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#SETTING AN EXAMPLE IN THE COVID ERA

Posted on September 16, 2020 9 Comments

It will obviously be critical when Fiji’s borders re-open that intending visitors are confident that the country has adopted international best practice when it comes to dealing with the Covid-19 threat. Which makes it all the more perplexing that the country’s leadership is so demonstrably failing to set an example to the nation, especially in terms of social distancing.

The rules on this are quite clear – a space of at least one and a half metres between individuals and no hugs or hand shakes. The Ministry of Health in Fiji recommends this internationally accepted standard. But there is little or no prospect of it being embraced while the Prime Minister and his Attorney General take no notice of it whatsoever. They appear to believe that it doesn’t apply to them. Yet in ignoring the recommendations of their own government, they are sending a very unfortunate signal not only to Fijians but anyone contemplating visiting Fiji when the time comes.

That signal is that Fiji will not be entirely safe from the threat of Covid transmission, whatever other measures are put in place. Because proximity to other individuals and physical contact in the form of handshakes or hugs are the most basic Covid transmission threat of all. And if Fijians aren’t keeping their distance, no international visitor can be sure that they are not at risk.

The lack of compliance by the leadership and their failure to set a standard is astonishing when the stakes are so high. If they take no notice of the social distancing protocols, why should anyone else? All of which makes it much less likely that when the mums and dads of Australia and New Zealand can eventually make the journey that they will choose to do so. Fijians not only need to adopt best practice but be SEEN, in the eyes of the world, to adopt best practice for any rapid economic recovery to take place.

The video below of the Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, encapsulates all the arrogance of a government that doesn’t practice what it preaches. The reason for his visit to the Kulukulu School in Sigatoka is a good one – to highlight the threat to our oceans and sea-life of plastic bags. But the example he sets for the children in terms of Covid best practice is appalling. Handshakes all round – and even hugs and kisses – and no social distancing whatsoever.

If Fiji wonders why no-one wants to come when the borders open, it will be because its leaders think the rules don’t apply to them. And by extension when the time comes for would-be visitors to make their travel decisions, that Fiji doesn’t think the basic rules to avoid the spread of Covid apply to it.

It’s the complete opposite of the most successful Fijian tourism promotion of all – “Fiji, the way the world should be”. In this instance, Fiji, not the way the world should be and shooting itself in the foot.

It’s also worth watching the video in full to appreciate the presidential style the AG has acquired for himself – the long wait for someone who is terminally late, the arrival of the official convoy, the reception line, the place of honour, the prescriptive speech, the mingling and photo ops and then a similarly regal departure. This is the de-facto number two in the government, not the country’s leader. So is it any wonder that power has gone to his head?

On Friday: The succession: Frank names his choice.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rajend Naidu says

    September 16, 2020 at 7:33 am

    What I can’t understand is why does the Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum need to go to the primary school in Sigatoka for this? It lends weight to the cynical view that he is the ” Minister for Everything “in post coup Fiji.

    Reply
  2. l_f says

    September 16, 2020 at 7:33 am

    COVID19 precautions aside, other jaw dropping instances of “do as I say , not as I do”.

    e.g. The willful breach of Section 11 of Finance Instructions 2010 as referenced in Fiji Village article, where Nur Bano lawsuit against the office of Auditor General was embarassingly thrown out:

    https://fijivillage.com/news/Court-dismisses-Nur-Bano-Ali-and-Aliz-Pacifics-application-against-Auditor-General-and-Attorney-General-r29ks5

    It appears ‘Regulatory Capture’ has prevented FICAC and other enforcement agencies in Fiji from acting on this blatant self dealing and cronyism by people at top of the proverbial food chain.

    What message does this give to all and sundry?

    Reply
    • l_f says

      September 16, 2020 at 6:40 pm

      Sharing a blog post on environmental degradation that has been condoned by Fiji Department of Environment. This corroborates my earlier comment m

      https://timtuiqali.wordpress.com/2020/09/16/fiji-the-land-and-the-people-and-this-government/amp/?unapproved=1&moderation-hash=40a38539ac3b939a596e2d0adefe1ecd&__twitter_impression=true

      Reply
  3. Broofstoyefski says

    September 16, 2020 at 8:06 am

    The leadership is a laughingstock and they basically make rules and laws for everyone else to follow, except them.

    Khaiyum never had any courtesy whatsoever and it shows through his lack of taking COVID precautions.

    Reply
    • Rajend Naidu says

      September 16, 2020 at 8:43 am

      The Khaiyum I knew as a friend was always courteous, polite and humble. He is clearly a different Khaiyum now. Shows what power can do to people. Especially power that gets to one’s head. These days Khaiyum is described using very different adjectives, none of which is flattering. How will Khaiyum be remembered when he is no longer in politics and no longer in power?

      Reply
      • Gangadin says

        September 16, 2020 at 1:51 pm

        He will be remembered just like George Speight. Locked away and forgotten.

        Reply
        • Rajend Naidu says

          September 16, 2020 at 3:42 pm

          Being locked away and forgotten for carrying out a coup is more an exception then the rule in Fiji. As a rule the coupists get away scott free and are even held to be respectable, honourable men and bestowed with exalted positions…
          Time will tell if Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum is ” remembered just like George Speight. Locked away and forgotten “. I doubt that very much. I could be wrong. Time will tell…

          Reply
  4. Vitivou says

    September 17, 2020 at 9:58 pm

    Cmon mate waiting with much anticipation for the 18/09 release here lol. Hope youre well.

    #kuanasukaimuri

    Reply
  5. William says

    September 19, 2020 at 10:34 am

    “Mummy, you’ll never guess what happened at school today!”
    “What, darling?”
    “Well, a fat, plastic windbag arrived in a dark car, & touched and patted and hugged and kissed some of us!”
    “Ugh, go immediately to the bathroom & wash yourself properly, from head to foot!”

    Reply

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About Grubsheet

Graham Davis
Grubsheet Feejee is the blogsite of Graham Davis, an award-winning journalist turned communications consultant who was the Fijian Government’s principal communications advisor for six years from 2012 to 2018 and continued to work on Fiji’s global climate and oceans campaign up until the end of the decade.

 

Fiji-born to missionary parents and a dual Fijian-Australian national, Graham spent four decades in the international media before returning to Fiji to work full time in 2012. He reported from many parts of the world for the BBC, ABC, SBS, the Nine and Seven Networks and Sky News and wrote for a range of newspapers and magazines in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.

 

Graham launched Grubsheet Feejee in 2011 and suspended writing for it after the Fijian election of 2014, by which time he was working at the heart of government. But the website continued to attract hits as a background resource on events in Fiji in the transition back to parliamentary democracy.

 

Grubsheet relaunches in 2020 at one of the most critical times in Fijian history, with the nation reeling from the Covid-19 crisis and Frank Bainimarama’s government shouldering the twin burdens of incumbency and economic disintegration.

 

Grubsheet’s sole agenda is the national interest; the strengthening of Fiji’s ties with the democracies; upholding equal rights for all citizens; government that is genuinely transparent and free of corruption and nepotism; and upholding Fiji’s service to the world in climate and oceans advocacy and UN Peacekeeping.

 

Comments are welcome and you can contact me in the strictest confidence at grubsheetcontact@gmail.com

 

(Feejee is the original name for Fiji - a derivative of the indigenous Viti and the Tongan Fisi - and was widely used until the late 19th century)

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