The Acting Chief Justice, Salesi Temo, has compounded the outrage of his false allegation of stealing against the DPP, Christopher Pryde, with an astonishing speech in which he defends the notion of convicted criminals becoming lawyers.
The following is what Temo told the legal profession in remarks at the annual Attorney General’s Conference that are deeply worrying for anyone concerned about standards in the criminal justice system and the wider community.
The speech, of course, is utterly self serving. Because Justice Temo appointed a convicted criminal, Tomasi Bainivalu, to be the Chief Registrar and Secretary to the Judicial Services Commission. Bainivalu was found guilty of drink driving – something that would have barred him from holding high judicial office in countries like Australia and New Zealand but is no impediment to high office in Fiji.
The Acting Chief Justice also appointed John Rabuku to be Acting DPP in violation of the Constitution when Rabuku was found guilty of professional misconduct by the Independent Legal Services Commission. And while that appointment was terminated after a ruling by three Supreme Court judges that Rabuku was ineligible for the position, he was almost immediately appointed to the substantive position of Deputy DPP. Which means that the second most senior prosecutor in Fiji is someone who has been convicted of professional misconduct.
Of course, the good old Fijian media has buried the Acting CJ’s comment about a criminal conviction not necessarily being an impediment to gaining a practicing certificate as a lawyer or holding high office in the institutions of state charged with administering the law.
Both papers – the Fiji Sun and the Fiji Times – led with Salesi Temo reminding lawyers of the need to “uphold integrity” without any suggestion, of course, that the Acting Chief Justice himself is a serial violator – the man at the apex of the judiciary failing the most basic tests of integrity in giving top positions to lawyers with criminal convictions or findings of professional misconduct against them.
This is inevitably part of the reason public standards of conduct have collapsed, whether it is the all pervasive corruption in national life, drug and sex scandals, brutality and sexual misconduct and the breakdown of discipline in the nation’s schools. We have observed more than once in recent articles here that just as a dead fish rots from the head, so does any nation take its cue from the top in terms of the tone of national life. And when there is a breakdown in standards of conduct at the top of government and our offices of state, it will inevitably trickle down to the rest of society, including our churches and classrooms.
The entire body politic in Fiji is gripped with the notion of “second chances”, as if saying sorry for criminal conduct should automatically deliver any individual a clean slate. The problem is that recidivism is rife in Fiji among those who have offended once. Yet the idea of individuals who have made a career in the law being excused for unlawful behaviour is a serious mistake.
When lawyers get to the apex of their profession and are in contention for the highest offices of state, there must be zero tolerance for criminal behaviour or professional misconduct. Because if an example can’t be set for the rest of the nation by our lawyers, what hope is there of expecting higher standards of conduct in the rest of society?
Once again – in the space of a week – Salesi Temo has demonstrated that he is unfit to head the judiciary. And he must be removed as a matter of urgency if the Coalition government is to retain any trust at all with the Fijian people in the lead-up to the next election.
We’ve seen another speech calling for “second chances” at the same event by the Permanent Secretary of Employment, Maritino Nemani, this time asking Australia to give “second chances” to convicted criminals seeking to get jobs under the Labour Mobility Program.
The PS made the extraordinary disclosure that 2,183 Fijians have been blacklisted by the Australian government because of their police records and he wants this to be reconsidered.
Why? Why should Australia, New Zealand or any other country turn a blind eye to criminal conduct? Sorry, it isn’t two strikes and you’re out but one strike and you’re out. And too bloody bad if that means missing out on lucrative job opportunities overseas.
People like Maritino Nemani and Salesi Temo don’t seem to understand that their own tolerance for criminal conduct isn’t shared by their neighbours. But this “give us a second chance” syndrome is an affliction that permeates much of the Fijian establishment from the top down, including the Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka. And at the risk of being accused of racial stereotyping, has come to be something of a shibboleth among iTaukei.
Last week, Sitiveni Rabuka again prevaricated against doing something about his iTaukei Affairs Minister, Ifereimi Vasu, being in a lucrative business relationship with the convicted Chinese gangster – drug and people trafficker Jason Zhong – who is currently facing a fresh charge of trying to bribe a government official.
The Prime Minister simply cannot see a problem with the iTaukei Minister in charge of the protection of iTaukei land doing land deals with his business partner in the vanua when he has such a glaring conflict of interest. Or a problem with the entire relationship when a convicted criminal – who Vasu met when he was running the prison system – has such privileged access to the top.
And then there is the most glaring instance of all of the Prime Minister tolerating conduct that would trigger an uproar in any other country – the sex and drug scandal of Lynda Tabuya and Aseri Radrodro in Room 233.
Sitiveni Rabuka and the PAP hierarchy removed Lynda Tabuya from the position of deputy leader of the People’s Alliance but has kept her in the cabinet, where she remains to this day giving speeches about pornography when she manufactured pornography – sexually explicit photos – to entice Aseri Radrodro to her bed while Radrodro’s wife slept in a nearby room at Melbourne’s Windsor Hotel.
Lynda Tabuya has the temerity to make speeches about the collapse of standards of behaviour among young people when she set a standard of conduct during an official parliamentary visit that is easily the most squalid in Fijian political history. And she is lionised and protected by a media that promotes her every utterance and to this day, refuses to publish the letter co-signed by the Prime Minister removing her as deputy leader of the PAP.
Here it all is again. Er, no, not all but enough to make the point.
So, Fiji, next time you wonder why there is a collapse of standards in our nation’s schools and too many kids are drug-addled, sex-obsessed or generally misbehaving, there’s no need to wring your hands about the cause.
The rot begins at the top – including the judiciary, other offices of state and the Coalition government – and is slowly consuming the rest of the country. It is a tragedy that no amount of “second chances” is going to solve because we have come to excuse the inexcusable and pardon the unpardonable. And it is an unforgivable failure of leadership that would have previous generations of Fijians spinning in their graves.
UPDATE TUESDAY AM:
One of the most striking things about officialdom in Fiji is the hypocrisy, double standards and people throwing stones from glass houses. And an absence of even the most basic idea of how to behave appropriately.
The Permanent Secretary for Employment, Maritino Nemani, wants our neighbours to give workers with criminal records a second chance. Well he would say that, wouldn’t he? In his last job at USP, “Second chance Tino” was subject to a special investigation for misuse of his official credit card, for an inappropriate sexual relationship in the workplace and an act of glaring nepotism in granting a pay rise to a friend. And yet he is still able to climb the greasy pole in the civil service.
And then there is the chronic inability of people to know when it is appropriate to say something and when it is appropriate to remain silent. And the FICAC Commissioner, Barbara Malimali, is the latest example of that.
Barbara Malimali is meant to be in the process of being investigated by her friend, the Deputy DPP, John Rabuku, for alleged abuse of office as chair of the Electoral Commission. We don’t know the progress of that investigation or whether, in fact, it is happening at all. But Malimali is definitely the subject of a judicial investigation into the circumstances of her appointment at FICAC by the Supreme Court judge, Justice David Ashton-Lewis.
The Opposition leader, Inia Seruiratu, has been among those who argued that Barbara Malimali should have been stood aside and especially when she was photographed socialising with John Rabuku, the man who is meant to be investigating her for abuse of office. At the very least, one would think, she should be keeping her notoriously big mouth firmly shut.
Yet Barbara Malimali not only continues to exercise the broad powers of FICAC Commissioner without having to report to anyone. She boasts about doing her job well despite being under active investigation by a judge and even complains of doing so amid “disinformation” and “misinformation” about the circumstances of her appointment. She is playing advocate for herself in public even while she is under judicial investigation.
Barbara Malimali shows the same judgment with the following comments as she showed in 2016 when her drunken antics with a foreign judge in Tuvalu led to a trial being aborted. Precisely zero. And we wonder about the collapse of standards generally when the corruption watchdog has such a glaring case of distemper.
Memo Barbara Malimali. Justice Ashton Lewis will make a pronouncement on the integrity of your appointment and suitability to be FICAC Commissioner. And in the meantime, common sense, common decency and an inherent sense of what is right and wrong should be telling you to shut the f**k up.
Agreed 110%. Those who live in glass houses…
The collision gov has been let down by advisors. Remember we have had 16 long years of tyranny with foreign ideas of meritocracy being forced on us. We are just starting and there needs to be more payment to recognize true position of Fijian men as head of household and country by birthright with no back talking or foreign ideas. All the problems has been NFP and advisors who have gone crazy with conflicts of interest and robbing chiefs of the money they deserve. Everyday our water resources are sold off and we getting worthless beads for our resources. NFP is most to blame.
Yes, it was the advisors to Lynda Tabuya and Aseri Radrodro who are to blame for their conduct, the advisors to Salesi Temo who are to blame for his lies and outrageous statements and it is Nemani’s advisors who put words in his mouth asking Australia for a second chance for more than two-thousand criminal applicants for Aussie jobs etc etc.
Suggest that you get your own advisor. Though I can’t see how it will help you with your sheer stupidity. The usual transference of blame.
While hindsight may be 20/20, the ’16 years of tyranny’ was better that this lot can ever aspire to be.
JVB has restored a semblance or law and order, people could sleep better, investor-confidence was at an all time high, infrastructure development was priority, tourism was back post-pandemic, and the economy grew for 10 years straight.
The judiciary was not run by baboons and there was less horse manure. Somehow, things were better then than now.
@ Anonymous
Which planet you on? The Fiji First goverment policy was framed around the Talibani ‘Sunset Clause’ that marginalised the interests of the majority indigenous population.
We had Government Boards and statutory authorities stacked with the talibani and their sympathisers.
The FBC was broadcasting Russian propaganda.
People who disagreed were arrested and their rights abused.
Pull your head out of your clacker bro.
@taukei liberation-indigenous Fijians were not ever marginalized. You fluckers are lazy bastards who prefer handouts and forever claim victimhood.
Why do indeginous leave their own 97% land and other resources to pick fruit and wipe asses as caregivers? Living on bridging visas as refugees claiming your lives are in danger. Wtf.
How much longer will you blame others for the woeful indeginous failures from since Rt. Mara’s time? Freebies is all your people have ever lived for. Clacker na hona.
Hmmm…Sam…the same old story of blaming others for your wrong doing. It’s quite easy to blame others ain’t it? It’s the Indians who are to be blamed for the poverty of the itaukei population. It is the Indians who are to be blamed for the land issue in Fiji and they are going to steal your land….blah blah blah. You and the Clowns in Govt need to get your head out of your a@@.
Now you resort to passing the buck to advisors and blame “16 years of tyranny”. Very easy to blame the past government when you have no other option. Blame advisors for the corruption which is rife within the current coalition government. It’s quite easy for you lot to point fingers at others rather than looking at the rot within yourselves.
I guess the appointment of a CONVICTED CRIMINAL and alleged CHILD RAPIST as President of Fiji should be blamed on advisors as well eh?
Sam…the circus has truly come to town. Clowns running this Circus and monkeys performing as expected.
Kudos to you Mr Not My President.
Well said.
The problem is 2013 constitution that has been bashed on our heads. It is number 1 national priorities to remove it and then all the other issues like health, diets, corruption, conflicts of interest, drugs and failing schools will come right. Don’t ask me to point out which clause to a main problem because it’s about the whole vibe which has ripped country in half and denying God’s light that will fix everything.
And if you believe in that, you believe in fairies at the bottom of the teitei. There is nothing fundamentally wrong with the 2013 Constitution. What you don’t like is that it provides for equal opportunity for all Fijians irrespective of ethnicity or religion. Whereas you want iTaukei supremacy and a Christian state. It isn’t going to happen so you better get used to it.
I cannot understand why Rabuka is not kicking out the NFP and invite G9 former FFP to run the government. That will be a true iTaukei government running our country. That useless Biman will drag us all into the debt. He always critised corrupt Khaiyum. Now everybody can see he is worse than Khaiyum.
That is conclusion most of us are coming to. Huge problems in fact all problems of the last 2 years are financial ones from Min of finance and oniy benefit to his buddies. Scary conflicts. You can’t advise government, be a public figure and get breaks for your client. Somebody had some big FICAC size questions to answer
Bula Sam,
Is a meritocracy a foreign idea? Work and get rewarded is a foreign idea? Rewards and advancement based on your abilities and achievements sounds human to me.
Here are the alternatives.
Nepotism or Cronyism: Systems where rewards and positions are distributed based on personal connections, family ties, or favoritism rather than skill or achievement.
Aristocracy or Oligarchy: Power and privileges are inherited or concentrated among a small, elite group, regardless of individual competence.
Kleptocracy: Leadership is based on corruption, where those in power exploit their position for personal gain, disregarding merit entirely.
Equality of Outcome Systems: Systems where resources or opportunities are distributed equally regardless of effort or ability, often to address perceived injustices.
Anarchy: In the absence of a structured system, merit or any other criterion may not play a role at all.
We all seem to forget that the basic reason the Acting Chief Santa Claus and people like him think that way is because the iTaukei are special people. They are God’s gift to the world. Just ask them. They have entitlements which others do not. Only people from Fiji should be given second chances by Australia and NZ not people from other countries. Just ask Maratino Nemani.
Agreed that the iTaukei think are special people. So they not only have entitlements in their own country but they have special entitlements in other countries as well. And yes, that is because they are Israelites, God’s chosen people.
Forgot to mention, with the freedom they now have, it entitles them to be arrogant. The arrogance is palpable and I am sure that will be their own downfall in the not too distant future.
Maratino has been dragging the line of his political party. He is asking favour for his people, not the vulagis. This government has proven it there would be no problem if the decision was to be made by Fiji govt. Give a chance to family and friends.
The racist Maratino should know there are thousands of hard working innocent people in the queue hoping for an opportunity. How about the first opportunity for them.
The height of hypocrisy.
Does he understand what he is saying?
This joker does not have the mental capacity to be just a normal person let alone holding the position he currently holds.
If I was a lawyer, I would not be posing in a photo with these clowns.
Notice how all are dressed un western vulagi attire. “Full suit” as they say locally.
Whatever happened to itaukei traditional dress? Grass skirts, war paint, carrying a club, and bare-chested??
Why wear white vulagi clothing when you all hate the same white men??
Shameless hypocrites! Wear your native attire. Same goes for the gee ci ci.
Same too for the anti-British Fiji Indians. They should be wearing their dhotis to these occassions.
If its good for the goose, then it is good for the gander.
This is not about Indians and their dhotis. The Indians are not anti vulagi, you are. And remember, without Indians, you would still be feasting on each other
He is saying so because Rabuka wants him to say it. Rabuka will allow anything and everything as long as he can stay in power. He would have taken action against his ministers if he cared for the nation or the iTaukei. He is for himself and himself only!
You have hit the nail on the head GD.
Justice Temo’s assertion that a criminal conviction should not automatically disqualify an individual from entering or rejoining the legal profession is highly contentious and appears self-serving, given his own circumstances.
This perspective, coming from the head of the Judiciary – who also serves as acting President of Fiji in the absence of the incumbent, is deeply concerning and undermines the integrity of the judiciary. It suggests an attempt to justify misconduct by normalizing it, which is both unacceptable and damaging to public trust.
Fiji’s AG advocates principles of governance and ethics that starkly contrast with practices observed. For former AG Siromi Turaga, who was removed from office, promotes adherence to rules and ethics despite a record of controversial decisions that reflect otherwise. Appointments within critical institutions, such as the DPP’s office and FICAC, often appear driven by personal connections rather than merit.
Compounding these issues is the silence of institutions like the Fiji Law Society and the so-called free Fiji Media, which seem unwilling or unable to hold power to account. The lack of critical oversight has allowed overall governance standards under the PM Rabuka government to deteriorate alarmingly.
Heads must roll to save Fiji from a total collapse.
There is something rotten in the state of Denmark.
Temo pandering to his kind to remain significant. The electorate’s baser instincts of greed, selfishness to the morally and ethically corrupt.
The rot has metastasized, but elections are around the corner.
If one was to apply the same yardstick, as done by more civilised nations like Australia and NZ, to appointments, be it as Ambassadors, Civil Servants, Ministers, Directors, Members of Boards etc , I am afraid there will be hardly anyone left for the Coalition who also meet the other criteria of being ethno-nationalist i taukeis.
There is no room here to list all these tainted appointments which also include FICAC Commissioner and other Judicial positions, High Commissioners (Aust & UK….), PSC, Chairs & Directors (FHEC, FSC etc), CEOs, Vice Chancellors & Councils (FNU….), Statutory Bodies and of course Permanent Secretaries and Directors .
Of course Maritino Nemani will support this as he, in spite of the skeletons from his time as PS in the Bainimarama government, was given a top job at USP and later was accused of credit card fraud before being quickly sucked up by the current mob as PS. These ‘small deviations’ have not prevented him from being appointed to lucrative roles. So it makes perfect sense for him to advocate for repeat offenders.
It is clear that the Coalition has developed such a thick skin that no amount of naming and shaming seems to make an iota of difference to the standard of ethics and governance demonstrated by the current mob.
GD, as someone pointed out, the Fiji media is so dumb they can’t see a story even if the story hits them in the face.
The example you provide is a classic: the story from the eccentric and kuku acting chief justice speech is that convicted criminals should be allowed practice law. When I was a journalist in Fiji back in the day, this would be the lead: a haywire chief justice calling for convicted felons to be allowed to practice law. Surely even blind Freddy (Wesley) after all his years in the media can see that? But what do they report? Both papers – the Fiji Sun and the Fiji Times – led a motherhood statement about “uphold integrity”. This is not news, this is the same rhetoric at every bleeding address – by every damn speaker under the sun!
The whole country is outraged by the chief justice’s suggestion – except the Fiji Times and Fiji Sun. So much for claiming to be the pulse of the nation. What a joke!
I watch from abroad and weep for journalism in Fiji.
The Fred’s and Vijay’s fancy themselves as the‘Big Guns’ of Fiji media. In fact they are big buffoons who should retire. They have nothing to offer.
No surprises from Nemani, who has only been appointed by virtue of him being a failed PAP candidate! Wasn’t he charged by FICAC for abuse of office when he was Executive Director for People and Workforce at USP? Second chances eh? Eeo Tau!
Easy to see why Nemani wants 2nd chances. After all it was his wife, Foana who was found guilty of extortion and abuse of office and sentenced to 2 years and a couple of months in prison.
A disgraceful fall from grace as Deputy GM of the FNPF for sure.
She was sentenced in absentia in 2013 having fled to NZ.
Does anyone know what happened to her?
Did she return to serve out her time?
Or has she been pardoned Mac Patel style?
2nd chances are a good thing, but there are certain jobs or offices which require those who possess them to be persons of integrity with a “squeaky clean” record.
Otherwise a dangerous precedent could be set for future appointments.
It definitely starts from the very top. Temo saying convicted criminals can become legal practitioners shouldn’t come as a surprise.
After all, if a CONVICTED CRIMINAL, alleged CHILD RAPIST, and RACIST SWINE can become the President then anything is possible whilst these monkeys are in charge.
A notable absentee from the above listing of high profile incompetent, law breaking and blemished leaders is the country’s first citizen now residing comfortably at Government House.
And then the classical illustration of a government in denial, as ex-PM Chaudhry once quipped. The Ministry of Local Government recently stated that the appointments of the municipal heads for Suva, Nasinu and Tavua were “purely based on merit and through a due diligence process.” Of course, Mr Boseiwaqa, Mr Magnus and Mr Korovulavula are all losing Coalition candidates from the 2022 elections. Unsurprising at all!
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/salaries-and-allowances-for-municipal-council-executives/
Same too for the anti-British Fiji Indians. They should be wearing their dhotis to these occassions.
If it’s good for the goose, then it is good for the gander.
GD, you and most others are ‘silly Billys’. The reason why the sneaky clown Temo said that convicted people should allowed to be legal practitioners is because the buffoon is a convicted criminal himself!! He was convicted for manslaughter when he was nightclub bouncer in his NZ study days. Punched a poor sod to death, got convicted and then changed his name and joined the legal fraternity back home in viti. Many have known this…but the fat oaf is getting uneasy now, all these years later, because his past has now become common knowledge.
There’s a reason why the thug has got “love ” and “hate” tattooed on his knuckles just like a common criminal from viti. He is now saying all this nonsense cos he fears that his past might see him kiss goodbye to his esteemed position as the world’s longest serving acting chief justice. There’s talk that some lawyers maybe making a complaint about how he should disqualified from his acting position because of his sordid past. He now wants to normalize the appointment of ex criminals into the legal fraternity and he wants to lead that conga line. It’s called self preservation.
Of course the entire compromised yet free fiji media will not even investigate this story. They have sold their souls and become the lap dogs of Rabaku and his merry gang. Half the media is afraid of mad Rambo and the other half are ready to perform fellatio on all the clowns in the circus just to get some govt money through advertising and grants.
Despite promises by Biman two years ago the greedy unethical media lap dogs still have their tongues out waiting for the money….but biman and rabaku are no “qare”….no paisa…and some in the sold media are now beginning to question if the money is ever going to come. In the meantime they roll over for rabuka and the circus even more hoping the next “Masi polo” story will get them the govt money and advertising dollars. Anyway…back to Temo and his self preservation.
If this was true then how did he get admitted as a barrister and solicitor in New Zealand and work as a lawyer in that country after studying? Do you really think you can just change your name and then be allowed to practice in NZ? I think you’re dreaming, however, don’t let the truth get in the way of a good story.
Stop insulting monkeys and Denmark. The corruption in Fiji is now so entrenched it is uniquely special, beyond the law, beyond democracy, forming the prelude to “Babylon has fallen” – a total embarrassment to all those who loved Fiji in its better years.
I believe this whole idea of giving a second chance to criminals is designed to bring back George Speight as the next PM. The guy deserves to be PM for the sacrifices he has made for his people. Not just George Speight, but all others who were pardoned recently. They all deserve their just reward after having suffered for such a long time. I am sure the current PM, the current President, the GCC and a vast majority of Fijians will agree with me immensely.
It is a disgrace. If you can hurt vulagis then you are a champion.
If Rambo can come back after all the rapes, torture, killings, burnings, attempting ethnic cleansing, suffering, starting coup culture, suffering of lTaukeis, ……!
If Rambo gets good support in 2026, he will contest to become a PM again. If realises he will not win, he will support Georgie and become a hero among the nationalists. He will play the trump card of ethno nationalist one more time before he goes.
When will CJ open up the file again of Praveen K Bala ?
Incompetence is the new standard in Fiji. No matter what, as long as you are an azz licker of the coalition, you get the job. Doesn’t matter you know anything about the job or not.
The sheer horror of the situation is visible in the recent external exam results. 40% failure rate. Imagine our civil service in a few years.
Advice to those who can, Pack your bags and escape. Australia and NZ are opening more doors than ever before. Fiji is too far from saving now. The Incompetence has been engrained into every facet of work, society and government.
It’s like a corrupt North Korean regime in Fiji. Since the elections, the government has spent all it’s time appointing purely iTaukei Fijians who are either friends or family members, to prominent roles they do not deserve or qualify for, where they can influence key decisions.
It is apparent the people in power are all there for the free chow and it’s all done using taxpayers money while the taxpayers actually haven’t got anything to eat.
By virtue of the fact that the PM has chosen to ignore the various constitutional and legals breaches clearly shows how deeply involved he is in the corruption and his formal endorsement of this disgusting era Fiji has entered into.
At the 26th Attorney General’s Conference, PS for Employment, Maritino Nemani made a surprising and misguided plea, asking Australia to reconsider its policy of blacklisting convicted Fijians under the PALM scheme. This request is not only absurd but also reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of how the scheme works.
The PALM scheme offers temporary job opportunities as a goodwill gesture by Australia and is governed by its Immigration policies , which include strict conditions for applicants. Nemani’s suggestion that Australia should compromise its standards to accommodate over 2000 blacklisted individuals undermines the schemes’ intent and oversteps boundaries.
If this issue was deemed important, it should have been addressed discreetly by his minister with Australian authorities, especially given the minister’s frequent visits to discuss PALM issues. Publicly raising such a controversial issue, risk straining diplomatic goodwill.
Fiji already has the Yellow Ribbon initiative to rehabilitate ex convicts, yet Nemani appears to overlook domestic responsibility. With the country facing critical skill shortages, the focus should be on integrating them locally – whether through private sector partnerships, agriculture, or small business opportunities.
Australia is not obligated to reform Fiji’s ex-convicts. This responsibility lies squarely with the Fijian government. Nemani’s call is not only impracticable but detracts from the real work needed to address domestic challenges.
Stop this crap and do what you are paid to do – don’t pass the buck, focus on solutions at home.
Looks like Australia will not be introducing Bimans visa free travel for Fijians anytime soon.
I’d like to repeat that there is nothing in the 2013 Constitution to stop commoner itaukei from progressing like everybody else if they are focussed and prepared to work hard.
The world stands aside for a person who knows where they want to go.
The 2013 Constitution guarantees everyone’s right to the fundamentals of a good life – a job, housing, security, freedom from persecution, religous freedom, etc. etc.
This should be taught in primary and secondary school, that the outcomes of life are determined by the motivation and effort of the individual.
But ethno nationalists don’t like it, they are so used to getting special treatment that they want their so-called Group rights to be inserted.
All their rights to land, culture, village structure, etc are already protected, but no they claim special status above all others in Fiji, and this government is buying into this.
Shameful