We now have conclusive proof that the PAP – the major party in the Coalition – is intent on betraying the minorities and delaying next year’s election with its submission to the current Supreme Court hearing on the Constitution.
Readers will recall that Grubsheet first reported this 13 days ago on August 6.
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But our story was followed by furious denials from the PAP and the usual dissembling from the Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka.
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We all know that lying – lasulasu-jhoot – is a national epidemic. But you would think that those who govern us would at least try to make their lies less obvious. Because guess what, Fiji? We were right. Yes, you heard it here first and it has taken almost two weeks for what Grubsheet reported to be in the main news in the Fijian mainstream media.
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So why lie in the first place? Believe me, I get no satisfaction from having been proved right. It was always going to be exposed as soon as the lawyer for the PAP got to his feet at the Supreme Court hearing. But why do these people continually treat us like idiots?
Grubsheet has chosen not to do a blow-by-blow account of the hearing and to see how the skittles fall.
Why? Because Cabinet has only asked the Court for an “opinion” on whether the 2013 Constitution can be altered. It will not be a ruling. So while there have been submissions that there can be no going back to the 1997 version, there is no guarantee that it won’t happen.
Does the People’s Alliance know something the rest of us don’t know? Because why, as the dominant ruling party with most of the numbers, would you propose something so radical and provocative – a return to the racially-weighted 1997 Constitution – if there was no chance whatsoever of it happening?
Think about it. And then think about how the Chief Justice, Salesi Temo, has been kept resolutely in place despite being accused of perjury, abuse of office and obstructing and perverting the course of justice by the Ashton-Lewis Supreme Court Commission of Inquiry.
The bottom line is that Temo is there to do a job for his friend and relative, the President, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, to restore the constitutional power of the chiefs. And to do a job for Sitiveni Rabuka to finally fulfill the mission he began 38 years ago to entrench indigenous supremacy in Fiji once and for all.
It is all one big charade. And anyone who tells you otherwise is lying.
Again.
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UPDATE WEDNESDAY:
Not surprisingly, the corrupt Fiji Times is doing its utmost to promote a return to the 1997 Constitution without ever reporting what that would mean for the minorities or those in the military who would lose their immunity.
The way in which the paper is manipulating public opinion is extraordinary, enabling the propagation of outright lies about the 2013 Constitution in its “Street Talk” column.
These include the claim that the 2013 Constitution “has taken away landowner’s rights” (it hasn’t and the Fiji Times knows it) and that it “protected the FijiFirst government” ( Seriously? A fat lot of good that did at the last election).
These claims – which demonstrate just how much many iTaukei have been brainwashed by the Coalition and its media lackeys – are being depicted as “fact” and are totally uncontested. So lies emerge from the lips of ordinary people on the street based on ignorance and are propagated by the Fiji Times as “truth” in a manner that is genuinely Orwellian.
Notice how there isn’t a single Indo-Fijian or other non-iTaukei included in this survey. The minorities have simply been erased in a clear signal that their opinions don’t count.
Plus, of course, all the other Fiji Times stories promoting a return to the 1997 Constitution that never spell out what that would mean.
It is mischief-making on an industrial scale by the Motibhai Patels to curry favour with the People’s Alliance and strengthens the argument that they are unfit to preside over the nation’s traditional newspaper of record and first draft of history.
Graham, all of the parties who stood up yesterday were unprepared. They didn’t understand the questions from Justice French. They literally didn’t know what they were doing. What they need to understand is that the 1997 constitution has already been repealed and passed into law as revoked. They cannot bring it back. I witnessed the death of sound legal reasoning, comprehension and interpretation yesterday. But at least yes we can know their intentions.
Wow…😵💫
Unfortunately it will be over ruled by CJ and the other itaukei in that bench.
It is an exercise in some “high powered” iTaukei lawyers making a fool of themselves in front of a legend like Justice French.
I think you will find that the CJ and Mataitoga will also make a fool of themselves and it will be clear that they are prejudiced, foolish and not fit for purpose. I am surprised that Justice French is sitting on the same bench as a judge accused of perverting the course of justice. It will be an interesting outcome for sure.
CJ and Mataitoga will be the bulwark for the change in the constitution.
French and other judges are their for show.
What is a kangaroo court in Fijian? Perhaps the minister for information can come up for air and regale us.
This whole charade is based on a premise that returning to the 1997 Constitution will give back to us ITaukei something that was taken away from us in the 2013 Constitution.
Other than the abolishment of the GCC (whose iTaukeiness is debatable), the 2013 did not take anything away from the Itaukei. It merely gave single citizenry and equal rights to other minorities and not limited to other races. It recognises the rights of people with other sexual preferences, people with disability, right to practice peoples own religion (secular state) etc.
It did not force ethnic Fijians (Itaukeis) to be something else as people are claiming, it did not take away any rights of itaukei including land ownership and the right to practice their culture or tradition. These are what people like Niko Nawaikula are peddling and the ignorant Itaukeis are getting conned again.
Fiji was never a Christian state in any previous constitutions. The 2013 Constitution is not forcing anyone to become a Muslim, nor is such a thing as a Sunset clause in the Constitution. These are the lies being perpetuated by these failed racist politicians to try to get back to power.
The sad part is that a lot of Itaukeis believe in this rubbish.
Sure, there are parts of the 2013 that needs changing like the Dhondt Electoral system, the 3/4 majority and referendum required to amend the document etc.
But these does not justify reinstating a racially weighted, divisive 1997 Constitution.
And people forget, this same 1997 Constitution is the same one that made Mahendra Chaudary the PM in 1999.
So do we plan to have another coup civilian or otherwise should we have another non Itaukei become the PM.
In most civilisations and culture, people evolve and learn over time, it seems to be the opposite for us Itaukeis.
It’s time we take a long hard look at ourselves.
No Constitution is going to change anything for us. Changing our mindset and evolving with time is what we need.
I say no more.
The solution to this is education. Those iTaukei who fervently believe that their rights have been taken away or that their land will be somehow mysteriously annexed , are either foolish, ignorant, brainwashed or lack education on basic Governance.
As an itaukei a lot of my fellow itaukeis refuse to be educated.
What is worrying is the hate against other ethnic groups comes a lot from the educated itaukei class.
LOL @ Anonymous
Are you not tired peddling those lies over n over again when all it takes is for one to google the 1997 Constitution and read the Bill of Rights in chapter 4 like their ABC.
Section 38 for instance, on “Equality” outs you as a liar for it protects sexual minorities, persons with disability, differences in economic status, birth, place of origin, etc, etc.
Perhaps you could tell your treasonous mates, a.k.a losers, that there’s no shortcut to Utopia. The Evolution you all smartly speak of now.. required working out “life’s issues” within the parameters of the Law and not through coups. You don’t have a leg or balls to stand on! Lambasa!🫣
So majority of what is in the 2013 constitution is in the 1997 constitution so why is there a need to change it?
Is it hate towards other ethnic groups on getting equal citizenry?
Dear Choo choo Train
This is the Anonymous you responded to above.
For the record, I do not have any treasonous mate. Nor do I support any coup.
Also, for the record, I do not believe that the 2013 Constitution is without fault. It definitely needs to have reasonable provisions that allows it to be amended.
The 1997 Constitution has A bill of rights. But it does not treat all citizens of Fiji EQUALLY.
It DOES NOT have a common name for all Fijians, and the composition of parliament is racially weighted.
If you believe this is acceptable, then you have a very warped mind.
The very first government elected by the same 1997 Constitution was overthrown by a group of ethno-nationalist people leading to one of the darkest times in Fijis modern history. Then it culminated into the mutiny at QEB. These events are the direct result of the 1997 Constitution.
Obviously, they don’t like the 1997 Constitution.
So why is it that everyone now wants that Constitution reinstated.
My original question remains. What itaukei rights given to us in the 1997 Constitution has been taken away from the 2013 Constitution. (Other than the BLV abolishment that i have referred to earlier).
Maybe the comments made by Itaukei Hate is valid. We, Itaukeis just don’t like others given equal citizenry.
Or perhaps, because Khaiyum was responsible for the 2013 Constitution.
My reference to evolution alludes to the fact that we have had numerous coups (all in the name of indigenous advancement) and four constitutions since independence, yet we have not progressed. This to me means that we have not learnt anything at all.
It is not a constitution that is hampering Itaukei progress. Neither is which government holding power at the time.
It is our inability to reconcile our traditional ways to adapt into the current environment we live in today. We live in a capitalist economy and have adopted a Westminster democracy by default from our colonial past.
Our traditional leaders need to take the lead and do away with some of our practices that are no longer relevant today. And tone down some that currently hinders our economic progress.
We own 90% of the land and yet control less than 5% of the economy. Why? Because we do not want to learn how to run business properly. We just want to get rich very quickly. When we fail, we quickly blame the Indians.
We need to learn the value of hard work. And work within the rules that apply to everyone else.
We need to get away from the self-entitlement mentality which i see making a very strong come back currently. We cannot continue to rely on government subsidised loans form FDB, government grants and other government assistance. These are never sustainable in the long term.
If people of other ethnicities living with us during these times progressed under the same Constitution, why didn’t we? We had a big advantage in owning most of the land.
Let us stop blaming the Constitution, the government, the Indians or whoever else we have been blaming for our inability to progress. Let us look within, because therein lies the solution.
Our failure is making us become a bunch of racist and hating people. While we carry our bibles and call ourselves Christians.
I end with the words of Charles Darwin: “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one that is most adaptable to change.”
It’s not only PAP that want the 1997 Constitution, but the traitors also – the NFP who have a history of betrayal in their blood dating back to people like Jai Ram Reddy, and so many others in that party who deeply ingrained religious hatred.
What else do you expect from nationalist and extremist Hindus such as Baimaan who promoted Muslim hatred and who have been well prepared by their past leaders – the betrayal of Siddiq Koya was from within the party. That itself should have been a lesson for those who switched allegiance against FijiFirst.
A party that can backstab its own can never be trusted to safeguard the interests of the Indian community.
Not so. The NFP are not calling for the restoration of the 1997 Constitution but changes to the 2013 Constitution. But they have again remained silent while their partners in the Coalition who have the numbers have called for a return to 1997, which would replace the common and equal citizenry and the common identity with a racially weighted constitution that establishes indigenous paramountcy.
So, yes, they have betrayed the rights of the minorities, just as they did when they remained silent about us being described as “vulagi” – visitors in our own country. Biman Prasad and the NFP are beneath contempt and no Indo-Fijian or non-indigenous person should vote for them whenever the election is held. They must be destroyed because they have failed the basic test of upholding our rights and keeping the bastards in the PAP and SODELPA honest.
And it’s all partly YOUR FAULT, admit it! If not for your overzealous campaign for SLR pre-2022 GE when you threw me off your FB page for supporting NFP as the idea was to get them as many seats in what was inevitably going to be a coalition of sorts & would hve given them more weight in decision-making, instead of meekly following SLR’s majority chaotic rule todate. But no, a mere political youngster like you born out of 2013 con-whatever and still wet behind the ears, just could not listen to those on the ground who had a better grip on the lay of the land. And so here we are!🐷
Are you mad? FACT: I did not support SLR in the 2022 election. FACT: I supported the NFP. You are a prime example of the nation’s greatest problem. Short term memory loss.
Liar! I recall quite clearly how you were smitten with the old croc. No one could criticise him esp. so close to elections. And that’s how you banned me when I had been extra tactful in my criticisms, seeing how besotted you were. So now who has STML?
And don’t bother replying since my social media curfew is coming up at 6pm. Chiu! 🐷
Please make sure you take your meds on the way out.
Let’s not forget that the current Fiji “Unity” led by the hypocritical bastard who he and his party strongly support the call for the 1997 constitution.
Convoluted thinking of unity by a closet racist who lived large on public expense all his life as reserve bank governor now pretending to be for the common man. Bastard.
Reminds one of a scorpion hitching a ride on the back of a turtle’s back crossing a river. Bastard.
There is no value in hard work and perseverance when the govt gives you hand outs and relatives continue to send in remittances.
Freeloaders will freeload. When generations learn this then freeloaders becomes hard work.
The are only three real ways out of this mentality of poverty education, education, and education.
It’s been said before and worth repeating, life is tough but even tougher without an education.
As I said on numerous posts when Rabuka came to power, he would seek to finish his 1987 agenda!
The amazing thing is those representing the iTaukei position include the likes of the NFP, which since becoming part of the current Government have abandoned their very constituency. If NFP think the 1997 Constitution would be of benefit they are living in a fantasy world.
As other contributors have said Justice French, who served as Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia from 2008 to 2017 is too smart and will not suffer fools, including CJ Temo. His time at the Australian High Court will show just how amateur CJ Temo is.
Returning to the 1997 Constitution will see a lot of high-profile people, including members of the Government lose their immunity! Or will they then want to amend to protect them?
As for delaying elections for 3 years is a sign of a Government who want to change the rules so as to entrench their hold on power, nothing more than that. They again want to return to the old world of the 90’s with biased electoral system, vote buying and hospitality tents at every polling booth.
Well i wish that SLR finish what he started in 1987 so the 40k Indo Fijians who voted for NFP can eat their pie and stew on it.
SLR and his cohorts can laugh all the way to the bank.
A significant number of itaukei voted FFP and even FFP increased its support among the itaukei in the last election especially those in the lower socio economic ladder of the ITAUKEI.
It is the most educated and well off itaukei who are peddling the hate against other ethnic groups in our beloved country. Just sitting in their grog sessions and functions who can hear their hatred towards other ethnic groups from the pores of their skin. Sickening as a fellow itaukei.
Itaukei-dom must first fix the problem within and stop this finger pointing. Bringing back the 1997 Constitution will not help, only the elites will benefit while the majority will go on as per usual.
Remember that Justice Matiatoga was badged as Lt Col in 1987 following the Coupe. And now appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court by the same leader then and now. Out of the six Judges on the Bench 2 maybe be prejudiced, will need to convince one other to have a hung opinion. The other scenario could be that 4 Judges have one view whilst the 2 compromised have opposing view leaving the 2 no laternative but to give a verdict of the majority. Lastly all may have a unanimous view either way.
Yeah so it is a done deal that we will revert back to the racist 1997 constitution that does not give equal citizenry to all citizens of this Fiji.
GD, Re: “Not so. The NFP is not calling for the restoration of the 1997 Constitution but changes to the 2013 Constitution.”
It is hard to tell when nfp engages the services of a Munro Lee’s lawyer and makes the argument that the 2013 paper is not fit for purpose and was specifically written to block changes.
At any rate, what is most shameful about this entire facade is that the State, any State anywhere, is expected to vigorously defend the constitution the State officers and elected office holders swore an oath to defend and protect.
Instead, bewildering, in this instance, the State has turned on itself to say the constitution under which they contested elections is now not valid.
By this reasoning, the State is admitting none of the government and State’s actions from 2013 are valid. In other words, we have now an illegally appointed government and state office holder from the president down. If the constitution is invalid now, was it not invalid in 2022 and prior?
It is an astounding turn of events. If the argument is the 2013 document was not put to the people, well put it to the people now in a referendum. See how many people reject 2013 paper.
Better still, since 1997 was similarly enforced, pit both documents against each other in a referendum. The referendum question should simply be: indicate with a tick which constitution do you want?
A. 2013
B. 1997
50 + 1% wins. That should end all this rigmarole.
The 40k Indo Fijians who voted for NFP can stew in their decision to vote for that party and Baiman.
That what led to the current situation.
These court case is a full blown itaukei hatred towards other ethnic groups in Fiji as they don’t want to equal citizenship to other ethnic groups in Fiji.
But when they migrate to other countries such as NZ and Australia they want to be known as Kiwis and Aussies when travel the world. What hypocrisy by some of my fellow itaukei
What is lost in this whole saga is a simple fact – “what the f**k will changing the Constitution again or bringing back an old one do for the people of Fiji”?
We already have had 4 or 5 Constitutions and what difference has it made to anything apart from taking the country backwards.
This whole exercise is clearly about hate – hate to ASK.
It has nothing to do with improving the lives of the iTaukei or anyone else in Fiji.
Just imagine the cost of this whole exercise. Just the KC from Australia is getting AUD25k daily plus accommodation, food and airfares. I am not sure if he has a couple of hangers on with him. I have no idea about cost of the judges and the bus load of lawyers.
It is all a futile exercise in hate, ego and vindictiveness. It has nothing to do with improving the lives of the iTaukei or anyone else. So how come all the iTaukei cannot see this? Is it idiocy, hate, ego, lack of foresight and lack of education? All of the above, I hear.
Changing the Constitution will bring about same level of exuberance and ecstasy as it did when the donkeys and primates won the last election. It will be short lived and reality will set in after a few weeks.
But Fiji being unique, they want primates to run the show, the bigger the primate the more suitable he/she is to hold high office.
There should be a law proposed in Patliament to make it illegal to pronounce anyone born in Fiji to be called a Vulagi. Reciprocally, and properly; anyone born outside of Fiji, with Fiji- born parentage, is in fact a Vulagi to Fiji.
Stop being a dickhead.
Vulagi means ‘visitor’ or not indigenous.
In the i’taukei context, if you are not indigenous (i’taukei) you are a vulagi.
Leave the Fijian language alone please.
Find another word. People born in Fiji are not visitors. A visitor is someone who is in a place temporarily. Fiji is home to non-indigenous Fijians, just as iTaukei born in Australia, NZ or woop-woop are not visitors there. They are citizens with the same rights as other citizens.
Although you were born in Fiji you are identified by your ethnicity i.e you are a kai valagi (person from a foreign land). If you are an Indian (kai India); Chinaman (kai Jaina); part European/Fijian (kai Loma) etc
The closest Fijian (i’taukei) descriptor for a Fijian-born non-indigenous person is kai Viti. Perhaps we should adopt that ?
Teapot Lip is a dickhead – but he does not know it, until now, that is.
Indians of Fiji are not visitors, acha?
So should the Fiji Indians in NZ be considered Pacific Islanders?
Yep. All name-calling amongst ourselves should be made illegal…
Please grow a spine. Call it out for what it is but know that substance matters (I.e. your embedded rights in this country) over any bullying juvenile utterance. We all get it on one form or the other, deal with it Snowflake.💪🏽
As an itaukei, my opinion it is just hatred by some sections of the itaukei population especially and unfortunately it is by some well educated and well off itaukei towards their fellow citizens of our beloved country.
After all the huffing & puffing, finally!
Now get on with it quickly please and get constitutional issue sorted out quickly.
The 2013 con-whatever-tostitch2006coup will always be that in my view. You can’t put lipstick on a 🐷
All avoidable drama… had so-called educated people just done things correctly from the start and save themselves all this utterly unnecessary HBP, venting and ranting down the line…
Let’s get our basics straight once and for all: the 1997 Constitution is well and alive.
Short of getting a fresh mandate from the people, the devious and stupid pm-SLR would do well to abide by the Reeves Recommendation and REVERSE his substituting of Open seats for Communal seats. That would be a start to making necessary changes and get it up to speed.
Rubbish. In your dreams only. The 1997 constitution is dead and buried unless it is revived unlawfully and without an electoral mandate. And you better get used to the idea.
Okaay, if you say so 🐷
There is no better drama than the circus we are currently seeing – these self entitled elite nationalist extremist itaukeis playing the victim card and claiming that their land, their rights, their identity and what and what not is being taken away.
Comparing themselves to other indiengous communities around the world who were suppressed and oppressed is the biggest joke of the modern era by these Clowns.
And look at the quality and competence of the lawyers – they cant even put together a proper sentence in their oral submissions. This is the result of Rabuka’s affirmative action plan where they diverted all scholarships to lazy ass elite itaukeis and just churned out lawyera and doctors regardless of their academic or intellectual capacities.
So the current medical and health situation in Fiji is directly attributed to the SWINE of 87 and his line of PIGLETS who benefitted.
Then you have a confused child dimwit in the form of Apted who is out there arguing against the 2013 constituon because he and his bit*h Naidu, the so called constituonal experts, were not part of the team that formulated the document. Apted needs to sort “itself” out first before playing savior to the Bible bashers and the so called God’s chosen people.
Apted should be reminded he will be vulagi under the 1997 constitution.
As a itaukei I will start calling others who supported the 1997 constitution restoration to their face if it happens.
I will say it to their face with a very BIG SMILE.
Apted and his ilk couldn’t care less what they be called. Vulagi is fine as long as they maintain their licenses to prostitute their profession.
Millionaire lawyers buy influence and peddle in influence. Nothing new.
We will wait until the lady who ate all the pies sings.
If they want a fluid Constitution who knows they may also once again cede Fiji to the Brits or any other higher bidder. Such is the mentality of some wanting to bring back 1997 Constitution. If they want to revert to 1997 Constitution what stops them to go even further back pre Independence. Well Fiji is not Independent in true form anyway.
“We all know that lying – lasulasu-jhoot – is a national epidemic.”
No Grubsheet, it’s a pandemic! Have you forgotten Bush’s imaginary WMDs (2003).🫣
Sex pest Pramesh Sharma has closed his FaceBook from public after his support for 1997 constitution was met when strong resistance by the public and his own people. Now, it’s private group and he monitors his follower’s posts. As NZ’s most hated Indian, Pramesh’s self centred approach at the expense of his own people reflects his dim thinking. One can count the Indian supporters of the 97 constitution on one hand – it’s disgusting and I urge people to support the cause led by GD on this neutral platform and condemn the likes of Pramesh Sharma and others by standing up to them – all the company that house such idiots on their Boards ( Vinod Patel, Reddy group, Carpenters etc) need to have their businesses boycotted.
Aree this is nothing new
Same thing happened after 1987 and 2006 coups.
Rabuka drafted couple than came in
Bainimarama .
He promised election to happen in 2009, until we had one in 2014.
He abrogated the constitution and because we didn’t have one,new one was on it’s way.
Elections couldn’t happen as there wasn’t a constitution .
Than there was a charade about people’s charter ,where fly by night advisers made millions and took off.
We had Yash Gai come in with his drama .
Millions wasted and Mr Gai was asked to leave Fiji.
His was slapped on his face and his work was burnt in front of him.
Finally a blue colored note book emerged from no where and was known as 2013 constitution.
Looks like many have very short memories.
This is a merry go round for politicians to remain in power.
No difference except different set of players every time.
Tired of listening about constitution for almost 4 decades now.
Not sure when Fiji will have a right constitution,
and this will not happen until those people involved in abrogating the constitution have their hands cut off and are sent to prison without parole.
And their balls too apart from their hands.
It’s a shame not to have right law of the land for less than a million people.
Another Coalition monkey dancing to the tune of her primate master. Human Rights Commissioner Alefina Vuki made submissions about her dislike of the amendment provisions in the Constitution. She argues that the amendment provisions are not absolutely binding. WHAT??!! Obviously this incompetent buffoon is not fit to be a lawyer.
What’s more interesting but not surprising, is the fact that she uses her position as Commissioner to advance her personal agenda. She says the 2013 Constitution removed the Great Council of Chiefs, thereby undermining and weakening indigenous representation. For fu*k sake!!! The level of fu*kery and incompetence is baffling.
This dimwit then goes onto say that as an indigenous person, she understands the feeling of humiliation in the manner in which they were removed very publicly.
Oh really?!!
What about the humiliation the minorities face through her indigenous primates? Where were you when your primate master called us Vulagis? Selective on human rights issues Vuki?
She is unfit to be involved with the FHRADC in any capacity. A public office holder who is supposed to protect and advance the fundamental human rights and interests of every Fijian is for more engrossed in personal matters which have gravely humiliated her and her primate fsmily members and masters.
For this monkey, human rights are only for her bible bashing God’s chosen people.
Alefina Vuki, how come she is the Commissioner for Human Rights? Oh, I see, she is a racist so that is ample qualification to be appointed to such a position. Just like this government has appointed most people to high office.
Spot on! It’ll not be inaccurate to add that vuki is part of the eastern islands group mafia that rules Fiji.
She’s been a racist bigot all her life in the civil service and can not make a living without having her snout in the public trough.
Same as temo and mataitoga and the vast majority of the civil service.
Perhaps the return of 1997 paper will make all itaukei filthy rich overnight and make all itaukei very very very, very intelligent, and they’ll own all big business in Fiji. Overnight.
What vuki and her ilk fail to understand is that with the majority of vulagi taxpayers, they’d have a hard time putting vudi on the table.
Whatever happens, bringing back the 1997 paper will mean until the next change in government.
One wonders if the cat got the loud mouth NGOs tongues – especially the 2022 post election dancing queen shame-mimi.
No protest marches? No media statements? What happened? Are you too busy stuffing your mouths with COCKtails?
From the perspective of someone without deep familiarity with either constitution, what potential impact might this have on businesses operating in Fiji? Particularly those registered locally but with parent companies or shareholders based overseas?
More broadly, what implications could this have for expatriates who are living and working in Fiji? Or families who are mixed (I.e iTaukei, Indo Fijian, expat)? Is this something this part of the community should be concerned about?
If only as much effort was put into countering drugs , HIV & poverty as is put into regurgitating on and on about the Constitution.
Fijians have moved on , life comes at you fast , it’s time the Government stops its vendettas under the guise of ‘the Constitution’.
All the panel of judges can offer is an “opinion” and no ruling.
I think this means that the Coalition already plans to follow through with re-instating the 1997 constitution. By having CJ at the helm and playing out the charade of seeking court “opinion” Rabuka can step back from the change he seeks and justify it as consistent with the court’s “opinion.”
If the “opinion” is that the 2013 constitution can’t be changed and is legal, then he will probably still proceed and say that it’s not a ruling, it’s just an “opinion.” Just like the COI – nothing binding. Rabuka only plays with stacked cards.
Most important part of Fijian constitution is immunity.
That’s what these dumb politicians want.
How less than 500 votes will gain them a new Prado with driver and ministerial salary of over 200k.
Leave alone under the table deal.
The rest are not applicable.
Only a story.
Ask a poor cane farmer or a village fisherman, he wouldn’t even know what constitution is.
He might say, “it could be a new flavor of FMF noodles. ”
Totally useless.
For 1997 constitution, we knew who were the people that were involved in its draft.
Does anyone know who were the authors of the 2013 constitution?
They should have been present during this constitution case.
Why they were not summoned to attend.
Should unmask him, her or them.
There is nothing inherently wrong with the 2013 Constitution but there is a great deal wrong with the 1997 Constitution in that non-indigenous Fijians are designated as second class citizens.
Which parts of the 2013 Constitution don’t you like? The notion that it is all bad and we need to turn back the clock is absurd. As is your witch-hunt against its authors.
Mr. Graham
Have you ever seen pictures of seasonal workers leaving Fiji for overseas work.
95 percent are itaukei and rest is others.
This is happening for the past 10 years now.
Where is equal opportunity for all here ?.
Yesterday, while being served during school hours at a small car servicing business along the highway, I noticed across the road an iTaukei family of six children (youngest two were preschool aged) and their hardworking pregnant Mum trying to catch fish from the highway drains, while cars, express and mini buses plus container trucks sped behind Mum as she sat 2 to 3 feet away from the road, holding tightly on to her youngest child. A very sad sight indeed.
My thoughts immediately focussed on the court case currently underway many miles away in the capital, also on that same Street Talk question of the Fiji Times today and, and a big AND, whether the 1997 Constitution will help less fortunate iTaukei families such as that Mum and her children (with an extra sibling before the elections)?
Honestly and unfortunately, I found it very very difficult to give a YES answer to that valid question.
A great observation as that is the very “sorry state of affairs” in our country under your imposed 2013 Con-confusion. Why has it not improved the lot of those at the bottom of the economic ladder? Because that was never the intention!
Fijians have wised up and will
NOT tolerate get-rich-quick conartists and their schemes.
It’s not a witch-hunt against its authors ,but people of any country has the right know how a constitution came into effect and who drafted.
I can say Paul Reeves was one of them from 1997 constitution.
Can you name anyone from the 2013 constitution ???
God knows or some say “Fuc@^:k knows”.
As I said 500 votes makes you a minister, Is that the same in Australia Graham.?
Does Australian constitution has immunity clause.?
Ofcourse tax payers money would have been spent on them anyway.
Today more tax payers money is used for the case that’s ongoing.
Anyone’s guess, how much more would be spent.
I find that author’s need to be unmasked and under who’s directive they wrote the blue book.
As far as I know, it was drafted by government lawyers working to Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum as attorney general with input from the rest of the government, civil society groups, business and the Military Council. But who wrote it isn’t as important as what it contains – the first constitution in Fijian history that levels the playing field and provides equal opportunity to every citizen irrespective of ethnicity and also provides the first Bill of Rights.
That is not the case with the 1997 Constitution and there is no going back. Doing so will be bitterly divisive and make Fiji an international pariah. Because no democracy can credibly give one section of the population greater rights than other citizens.
In short, it isn’t going to happen without a fight that will split the nation and be a running sore that triggers a further exodus from the country and damages confidence in Fiji, with all that will mean for the economy and people’s livelihoods.
It may also trigger another coup. Because as I understand it, as far as the military is concerned, the common and equal citizenry is non-negotiable. Those pressing for a return to 1997 need to understand that.
There is no equal opportunity at all for all.
Rich gets richer and poor gets poorer.
Last government had contracts for their donors, mates and families.
One kind had an advantage of promotions.
Rich was getting richer on the expense of poor.
How many indo Fijians were enlisted in the military during 16 year rule of last government.
Not even 2 percent.
There wasn’t any equal opportunity just talk only.
Same with this government.
Kai,tacina’s and Ratus are getting promotions and better opportunities.
None of the governments have provided equal opportunities for both dominant races in Fiji.
It’s just on paper.
Correct. Not one ruling party has ever done anything for any other community but their own kaivata, kilavata, vuvuale, naita, tavale, etc.
The primary purpose of each goverment has been to line their own pockets first.
Successive Fijiian politicians and members of government are much closer to the impoverished poor yet resource-rich countries in the African continent than we like to think.
Aa far as provisions of immunity is enriched in the constitution, there is no guarantee that a coup will not happen in future.
Both 1997 and 2013 constitution clearly states anyone involved, supported as an official or was part and partial in the making, CANNOT be taken to court, neither anyone will have a chance for any claim or challenge against the state.
Coup makers becomes law themselves and rule by decrees.
This is the guns and bullets of any coup maker from kind courtesy of our constitution.
Equal opportunity is a farce.
Most importantly , military and military council needs to be eliminated.
They can advise on defense as most developed countries have but not on political or any make up of a democratically elected government.
Only I heard of a military council in this world is at Delainabua ,no where else.
It is plain clear, coup doesn’t start from the barracks, it is brains from outside.
Brain washing starts after overtake and those dumb ones will say “sa dina”
Than we hear there is a group known as military council .
Conned beef and dali is in abundance to keep everyone happy.
Kava and alcohol is free for all.
After that it’s all history.
7,000 oral and written submissions presented to the Constitutional Commission chaired by Prof. Ghai.
I presented two submissions, and got one and a half into the Constitution.
1. Section 121: Transparency & Accountability Commission.
Its telling that after 11 years, Governments/ Parliaments have not made law for this Section of the Constitution. My submission had TAC Commissioners in every District. I called them District Guardian Councils. WE THE PEOPLE. know what the hell is going on in our communities. The abysmal services we receive in rural Fiji / Fiji creates despair and frustration. When people are in this emotional state, do you think they care if there is a coup. F NO. The Civil Servant Class control the country and our politicians are the tail.
We watch the corruption and waste by the Civil and Public servants on a daily basis.
If there was ever a government worthy of its name, the people would not allow coups, we would shut the country down until it was given back.
2. a One Party State. I must state, they sat like stunned mullets with this submission.
Honesty is cruelty?
Truth is hate? Well TRUTH found out, they nailed him to the cross to die a torturous death.
I detailed the disaster that the Westminster system had delivered to our nation.
A OPS was a bridge to far to deliver for the Commission, so their solution to my submission was to have a 50 seat “CONSTITUTIONAL ASSEMBLY” . This Assembly would receive submissions on an on going basis in regard to any changes or amendments to the Constitution. A very wise decision to have such a institution in place as a Constitution needs to be a living breathing document that can not be set in stone.
The RFMF took a Constitution that received country wide submissions and burned it. Why?
No doubt it felt threatened.
It removed the” Constitutional Assembly”, to ensure that there would never be any removal of ” amnesty for coup makers” in the Constitution.
It put in provisions that would make it impossible to change the Constitution, set it in stone for ever.
The ONLY safety valve it provided was for the RFMF to be the ultimate arbiter of the “well being of the Nation.”
Meanwhile, we have “a coup”, in slow motion, that is being undertaken by a government against itself . It has subverted all the institutions of Justice.
Against itself, yet for itself. If it gets what it wants, or does what it wants irrespective, it will have another 4 years in government. 3 years to put in place 97 Constitution with Amendments and a year to prepare elections under it.
4 more years, and be assured, that the Boss will be the CJ and he can at a whim, according to the wish list, adjust Orders of the Court , so expect some extension, until there is no more loot left in the treasury to keep the trough full.
There is a real doozy in that document being presented to the Supreme Court.
It refers to ” sovereignty”.
Yep, like WHO, vaccinating the population with an experimental drug with no efficacy and full of harm.
Like World Bank setting up office in Suva.
It was Kissinger who said ” To be an enemy of USA Inc is dangerous, to be its friend is deadly”
The US is occupied, just as Palestine is occupied.
Politicians in the West, count Fiji as West, are prostitutes and unfortunately they are pimping our country to be a Western prostitute.
There are bigger agendas at play, but for us, if we are wise and BRAVE, COURAGEOUS to a fault, we can save ourselves from the disaster that confronts the inmates of the Corporate Gulag that is the West, that is us, unless we as people get involved in our governance. We know how to do that, we can do that, but the present “system”, separates us, for good reason, it is the last thing they want, democracy.
OOPs , digressing to much.
RFMF, do your duty, step in, and set up the Constitutional Assembly.
Nominate a broad representation of the Community with you as safe guard and let the people make submissions to it.
There is absolutely no need or urgency to implement a drastic decision that throws out the baby with the bath water.
The nation does not need 4 years of chaos, which is what will happen if the government gets its way, to extend its reign, without elections, when there is a solution provided by the Constitution.
If by hook or crook, the government dumps this Constitution, the result will be another 100,000 people will leave before we have another election.
For Rabuka, for the Ethno-Nationlist, this will be their greatest achievement.
Ethnic cleansing on a scale that is world event historic.
Where disaster is viewed as success.
Remittances save the nation from economic failure.
Indian leader hailed as hero for providing escape for his people to greener pastures.
So this is one way,
or, we are spitting in the face of God for providing a work force that has resulted in Fiji being a prosperous nation, despite natural disasters and political turmoil. Developed nations of the world either have to rely on an internal population in dire poverty or import labour. In Fiji we have had a work force that is in-kin to having a slave owner breeding workers. It used to be, one worker walking carrying another on his back. At some point in the future, all walking .
Oh well, just one man’s thoughts, opinion.
Days so beautiful, it’s painful.
Mr Simpson,you again bringing military to do the job.
Why??
Educate the voters, pin the parties who bring goodies before elections.
Might of the pen is only way to go in the modern world.
True and honest democracy should be the strength of a nation.
Merit is key to selection.
Law and justice should apply to all,including a new born baby.
Than will have a peaceful Fiji.
At the moment nothing is forthcoming.