Fijian authorities say investigations are underway concerning a leaked document widely shared on social media calling for the military to take over the country.
Home Affairs minister Pio Tikoduadua and the Fiji Police confirmed this to local media on Thursday.
The leaked document was first published by The Pacific Newsroom Facebook group on Wednesday, June 28, claiming former prime minister Frank Bainimarama’s FijiFirst party was behind the 50-page missive and was being circulated on the Viber messaging app.
However, according to fijivillage.com, the leader of opposition Inia Seruiratu had rejected allegations that it was an official FijiFirst document.
“The simple answer to your question is ‘No’, this is not an official FijiFirst document,” Seruiratu told fijivillage.com.
RNZ Pacific has contacted the Fijian government, FijiFirst and the Fiji Military Forces commander for comment.
Police were calling on the public “not to be easily swayed by rumours or information circulating on social media about purported plans aimed at destabilising the security of the nation”.
In a statement, operations chief ACP Livai Driu said police were investigating and had asked Fijians to be calm.
“Police has been made aware of the information circulating and reassure members of the public that there is nothing to be concerned about,” ACP Driu said.
He said police were focused on providing safety and security.
“There is nothing to be concerned about in as far as national security is concerned. Do continue to source information from trusted reliable sources such as news media outlets or verified social media pages”.
