Social Democratic Liberal Party president Ratu Epenisa Cakobau has called on all members of the party to mind their language and behaviour, especially on social media.
While strongly denouncing any encouragement of violence or discrimination of any form, Ratu Epenisa made this call after the media associated the party with one of its board members who had allegedly made hate speech against a Government Minister, resulting in his being charged for the offence.
In a statement issued this afternoon, Ratu Epenisa said the party was founded on principles of peace, justice, and tolerance, and given Fiji is a multiracial society, there must be no room for negative extremism of any form, especially by leaders in the party.
He said it must be noted that there was a requirement that people must engage in legally-compliant behaviour when acting on the Party’s behalf.
He cautioned Party leaders and supporters that they must always remember that their actions would have a reflection on the party, and it could either be positive or negative.
Ratu Epenisa said while it was understood that people were tired and fed up with the struggles of life in Fiji today, with high unemployment and very high social costs, it did not give people the right to make extremist calls.
He stated that people must always exercise their rights through the poll, and it was important they do so with wisdom, as they would have to live with that choice for the next four years.
He said the Party did not condone any form of illegality or the removal of a government via violence.
