Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has stressed that Constitution Commission Chairman, Professor Yash Ghai can decide for himself whether he wants to be part of the constitution process.
This follows a number of comments made by Professor Ghai to Radio Australia.
Professor Ghai said that he is concerned that the draft constitution that the commission prepares will not be released to hear the public's views.
Professor Ghai went on to say that it is puzzling that a government which is so wedded to secrecy should suddenly be converted to transparency, and amending the Constitution Commission Decree to reveal the salaries, allowances and benefits of staff, commission members and consultants.
He then made serious claims about ‘massive interference’ and harassment.
The Constitution Commission Chairman also said that some of the decrees brought about after the December 2006 coup should be amended or repealed.
He said the commission was reviewing these decrees but they have been told that they do not need to do that.
We have contacted Professor Ghai however he has said to us that he is not ready to comment on these issues which he has highlighted to Radio Australia.
Meanwhile Commodore Bainimarama said Professor Ghai's claim that the Prime Minister has been harassing him is totally without foundation.
He said Professor Ghai seems to believe that it is his job to amend or repeal existing laws.
He said this will be the job of an incoming democratically elected government and that is how it should be and is in any democracy.
The Prime Minister said that Professor Ghai needs to comprehend that his function is to produce a constitution and submit it to the President.
Commodore Bainimarama said Ghai's job ends there and any public discussion on the draft constitution will be undertaken by the Constituent Assembly.
He stressed that it is not for Professor Ghai to hijack the Constituent Assembly process.
The Prime Minister said Ghai keeps saying that Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi did not contravene one of the non-negotiable principles when he was part of a delegation that called for a Christian state.
But Commodore Bainimarama said that the decree expressly said that a secular state is one of the non-negotiable principles.
He said that the law specifically requires every staff member and consultant to be impartial and uphold the non-negotiable principles.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
Ghai can decide for himself whether he wants to be part of the Constitution Process-PM
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