All internet shops in Fiji will now open until the hours allowed under their specific business license, says Fiji Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama.
Reversing a decision by police to close internet shops before their normal closing time, the Fijian Government leader said internet shop owners “doing the right thing” should not be penalised because of the illegal activities of a few.
“We must allow all Fijians, and especially our young people, who want to access Internet shops the ability to do so at every opportunity,” Bainimarama said.
Accordingly a code for Internet shops is being discussed between the Minister for Local Government, the police and the Special Administrator of Suva.
“It has been brought to my attention that some parents have been leaving their children in Internet shops while they go to nightclubs. I urge those parents to stop this irresponsible behavior,” Bainimarama said.
“As parents, we owe it to our children to not only nurture them but keep them in a safe environment and provide them with proper guidance.”
Bainimarama clarified that the reversal decision should not be seen as an excuse by internet owners to continue carrying out illegal activities saying that police will continue to crack down on these operators.
”It has been seen that some internet shops have been used as places for drug taking and access to pornography and police are rightly cracking down on the operators of these Internet shops.
“Those shop owners who are doing the right thing should not be penalised because of the illegal and irresponsible behavior of a minority, said Bainimarama
Source: Press Release, Pacific News Agency