SUVA (Pacnews) — Work has begun on forming a national council representative of the people to help the interim administration’s efforts to return Fiji to democratic rule.
A cabinet subcommittee has been appointed to set up the new body, which will be known as the National Council for Building a Better Fiji.
This was confirmed by the permanent secretary in the prime minister’s office, Parmesh Chand.
A report on the proposed council was circulated to 100 community leaders and institutions, including political parties, key industries people and community leaders.
This is being done to ensure wide consultation. It is proposed the council be made up of 40 members, and that it be largely comprised of civil society representatives.
The move is part of the roadmap to democracy that the interim administration’s delegation submitted to the European Union in Brussels last month.
Chand said they hoped to receive feedbacks on the proposal by the end of the month. Based on the feedback, the subcommittee will prepare a cabinet paper and submit it to the full interim cabinet.
It is hoped the new council will be formed by the end of June, subject to interim cabinet approval. Part of the council’s objectives will be to assess the state of the economy and to help in the return of the country to democratic rule.
The proposed council will be led by President Ratu Josefa Iloilo and chaired by interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama.
Interim Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum would not comment on the report, saying he did not comment on leaked reports but admitted that a cabinet sub-committee was “dealing with the matter.”