Flag upsets embassy, police act

POLICE have cautioned the Pacific Conference of Churches Secretariat for hoisting the Morning Star flag on private property in Fiji’s capital, Suva.

Officers attempted to seize the flag yesterday (Tuesday) after it was raised in protest against the killing of Papua protesters by Indonesian security force and pro-Jakarta militia.

The officers arrived at night after the flag – first raised when the Netherlands granted Papua independence in 1961 – was struck for the night.

Early today three officers visited PCC General Secretary, Reverend James Bhagwan, on the orders of Fiji’s Ministry of Defence to warn that flying the flag was a breach of Fiji’s Public Order Act.

In November 2014 police seized a Morning Star flag from the same property and it has never been returned nor have charges been laid.

The flag was raised on property which is clearly visible from the Indonesian Embassy and the Office of the Prime Minister.

In 2014 a series of telephone calls between the embassy, Defence Ministry and the Office of the Prime Minister saw police units seize and remove the flag.

Fiji has been a close ally of Indonesia since Rear-Admiral Frank Bainimarama’s 2006 coup.

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