An obscure Opposition backbencher has shot to national prominence by destroying the Coalition’s hopes of changing the Constitution for the foreseeable future by switching his “yes” vote at the first reading of the parliamentary bill to “no’ at the second reading and producing a humiliating defeat.
Whether Rinesh Sharma‘s change of heart was determined by the fierce public backlash against his original support for the Bill or he was persuaded that a “yes” vote was not in the national interest is neither here nor there. In the end, he took a principled stand by torpedoing the Bill altogether and deserves a great deal of credit for having done so.
Sharma has certainly, in one fell swoop, marked himself out as a man to watch. Because alone of the four ex-FijiFirst MPs who originally defied their colleagues in the Group of 16, he led from the front by voting against the Bill at its second reading last night.
One of the other four, Sanjay Kirpal, abstained and two others, Shalen Kumar and Sachida Nand, voted with the government. But Rinesh Sharma’s “no” vote and Sanjay Kirpal’s abstention put an end to the Coalition’s hope of securing the 75 per cent majority of MPs needed to pass the Bill.
As the Speaker, Filimoni Jitoko, told a stunned parliamentary chamber that expected the Bill to be carried: “It ends here.” Well evidently not as the government sees it. Immediately afterwards, the NFP leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Biman Prasad, took to Facebook vowing that the defeat was merely a temporary setback and the government would keep trying to get the required outcome.
Yet let there be no doubt. This was a humiliation for the Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, and a special humiliation for Biman Prasad, who has faced down the taunts of dogla (traitor) and naga (snake) from members of the Indo-Fijian community only to taste bitter defeat in having stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Rabuka.
Small wonder Biman Prasad’s instinctive reaction was to fight back after the vote. Because this whole episode has been a political disaster for the NFP leader and his Party and Grubsheet is not alone in believing that it will struggle to meet the 5 per cent threshold needed to get any seats at the next election. The NFP is now widely regarded as the Party of the dogla and naga – the traitors and snakes who have betrayed the interests of the minorities by failing to stand up for their constitutional rights.
The dust is still settling and there’ll be a great deal of debate and soul-searching to come. But in Grubsheet’s view, it was a fatal mistake for the Prime Minister and the NFP leader not to spell out in precise detail just what changes to the Constitution they had a mind.
Most members of the minorities really only care about the common and equal citizenry and the common identity and both men have continually avoided ruling out any change to those provisions. They left open the possibility in many minds of an end to equal votes of equal value and of everyone being entitled to call themselves “Fijian”. And by their silence and the resulting uncertainty, they almost certainly guaranteed defeat.
The two ex-FijiFirst independents who voted with the government are going to take a terrible beating from their own community and are dead men walking politically. Why did they do it? Undoubtedly inducements were offered in the negotiations that preceded the vote. But it has all blown up in their faces and in the faces of those in the government who thought they could count on the votes of all four who voted “yes” at the first reading of the bill.
Politics is all about the numbers. And it ain’t over until it’s over – in the immortal words of the American baseball great, Yogi Bera. It was the mother of all miscalculations to expect the four to remain solid. And if, as appears to be the case, it was the job of the Deputy Prime Minister, Manoa “I’ll work harder if you pay me more” Kamikamica, to secure the numbers and deliver a win, his own reputation and claim on the succession has taken a big hit.
A great many reputations are taking a battering in the aftermath of this debacle. But the two doglas and nagas elected on Frank Bainimarama’s coat-tails who turned their backs on the principles of the party that produced the 2013 Constitution will be suffering the most.
They undoubtedly took a punt that they would end up on the winning side and would only have to endure some mild abuse from those unhappy with their betrayal. Instead they have lost everything – their credibility most of all – and the Prime Minister and his government have suffered a serious loss of face.
Shocked faces on the government benches. A debacle.
The original ex-FijiFirst Gaggle of Four. And then there were two.
What next?
QUESTION:
How much time and effort can the government continue to dedicate to changing the Constitution when there are so many urgent bread-and-butter issues for it to address?
The majority of Fijians who live in poverty want access to water, electricity, proper education and health care and effective policing, not a new constitution. And the Coalition better start delivering them or judgment day awaits.
The government is chronically dysfunctional and in a semi-permanent state of crisis. And unless it gets back to basics in a hurry and starts addressing the collapse of government services and the myriad social challenges Fiji faces, last night’s shock comeuppance could easily be repeated at the polls next year.
The obsession with the Constitution is a diversion to camouflage the fact that the Coalition has run out of answers to the nation’s problems. The clock is ticking and the self-indulgence must stop.
UPDATE 0800 WEDNESDAY
THE NEXT CRISIS IS ALREADY BREWING:
The David Ashton-Lewis judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Barbara Malimali affair is due to report next month, with fevered speculation that a host of prominent figures are going to have adverse findings made against them.
The Coalition has two choices:
1/ Release the report, take notice of its findings and use the opportunity for a major reset – a cabinet reshuffle and a purge of the offices of state – to put it in a better position to restore its credibility with the Fijian people and face them at the polls.
2/ Withhold the report to general uproar, have it slowly leak out through outlets like Grubsheet and Fijileaks and reinforce the government’s reputation for secrecy and conspiring against the interests of the people.
What’s it to be, Fiji? Hands up everyone who thinks it will be Number 1. I said hands up everyone who thinks it will be number 1. No-one?
Hands up who thinks it will be Number 2?
Qori.
The names and faces of the traitors who voted for the amendment MUST NEVER be forgotten. Baimaan, Kiran, and other MPs of Indian descent nearly succeeded in truly f**king the descendants of the indentured laborers.
I dont think we ever had a politician such as Baimaan who is so vigorously pursuing the amendment which is going to be detrimental to the descendants of indentured laborers.
Aiyaz was right in giving a befitting name to the DOGLA Baimaan. Hell awaits this SWINE but before he gets there, I’m sure many of us would like an opportunity to get our hands on him and the other traitors first.
And then they ‘celebrate’ girmit day. Demonstrable feckwits and hoes extraordinaire the lot of them.
There’s a saying in Hindi that goes ‘apan gordh mein kudari mar dis’ that translated loosely means: taking (swing) a hoe to hurt your own leg.
Shot themselves in their own collective foot.
Leung has already started working on the backup plan – a supreme Court “clarification” to allow him to proceed with the changes without another parliamentary vote.
Not doubt Temo is waiting with his eyes and legs wide open to declare the constitution is unfair, then recommend it be amended “in the interest of democracy and good governance.”
As I mentioned earlier, the four doglas weren’t the only one facing the backlash. Their families all got the pointy end of the stick from the community. Rinesh knew he would never find employment in 2026, if he lost the election and had to find a job outside parliament. At his age and having a reputation as someone who would forever be marked as a “troublemaker”, he would have to go and collect bottles like Rabuka once did, to make ends meet.
As for Sachida Sharma and Shalen Kumar, their fates are written in the next elections and they should apply for taxi permits now, because they will need them to make a living in 2026. Given their actions in publicly supporting an amendment to remove the voice of the people through this dodgy amendment, the community will reject now and forever. I wouldn’t be surprised if they are already feeling it from the community. They have shamed their families and the people who elected them. The fate of these doglas will soon be known.
Biman and Sashi were especially disappointing in parliament, intentionally misinterpreting what Virendra Lal was speaking about. NFP should not see light of the day in 2026. The cringy self-interest by Richard Naidu and co will take them down a path of no return.
The poor speaker stuttering along without understanding what’s being said. Alas that’s why the language of use in parliament was to be English you bunch of dimwits.
Pio comes out trying to look like a silver lining but it’s all fake. Nobody knows what change they want. What they do want is to remove any say by the people in the process.
Yes, as you say, it was a mistake for the Prime Minister and the NFP leader not to spell out in precise detail just what changes to the Constitution they had a mind.
Given how close the vote was, a careful explanation of what is proposed could easily deliver the opportunity to make changes.
Or maybe not, it all depends on what’s in the plan, on trust and a commitment to get on with governing the country. This should be about taking ownership and dealing with the problems, not blaming the old mob, who most had had enough of anyway.
The message for the Government is don’t be too smart by half. The people will support you if are honest on the proposed changes and especially if they feel you are making an effort to fix the problems they face each day. To earn their trust, be open with them, do the hard work and the rewards will come.
The lesson Rabuka, Baiman, Leung and others from the Coalition need to get is that they cannot be trusted to be given a free hand in rewriting the constitution to suit the ethno- nationalist agenda of the PAP.
Yes Rabuka cannot be trusted. He has already demonstrated his insincerity on major issues since he came to power. Fijians are not going to give him a second chance come what may. They have already been deceived and are being treated like pawns in whatever game his mob is trying to play.
Minorities should be extremely worried under Rabuka.
Good on Rinesh Sharma for demonstrating a principled stance on the matter. Of course he, like most of us, needed to know exactly what Rabuka and Leung needed to change in the constitution. Baiman doesn’t care as long as his job as DPM is protected. He has less than 2 years to enjoy his tenure after which he and his NFP will be confined to the dustbins of history. Did you notice how he and his ‘chamchi’ Sashi Kiran tried to intimidate Sharma during the parliamentary debate.
Democracy has played out in parliament. So why Biman and others now want to explore other means to achieve the outcome they want – they are being Undemocratic! Tyrannical. In oppression of the parliamentary will of the people!
Coalition dictatorship on display. Only their undemocratic way or no other way! Cliches that sound very familiar.
The Coalition bought enough men to cross the line so they could win the votes. They still failed.
The power of one vote has a totally different ring to it.
I don’t blame Rinesh. He was clever. He wanted to hear about the change. That didn’t come through so he voted against. End of story. For now.
The AG is not an elected MP.
Why is he part of the government like he is an MP? What is allowed to happen here?
And what is this new thing of no question time? Has Rabuka now copied the integrity of August House and its rules too? Dodgy old swine.
Can the Coalition put a list of 10 things they have done to improve the wellbeing of Fijians since they came into power. We are waiting to hear all about it.
Thank you Rinesh Sharma. I am proud of your courage to do the right thing.
As for Baimaan & his chamchas, he will help government to “keep trying to get the required outcome”. So the outcome he is fighting for is to make indo-Fijians second class citizens. Shame on him.
The coalition struggles with honest and straightforward communication and follow through, that has been demonstrated by its riddled errors in oversight and decision making that the nation continues to be subjected to and hence the increased growing distrust and dissatisfaction towards them.
It is evidence and reflective of a government who is not listening to its people nor concerned about fundamental bread and butter issues that Fijians wake up to everyday.
The PM says one thing today and does something else a few days later, they reward betrayal, thrive on sneaky strategies and pick and choose on any day what they feel should be priority without any consistency firstly within its ranks and then to us the Fijians .
The government of the day has a fundamental credibility problem.
Equal citizenry is non negotiable in the Fiji we want to live in.
If this is indeed about the need for itaukei recognition then the issues of indigenous rights and land tenure need to be argued better to reassure and demonstrate how Fijians of different hereditary descent , will still be safeguarded and included. Assuming of course that the intent of government to make these constitutional changes was related to the concerns they have on indigenous rights and recognition ? Was it ? Who knows I did not hear the rationale clear enough .. and if it is, there is a place for that to be addressed . Where exactly and how that is communicated and lobbied remains to be seen. ..
The push for GCC – I assume is to address the rights of the indigenous resource owners. Which is fair enough but How and where does it fit into the design of existing governance structures in the nation ? Does it play an advisory role as the biggest shareholder of natural resources in the country ? Is it proposed to be maintained as a formal structure within government or sit outside of government as one of the key stakeholders/ non state actors that must be consulted ? What is the proposed conceptual and structural design being proposed and advocated ? How does this fit into a modern Fiji – what does a successful GCC look like to us the common people ? And what does success look like to them the aristocracy?
Government needs to keep at forefront of mind that having the GCC out of sight for 16years and out of mind – means its role, its intent , its function , its legal powers if any all needs to be reintroduced to society again … it can not assume that every Fijian understands it all. And because of this lack of information and facts – the uncertainty and ambiguity leaves space for political and racial vindictiveness and manipulation to fester.
Government needs to stop raising its voices and creating drama and improve its argument , intent and position in matters. COMMUNICATE
Processes must be followed, unfortunately this not a government whose strength is in due process nor consultation .
And for that reason I predict it will be to its own political demise.
We Fijians deserve so much better than this
Bring on the 2026 General elections !
We are ready for some real meaningful conversations , clarity and change.
The coalition’s Vote Rigging by Coercion, Bribery, wheeling and dealing, in the so called “August ” house of Parliament failed.
Despite the earlier bribe of ministerial posts to the opposition members who did switch, and who knows what other means to coerce other opposition members to align with the coalition – they failed.
The irony and farce is that such voter manipulation would not under electoral rules be tolerated at the election booths on voting day – yet is practiced in the so called august house of parliament to corruptly rig or influence outcomes!
There is a difference between persuasion and lobbying without incentives or threats for a cause versus giving individuals benefits and rewards to change allegiances.
Fijian Observer you are bang on.
Golden rule when someone goes on leave and you don’t miss them, then what to they bring to the party? 16 years with no GCC and were they missed? Was there a hue and cry for 16 years to bring them back because of all the good work they did? I didnt hear any….
It was a vote buy by Rabuka to get the elite to control the vote of the masses under their control….That’s why Frank disbanded them as they got way to political…same as the church…. Fiji does not need another level of pigs in the trough…….. there is already too many.
I humbly think that the battle has just begun.
The Constitution of Fiji cannot be imposed even if it grants equal citizenship for all. And we are all Fijians which I personally do not have any issue with. And I am certain is fine will all the itaukei.
The current Constitution protects everything itaukei too i.e. VKB land etc.
The methodology to arrive at the current Constitution is something that I respectfully do not agree with. The people of Fiji need to be consulted. It will not be easy, there will be differing views. In the end the Constitution will reflect the results of such pre-requisite consultations.
Th parliamentary challenge is now closed. Maybe next is a legal challenge. And if entirely necessary abrogation yet again.
We are dealing with Military strategists who thrive in surmounting what appears insurmountable. And their calling card “is to lose battles yet WIN the war.”
An imposed Constitution is still no Constitution at all period.
The Preamble alone reeks of falsehood. That taints everything in it even the great parts of it as mentioned above.
Jope W, your prejudice is showing. All previous constitutions were also imposed. But you choose to speak only of this constitution. The reality is, changing the constitution will change nothing for Fiji and Fijians. There is a history of this.
All this is a distraction by the rubbish PM and people like Jope W and everyone else in Fiji have fallen for the bullshit. Imposed, lack of consultation, people having a say etc etc, all a load of f*ckall bullshit. What will that change?
Britain does not even have a constitution from what I understand. And they have not had a problem. For a tinpot little f*ckall shitbox country like Fiji, they think it is the centre of the world.
All other constitutions were imposed, yes, but not through the barrel of a gun, like the 2013 Constitution was, from the ashes of the Ghai Constitution, which was burnt to make way for this one.
The 1990 constitution could be said to have emerged from the 1987 coup and imposed via the barrel of the gun, but that’s the reason it was short-lived. And even that constitution, while imposed, did not set impossible conditions for it to be reviewed, unlike the two-men 2013 constitution, which deliberately made any reforms or review virtually impossible in order to perpetuate the Kai-Bai dictatorship.
Once you become less emotional about the 2013 Constitution and look at it through more irrational lens you will understand, hopefully, the need for a reforms. Otherwise you’re lost cause.
Constitutional Dictatorship – What are your thoughts on the appointment of the FICAC commissioner, the performace of the CJ, The performance of the AG, the performance of the Minister of Justice and the former Minister for Women and those appointments in the office of the DPP?
What a defeat for the government. Good sense prevailed at the end with Rinesh, and without fear or doubt, he made the decision to oppose the Bill together with the opposition. He has won the hearts of many, and he is surely heading towards political understanding and maturity.
What can we say about Biman? The least he could have done was to keep quiet after the vote. But like a bad loser, he had to show his leader that he is with him and again letting the Indo-Fijians down as he has been doing in the past.
It’s high time the NFP leadership needs to change. Biman, together with Sashi and Agni, is a disgrace to Indo-Fijians and the minorities. So is Charanjeath from PAP.
The opposition simply wanted to know precisely what amendments the government was proposing so discussion could be held. The government failed to do so, and that shows they had hidden motives of changing provisions in the constitution that affect Indo- Fijians and other minorities.
Do Bimaan and Shashi know that they they won’t be lesser people if they licked Rabukas gluteal region a little less.
Its embarrassing the levels these 2 stoop to in parliament during their speeches to kiss some treasonist buttock.
People in my neighborhood are saying Biman is going to get a welcome with shoes and eggs if he comes campaigning come elections.
History is littered with stories of men and women like Biman and Shashi who sold off entire communities and cities to enemies just so they can benefit themselves. History won’t treat these 2 kindly. In the era of internet, nothing gets deleted.
NFP has again shown what it is – a party of self-serving conmen and conwomen.
In any other proper parliamentary democracy, the defeat of a bill introduced by government equates to a vote of no confidence.
The PM must resign! He has lost the confidence of the majority of parliament. Even if by one vote.
Remember, the same idiot PM has been basking in the glory for 2+ years of a one vote-win to form government.
One vote to win. One vote to lose.
The PM must now advise the President of the Bill’s defeat and loss of support of the majority of the House.
The President dissolves parliament and appoints an interim administration to take Fiji to a new election no later than the one that is already due in 2026.
Will changing the Constitution assist the poor who sell Sasa by the roadside/ Will it stop racism, drugs, calling people kulina and so on? Will they be driving away in Prados, BMWs and have posh homes? Will their children eat well?
No. Because nothing has changed since 1987. Is it so difficult to understand?
And to those saying that the 2013 Constitution is a 2 man constitution etc. My question is how many itaukei will turn up when public consultations are called? A vast percentage didn’t turn up to vote in the last election.
Rabuka is so confident that he will form the next government after the 2026 elections. So wait till then.
I stand by my comments an imposed constitution is no constitution at all.
The people of Fiji need to be consulted as a pre-requisite.
I respect the differing views expressed and accept the attack against me as a result.
And what is changing a constitution going to change, Jope?
Think carefully about your prejudice before you answer. Why so much hate?
Do not pretend please. God is watching. He knows best.
If the 2013 constitution was imposed ( debatable but let’s say it was imposed), but a relatively fair one, however with the major fault of it being of not having consulted the people as a prerequisite ( again debatable but let’s say people were not consulted), In contrast to a preferred constitution where the prerequisite was met but ended up being a terrible document with entrenched unfairness and other vices – Would that be preferred by those who do not like the largely good 2013 constitution because of the parties that drafted and ratified it, such as the race and religion of those persons and any other personal qualities – instead of any flaws in the document itself.
Isn’t a constitution that caters for all citizens fairly and equally better than one that consults every one and implements a document that satisfies the conflicting preferences (and in some cases against the nation’s interest) ending up with unfairness, inequality and chaos pandering to sectarian interests or the most powerful?
It is generally accepted that most sensible parents do not consult their pre-teenage, teenage or growing children when establishing rules for the family. When the children have grown up into mature and capable human beings then such adults are included in major decisions affecting all in the family.
Unless and until there is sound mind, the elders, the experienced, the wise have the responsibility to make decisions. Consultation is not just for show, to tick a prerequisite box.
Mr Wainiqolo, perhaps looking back, any constitution for Fiji was never put to vote so not sure what you are talking about.
The Paul Manueli led 1990 constitution was under the Internal Security Decree and so people were too scared to speak freely- we all know what happened to them. There was so called consultation but translated copies were not provided and few submissions received. It was never voted on and yet it was Fijian constitution.
The 1997 constitution, under Ratu Mara, was most divisive as it looked very apartheid like although new South African constitution post Mr Mandela’s imprisonment was referred to as an example. Most concerning was using the Bumiputra policies of the Malaysian government to draft the Fiji constitution where benefits were along ethnic background. People including military made submissions but there was no extensive consultation at grass roots level. All local consultation was with the Fiji’s elite. Again, the general public did not vote to have this constitution imposed on them!
People like Ms Kiran ardently opposed these changes in 1990 and 1997but are now turncoats riding on the gravy train🙃 and selling out the very disadvantaged on whose coat tails they became nationally known.
°An imposed Constitution is still no Constitution at all period.°
So Mr Jope, by your reasoning, are you saying the entire document must be jettisoned?
If not, what? Please articulate what exactly must be done to please the itaukei?
Remember rabuka is not only pushing to change the 75% requirement in parliamentry votes to 66%, rabuka also wants to circumvent the referendum–the people’s voice.
The devil snake stopped questions being asked before the losing vote. Rabuka essentially said no discussion–just vote!
What’s up with that?
At the risk of over simplifying the issue, when a person goes to a doctor and doctor says a surgery is need, surely the patient will ask what for. What is the problem? What is the doctor going to remove?
With limited to no information about what the problem might be, a patient is not likely to say yes to any procedure the doctor wants. The patient does not say she or he doesn’t need to know what is wrong.
The entire country remains in the dark about what exactly is the game plan of the coalition government. No goverment MP or the PM has been able to explain what exactly needs to be changed.
The GCC in their great wisdom picked 33 things that must be changed. Not one proposed change has been spelt out so far.
It’s time to stop going around in circles demanding change but not saying what has to be changed. How hard can that be? Stop beating about the bush. Oops, sorry. Stop the snake dance.
Screw the military strategy baloney. The government lost what essentially amounts to a vote of no confidence.
The government must resign.
A Constitution has to be fit for purpose.
Is the current one fit for purpose ?
It did underpin the peaceful installation of government in 2014 , 2018 and 2022 .
Beyond that citizens just hope that elected MPs act ethically, honestly and fairly with the power they have and serve the people with integrity.
I find it astonishing that the Code of Conduct Bill has been tabled but will be debated next month. The Bill to amend the Constitution is what has been prioritised.
No one gives a shit. Talk to people about their bread and butter issues and stop with the constant scandals and breaches of the law that are coming out of every action of this Government. That is all the people care about.
They are once again trying to please whatever section of their voters that they think want the Constitution changed. They need to remember that once you form Government, you do not just represent your voters. YOU REPRESENT ALL OF US. THE MAJORITY DO NOT EVEN WANT YOU TO DO ANYTHING TO THE CONSTITUTION! Also GD – these mathematical equations that I am being forced to do to leave a comment keep getting more and more complicated. Kere simplify 🙁
Sorry, but I don’t have any control over what mathematical contortions that WordPress imposes to submit a comment here. If it’s any consolation, I agree 100 per cent with what you eventually managed to submit. You smart, eh?
New, young leaders is what we want for the future…who have spine and fortitude to stand on the right side of history.
I only wish the Opposition had been this solid (well, most of them anyway) during the pay rise debate. Instead, the majority sided with the Government.
On this bill, I agree that the proposed changes to the Constitution must be clearly specified so that everyone knows exactly what is being amended.
This Government keeps scoring own goals repeatedly, and it’s truly bizarre, especially considering the number of lawyers they have on their side.
Maybe that’s the problem.
GD – Haha!
I’d change that a bit if you dont mind sir: Maybe that’s the problem with having too many dumb lawyers!
As for new young leaders for the future, problem is Graham Lueng thinks they are all wet behind the ears. GL thinks the ink has not dried on the young leader’s degree certificates.
So we dunno if Cheech and Chong will allow it. Ask him.
Bush lawyers haha..
Lawyers, and commonsense are not necessarily able to be defined in the same sentence.
Of the lawyers within the Government I would have great difficulty finding a competent one. Lynda is a perfect example of the legal prowess they possess within them.
Apparently there are many ways to skin a country…..er I mean cat.
Rabuka cares not by which means he gets his way. As long as he gets his way. Toddler think.
Kudos, Rinesh! Your courage in defending your people’s rights will forever be etched in your legacy and in our history. In a time when so many of our own have abandoned the cause to become mere lapdogs of the powerful, you stand firm. They fail to see how they are being exploited, and by the time they realize it, it will be too late. They refuse to learn from history!
Today, I say with certainty—NFP is no longer my party. For generations, my people have been die-hard supporters, back when NFP was a beacon of fairness and a party for all. But the NFP of today has rotted from within, morphing into a vessel of sycophancy, self-interest, and exploitation of the vulnerable.
This is not leadership—it is cheap, self-serving politics at the cost of those who once placed their trust in you. The current NFP is best charaterised as Neutered – lacking strength, independence, or courage.
Forsaken – abandoning its values and the people who once trusted it.
Puppetized – acting as a mere tool for those in power, rather than standing for justice for all!
NFP, hang your heads in shame! You are a shadow of what you once stood for. You can never be the voice of the people if you continue down this path of betrayal. The fish rots from the head, they say—but in this case, it is decaying from all sides, used as bait to lure demons who serve only their own pockets. This is leadership, yes—but against the very people you were meant to uplift, with only a handful of like-minded chamchas in your corner.
But mark these words:
“Do not hold grudges & hatred so deep,
Do not dig pits too steep.
Those who set traps for others to fall,
Might themselves lose it all.”
Wake up, NFP – do the right thing. God bless Fiji and our people especially in a predicament where NFP is working against the morals, principles of the very establishment it was created and what it stood for!
I get the feeling that all those who want the Constitution changed want it to be based on race, with parliament representative seats based on race, voting to be based on race and representation to be based on race and ensure the paramountcy of the iTaukei.
But why don’t they come out and say that clearly? Why doesn’t the idiot PM and his useless sidekicks come out and say that? What else do they want to change?
All we hear from them is dodgyness and deflecting questions. They want to do this by stealth. They are all snakes and ably assisted by the likes of Baimaan, and the other self-serving Indo doglas who will sell their mothers, daughters and wives for a bottle of beer or a packet of cigarettes or a packet of yaqona. That is how cheap these doglas are – the m*ther-f*ckers.
I think the Constitution should be changed so that while the vulagi can be in parliament, they should not be allowed to vote on the floor of parliament. That way, voting such as that which was lost on the floor of parliament yesterday would go through.
It only makes sense because this is iTaukei land and only the iTaukei should have a say in what happens in their country. I think that would be the ideal scenario and I think all of the vulagi doglas in parliament would agree. I am sure the PM and all his c**k suckers would agree too.
Constitutions in most countries that have one (and there some who do not) are usually not changed easily, and for good reason!
Take Australia, for example. Its Constitution was an Act of the English Parliament. There was no consultation with the people, only the members of the Constitutional Commissions.
There have been 44 attempts to change the Australian Constitution with only 8 succeeding, and none since 1977.
It requires a bill to pass Parliament and then a vote by the people. To pass it requires a majority vote by the people, but also a majority of States (to prevent large states overrunning small states) The proposed amendment must be clearly spelt out and the case for and against it must be sent to every elector prior to voting day.
So not simple to change and that is probably to prevent Government or Parliament changing it without the agreement of the people.
Rabuka should stop talking about skinning cats. Haven’t they skinned, sinned with their own pet cat (for want of a more sleazy description) in parliament.
The average person in Fiji who is over 18 cannot read and write properly eg read and comprehend things like the road code and comply, correctly count items in a box, add 27 + 72 correctly, so called qualified lawyers like those on the govt side who can’t be trusted to get things right in their own field – What could the public consultations in such complex legal constitutional laws achieve.
The ordinary person does not have the basic skills to remotely engage usefully in such consultation. So please limit the input into such matters of the constitution to people like Jiaoji Savou and other rational, commercially experienced, technically educated and sane persons, with exposure to the big wide world and how civilisations greater and more developed have legislated fairly in a modern world, not idiots who may be educated or not and exhibit an abundance of loud noise but nothing inside reassembling grey matter or cognitive ability.
Such persons jump on the change the constitution bandwagon without the ability or stamina to read beyond the front cover and first page of the document, if they have even come across it!
People say ” Rinesh for Rinesh only” but this time, it might have helped postpone the inevitable cause to change the constitution – As GD says, the rogue govt and their cronies can do anything with or without consent. It’s the law of the jungle.