FORMER FijiFirst MP Vijendra Prakash is the ideal man to form the bridge between the iTaukei and Indo-Fijian communities.
The former government backbencher’s lawyer, Siddharth Nandan, said this in the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court at Suva yesterday when his case brought by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), was called before High Court judge Justice Dr Thushara Kumarage.
Mr Nandan said given Mr Prakash’s previous good character, standing and service to his community, and his immense knowledge of both the iTaukei and Indo-Fijian cultures, he was the ideal man to form the bridge between the two predominant cultural groups in the country.
He said there was a consistent theme of good character and service to people, as highlighted in the many character references that his office received. He also said they could not include all the character references, especially the ones which came in at the last minute, as it would have disadvantaged FICAC in verifying them.
Mr Nandan said when Mr Prakash was charged he did the “honourable thing” and resigned from his seat in Parliament and his position in religious organisations.
FICAC commissioner Rashmi Aslam said Mr Prakash had damaged the reputation of Parliament and his previous good character should not be given too much weight as a mitigating factor. Mr Aslam said Mr Prakash resigned as an MP on his own volition when he was charged, unlike the other MPs charged by FICAC.
He said this attracted certain merits but it was not a very strong mitigating factor. Mr Aslam also said the only difference between Mr Prakash and the other MPs charged was that he was the sole FijiFirst MP among the six Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) parliamentarians.
