The final version of the 2013 Constitution that will underpin the first genuine democracy in Fijian history has been released to the public. His Excellency the President will give his assent to the document on September 6th. It will be the supreme law of the country and pave the way for elections by September 30th 2014 conducted, for the first time, on the basis of equal votes of equal value. It is in line with the constitutions of some of the world’s most liberal democracies and provides a framework for the development of a modern, progressive state.
As previously flagged by the Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, the final version differs from the Draft Constitution by containing specific provisions that guarantee and strengthen the protection of communally-owned i’Taukei, Rotuman and Banaban lands. During the consultation process that followed the release of the Draft in March, a large number of submissions were received calling for explicit protection clauses. These have been accepted and incorporated into the final document. They provide greater protection and security for I’Taukei, Rotuman and Banaban land than ever before.
In addition, for the first time, an extra provision gives any landowner the right to a fair share of royalties derived from the exploitation of resources beneath the surface.
The 98-page constitutional document in English has also, for the first time, been translated into the two main vernacular languages – i’Taukei and contemporary Hindi. In the 15 days before His Excellency the President gives his assent on September 6th, members of the public are invited to read the vernacular versions and provide feedback on their accuracy. Some of the legal terms and phraseology in the English language do not have equivalent words in the vernacular and therefore may be open to interpretation.
The Constitution provides for a single chamber 50-member Parliament – up from 45 in the Draft document- which will be the country’s supreme authority and be elected on the basis of one person, one vote, one value. Elections are to be held every four years and every Fijian over the age of 18 is entitled to vote.
In another alteration to the Draft document, individual regional constituencies are abolished. There will be one national constituency covering the whole of Fiji, as in The Netherlands and Israel. And every voter will get one vote, choosing the candidate who they believe best serves their interests under a proportional representation system.
A Prime Minister who commands the party with the most seats in Parliament will head the elected Government and, in line with current practice, a President will be the Head of State and perform the ceremonial function of Commander in Chief of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.
Among the Constitution’s major provisions are:
· A common and equal citizenry.
· A voting system of equal votes of equal value.
· A secular state and religious liberty.
· An independent and impartial judiciary and equal access to the law.
· The right to legal aid assistance.
· Specific protection of the ownership of I’Taukei and Rotuman lands and recognition of their unique culture, customs, traditions and language.
· The protection of the rights of leaseholders.
· Specific recognition of the culture and language of Indo-Fijians, other Pacific islanders and other immigrants and settlers.
· A Bill of Rights containing specific provisions guaranteeing a range of civil and political rights and, for the first time, social and economic rights. These include the right to education, economic participation, a just minimum wage, transport, housing, food and water, health and social security.
· A free media and freedom of speech, expression, movement and association.
· The safeguarding of the environment.
· The compulsory teaching of the i’Taukei and Fiji Hindi languages at primary school level, along with English as the common language.
· The right to multiple citizenship but a provision that only Fijian citizens be entitled to stand for Parliament.
· The right to fair employment practices.
· The right to join, form or campaign for a political party.
· The right to privacy.
· An Accountability and Transparency Commission which, for the first time, will hold all public office holders accountable.
· A Code of Conduct for public office holders.
· A provision requiring public office holders such as civil servants, members of the disciplined forces and trade unionists to resign before contesting a seat in Parliament.
The release of the Constitution follows a community consultation process during which the Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, and his team conducted 19 public meetings in urban, rural and maritime areas throughout Fiji, including Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Kadavu, the Mamanucas and the Yasawas.
Submissions were also sought and 1,093 written submissions were received.
The Government urges all Fijians to read the full Constitution document, which is available from the following sources:
· In hard copy from the Office of the Solicitor General, Level 7, Suvavou House, Victoria Parade, Suva.
· On the Internet at http://www.fiji.gov.fj/Govt–Publications/Constitution.aspx
· In Friday’s Fiji Sun.
These are some of its highlights in detail:
PREAMBLE:
WE, THE PEOPLE OF FIJI,
RECOGNISING the indigenous people or the iTaukei, their ownership of iTaukei lands, their unique culture, customs, traditions and language;
RECOGNISING the indigenous people or the Rotuman from the island of Rotuma, their ownership of Rotuman lands, their unique culture, customs, traditions and language;
RECOGNISING the descendants of the indentured labourers from British India and the Pacific Islands, their culture, customs, traditions and language; and
RECOGNISING the descendants of the immigrants and settlers to Fiji, their culture, customs, traditions and language,
DECLARE that we are all Fijians united by common and equal citizenry;
RECOGNISE the Constitution as the supreme law of our country that provides the framework for the conduct of Government and all Fijians;
COMMIT ourselves to the recognition and protection of human rights, and respect for human dignity;
DECLARE our commitment to justice, national sovereignty and security, social and economic wellbeing, and safeguarding our environment;
HEREBY ESTABLISH THIS CONSTITUTION FOR THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI.
PROTECTION OF i‘TAUKEI, ROTUMAN AND BANABAN LANDS AND OTHER LAND:
28.—(1) The ownership of all iTaukei land shall remain with the customary owners of that land and iTaukei land shall not be permanently alienated, whether by sale, grant, transfer or exchange, except to the State in accordance with section 27.
(2) Any iTaukei land acquired by the State for a public purpose after the commencement of this Constitution under section 27 or under any written law shall revert to the customary owners if the land is no longer required by the State.
(3) The ownership of all Rotuman land shall remain with the customary owners of that land and Rotuman land shall not be permanently alienated, whether by sale, grant, transfer or exchange, except to the State in accordance with section 27.
(4) Any Rotuman land acquired by the State for a public purpose after the commencement of this Constitution under section 27 or under any written law shall revert to the customary owners if the land is no longer required by the State.
(5) The ownership of all Banaban land shall remain with the customary owners of that land and Banaban land shall not be permanently alienated, whether by sale, grant, transfer or exchange, except to the State in accordance with section 27.
(6) Any Banaban land acquired by the State for a public purpose after the commencement of this Constitution under section 27 or under any written law shall revert to the customary owners if the land is no longer required by the State.
29.—(1) All ownership of land, and all rights and interests in land, including land tenancies and leases, that existed immediately before the commencement of this Constitution, shall continue to exist under this Constitution.
Protection of rights and interests in land
(2) All land lessees and tenants have the right to not have their lease or tenancy agreements terminated other than in accordance with their lease or tenancy agreements, and any amendment to any law governing lease or tenancy agreements shall not adversely affect any existing lease or tenancy agreements.
(3) All land that existed as freehold land immediately before the commencement of this Constitution shall remain as freehold land, unless it is sold or is acquired by the State for a public purpose under section 27.
RIGHT OF LANDOWNERS TO FAIR SHARE OF ROYALTIES FOR EXTRACTION OF MINERALS:
30.—(1) All minerals in or under any land or water, are owned by the State, provided however, that the owners of any particular land (whether customary or freehold), or of any particular registered customary fishing rights shall be entitled to receive a fair share of royalties or other money paid to the State in respect of the grant by the State of rights to extract minerals from that land or the seabed in the area of those fishing rights.
(2) A written law may determine the framework for calculating fair shares under subsection (1), taking into account all relevant factors, including the following—
(a) any benefits that the owners received or may receive as a result of mineral exploration or exploitation;
(b) the risk of environmental damage;
(c) any legal obligation of the State to contribute to a fund to meet the cost of preventing, repairing or compensating for any environmental damage;
(d) the cost to the State of administering exploration or exploitation rights;
THE SECULAR STATE:
4.—(1) Religious liberty, as recognised in the Bill of Rights, is a founding principle of the State.
(2) Religious belief is personal.
(3) Religion and the State are separate, which means— (a) the State and all persons holding public office must treat all religions equally; (b) the State and all persons holding public office must not dictate any religious belief;
(c) the State and all persons holding public office must not prefer or advance, by any means, any particular religion, religious denomination, religious belief, or religious practice over another, or over any non- religious belief; and
(d) no person shall assert any religious belief as a legal reason to disregard this Constitution or any other law.
SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC RIGHTS:
Right to education
31.—(1) Every person has the right to— (a)early childhood education; (b) primary and secondary education; and (c) further education.
(2) The State must take reasonable measures within its available resources to achieve the progressive realisation of the right—
(a) to free early childhood, primary, secondary and further education; and (b) to education for persons who were unable to complete their primary and secondary education.
(3) Conversational and contemporary iTaukei and Fiji Hindi languages shall be taught as compulsory subjects in all primary schools.
(4) The State may direct any educational institution to teach subjects pertaining to health, civic education and issues of national interest, and any educational institution must comply with any such directions made by the State.
(5) In applying any right under this section, if the State claims that it does not have the resources to implement the right, it is the responsibility of the State to show that the resources are not available.
Right to economic participation
32.—(1) Every person has the right to full and free participation in the economic life of the nation, which includes the right to choose their own work, trade, occupation, profession or other means of livelihood.
(2) The State must take reasonable measures within its available resources to achieve the progressive realisation of the rights recognised in subsection (1).
(3) To the extent that it is necessary, a law may limit, or may authorise the limitation of, the rights set out in subsection (1).
Right to work and a just minimum wage
33.—(1) The State must take reasonable measures within its available resources to achieve the progressive realisation of the right of every person to work and to a just minimum wage.
(2) In applying any right under this section, if the State claims that it does not have the resources to implement the right, it is the responsibility of the State to show that the resources are not available.
Right to health
38.—(1) The State must take reasonable measures within its available resources to achieve the progressive realisation of the right of every person to health, and to the conditions and facilities necessary to good health, and to health care services, including reproductive health care.
(2) A person must not be denied emergency medical treatment.
(3) In applying any right under this section, if the State claims that it does not have the resources to implement the right, it is the responsibility of the State to show that the resources are not available.
Right to reasonable access to transportation
34.—(1) The State must take reasonable measures within its available resources to achieve the progressive realisation of the right of every person to have reasonable access to transportation.
(2) In applying any right under this section, if the State claims that it does not have the resources to implement the right, it is the responsibility of the State to show that the resources are not available.
Right to housing and sanitation
35.—(1) The State must take reasonable measures within its available resources to achieve the progressive realisation of the right of every person to accessible and adequate housing and sanitation.
(2) In applying any right under this section, if the State claims that it does not have the resources to implement the right, it is the responsibility of the State to show that the resources are not available.
Right to adequate food and water
36.—(1) The State must take reasonable measures within its available resources to achieve the progressive realisation of the right of every person to be free from hunger, to have adequate food of acceptable quality and to clean and safe water in adequate quantities.
(2) In applying any right under this section, if the State claims that it does not have the resources to implement the right, it is the responsibility of the State to show that the resources are not available.
Right to social security schemes
37.—(1) The State must take reasonable measures within its available resources to achieve the progressive realisation of the right of every person to social security schemes, whether private or public, for their support in times of need, including the right to such support from public resources if they are unable to support themselves and their dependants.
(2) In applying any right under this section, if the State claims that it does not have the resources to implement the right, it is the responsibility of the State to show that the resources are not available.
August 22nd, 2013
As expected there will be those that won’t be happy with the new Constitution. Could there have been more time allocated for Parties to read & digest what is in it? Maybe not? And then even if there was ample time people will still be unhappy with it. Its now a case of lets find some faults-fact is there never was a Constitution that was perfect. The best bet is to put it to test via the elections! Since all the major Parties who opposed the Bainimarama Govt are now one Happy Unit one must assume that they will get a large share of the votes come election time? Well time to put it to the test if they do win -throw Voreqe and his crew out but knowing all these mob that have now joined forces it just yes just might be difficult to even agree to who should be the head honcho or for that matter the President! Forget about changing the constitution then? But i could be wrong??
@ Varanitabua,
You are absolutely right mate. The knives are out. Mickey has already rejected the constitution even without reading it in it’s entirety. More will follow very soon.
It’s going to be a case of the blind following the blind.
On a brighter side, during my 73 years of existence in this land, I have not seen any constitutional document as appealing, attractive and aptly applicable to Fiji.
In short, it is the best constitution we ever had. It is bound to fire a lot patriotism in all Fijians.
And………… the mob of hyenas who have now chosen to go to bed together will surely have a daunting task come September 2014.
Best constitution ever. if Beddoes and his gang of thieves dont like it, so be it. The government needs to move on with its reforms and wont be held to ransom by scoundrels.
Now Chodhary has rejected the constitution. What a wanker!!!!!
Scoundrels????????????? It’s too nice a word to describe them matey.
Leeches would be in order.
In fact……….. Leeching scoundrels will be in a more orderly fashion.
Graham have you read this http://www.dennis.co.nz/2013/08/fiji-nails-it-in-one-document/
Best Constitution our beloved nation has ever produced.
It takes care of all parties’ interests to a great degree.
Thank you so much for this wonderful document.
Now we can continue our journey on a really good and more stable platform.
Its just like ‘building our house on a rock!’ Yes solid rock that can withstand many storms and even tsunamis.
May God continually bless and guide Fiji.
The knives are clearly out, not to mention how hard it is for them nay-sayers to look for faults within this document in order to get back at Frankie’s regime.
But why bother, especially when they didn’t even show up at the consultations concerning the new constitution when it came out.
All the more reason to be “out with the old, and in with the new” as their greed for power doesn’t cease unless its something brand new apart from the casual political BS that they always like to ride on in order to entice and manipulate the people.
But should Frankie win next year’s elections, it would be very interesting to see how life would be like for him…..as a civilian since he said one time that he’ll retire from the armed forces if he were to contest the elections.
By the way, them politicians of old just don’t seem to give up do they? Best of luck to them on finding those faults, and other tactics if they can.
And still not a word from the political opposition of what they would have or will do better.
The silence is deafening, why ?
Best constitution, one of the best in the world and that justifies 2006 coup.
However it is right time to hand over to a civilian government to take the country to an early election sometime late this year or early next year.
Shame on parties and unions who do not want to endorse this document .
Indeed one of the best and most balanced constitutions in the world. It is clearly tailored to the specific situation in Fiji where giving unconstraint civil rights to a poorly educated selfish population will only lead to chaos and political and economic instability. Imagine a constitution that would provide unqualified rights to assemble and associate! Our greedy sugar workers would use it to support their illegal strike. But with this new constitution the government can reign them in and constrain greed and selfishness. I am equally impressed by the immunity provisions. Finally we have a government with the guts to do what is right: Rather than dithering around in response to opposition criticism of immunity provisions, our government has made clear that it is not taking any nonsense from those who bemoan the military takeover that became necessary in 2006. Well done Mr AG!
Constitution prepared by a thief and you call it best in the world. Where is your sense of pride? Why couldn’t we have done this thru democratic election process. Did you ever complain before the coup about this? No is the big fat answer.you are all trying to justify this mobs existence. Lot of you are on the gravy train. For how long? You can squeeze so much juice out of one mango.
Call the election today.
Yes, yes Fat, He is our thief who stole back our rights from the church and chiefs, and he is our Robin Hood,
Fat you must try to see the light! For the first time Fiji has a strong government that has the guts to do away with democratic nonsense imposed by colonial powers. Our leaders follow the model of our new friends in China, the fastest growing country in history. They have successfully ditched elections, independent judiciary and pernicious free media. We should do the same and embrace our AG’s wise leadership
Fat
We are not on the gravy train, it is people like you who were on the gravy train during SVT, SDL rule and the last constitution. Now its over and the playing field is level. Vosota ke mosi vei iko baleta na qai qo sa na qai ga o malekata se warai.
Vinaka Tevita au sa na ciqo na WARAI, warai na noa warai ni nikua!
Ova & Out.
I admire PM’s steadfastness against all odds towards creating an equal society…he could have taken a less difficult task like leaders of the past.This is a great Constitution which not only attempts to do away with race and religion etc but also provincialism y having the whole country as one boundary .This is a revolution which must succeed and history will judge the current leaders very kindly…they will be regarded as real heroes.
They already are heroes.
Fat you seriously need to lose weight & gain some BRAIN! What would you call Oliver Cromwell-the one that brought the Magana Carta into existence & go rid of the King / Queen monoply etc etc.
You seem not to understand we never had a democratic election in Fiji what we had was a ‘pretend’ democratic elections all this time when in fact it was racial election based on your RACE. A step up from that we would be for us to be voting along Religious beliefs. No understand- well can’t educate a DOCE!
Wonderfully ironic post varanitabua. Congratulations
Chaudhary likes it or not, we do not care. We will move forward and he can go to Naboro..
Jungli Billi -those that are moaning the most right now are either enjoying it or doing a pretend job and really not enjoying anything- either way they still getting screwed! Moral of the story -shut your mouth you ain’t fooling me any more Chowdory.
Beddoes wants to bring back the great council of thieves.
And Beddoes is one of those thieves, along with Chodhary, Qarase, Bale & their goons.
I don’t think anyone cares if Fiji Labour Party contests the election or not. I think Mr Chaudhary is well aware that his and Labour Parties days are numbered so he will make any excuse to avoid the embarrassment.
I think NFP needs to break away from United Front and stand on its own feet.
It is amusing Mr Chaudhary and Qarese are finding comfort in each others arse now.
On a different tack ..Fiji and Climate Change are the two main issues to be discussed at the ANZ-dominated Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) next week. I guess the PIF will take note of the progress made and either (1) hold off inviting Fiji back into the PIF until after elections Sep 2014, or (2) invite Fiji back immediately. In response th the outcome of the PIF meeting, Fiji should make it clear that it will join rejoin the Forum in its current set-up and that it will engage the region through the PIDF and the MSG.
I know the the Fiji Foreign Minister has said this from time to time, but a formal policy statement from the Fiji Government in response to any forthcoming declarations by the PIF in the Marshalls is required. The fact is; the PIF needs Fiji more than Fiji needs the PIF.
Imagine the anomalous situation of the PIF being hosted in a country that is not a member of it?
Wouldn’t that served as a lasting reminder of the folly of undermining and not wanting to engage with Fiji in the first place.
Komai me thinks Fiji right now doesn’t give a veke! After all the Forum countries exclude NZ & Australia are right now just made up of Atoll countries -who are going under anyway if the sea levels rise another 2inches!
Au tokona na vakasama oqori. Drau kalougata tiko..
sorry…meaning “Fiji will NOT rejoin the Forum”….etc
Ok call me picky…but this is what I see at the end of every page of the constitution that I downloaded from Fiji Sun ….”Fiji Sun Constitution of the Republic of Fiji Liftout 13 August 2013……and http://www.fijisun.com”
Now will Fiji Sun come in my dream every night because of this……no.
Will I be stroking Peter Lomas’s beard in my dreams every night …….no.
Will Peter and Mark Edge make a dream couple…maybe…
So here’s the thing Peter….it’s like a pimple on a beautiful face……get rid of it now……
As promised – My Man VB has delivered.
YES………………delivered what he has promised all this time.
My Man VB is a man of his word and we are very grateful for all he had selflessly sacrificed and offered for our beloved nation.
Vinaka VB!!! You are Fiji’s hero and your legacy will be remembered.
Did VB deliver the casino? Did he deliver the gumboots? Did he deliver democracy? Did he deliver freedom? No no no no!
Chodori has criticised australias foreign minister Bob Carr for supporting Fijis constitution. Whats next for this asshole.
This is from c4.5, where there seems to be a bit of soul-searching going on:
Fiji is not turning into ‘Little India’ as many falsely claimed. It is turning into Little Africa, with intra-ethnic tensions among natives, lack of growth, crime, unemployment and what not.Indians are getting out. So are smart Fijians and others. Soon country will be in the hands of semi-literate, foul, bloodthirsty, satanic, racist bigots who will turn against their own kind. If these backward people have their way, Fiji will soon become a Rwanda or Solomons, or PNG. In Rwanda it was Tutsi vs. Hutu. In Solomons Guadalcanal vs. Malaita. What will it be in Fiji when Indians are chased out? Lauans vs. kaicolo? This might be the fate of Fiji, becoming famous for its false christians, who are a minority. But just like muslim extremists and terrorists, they give entire Fijian race a bad name and put God’s curse on all of us and the country for generations.
Dear Mr Qarase Commented on : fiji justice of peace accused of – “Dear Mr QaraseI have never spoken to you although I voted for your candidate in the 2001 elections. I believed then that you were the key to stability and respectability. I was wrong. First, you jumped into an unholy alliance with the CAMV, a party created to further the objectives of the 2000 coup. Its reason for existence was racism, and the marginalization of the minority groups in Fiji.Second, you jumped into an unholy alliance with corrupt businessmen who abused the system to get government contracts at unfair prices. Third, you took no steps to stop your Cabinet ministers and senators from making racist hate speeches in and out of parliament. Fourth, you pretended to follow the law in 2001 after the Court of Appeal made its decision, but in reality you thumbed your nose at it. Fifth, you refused to appoint a multi-party Cabinet, and went to court instead, relying on your supporter Chief Justice Fatiaki to delay the hearings for so long that when the decision came out, it was time for the next elections! Sixth, you used tax-payers’ money in the Agriculture Department to buy votes from the indigenous Fijians. Seventh, you pretended to respect court decisions in the cases in which your supporters were charged with 2000 treason indictments, but you released the convicts on extra-mural orders within weeks of their incarceration. Eight, you ordered the drafting of the Reconciliation Bill, the Qoliqoli Bill and the Indigenous Tribunals Bill, legislation guaranteed to free the guilty, create uncertainty in the tourism industry, and kill freehold title. Nine, your main advisers Naisoro, Bale and Baba seem to have been complicit in the over printing by 2,000,000 of ballot papers in the 2006 elections. Ten, you grossly miscalculated the real threat of a military coup in 2006, and continued to employ confrontational politics with the Commander when conciliation was the wiser course of action. Eleven, in a last desperate attempt to preserve power, you, in an act of treason, invited the Australian and New Zealand armed forces to invade Fiji without the knowledge of the President.
Why so many coups in Fiji? The answer lies in the national character of Fijians and its three major philosophical pillars: Kerekere, lamusona and liumuri. kerekere is the expectation of unearned income (handouts) without investing any effort. Bainimarama played to this aspect of Fiji’s national character. With little of no dignity the masses keenly lap up the crumps thrown by the rulers.
Closely related to the desire for unearned income is the deeply ingrained fear of authority and the general cowardice that is so evident both amongst the general population and their rulers. The legendary cassava patch sprint of Bainimarama is as impressive as runner done by Mara who had the chance to change the game as commander of Fiji’s largest military unit the 3FIR. In line with lamusona philosophy he decided to run to Tonga.
Lamusona is perhaps the strongest single characteristic of Fiji’s population, which is quite obviously not prepared to take even the smallest risk in return for some dignity or self-respect. The entire population has cowered down and hopes that somehow, someone from Australia or elsewhere will change things around. When Qarase had the chance to mobilise the population against military dictatorship, he begged Australia for intervention instead of taken up the fight.
The third pillar is liumuri or backstab. While the average Fijian does normally not have the opportunity for liumuri, the elites have. Those urban professionals who have lost their jobs and their influence under the Bainimarama regime want to get back at the ones that have taken away so much from them.
It is tempting to see race as the key to Fiji’s political instability. The large Indian community has remained culturally distinct from the ethnic i-Taukei community. Most institutions are either predominantly i-Taukei or predominantly Indian, creating a divide prone to widen in times of political and economic stress.
At the community and individual levels, Indo-Fijians and i-Taukei coexist harmoniously. There are historic tensions within the Indian community based on income levels that echo the religious, regional, and caste differences in their country of origin. The desire to backstab a competitor is as strong in the Indian community as amongst the i-Taukei.
Tensions within the indigenous Fijian community come not just from historical rivalry of clans and confederacies, but also from the stresses of a communal society that is adjusting to the pressures of a modern economy by trying to backstab competitors. It is clear that the socio-cultural fabric of our society provides the most attractive environment for military coups and dictatorship.
“Kerekere, kakase, lamusona and liumuri”..You described the three pillars minus “kakase”. Did you leave that 4th pillar for yourself?? On a serious note, had you been serious about all the pillars and given some credibility to all this nonsense, you would at least put your name and address. Otherwise you have perfectly described the faceless ones including you who continue to deride the good work of the current government.
I should have clarified that I am not the author of “Kerekere, kakase, lamusona and liumuri”. It was on FijiToday blog. I thought to share with Grubsheet and get some activity going on this interesting blog. In my view, it is an insightful piece, even if not entirely true or fair. Grubsheet followers are smart and adult enough to judge for themselves he merits or demerits of the piece. In my view it does contribute to a better understanding of Fiji. Even world’s best government is open to criticism. No need to get over defensive and over protective. Mollycoddling does more harm than good. Especially when government is showing it can live with criticism. I am positing an an interesting response to Kerekere, lamusona and liumuri from FijiToday:
By Keep The Faith
“Interesting perspective LL and while some aspects of it may have merit, it is a dangerous thing to suggest that sweeping generalizations hold true for all.
For starters, only someone who does not understand can assume that silence by the Kai Viti is acceptance. It is not. It is a loaded silence that even chiefs fear from their people.
Your understanding of kerekere is very superficial. It is not a one way street even though some practice it as such, but it is a sophiscated communal approach to helping bear each others burdens. Even the most developed of nations practice the one way street version of kerekere which they call social welfare.
As for being lamusona, can you really blame them? No one wants rifles up their rectum or to have their skulls smashed into smithereens. But never confuse this with apathy. Remember that the genes of cannibalism still flow through the veins. It is the dignified Kai Viti that hoses down that genie that so badly wants to escape from that bottle because they know too well where that road leads. They will instead let karma prevail.
For liumuri, the tall poppy syndrome happens everywhere. It’s human nature to want what you can’t have.”
Fiji First will win simply because the alternative is worse – Ro Temumu (useless), Biman Prasad (classroom economist) and mahen chaudhry (possibly in jail by september). None of them have anything new or better to offer. mahen and Ro temumu had their chance. they blew it.
Regarding Tupeni Baba’s infamous leaked email to fellow SDL members about politically laid back Fijians and grand Indian political design: yes, Fijian race is so laid back they marched in their thousands in 1987 and 2000 and helped overthrow two governments and burn part of Suva down and plan a mutiny and elect SDL by 80 percent of vote.
And Mahen Chaudhry and Jai Ram Reddy and NFP and FLP have been faking their enmity to mask a grand Indian design to take over Fiji. Yes, NFP deliberately lost all seats in elections to FLP because of a grand plan. Yeah right! what a brilliant analysis by Baba.
That’s why Indian birthrate has been lower then Fijians since the 1970s – because of a grand plan to takeover Fiji. If Mr Tupeni Baba is such a great reader of history, how come he left out this population fact from his analysis?
Mr Baba not only needs to revise his understanding of history, he has to take his head out of the history books and get a dose of reality also. he needs to stop looking at everything from the prism of race, hard as it may be for someone like him.
One wonders what he has leant from his academic training. No wonder he never rose to any great heights as an academic and remained mired in mediocrity. His thinking is quite shallow. Its people like him who keep repeating that Fijians are laid back that make the problem among his people worse and give them an inferiority complex, than blame others.
Love the way Mark Manning has admitted he is a racist on Coup 4.5 check it out