay Narayan