The military man in charge of Fiji is brushing off talk of an assassination plot, which triggered SIS raids on Fijians living in New Zealand.
Former cabinet minister Rajesh Singh yesterday had his home raided and was questioned by intelligence officers over an alleged plot to assassinate Fiji's self-imposed Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama.
Bainimarama told Radio Tarana anyone who wants to assassinate him can go right ahead.
"Whether they can come to Fiji to carry it out is a different matter because they are cowards," he said.
SIS officers allegedly told Singh they had evidence former Fijian military man Roko Ului Tevita Mara was involved in the assassination plot.
Mara told ONE News he knows nothing about any plot and is surprised New Zealand authorities are investigating.
"What the New Zealand Government should be actually doing is looking at people who are actually New Zealand citizens who are in Fiji assisting the regime," Mara told ONE News.
Mara left Fiji last year where he is wanted on charges of conspiring to overthrow the military leader.
Warm response
Fiji authorities have reacted warmly to the New Zealand investigation indicating a thawing in the often fractious relationship
"Obviously the New Zealand authorities are taking action based on presumably information they have and I think it's best left to them," said Fiji Attorney-General Ayaz Sayed Khaiyum, who is alleged to also be a target of the assassination plot.
Prime Minister John Key said the SIS only acts within the law.
"They are thoughtful, careful and they only act if they believe it is in the best interest of New Zealanders," he said.
The Prime Minister also hinted that the two governments have already been in close contact.
Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said he and the Prime Minister had been briefed on the raid, but was not able to comment on SIS operational matters.
"I have a fairly good understanding of these issues as they develop because the agencies that operate in this space talk to the Prime Minister and myself when they feel the need to," McCully told media today.
Singh: 'I know nothing'
Singh, of the Movement for Democracy in Fiji, is furious at being targeted and today took action
"This is my official complaint to the Ombudsman and the next step is to the human rights [commission] and if I have to take it to the court, I will," he said.
It is believed up to 20 Auckland homes were searched over a plot that was allegedly planned several weeks ago.
Singh told ONE News Pacific Correspondent Barbara Dreaver four people from the SIS served him with a warrant and seized his computer, phone and a photograph.
"They showed me the warrant but they wouldn't give me a copy, I asked for a copy and they said no it's classified," he said.
Singh said he knows nothing about the alleged plot and said he told the agents he had not discussed "anything of that nature".
"I don't condone this&I follow the law," he said he told the agents.
Singh said he will be lodging a complaint with the Ombudsman and Human Rights Commissioner over the search.
A spokesman for the Prime Minister's office refused any comment.
"This is an operational matter. We have no comment on security and intelligence matters."