Sunday trade ban unlikely: Bainimarama
Friday August 31, 2007

Interim PM Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama

Fiji's interim Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama says he doubts that the request made by the Methodist Church to have a Sunday trade ban will go through.

The Church recently called for trade to be banned in towns and cities around Fiji on Sundays and during Christian holidays.

Bainimarama told Fijilive that they had the same proposal in 1987 and people denied it.

He said Talatala's (Priests) like Reverend Tomasi Kanailagi, Reverend Josateki Koroi, Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu are leading people astray.

"They should not push this down people's throat," he said.

"They can't brain wash people. You can't lie your way to heaven, you have to work at it".

Bainimarama added that this move will also affect the economy.

"The economy is not going to move if the shops shut down on Sundays," he said.

Meanwhile the Church elders, who made this resolution at their annual conference in Macuata plan to write to town and city councils.

They want the Sunday trade ban was imposed following the 1987 coup by Sitiveni Rabuka.