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CHAUDHRY to SODELPA fund-raising diners in Sydney: 'A change of government is not only imperative but has become absolutely necessary if Fiji is to be saved from becoming an entrenched dictatorship'

8/5/2017

9 Comments

 

Well, he should not have rushed to prop up Bainimarama's fledgling dictatorship, informing US ambassador to Fiji that the Qarase Government was SO "AWFUL": 
"This [2006] coup is different because the Qarase Government was so awful...Fiji could not have survived another five years."  - Mahendra Chaudhry to Larry Dinger

"Mahendra Chaudhry, former PM deposed by the 2000 coup and still head of the FLP, phoned today to let the Ambassador know he intends to accept Bainimarama's offer of the Finance, Public Enterprises, and Sugar Reform portfolios. He put it in terms of having to move Fiji forward and get back to democracy ASAP. When the Ambassador noted how disastrous the past coups had been for Fiji and for Chaudhry personally on two occasions, Chaudhry suggested this coup is different because the Qarase Government was so awful...Fiji could not have survived another five years...Interim Finance Minister Chaudhry is showing his vindictive side. Under the interim government, Chaudhry crony Vayeshnoi is Sports Minister and Chaudhry son Rajendra is on the FSC board." :
The former US Ambassador to Fiji, Larry Dinger to Washington

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Labour Leader speaks at SODELPA fundraising dinner in Sydney

Addressing a gathering of Sodelpa and FLP supporters in Sydney last Saturday, Labour leader Mahendra Chaudhry emphasised the need for Opposition political parties to work together in the run up to the 2018 general elections.

A change of government is not only imperative but has become absolutely necessary if Fiji is to be saved from becoming an entrenched dictatorship, said Mr Chaudhry.

The tailor made 2013 Constitution,unilaterally imposed on the people, laid the foundation for authoritarian rule. The severe curtailment of the fundamental rights of the people, following the unlawful abrogation by the Bainimarama regime of the 1997 Constitution, has been continued under this constitution.

'There cannot be democracy under an authoritarian constitution' said Mr Chaudhry.

The Fiji Fist government has failed to deliver on its promises. Instead, it has worsened the social conditions in the country. Poverty remains high at around 45%, compared to 32% in 2006. Unemployment levels have risen as thousands of jobs were lost under government's so-called reform programs and as a result of the sharp decline of the sugar industry. Unemployment is high amongst youth - estimated at around 25%.p

Cost of living has soared to a level making it the number one election issue with the people. Crime rate has assumed worrying proportions, exacerbated largely by the rising incidence of poverty.

There is glaring neglect of the rural sector as people abandon their villages and farms to migrate to urban centres in search of non existent jobs.

Fiji's health services have deteriorated sharply under Bainimarama despite a number of reshuffles of health ministers.

There are serious issues of mal governance as well. Corruption is endemic in the public and private sectors because of a total lack of accountability and transparency in governance. There is little respect for adherence to the rule of law and allegations abound of interference with the legal processes.

These are worrying national problems which to resolve require a concerted and unified action on all fronts. There cannot be another approach to it. The Opposition parties should not be under any illusion about it, said Chaudhry.

He cautioned that free, fair and credible elections were out of the question under the existing conditions.

Several changes will have to be made to the existing electoral laws which were written to suit the current regime. Indeed, some major changes have been recommended in the reports of the Multinational Observer Group which observed the 2014 elections and also the Fiji Electoral Commission. These changes are intended to enhance the integrity ad credibility of the electoral process.

The restrictive laws standing in the way of free, fair and credible elections must be scrapped and the electoral environment made free. It is pleasing to note that the opposition parties are working on this together.

He warned that the coming months will be hard, requiring firm resolve and discipline on our part, as we take our message to the people. It may be hard but it is not impossible. We must be determined to succeed.

Mr Chaudhry thanked the organisers of the Sodelpa fund raising function and called on them to maintain their resolve to assist in the process of bringing about the much needed change of government in Fiji.

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9 Comments
Rajend Naidu
9/5/2017 12:08:09 am

Editor,
Democratic Opposition Taking A Stand .
The democratic opposition in Venezuela has come together to boycott President Maduro's meeting on rewriting the constitution saying it's an attempt by the president to hang onto power ( Aljazeera news 9/5 ).
The democratic opposition must not go along with any rubbish so called " reforms " put forward by the mob in power.
That's something the democratic opposition in Fiji failed to do after the Bainimarama coup of 2006.
That's why we now have in place the political order FLP leader Mahendra Chaudhry correctly describes and criticises .
It's up to the democratic opposition to fight to change the existing order.
That's the challenge confronting the opposition.
Sincerely,
Rajend Naidu

Reply
Chiku
9/5/2017 07:14:43 pm

Fiji is already an entrenched dictatorship in a democratic disguise.
The question now is how to get rid of the entrenched dictatorship of Bainimarama and Khaiyum?

Reply
Refugee
9/5/2017 11:43:50 pm

Plan A - All Coupists Must Go!!

Objective - It’s time to bring in Respectable Leaders to Parliament. It’s time to bring the sanctity of the Parliament –back to the Parliament.

FIRST level Action Plan;

*Wake-Up Sodelpa!! Get rid of Rabuka!! [Rambo Must Go!]
*Wake-Up FLP !! Get rid of Chaudhary!! [Daaku Must Go!]
*Wake-Up NFP !! Get rid of Pio!! [Pio Must Go]

SECOND level Action Plan;

And then Everyone (all PPs) Happily Reunite on non-racial, bread and butter, children, women and elderly focussed issues to Get rid of Bai/Kai!! [The Coupists Must Go!]

DESIRED Outcome;
And then Everybody, in Fiji, can live Happily thereafter.

Reply
Rajend Naidu
9/5/2017 08:28:38 pm

Editor,
Standing Up and Speaking Out.
Here is a good example of that. Canadian Eugenie Bouchard (23) one of the most outspoken tennis players called celebrity tennis star Maria Sharapova " a cheat " and criticised the WTA for giving her the chance to compete in the current world tour by lifting her 15 month doping ban. Eugenie called for a lifetime ban.
After defeating Maria a couple of days ago in their match Eugenie said many other players privately praised her for her stance showing they shared her view but were " scared to speak out " ( SBS News 9/5 ).
Many people are similarly scared to speak out against the cheats in Fiji who have parked themselves in power through the unlawful takeover in 2006.
These cheats too should be given a lifetime ban from holding political office.
And, that is being charitable to them. They should actually be doing time!
Sincerely,
Rajend Naidu

Reply
Refugee
9/5/2017 11:59:30 pm

Victor, there’s so much we want say about Chaudhary, which would be repetitive and boring and none would be wiser but for crying out loud, the bestest and aptest testimony on Chaudhary is none other than the one rendered by Chaudhary’s very own Counsel concisely summed in a word – “daaku”.

Reply
Mota Uday
10/5/2017 12:47:43 am

Daaku is one clever cookie. He knows there’s no chance of collecting no rupees from the (once beaten twice shy) kaiindia or the Haryana – so the, currency convict Chaudhary is now cutting cake, cashing up the Sydney itaukei.

Vinaka Daaku, you are a weasel; ‘where there is a will, there is a way’.

Reply
Tuma
10/5/2017 09:28:19 pm

Does anyone see an uncanny resemblance between Bainimarama's Govt and Trump's? Similarly with their supporters.

Reply
Welcome Home
11/5/2017 07:30:48 am

Tuma you are asking the right, specific question. Look at the fundamental elements: grandiosity, lack of basic respect, tendency towards violence and even a renewed advocacy of torture, belittling of those who follow their higher instincts and act in Good Conscience. The tendency to mock those who would seek peaceful and inclusive methods and means of achieving outcomes by negotiation and dialogue in lieu of confrontation and force. Senator John McCain has just now spoken about any deliberate attempt for the reintroduction of torture techniques - water boarding. He speaks as the Chairman of the U.S. Armed Services Committee of Congress and he makes plain that he and others will do everything possible to prevent it by applying the US Constitution and current Laws. He carries the weight of conscience and as one who was tortured in Vietnam while held prisoner for five years.

Reply
Bahuki
12/5/2017 07:16:15 am

If Chaudhry wants that so-called changed to happen with a dictatorship that's badly disguised as a democracy, he could do something about the military since its always used as a pawn to fulfill one's agenda like the two clowns currently running the show in Frankie and Aiyaz.

Thats just my opinion but am open to whichever possibilities any party has of forming the next government, don't really care who as long as its not Fiji Farty-Pants.

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