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FIJI DAY: Government says celebrate EQUALITY for ALL; Opposition says DEMOCRACY imposed is a sham, controlled by Bainimarama & Khaiyum

7/10/2015

17 Comments

 
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FIJI DAY CELEBRATION:
Fiji Government's Statement


Friday, 9th October, 2015 our nation will commemorate Fiji’s 45 years of Independence. As Fijians, we can all honor the significant progress we have made, and reflect upon the challenges our nation has overcome. It is a day to make a recommitment to the principles of our beloved country, anchored by the platform of equality for all Fijians.

The theme for the Fiji Day Programme 2015 is: “Togetherness in Harmony for a Prosperous Fiji,” which signifies the ultimate objective of national development to achieve prosperity for all Fijians.

We call on every Fijian to celebrate Fiji Day in a meaningful way, and to join in the programmes in Suva, Labasa, Lautoka and Levuka and other local communities.

In respect of the principle of caring for our fellow Fijians, this year’s Fiji Day programme includes the Government initiative, “Taking the Spirit of Fiji Day,” to the children with special needs, homes and orphanages.


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Fiji Day Message
 
Forty-five years ago the government and people of Fiji took the momentous step of accepting sovereign responsibility for managing their own affairs.
 
Fiji was the home of an ancient civilization but when we severed colonial links with Britain on October 10th 1970, we were transformed into a newly independent country. So we were young again!  And as we celebrate the 45th anniversary of independence we are still in our youth as a nation!
 
On that historic day in 1970, Fiji’s people experienced mixed emotions. There was a degree of sadness at the departure of Britain.
 
It had never conquered Fiji.  It became the colonizer by the invitation of paramount chiefs of these islands.  The British brought us a system of government based on law, efficient administration and ethical standards, including a sense of fair play.
 
Christianity had come earlier with the missionaries. The light of Jesus Christ defeated the cruel paganism practised by the native Fijians. They were changed for all time. All this was for the good.
 
But there was inevitability about the end of colonialism.  It’s time had ended.  It was not relevant for the late 20th century. I can still feel the sense of hope and promise, the excitement that surrounded the birth of independent Fiji.
 
We were stepping out on our own.  Now we could show what we could do as masters of our own destiny.  There was no limit to Fiji’s potential.  In fact, we did become, and were recognized as, a symbol of hope for the world
 
Let it be said that Fiji is a great Island state. We have a wonderfully diverse and talented population. We are a land of good humour with famously hospitable people. The beauty of Fiji’s 300 islands is a priceless asset. Our economy is the most developed in the region with huge potential for expansion.
 
And yet we have struggled to raise living standards and keep pace with the growth of other, less well-endowed countries.
 
There is still too much poverty and unemployment; infrastructure is lacking; agriculture languishes; violent crime is widespread, health and other services have deteriorated; the government carries heavy debts that future generations will have to pay.
 
Only a few weeks ago armed soldiers were sent into the countryside to ‘crush’ any dissent and search for hidden weapons. This followed allegations of seditious activities in Ra and Nadroga, which resulted in many arrests.

Fiji is no longer regarded as a symbol of hope.
 
So what went wrong?  We can lay much of the blame for this failure at the door of those who have conducted at least four take-overs of government by force of arms in the last 28 years. These coups were a curse on the nation.
 
They have produced political, economic and social chaos and created a massive financial cost.   We have lived with fear and threats; tragedy, death and destruction. For eight years from the army insurrection of 2006 we were under the heel of a military dictatorship. This was the worst time in Fiji’s modern history.
 
When we finally went to elections in September last year, we were ready to embrace democracy and parliamentary rule again. For we knew that this system of government – by the people, for the people – was still the best hope for providing Fiji with the keys to success. This belief was strengthened by the years of oppression.
 
I am sorry to say, on this annual celebration of nationhood, that the democracy imposed on us by the Fiji First Government is a sham.
 
What we now have is dictatorship in the guise of democracy.  Two men – the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance and Attorney General – control the levers of power. What they say goes. The most influential voice is that of the Minister of Finance. He runs the government and the Cabinet while the Prime minister increasingly spends his time on expensive overseas trips.
 
The Opposition, which I lead, has firsthand experience of a Parliamentary machine dedicated to minimizing dissent and limiting accountability.  It has been evident since the elections that the Fiji First Government, just like its predecessor, does not like the idea of being questioned or held answerable for its actions.
 
It is still secretive. It has one of the world’s worst records for budget openness.
In its latest assault on democracy, the Fiji First Government has decided to cut back by more than 50% per cent on the number of parliamentary sittings next year.
 
There is no justification for this.  Parliament is – in the words of the Prime Minister – the peoples’ house. It belongs to them, yet they were not consulted on the Fiji First Government’s decision to curtail parliamentary debate time. The Minister of Finance did not hesitate to shut the doors of parliament recently.  It went into secret session. The people were not permitted to hear what was said. There is much more I could say about the democratic failings of our parliament, but that will have to wait for another occasion.
 
I realize that some people might object to my raising these points in a Fiji Day message. After all this is a celebration. That does not mean the truth should be glossed over or sugar coated.   The Opposition stands for truth. We owe it to the people to speak out on this important national occasion.

I will finish this contribution with some comments about the environment.  This is appropriate for Fiji Day because our environment is integral to Fiji’s identity and very existence. Our home is a beautiful place, a blessing from its Creator.  Yet we observe how it is being degraded and despoiled through our own actions.
 
Consider the litter and trash that is dumped all over the country. A newspaper correspondent recently argued that this is such a blight that Fiji might end up as one of the dirtiest countries in the world.  That viewpoint should be taken seriously.
 
Every day buses pump out noxious black smoke into the atmosphere. There is little effort to stop this by the bus operators or the government.  Suva Harbour is seriously polluted. I ask what action has been taken to clean it up. There was no comment from the government not too long ago when two oil spills further contaminated the harbour area.
 
The country is awash with a sea of plastic bags which block drains, contribute to flooding, hurt marine creatures and are yet another national eyesore. What is being done to halt this?
I propose a major national audit of every facet of Fiji’s environment, including the effects of climate change. It is only by doing this that we can take comprehensive steps to conserve our natural surroundings and habitats.
 
Adopting an environment and climate change policy is not just about grandstanding internationally and spouting lengthy speeches. It is about acting decisively at home to ensure that Fiji retains its unique and irreplaceable natural treasures.
 
I wish everyone a happy Fiji Day. 

May democracy and freedom flourish for the benefit of every citizen and for generations to come?
 
Ro Teimumu Kepa
Leader of the Opposition
October 7th 2015

 


17 Comments
rajend naidu
7/10/2015 11:13:24 pm

Editor,
I wondered what had become of Tim Sebastian , the BBC Hard Talk veteran journalist . Now with his 40 year experience as a solid no mucking about journalist who put very pointed questions to political leaders the descriptor " veteran journalist" ia aptly applied to him. Some like our Nemani Delaibatiki is now only a veteran journalist in name.
This morning I caught Tim Sebastian interviewing Ghana's president John Mahama on Conflict Zone on DW TV.
Tim Sebastian was as solid as ever. Remember that time when he interviewed former PM Mahendra Chaudhry and put it to him that perhaps he was sleeping on the job when the coup against him happened?
In the present interview Ghanian president Mahama is lauded for maintaining a stable democracy in an otherwise volatile region but Sebastian questions whether that reputation is justified.
He exposes the mismatch between the rhetoric of Mahama's commitment to democracy, transparency, accountability, media freedom, human rights, anti- corruption and the reality.
In Ghana he has been accused of paying lip service to democratic commitments.
He was party to the policy that ICC should not prosecute sitting African leaders and senior officials for human rights violations.
This was to give themselves immunity from prosecution contrary to the jurisdiction of the ICC.
The Right to Information Bill has been left in abeyance since 2003.
The Auditor General's report has exposed massive corruption but no a single official has held to account.
There is the view in Ghana that " a culture of immunity for embezzlement exists" in the country.
See the whole interview on DW TV 7 October.
And see the parrallels with what is happening in Fiji.
Sincerely,
Rajend Naidu

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rajend naidu
8/10/2015 01:17:49 am

Editor,
In her Fiji Day message the Opposition Leader Ro Teimumu Kepa says it is regrettable that " Fiji is no longer regarded as a symbol of hope" - for the rest of the world , to complete the Pope's 1986 quote.
Instead today 4.5 decades after Independence Fiji is still described as a " politically unstable " destination ( see Noël Towell's article in the Canberra Times 6/10).
And we get a sense of why this might be so from this further comment by Ro Teimumu :
"... When we finally went to elections in September last year ( after 8years of dictatorial rule ) we were ready to embrace democracy and parliamentary rule again ... The democracy imposed on us by the Fiji First government is a shame... What we now have is dictatorship in the guise of democracy".
Her comment takes me back to the ABC Drum article of March 4, 2014 titled ' Fiji's Future far from certain, even with election'
It makes me sad that my beloved home country which held so much potential and promise at the time of Independence is perceived in the manner it is both in Fiji and abroad.
Sincerely,
Rajend Naidu

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Charlie Charlie
8/10/2015 10:38:59 am

I agree with Ro Teimimu on most issues that she raised. Only one correction is that people of Fiji lost hope and are suffering from not in 2006 but from 1987. If only everyone would have objected and put rabuka and the military at its place, we wouldn't have had to suffer twice more. Let's work towards ensuring that from next election, we get genuine people to take Fiji forward.

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Vili
9/10/2015 10:25:43 pm

Yes, but she has failed to rise to the occasion. Here was an opportunity for her to rise above petty politics and convince us that she has the qualities of a national leader.

Sadly, she did not.

She is still stuck in the rut of Opposition politics.

Under her leadership, SODELPA is a party divided and on the brink of collapse. Time for her to bow out and return to lead her Vanua.

maropito
8/10/2015 03:51:47 am

Is kaiBai will celebrate coup day awareness to his supporters.

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Dekho
8/10/2015 07:19:58 am

If only two people - Bainimarama and Khaiyum - are controlling the levers of power what are the rest of the gang in the Fiji First Theft government - Golis?

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Failure of Leaders
8/10/2015 12:29:38 pm

Ro Kemu's rhetoric is just that, her brother in law Sir Kamisese began the the culture of indeginious self destruction. He created a monster in Rabuka and years later in 1998 or so Son in Law Epeli Ganilau created Bainimarama.
Blame the Indians, the business community etc.,the fact remains the high standing Chiefs have failed not only their subjects but the nation.

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Bedford link
8/10/2015 06:16:44 pm

Teimumu Kepa recommends Epeli Ganilau for president and in her Fiji Day message she rubbishes the military which he was the commander of. Very cintradictory and isn't it about keeping her niece Ateca Ganilau and the Mara dynasty alive. KOila Nailatikau is on her way out and she want a family replacement in there. Crawl back into your mana hole Teimumu.

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King Rat
9/10/2015 09:28:19 am

Agree with you Bedford. What a contradiction!

What a disappointing Fiji Day message from Mrs Kepa.

She is definitely not national leadership material and the sooner the 'So Help Me God Party' dump her for someone with more statesman/woman-like qualities, the better for them.

We cant just overload the Fiji voting public with negativities all the time! That's why they voted for FFP in the first place.

The voting public in Fiji need a positive message, a promise of a better future. Mrs Kepa is still failing badly to do that. That's why she is now irrelevant to the future of the 'New Fiji'.

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And
10/10/2015 05:35:00 am

And are the two thugs in chief of the Fiji First Theft Party - Bai and Kai - " national leadership material "?
If it was not for the coup and the trashing of the legitimate constitution of Fiji and its replacement with an imposed fraudulent constitution and a all stakes in favour of then election - these people would never elected leaders. And that a fact.

rajend naidu
8/10/2015 09:05:42 pm

Editor,
How Democracy is Diluted, if not Damaged Altogether in Today's World.
Referring to the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal and it's adverse impact on the public/common good Doug Foskett writes "... I wish to be governed by the people for whom my fellow Australians and I vote at free and fair elections, not by multinational corporations that have purchased the US Congress and government to do their bidding " ( The Age 9/10).
But it is not only the international multinational corporations that have national governments in their pocket and get them to " to do their bidding "( make laws and policy in their favour, often at the cost of the local community )but also big business at home.

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maropito
8/10/2015 09:35:57 pm

Yes blame the Indian, the Fijian wants the Indian to walk and work at the Fijian pace. The Indian are walking and working very hard. Can any Fijian chief or thief can tell how many Fijian has grocery shop cloth shop in where in Fiji. The Fijian were given taxi licence and after 3 months they sell the licence to the Indian. In Fiji the Indians always be identified as Indian and not Fijian. The Fijian eat today and see and wait what to eat tomorrow - kana raica mataka nikua . the Indian eat today and save for tomorrow and next day and for the future.



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Anit Singh
9/10/2015 08:10:36 am

A Happy Fiji Day Everybody!

The FACT (the ABSOLUTE Truth) is that Khaiyum’s 2013 Constitution is a FAKE and a FRAUD document- just and exactly like Rabuka’s 1990 Constitution was. And soon we are to have another PRETENDER President appointed under this FRAUD Khaiyum’s 2013 Constitution of Fiji.

I for one would not waste a second of my life, with any idiot (family or friend) who can’t grasp the simplicity of this Logic – and so should YOU.

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Araam Se link
9/10/2015 09:02:48 am

The name "Fijian" was given to Indo-Fijians to hoodwink them that they have been finally recognized for their hard work and block votes.The Indian community took things for granted.What they got was equal citizenery?No,only by name they were made Fijians.Look at their contributions ,and what they got.Diplomatic postings Nah,Permanent Secretaries Nah,civil service Nah,Police Nah,Army Nah,Correctional,NFA,LTA,FEO ,Tourism and list goes on and on.Luckily,the Sangam nursing School came into existence and you will see some Indo Fijians as nurses,otherwise it was a complete whitewash.Racial balance is the only way forward.This day sit and think what the Indo Fijians achieved in terms of equal opportunities and what have they contributed and sacrificed.Will it not be fair that the Indo Fijians be given positions in proportion to their population? After all in the private sector contribute immensely to the much needed revenue and help run the Government.The cane farmers have contributed and continue to contribute,as well.The contributions made by Indo Fijians ought to be given its fair share of recognition -and its high time.Other wise the Fiji day Celebration should be only confined to the barracks who frequently and on their own judgement continue to rape democracy.Otherwise the celebration will not serve the purpose.

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King Rat
9/10/2015 10:16:27 pm

Wait a minute!

Isn't Brigadier-General Aziz Mohammed, the No 2 in the RFMF, an Indian?

What about the Fiji High Commissioner in Canberra, New Delhi and Dubai? Are they not Indians?

Please take off your racially-tinted glasses as it serves only to divide us like the British colonists did.

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Saamjo
10/10/2015 05:36:40 am

Ever heard of window - dressing?

Bahuki
13/10/2015 08:22:32 am

Pitiful that Fiji Day was nothing worth celebrating about since its more about the fraudulent constitution that AK-47 came up with.

Clearly a big deal to those in power because they made it themselves, and not the people who had theirs edited out to suit Frankie and his cronies.

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