With less than a month to go for the election of the new President, parliamentarians are this week responding to the President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau’s final speech in parliament.

Acting Prime Minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum today thanked Ratu Epeli for his career of service to the nation as he has always answered the country’s call.

Sayed-Khaiyum says Ratu Epeli has served as a senior army officer and a diplomat, is a man who has visited 175 secondary schools in the country to educate them on HIV AIDS, a man who has courageously embraced people who have been traditionally shunned or ignored like AIDS patients, gays, lesbians, trans-gender individuals, the disabled and the poor.

He says the President has welcomed all these people to the core of the Fijian society.

Sayed-Khaiyum says Ratu Epeli is a man of principle.

He also noted the President’s call for everyone in parliament to defend democracy. 

Sayed-Khaiyum also acknowledged the President’s comments on everyone to work together to continue to build our economy.