‘Matters settled’

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Minister for Defence, National Security and Foreign Affairs Inia Seruiratu in discussions with the Minister for Employment Parveen Kumar during a break in the parliamentary sitting yesterday. Picture: JOVESA NAISUA

FIVE days after Government revealed that “certain matters” relating to the Grace Road Church were currently being handled by the Employment Ministry and police, Minister for Employment Parveen Kumar told The Fiji Times that matters involving the group had been “settled”.

Mr Kumar, however, did not disclose what the “certain matters” were and how they had been “settled”.

“Those matters that were brought to the ministry have been settled,” he said. “There are no more pending cases before the ministry (about Grace Road).

“You can take it from me.”

In a statement released on Saturday night, Government said because matters were before the two institutions, due process must be allowed to take its course without the interference of Government comment.

The Government statement was released two days after international media outlet Al Jazeera’s 101 East television program released a documentary titled, Escaping Korea’s Pacifc Cult which focused on the operations of the Grace Road Church in Fiji and Korea.

The documentary also contained a video of the church’s convicted former leader Shin Ok-ju allegedly making derogatory comments against Fijians and the church’s political plans in Fiji.

The video has drawn widespread condemnation from Fijians living both in Fiji and abroad.

“Government also cannot comment on the documentary’s newly-revealed video showing remarks of the church’s former leader, as it s presently unclear if it has been altered or doctored in some way,” the Government statement said.

“Meanwhile, we can point to adherence to electoral law to clarify that only Fijian citizens –– and no other national –– can be elected to Parliament, so any notion otherwise is unfounded and irresponsible fear-mongering at its worst.”

Government also said in adherence to the law, it was vital that it separated religion from business.

“We cannot uproot private businesses owned by members of any faith-based organisation on their words, actions or teachings; to do so would be a gross violation of the Fijian Constitution.”

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