Do not be alarmed. That is Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai’s assurance to the public.
He said this when asked to comment on the role the RFMF would play in the maintenance of law and order — as announced by Police Commissioner Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho yesterday — that RFMF personnel would assist police amidst “growing concerns of racial tension”.
The announcement took many by surprise with a large number of social media users from around the country reporting that all was peaceful and quiet in their area.
The Commander has also stressed the RFMF would respect the outcome of voting in Parliament for the position of Prime Minister.
“There’s nothing that the public needs to be afraid of, no need for any uncertainty,” he said.
“It’s just a matter of us looking at the wellbeing and safety of the people at large,” the RFMF Commander said.
“It’s only a temporary measure.
“It’s different when things escalate and we are handed that responsibility. “That’s a different thing altogether when they hand over responsibility to the RFMF, that becomes a state of emergency situation.
“This is just a normal support we provide the Fiji Police Force.
“We are only there to assist them with anything that they need.”
When told that The Fiji Times had noted one purported stoning incident on social media which was posted on a fake Facebook site, and that police had not provided details about the number of reports received and the location of homes stoned, Brig-Gen Kalouniwai said there were issues in “certain areas”.
“You’ll be surprised at what is happening, our discussions are coming out of certain areas, something we are worried about.
“This is why we had our discussions with the Police Commissioner and why we are here to support them, that’s all.
“There’s nothing to be alarmed about.”
Police Commissioner Brig-Gen Qiliho in a statement yesterday said as more information and reports were received by the Fiji Police Force and RFMF of threats made against minority groups “who are now living in fear following recent political developments”, a decision was reached to call in the RFMF to assist police with the maintenance of security and stability.
Meanwhile, head of the Catholic Church in Fiji Archbishop Peter Loy Chong said Fiji needed “healed and peaceful politicians and leaders” and strongly suggested the new government take members of Parliament on “a spiritual retreat” to bring about the healing that Fiji needed.
