A misunderstood nation moves forward

Fiji has certainly not received as much attention around the globe as it has since late 2006. The attention has largely not been positive because of the misunderstood perceptions over the reasons behind the military takeover in December 2006.

The international community and certain sections of Fiji’s society have not responded favourably. Their concerns have centred on a return to democratic rule through instantaneous general elections.

However, given Fiji’s socio-political experience in the past two decades with four government overthrows averaging of one coup-de-tat every five years, my government has asserted that Fiji is not ready yet to return to the polls.

The decision to stall the constitutional process was to arrest certain deep-rooted issues from stifling Fiji’s future development as a true parliamentary democracy minus the racially divisive policies and other vices that have contributed to the country’s chequered history.

This Government is committed to reforming Fiji’s electoral process and instituting land reforms, among others. Reforms are sometimes viewed with scepticism but they are necessary to allow for more efficient and effective operations.

This is particularly true in Fiji’s case.

Essential Reforms

Reforms are absolutely necessary, not only in the political sphere but also in social and economic fields, to lay a foundation for national progress and overall sustainable development. The objective under a new and modern Constitution, which will be based on the platforms outlined in the Peoples Charter for Change, Peace and Progress, is to build a better Fiji that promotes equal opportunities for all its peoples.

Consider the electoral system. The former electoral process was centred along ethnic division or voting along racial lines.

Admittedly, any system that continues to function along racial demarcation borders on extreme nationalistic ideals. Nationalism can be detrimental to nation building if left to stew into the political fabric.

My government and I want the Fiji populace to start thinking of a more inclusive voting system, come elections in 2014. Fiji is a multiracial country and this change will reflect positively on its multifaceted nature.

How democratic would it be to allow Fiji citizens, regardless of ethnicity, gender or religion, to remain institutionalised in race-based institutions?

Democracy is not a one-glove-fits-all rule.

Democracy must be viewed on per country or per institution basis, taking into consideration the internal mechanisms involved in moving the country forward.

The Land Issue

The land issue is another critical area that the current government is reviewing.

The Committee for Better Utilisation of Land (CBUL) is currently looking into land leases and land use with the view to maximising the use of idle land while at the same time ensuring equitable returns to both the landowners and the tenants.

The Fiji government also desires to do away with legislations such as the Qoliqoli Bill, intended to uphold indigenous rights to foreshore grounds and the Unity and Land Tribunal bills, which were seen as extreme institutionalising of indigenous affairs.

Policies such as these would further contribute to the existing racial divide.

The Fiji government is going through further structural reforms that will contribute to overall national development as outlined in the government’s five-year strategic framework for change, which was announced to the people on July 1, 2009.

The Years 2009 to 2014 can be an extremely short period to implement the necessary reforms, especially when issues have been rooted for decades.

But my Government is committed to positive change within this timeframe.

I thank Indian Newslink for extending the opportunity to feature Fiji in its publication.

Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama is Prime Minister of The Republic of Fiji Islands. The above article, written exclusively for us is under copyright ©