I had my head in my hands for the entire CFL-Fiji Village interview tonight with the RFMF Commander, Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai, who seems to have embraced all the gobbledygook of modern management-speak – “transformative” this and “transformative” that when the RFMF is the least transformative institution in the country.
I’m not going to say much more than invite Grubsheet readers to watch this entire depressing encounter – in essence a complete waste of time – and despair about the intellectual desert that exists at the heart of national life including in the senior ranks of the military. Jone Kalouniwai does a good job of parroting a lot of meaningless platitudes. But as for substantive statements, forget it.
Grubsheet has also decided that Fiji’s supposed doyen interviewer is a dud. Vijay Narayan asked none of the “Straight Talk” questions we might have expected from him and conducted himself like a purring pussycat seeking to be stroked. Nothing about the burning issues of the moment – Frank Bainimarama’s conviction and the prospect of him going to jail, the reported restiveness that has triggered in military ranks or Jone Kalouniwai’s abortive attempt to sideline Bainimarama loyalist Ben Naliva by forcing him on the Australian military.
What should have been an illuminating encounter simply because an interview with the RFMF Commander is so rare was essentially worthless from beginning to end. And especially the failure of Vijay Narayan to press Kalouniwai on the Coalition’s repeated violations of the 2013 Constitution that the RFMF, for better or worse, has a specific duty to uphold..
Incredibly, Kalouniwai actually acknowledged that it was the duty of the RFMF to uphold the Constitution. But little Vijay – an interviewer trapped in short pants – didn’t have the wit to raise the fact that the Coalition government has repeatedly violated the Constitution with its appointments to senior offices of state. Evidently that isn’t little Jone’s responsibility. Lots of MBA-style gibberish and references to what ought to happen as opposed to what is actually happening – including the Commander in short pants actually saying that everyone should be equal when everyone knows the Coalition is mounting a full blown assault of the right of minorities to belong.
Listen for yourself and make up your own mind. But speaking personally, I have had enough.
Grubsheet is going on holidays – first to snake-plagued country New South Wales and then the snake-free South Island of New Zealand. Please keep the comments and emails coming so we can pick up where we’ve left off in a couple of weeks. And, of course, we will be interrupting our break to report the sentencing of Frank Bainimarama and Sitiveni Qiliho next week. We are also awaiting a major story in the overseas media that will have widespread ramifications for Fiji and its leadership.
The usual salute to my loyal readers, who have followed Grubsheet from Facebook – where we were kicked off after complaints from the Great Temptress – to our new-old home here at the Grubsheet Feejee website. As you know, I don’t get paid for what I do. But your support is ample reward and ultimately all that matters. And for that, I am truly grateful.
For all our challenges as a nation, those of us from the generation who remember our promise at Independence half a century ago fight on knowing that we owe it to ourselves and future generations to do better. And in the fervent hope that the greatest days of our beloved Fiji lie ahead, working together as one nation rather than competing tribes and interests.
Vinaka vakalevu, Dear Readers. YOU are the most important people as far as I am concerned. Sota tale.
In Fiji people are experts at not speaking directly to anything. We are a nation of cowards. It’s very discouraging and sickening. Thank you GD for holding their feet to the fire. Enjoy your holiday and take good care Sir. Loloma levu and God bless.
Yes spot on, cowards hide behind so-called cultural respect and tabu, but back stab at the next opportunity. Rotten to the core.
Vijay Narayan is a brilliant journalist – ah not.
This is what is meant by the term locals can do the job.
Everybody can take a break from Fiji. It can’t be helped. The nation’s future lies in tourism and remittances and that’s it.
Gibberish alright Graham.
A complete waste of listening to the word ‘challenges, reconciliation, issue, duty, Constitution.’ Meanwhile, no articulation of what are the challenges, why do they exist, what is he doing to overcome these, what about the disregard to the Constitution!
Vijay Useless Narayan you are an absolute waste of time interviewer. Very shallow and no substance. Did Parky Boy prepare your questions? Seems like it. What a disgrace.
I didn’t watch it as I had expected the not so victorious and inherently mediocre VIJAY NARAYAN to maintain the status quo, “MEDIA BIAS”.
We’re all salivating at the news that’s about to break, and we don’t expect Fiji TV, Fiji Times and CFL to report that with objectivity.
VIJAY NARAYAN, CFL’S hypocritical f**kwit.
Have a break GD. Enjoy your holiday. Rest. Leave the cocks in the cockfight to themselves for now. Vinaka for the constant updates.
Stay away from snakes….
Lolomas
CORRECTION:
VIJAY NARAYAN, CFL’S HYPER REPREHENSIBLE F**KWIT !
Bullshit Talk, incompetence on show, Third World mentality, very Fijian and backward, rubbish interview, gutless, irrelevent, waste of my time and indeed everyone else’s time.
And then they all wonder why Fiji is where it is.
The people of Fiji are truly blessed.
“…conducted himself like a purring pussycat seeking to be stroked.”
He’s already been stroked. By the Comm. RFMF with his smooth and sultry talk. It’s apparent the military has a leader who is more suited to the role of a media spokesman trying to make things look good when in reality it is anything but that.
The bloke needs to go into marketing. He’d sell anything with that kind of speech.
The people of Fiji thoroughly deserve to be where they are. It is their choice after all. They have no one else to blame.
The state of a country is a direct reflection of the quality of the people who live in it. I believe the choice by the people to remain a Third World nation by electing a recycled crackpot from 37 years ago is a considered choice. A stupid choice by stupid people. And yes, there are a lot of them everywhere in Fiji. They teach their children to be stupid as well.
With interviewers with the likes, non-quality and incompetence of Vijay Narayan, who are considered the cream of the crop, Fiji will remain a Third World nation for a very long time. The guy can’t even “thawk” properly.
In all fairness, what was our other choice? Bai and Kai and a regime of fear where no one could speak their mind at all, anywhere, anytime? Not even on social media. Not even commenting on spelling errors?
We honestly had no choice. So call us stupid. It is really the politicians that are stupid. Everybody knew that SLR was only running as a vote getter, and that within 6 months or so, Manoa K would replace him as PM. However for whatever stupid reason, that hasn’t happened, and that is just stupid.
SLR has proven himself to be an ethic extremist with poor judgment, allowing the likes of LT and Siromi too much of a free hand. He has also shown himself to be increasingly ailing both physically and mentally. But still clings to power. Like he is the Pope.
He is not the Pope he is just a naughty narcissistic boy who made good. Stupid fools in the Coalition might buy him a Pope mobile soon so he doesn’t fall over.
Manoa, if you are reading this, it is you that we are frustrated with. We were all actually counting on YOU. Stand up for God’s sake and do what should have been done 6 months ago. I hope LT hasn’t got you by the short and curries too.
@I do not care anymore n no brainer—strong, thoughtful sentiments expressed—most of which not misplaced. I don’t think anyone can right this listing ship calling themselves the coalition. The coalition of the clueless and/or coalition of the unwilling or coalition of liars, thieves, and greed. Don’t place too much trust on Manoa Kamikamica. He is just another lackey living high on public funds.
As for choices-yeah, we didn’t have too many but by golly we could’ve done better than this lot who are led to the cliff edge not by a pope, but Moses himself. A god fearing, Israel loving devout christian who is very sorry for past misdeeds. Ask him, he’ll tell you.
Absolutely agree Graham.
Big words, zero meaning to reality. The Commander probably read passages from John C Maxwell before the interview.
Vijay Narayan is a puppet or a muppet should I say?
Reconciliation for what when right now, everyday I’m not treated as an equal citizen in the country of my birth?
Read the comments by people, read the room Mr Commander; this country is divided by racism, religion and politics in March, 2024 – what started 37 years started again in December 2022! What can you heal?
Gosh, leadership is visionary, leadership is vocal, leadership is everyone equal.
The constitution is raped daily and our Commander talks about reconciliation.
Facepalm ????♀️!
Agree.
Stop all this reconciliation bullshit only to make the abuser Rabuka look good. The indecent womaniser and snake. Why should the victims glory a perpetrator!
No, not us.
Not getting a single story from us.
Not to a racist government anyway.
Since military is using so much of tax payers money and doesn’t contribute anything towards the citizens…can it at least help provide security to the people and aid police in its work.
The crime in Fiji is through the roof. We dont frigging want no reconciliation bullshit. We want security for our children. We want security for our old parents, and for ourselves.
Just tired of this NFPs reconciliation bullshit. Every single day some nonsense on this topic. Come on grow up. Reconciliation doesn’t come from chanting reconciliation. The poor people in Fiji are at peace with each other and their neighbors. They all look and talk different but they are all facing the same problems. That binds them together.
The division is at political level. Idiots like Biman and Rabuka have somehow portrayed this rhetoric that fiji is divided and we must reconcile. People want safety and affordability. They dont want this bullshit.
That stupid reconciliation topic keeps getting thrown around like some f**ken lifelife.
Indo-Fijians, LISTEN UP!
Do not be part of this reconciliation.
They are using you as another bait.
What will they do with the information?
Nothing.
What value will it add?
Nothing, not to you anyway.
It is Rabuka’s ploy and stupid Sashi Kiran just doesn’t get the shit she is creating for Indo-fijians.
You will be told to bring evidence at some point by Queen Bi&ch Tabuya.
Why bother!
Your story is yours.
They cannot heal what you have been through.
They cannot even protect you now.
I couldn’t have put it more succinctly
Reconciliation is simply a euphemism to free the remaining criminals from Naboro convicted for the horrific and deadly 2000 coup and subsequent mutiny. You heard it here first.
Didn’t they have any other name for this program
When Fijians get drunk then they want “straight talk”
Alternatively you will know what the consequences are going to be.
Vijay is the best weather news reporter in the country. He makes a blocked drain sound like a tsunami is on its way.
A weatherman turned into podcast host. Nah bro! He ain’t suited for such interviews as a host.
Anything goes at CFL. Haven’t you seen the child and women abusers turn into Directors overnight? That’s CFL for you.
Couldn’t watch to the end of the interview. Waffle waffle waffle. A waste of time.
Nobody is interested in watching or listening to straight talk. Complete waste of time and resources. No substance in it..
Cry Grubsheet cry. Didn’t get what you wanted and throwing your toys out of the cot. The RFMF Commander knows what is best for the Fiji. The people of Fiji know what to do. Not plastics like you who sit in faraway countries and badmouth Fiji all the time. You have zero contribution to Fiji ands its wellbeing. Just shut your mouth and respect the democratic process in Fiji. Now that you didn’t get what you wanted you taking a holiday. You are not welcome to NZ. Go and cry me a river you idiot. I dare you to post my comment or else it will prove what I have been saying all along. You are a coward and a pussycat.
Miaow. I’m not welcome in New Zealand? Tough titty, Kitty. Hold on. I’m comin’.
Kneel at my feet, “Neel”. At least I have a name. Coward.
The media were scared under the previous Gov. They’re even more scared under the snake lead government. Not sure if the Commander is scared for his future or has been bought. Only those outside of Fiji seem in a position to speak up without (or less) fear of repercussions for their future and families.
He came across as very passive. What’s the plan and when will you do something to help the country?
While they sit up there in their “ completely separate entity” , the rest of the nation is falling apart and there is mayhem, drugs and no one policing. Look at people who have reported break ins and crime and there is nothing after years and no follow up with victims. Bribery and corruption. No intention to make changes.
No rule of law and inept police who cannot even read the evidence/ have the intellect to look at a case so how are they going to solve cases? Answer is they don’t.
If the military is so highly trained, why can’t they train the police force? They need to do a search for good people and start over. Get rid of the current force except if they have proven themselves.
And what was his plan for reconciliation?
2 questions:
1. What is the role of the RFMF?
2. Have they done their duty to safeguard the Constitution and its obligations to the people of Fiji?
He didn’t answer both.
He is failing the people of Fiji.
Hold RFMF accountable.
Resign Commander.
I think the issue is, just like with everyone else in Fiji, Vijay Narayan is protecting his job. It is the same with the editor of the biggest paper, all the civil servants and all those in statutory boards and everywhere else, including teaches, judges, reporters, you name it, everyone.
And this is a true characteristic of any Third World nation. They are ruled by fear and job security, and “the here and now” and so Fiji will continue to be a proud Third World nation. The “churen” of Fiji are doomed and it is not their fault. They have been taught very well to continue the legacy of remaining a Third World nation. We have already seen it for the last 54 years since independence. In another 50 years and a century later nothing will have changed.
But then, why do Fijians continue to complain so much? Who are they blaming?
Politicians, athletes and our other diplomats have a responsibility to behave and not have sleaze appearing throughout the international media. The rest of Fiji is judged on their behaviour and the remaining population do not behave like this. What is worse is that there is selective retribution of the perpetrators. Neither the guilty nor those sweeping the misdemeanors under the carpet deserve my vote. The only say we have is at the ballot box. Beware the next election. It is possible that the next election might bring a much changed political landscape.
Start running the country!!!!
I tend to agree broadly with the majority of Grubsheet posts, but I strongly disagree with this one. For some of us here in Fiji, it is a major event. It was refreshing and reassuring to hear from the Commander of the Military, an institution behind almost every major political upheaval in the country, that he will be guided by doing what is right and following the rule of law.
Granted, Vijay didn’t ask the tough questions, including what the RFMF would do if the former commander went to jail. But overall, the Commander, throughout the interview, emphasizes being ethical and doing what is right. The Commander also addressed that the provision in the constitution was open to interpretation, and we should acknowledge that he has taken steps to define it so that it is clear to soldiers moving forward what they can and cannot do under those provisions. Remember, this is someone who has been there since 1987, so he clearly understands the huge damage that would be inflicted on the country if the military intervenes.
Yes, we right-thinking citizens who believe in equality for all Fijians and fair play are disappointed with the current batch that is running the country and are angry at how they are violating the constitution and their ethno-nationalist policies. But that needs to be settled at the courts or the ballot box.
However, if your interpretation of that section of the constitution is for the Commander to openly pressure the current government and even take it over, that is short-sighted, as the social and economic ramifications on a fragile economy are far more significant. I would rather the Commander apply pressure through behind-the-scenes recurring ”talanoa”sessions with the PM and his line Minister regarding his concerns around constitutionality and the rule of law. After all, he seems to be the only one who understands it at the moment.
Enjoy your holiday, and please don’t get bitten by a snake. We need you here to shine the light and continuously apply pressure via your writing.
Hahaha. The Commander will not pander to those trying to make a mountain out of a molehill. He understands the military’s role in a real democracy. In terms of assaults on the Consitution, he will rely on legal advice and Court judgements, not a journalist’s opnion. No one has challenged the supposed illegal acts in Court. Until then, the army will be steadfast supporting democracy in action.
Bai and Qiliho going to jail has nothing to do with the army. Those offences were committed post army life. GD, by your assertion, the army should be protecting former officers like Bai and Qiliho when they commit criminal acts. So are you asserting that Bai and Qiliho have open ended immunity for the rest of their lives? By making this stand, the military is carrying out its Constitional role, by letting the judiciary deal with corrupt practices. So take a break, bonk or be bonked, do some weeding and let love shine 🙂
It is about adhering to the supreme law – the Constitution – and this government has not done that. End of story. That’s not a “journalist’s opinion” but an immutable fact. The Constitution specifically forbids anyone who has been found guilty of professional misconduct from being a judge or DPP and the Coalition have appointed precisely these individuals to the most important offices of state.
It is unlawful, pure and simple. And the Fiji Law Society has said so but has been ignored. Ergo, if the Commander of the RFMF isn’t going to object, who is? Or is he OK with being part of the subversion of the rule of law? It sure looks like it from where I sit, along with a lot of other Fijians. And we don’t need “weed” to tell us what is right and wrong.
Some homework for you then since you’re on holiday, go and ready s117(4) and tell us if what applies to the actual DPP also applies to an acting appointment? We still have a DPP albeit suspended.
This is the problem of rubber stamping laws, shoddy clauses that are vague. As long as a clause is vague, it is open to interpretation and will be up to the Court to decide what it means. No one has challenged that in Court yet. Not even the legal society.
As for judges, that is now before the Supreme Court, at the government’s request. Mind you, FFP were saying that it should have been a Cabinet decision. Childish game plan to try and catch the Coalition red handed.
The interview was about the Reconciliation process that the RFMF is embarking on. We can clearly understand what the Commander meant when he said that he’s job is to uphold the constitution and he himself has to abide by it. Our questions on he’s relationships with former commanded and the government are answered. He is a professional and a man of knowledge. The thing is Graham you already made up your mind on what you want to hear from him or what you want the interviewer to ask.
Why don’t you try to come to Fiji and ask those to him yourself. Watch the interview with a clear conscious.
The interview was not billed as an “interview on the reconciliation process” but a general appearance by the Commander. Certain questions of burning interest to a great many Fijians should have been asked but weren’t. Why?
I have been a journalist for 50 years. I know what should have been asked. We don’t live in a parallel universe in the rest of the world. Only in Fiji can anyone possibly say that Vijay Narayan did his job to anything like the proper standard. It was a shocker.
I say that having judged the major prizes for journalism in Australia and New Zealand. And as a Fijian, I have every right to pass judgment on what was by any standard, woefully inadequate if not journalistically reprehensible.
Vijay Narayan has become a joke. His substandard journalism, selective reporting, and sugarcoating issues surrounding the Coalition Government and their “Hon.” ministers is a sign of the deteriorating situation of Fiji across all secotrs.
If he thinks his show is a confirmation that everything is under control at the QEB, he is sadly mistaken.
It’s the calm before the storm. It’s only a matter of time.
The Commander can start with why Lynda Tabuya’s husband has been awarded $6m contract without following the procurement process for building the great Council of thieves building.
He can then tell us if Lynda should remain in Parliament in her ministerial role and how her position is upheld by the constitution.
Well, jackshit Vijay knows no shit. So we can ask here so he can look smart next time when he interviews the somewhat lost commander.
There are other agencies who deal with corruption – FICAC and the Police, not the Army.
As for Lynda continuing to be an MP, that is her party’s call or the voters at the election if not dealt with beforehand.
The Commander is not Bainimarama, who was easily persuaded as he didn’t have the intelligence to see the ulterior motives of those making him climb up the banana tree.
Not as bad as you portray it Graham.
Listening to the interview, reconciliation is okay, but in this context may be a bridge too far for Fiji. Raking over the coals of the past may stoke some old coals as it exposes the chauvinistic nature of the communities, by choice, and the lie that the British divided them.
Perhaps it’s better to look forward instead, focus on the economy, the positives of what we have and close the chapter on the coups with an amnesty. Let’s just say it’s time to move on and focus on jobs and making some necessary adjustments to the democratic settings.
Right now, Fiji is at crossroads with at least three obvious choices on which way to go:
1. Continue ‘back to the future’ down the road to the politics of old and very old – characterised by treachery, regionalism, bankruptcy and dependence on foreigners.
2. Turn around and return to living under fully- and half-baked autocratic rule of 2006–22, favouritism, intimidation and fear.
3. Say goodbye to the coup culture, fully embrace democracy, reform the institutions and demand performance on the economy and public services by elected representatives.
Readers may be able to imagine other roads. But for now, let’s just say the sensible choice is number 3 which returns Fiji to the self-sufficiency it enjoyed around Independence.
Plenty of potholes down this road. First steps. Close the coups chapter of Fiji’s history with all players to stop throwing stones. It started with Sitiveni Rabuka and includes, but is not limited to: Frank Bainimarama, George Speight, Jo Nata, Aiyaz Saiyed Khaiyum, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, Richard Naidu, and Sitiveni Qihilio. A general amnesty to end the ongoing cycle of recrimination and jailing of political opponents. No more Naboro. The quid pro quo is that they all step back from politics and are left alone. The coup days are over.
Celebrate the fact that Fiji has a democratic constitution with many good features. Celebrate that former military leaders are doing the right thing by seeking power through the ballot box. Celebrate the Great Council of Chiefs for upholding traditions culture and land ownership system. But accept that it should return to its smaller size of just the great chiefs, as it was after Independence. Accept that it has a set budget and no financial responsibility or political power.
Just as the GCC is subservient to the elected legislature, so too must be the RFMF with a new, value-for-money budget. Its role could be expanded to protect Fiji from the new challenges of the climate crisis, national parks service to clean up Fiji and eradicate illicit drugs that have no place in the country.
Reform the legislature so that elected representatives have their own constituencies based on demographics and geography, not traditional regions. The separation of powers is fully established with an independent judiciary where no judge is appointed by a politician. And institutions one step removed from ministerial direction – for good reason – be strengthened and face scrutiny for their performance.
These are just first steps down this road. There are many others to be taken. But to enable progress, the fourth estate – the media – must do their job. On behalf of their audiences – the community at large – they have to hold the elected representatives to account. It is their responsibility to fearlessly find the truth and accurately tell the stories of what is actually going on.
Unfortunately for Fiji, the media is largely owned by merchant families for whom the first priority is to make money. Just as enterprise needs to also benefit the country, so too these families should understand that with ownership of a media outlet comes responsibilities to the community. It means keeping them well informed on what’s going on, telling it as it is, including those stories that may not necessarily be in their commercial interest. Through free speech and calling elected representatives and institutions to account without fear or favour, victimisation or intimidation, will then come progress towards fixing the big challenges the country faces. Failure to do this just makes them part of the problem.
“Not as bad as I portray it”? None of the relevant questions were asked.
1/ What is your reaction to the conviction of Frank Bainimarama?
2/ What do you intend to do?
3/ Have you been part of the reported meetings of senior officers to discuss what should happen if he is jailed?
4/ Did you approve of serving personnel going to Frank Bainimarama’s house as an expression of support for him?
5/ You say it’s important to uphold the Constitution. What is your response to the Coalition violating the Constitution by appointing senior officers of state who have been found guilty of professional misconduct?
6/ Have you convened your objection to the Constitution being violated to the Coalition government?
7/ What are you going to do if these violations continue?
8/ You say everyone is “equal” in Fiji? What has been your response to the program of purging non-iTaukei from the civil service and offices of state and replacing them with indigenous appointments?
9/ Have you conveyed your concern to the Coalition about this program of workplace ethnic cleansing?
10/ What is your response to the Prime Minister ignoring his own Party and continuing to allow a minister who has been found to have engaged in illicit sex and drug taking to be responsible for the portfolio of Women and Children?
“Not as bad as I portray it”? Surely you jest?
Vinaka GD. Sota tale✌️
Who will lead the reconciliation?
Lynda?
Chorwa Singh?
Who?
Not a person with an ethical spine in that Coalition.
Thank you, but no thank you.
Sort out your party bitches and womanisers first before trying to sort out the country Rabuka.
If Vijay Narayan is a journalist then I am Tom Cruise. Total waste of time.
Just to add one more to your list of pertinent questions GD, Vijay should have asked:
11. If the safety and security of the people of Fiji is the responsibility of RFMF then when would they expect to begin a program to remove all burglar grills from homes and businesses. The people are still prisoners in their own homes and forever risk their lives in case of fire or similar emergencies?
I am hoping somebody reads this and spurs an investigation into Lynda Tabuya’s marijuana possession in Melbourne in rm 233. This is a disgrace. Calling on anyone thy cab do something about this!
People are being put away as we speak for years for growing or using marijuana and it’s just fine Lynda Tabuya had a ton of weed in rm 233 on the Fiji Parliamentary business trip to Melbourne? She is not above the law.
Is anyone else curious to knowing if Lynda Tabuya brought the weeds over in a diplomatic bag or bought it there on the streets of Melbourne?
Who assisted her with this? I bet you there were other people that knew or were involved. Where other Coalition members questioned by police a stone what they knew and why not? I absolutely sickened that because she is a minister then different rules apply to her. She is an absolute joke of a representative and a huge liability.
She must be removed from Parliament and take away diplomatic passport and visas obtained through her position.
Foundational issues appear to be amiss. In Fiji, grandiose rhetoric is pervasive, often manipulating emotions. This vulnerability lies at the core of societal ailments. As the saying goes, “fish rots from the head.”
Our inclination to passively accept whatever is thrust upon us contradicts the essence of democracy, gravely weakening our nation. Politicians exploit this tendency to their advantage.
How do we tackle this predicament? We must reassess and fortify our culture to encourage inquiry and pursuit of truth. Relying solely on the RFMF to rectify the misdeeds of our political leaders is untenable. While the military’s actions have significantly contributed to Fiji’s current state over the past 35 years, it’s heartening that the Commander is committed to breaking the cycle of coups leading to potential ruin.
Addressing our challenges is straightforward: reinstate democracy and instill democratic principles across all levels of society. We must scrutinize ourselves as citizens and reject petty political maneuvering. It’s plausible that many political figures lack a comprehensive understanding of politics and democracy.
The Commander’s acknowledgment that societal change requires collective effort is pivotal. Eradicating the coup culture and steering towards democracy necessitates gradual steps due to the substantial damage inflicted upon our democratic institutions. Every leader must commit to and exemplify this change through their actions.
Freedom remains a fundamental right, but it must be exercised responsibly. Cultivating a questioning society that actively contributes to decision-making is paramount. Education, supported by civic organizations and enlightened leadership, plays a pivotal role in shaping such a society. We implore the education system to mold our nation’s character through mentorship at every stage.
The call for modernization is urgent and demands universal accountability. Constructive debates and inclusive participation are essential for finding holistic solutions, instead of engaging in the current blame game and political point-scoring. Genuine leaders must emerge to spearhead the modernization of our democracy, debunking the fallacy that democracy is alien to our culture.
This contribution is indispensable for steering our beloved Fiji back on course, devoid of a moral compass or direction. Our education system holds the key to empowering every stratum of society for a better quality of life. Political leaders, set aside personal agendas and work for the collective good. Let’s introspect and take decisive action to ensure our education system cultivates the society Fiji deserves.
May Fiji and its people be blessed. These are simply my reflections.
I believe it is an opportune time for you, Graham to get on YouTube and infuse a potent vitamin shot to the banal (malnourished) television journalism in this country.