Fiji’s new Opposition leader, Inia Seruiratu, has vowed that he will do his best to serve the people of Fiji.
“I’m indeed honoured and privileged for this opportunity,” he said. “I’m here to serve all Fijians and of course as a government in waiting we are here to ensure that we work with the government and keep them in check as well. Hope that we will work according to the expectation of our people and bring prosperity and unity to the Fiji that we aspire to.”
Seruiratu assumes the position following the resignation of former Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama from the role, after he was suspended from parliament for three years. Seruiratu was Minister for Defence in the former FijiFirst government.
Speaker of the House, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, assured Seruiratu that the high office of the Leader of the Opposition would be accorded all privileges and there would be no hindrance or unilateral checks and balances imposed from the office.
Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka congratulated Seruiratu and has signalled that he may send the newly-appointed Opposition leader to the next Conference of Parties (COP28) climate negotiations in Dubai, in a bipartisan approach to universal issues like climate change.
“We will be wasting all the data Seruiratu has as a champion for climate change if he is left out of the discussions,” Rabuka said.