Fiji P.M's official river crosser. 4 Men in a punt. Rub a dub dub.
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Generating Flawed a Strategy.

Prime Minister's indecision to tackle the Emperor Gold Mine redundancy issue, reflects inaptitude that citizens and workers of Fiji can't afford. For too long workers have been taken on the garden path tour and have had the proverbial wool pulled over their eyes by successive Governments, that are supposed to look out for their interests.

The frequent promises by politicans, undoubtedly the product implementation of election promises during their first term. It also makes mockery of their integrity.



Censorship by state owned media enterprises unravels the real freedom of the Press in Fiji.
Fiji T.V policy on political advertising reminds the public of Radio Fiji's dismissal of popular talk show host.

P.M's recent comments on Fiji's population increase and the future political inclinations of the population, remains unsubstantiated at best.

It also reminds people of the S.D.L Government's decision not to conduct the census because of the non-availability of funds(which could be internationally funded, if there really was political will). Fiji has legislated the census to be conducted every ten years .

It is a reflection of failed responsibilities of a government, to enable the quantification and allocation of resources for future developments. Sadly, the absence of census data makes the election process more ambiguous and furthemore the non availability of data means that the S.D.L Government does not really care about the progress of Fiji citizens or the resources of the country.

Fiji's last census was done in 1996. However Fiji Department of Statistics have projected the population data of 1996 and interpolated that into a 2005 projection. The 2005 Fiji population projection can be found on this link. (N.B report is a PDF file).

The quick stats found on the homepage of the statistic Bureau is as follows. There is no indication of how the data below was calculated or what type of mathematical function was used. There is a discrepancy in racial population data that must be scrutinized.

Key Statistics

POPULATION 31st Dec 2005 (prov est)
Fijians: 463,432
Indians: 316,093
Others: 66,560
TOTAL: 846,085

Recognizing the longer term realities and implications of current actions, the development challenge is to meet the needs of present generations and improve their quality of life without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. (United Nations, 1994).

Excerpt from UNSECO analysis of Fiji 1996 census.

Implications for PlanningPopulation growth during the
period 1986-96 was reduced by the high migration rate. However, if migration trends were to reverse, this would result in a high growth rate because of the high rate of natural increase. To illustrate the point:
A population growth of 0.8% means that Fiji's population would double in 87 years time;

A rate of natural increase of 1.9% means that Fiji's population would double in only 36 years time. Government should develop policies aimed at filling the gaps created by the brain drain now, and that anticipated in the future. Examples are: more opportunities for training in professional, technical and managerial positions, keeping in mind past trends when awarding scholarships; expanded training programs in both public and private sectors in the professional and technical areas, and management at all levels to meet current and anticipated demands in the future;

More opportunities to be given to women to be appointed to managerial positions at all levels, in view of the high rate of emigration of male managers. Government should strengthen efforts to achieve sustainable economic and social development to reduce economic disparities between destination countries and Fiji. (P.47)

An excerpt from Fiji Times article unravels the voters discontent with lip-service of Fiji politics.

Stick to promises, leaders urged
Sunday, April 16, 2006

Political leaders have been asked to be serious when it comes to serving the people and fulfilling promises made to them. Sera Wati of Nanuku Street in Suva, who has been living there for the past 14 years said it was hard to cope up with expanses today and it was even sadder to see that political leaders are just good listeners. Sera, 41 lives with her husband, Aisea Kuruiuru, her mother, a relative and her five children. All her children are schooling and she explains that it was hard especially when they had to meet other family commitments like paying up the electricity and water bills.

Her husband works in the maintenance department at the University of the South Pacific earning $220 fortnightly. Sera is a housewife and looks after a small canteen which the family has started just recently. She manages to get some profit from it to meet all her children's daily requirements. Sera said it was not easy sending all her children to school but her husband who is the sole breadwinner in the family was trying his best to make ends meet. She said after all expenses were covered, the family was usually left with $35 at the end of every fortnight and this, they tried to save for future needs. They also do some fishing when the need arises so every one is well fed in the family. Sera said that no political party except the United Peoples Party bothered to pay them a visit. She said when election time approaches they become familiar with the faces of political leaders, otherwise there was no sign of them. She said promises made to them by the parties should be considered genuine and for them not to be only swayed by the leaders.

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Full Tilt Boogie.

In full swing of the 2006 election cycle, the minimization of bad news is crucial. However some news like corruption and nepotism will not be absent in the Fiji news cycle. Another detrimental factor for the standing politicians is the pathetic water service. This issue should force it's way to the forefront by enterprising politicians riding on the crest of bottled up frustrations.

The issue of voter objections to S.D.L line-up of candidates stinks of nepotism. The most alarming was the seeking of advice by Election Supervisor to the Attorney General, another S.D.L Minister. It is equivalent to the S.D.L examining itself.

Here's an excerpt from Stuff.com the website for Radio New Zealand International.

Objections against the SDL's campaign director, Jale Baba, were based on the grounds that his company has commercial contracts with the government and that he is facing bankruptcy proceedings initiated by the state-owned Fiji Development Bank.

Objections against the new SDL member, Dr Tupeni Baba, were based on his residency in New Zealand for the last few years. Radio Legend reports that the supervisor of elections, Semesa Karavaki, has confirmed that objections against the two have been dismissed after legal advice was sought from the solicitor general.

Fiji Army's Truth Campaign addresses the Ra provincial council. The only province in Fiji to think outside the box, in terms of development and attitude. Since Vatukoula and Yaqara are relatively close, the matter of Emperor Gold Mine and native royalties will come down the pike especially during an election year.

Emperor Gold Mines is closing down operations in Fiji after 70 years of milking of the profits of gold. It is has been documented that the tax concessions, given under the table to EGM is under scrutiny. Furthermore there has been a litany of abuse in Fiji by the Gold mining entity.

A comprehensive report on Emperor Gold Mine's taxation agreement with Fiji Government is an interesting read that unravels many questions relating to native wealth distribution and the assets of Fiji Government.

Online news article from United Press International confirms a fact that Fiji nationals make up the largest segment of the migrant soldiers in Her Majesty's armed forces. That makes them the majority of the minority soldiers.

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Foreshadowing Abuses.

Fiji Prime Minister is obviously trying to defend the use of Government vehicles during the political campaign. It is another example of abuse of office in Fiji Government. Another matter of concern is the miscarriage of justice for the allegations of office abuse . In one case which was been cleared by the Justice system, yet the accused has not been reinstated.

The other similar case is the C.E.O tried and found guilty of abuse yet, still enjoys the benefits. This particular case fits the definition of monotonous unsubstantiated denials. Also known as Fiji M.U.D.

PM has benefits: Qarase

Wednesday Fiji
Live April 12, 2006

Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase Fiji's Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase says a Prime Minister is entitled to the full use of an executive vehicle for both official and unofficial purposes. "I think this is one thing that the people don 't realize.

The position of Prime Minister goes with some entitlements and one of the entitlements is that the Prime Minister is entitled to the full use of an executive vehicle, 24 hours a day, for both official and unofficial purposes. "I was told from very reliable sources that previous Prime Ministers have always used Government vehicles when they travel to campaign meetings. I have never done that and I will not do that.

I will use private vehicles, or hired vehicles, which is what I am doing at the moment, "he said. An Information Ministry statement said Qarase made the comments as political parties claimed the PM and some Ministers used official vehicles to attend political meetings.

He added that he had issued a directive to his Cabinet Ministers not to use Government vehicles when they attend political gatherings or campaigns. "Yes I gave the directive in at least two Cabinet meetings and I believe they are following those instructions," he said.

However, Qarase also stated that he had never used Government vehicles for political campaigning as claimed by some political parties. "Yes I stated that I have never used Government vehicle for political campaigning, but I did use it for going to the SDL office which is just 200 metres from my house. That was about it and to no other political gatherings," he said. Qarase is contesting the Lau Fijian Communal seat in this years General Elections.

Fiji Sun Wednesday 12th April, 2006

Transparent as mud

We all hear the words transparency and accountability over and over again in the coming weeks. In many cases, the speakers will have little or no notion of their true meaning, while many of those who do understand them have not the slightest intention of implementing them.

But they sound good at election time. There is not one candidate who will not pledge absolute transparency, just as there is a similar number who will dit. Politicians dislike scrutiny. They don't, for example, like you to know that the average backbench MP can earn up to $80,000 per annum in real terms, taking into account the tax-free nature of some of their income and allowances.

They don't publicize the fact that, while they rail against the need to fork out COLA payments to civil servants each year, they're happy to pocket the same pay increases themselves.

They steadfastly refuse to end the scam under which they skim millions in public funds each year in illegal travel expenses - although an investigation by the Auditor-General holds out some hope of relief for the long-suffering taxpayer.But it's no wonder they're queuing for tickets.They will all tell you their rights under the Constitution (yes, the same constitution that has betrayed the Fijian people etc), but few, if any, will tell you of their constitutional duty regarding transparency.

But the fact is that the 1997 Constitution mandates that the Government must pass a Freedom of Information Act. The fact also is that the SDL-led Government has for five years totally ignored that requirement and shows not a sign of changing its attitude if re-elected.

What a Freedom of Information Act would do would be to radically alter the Government's and the civil service's attitude to secrecy. Instead of all information being confidential unless released by a minister, all information would be public unless censored by a minister.

In this way, the public - not only the media - could find out what the government of the day is enacting in its name, how it proposes to spend its money and what files it maintains on individuals, groups and projects. Imagine, the public would be able to find out the true cost of overseas travel by ministers and their advisers. We could know how much of our money has been splurged on vote-buying; we could know the exact cost of all the farm and fishing equipment now being dispatched around the nation as aid; we could even know how many vehicles the PWD has acquired from successfultendersject tenderers and what was their fate when the projects were completed.

To its eternal credit, the Peoples Coalition Government did introduce a Freedom of Information Bill, which, while flawed, was at least a point of departure for discussion. But it, too, was 2000. Solty of 2000. So when your candidate tells you about his or her absolute commitment to transparency, it might be instructive to inquire about their absolute comittment

Most won't have heard of such a concept and many of those that have will start ducking and weaving as only politicians can.

Fiji Sun Editorial demands legislation of Freedom of Information. Calls for those laws will undoubtedly inject much need scrutiny into the operations of Fiji Government. Transparency really is the product of Politician's lip service and is the main reason why Fiji Public Service hasunbridleded with unbridalled corruption.

The provaheadof Ra, is way ahend of the rest of Fiji in terms of rural development, by using modern technology. The province is the first among equals, to launch a website. Another interesting program is their initiative to record cultural activities and traditions of both Fijian and Indian races.

It is pleasing to note this "I Can" attitude which has not been contaminbureaucracye normal bureacracy. Especially so in the decision to capture tradition, for archival purposes which still has escaped the attention of Fijian Affairs Board; who are more concerned about chiefdoms and aristocracy.

A tragedy of the commons which is reflected in the erosion of Fiji language in children raised in peri-urban corridors. Roughly 60% of Fijian household fit their category.

University of South Pacific incursion into the call-centre business model, sums the level of educationion in the educaton industry. This is perhaps a move to counter University of Fiji's plans for another Law school.

Here's a Provocative Letter to Fiji Times Editor.

Fighting poverty

I AM a US national. I love Fiji and I own a property in the North Islands. Every time I return to my property in Fiji I drive from the airport past village after village where poverty is obvious.
I spend my time looking out at the ocean thinking of all the small businesses I could bring or start in Fiji to employ people from these villages. Again and again, I come up against the same wall.

Current Fijian laws tell me I must have a Fijian investor to invest 30, 40, 50 per cent into a business with me. After all I am not Fijian and I am not going to invest millions of dollars into a factory. I don't want to run a resort. I look around. The poor in the villages have no money or even tools to invest. All they have is the desire to work. I cannot start a business with them.

I look around some more. The only Fijian investor possibilities for me are people who are already part of a wealthy, small, elite group of people, whom I would not want to be in business with, nor they with me.
And so I try to make my heavy heart think of other things as I drive past the poverty in the villages when on my way back to the airport to fly back to the US.
At the airport I read in the paper that investments in Fiji are way down, and that there will be no recovery for the people before 2008.
The pundits say thousands of people will lose jobs. I shake my head a wonder that the lawmakers of the country cannot see how they have helped create this situation. Did you know that the United States economy is fueled mostly by small businesses owned by individuals?

It's the small businesses that pay taxes. They do not receive corporate welfare. At the airport I pick up my Fijian mobile phone to call home and let them know I am flying out on time. I hold the phone in my hand and wonder how any government that cares about its people allows these obscene phone rates.
I wonder how Fiji expects these global corporations they are trying to entice to come to Fiji and expect them to do business and stay connected to the world of global enterprise when the phone service and internet rate fees are obscene, compared to around the globe.

I think about all of these things as I wait for my plane and wonder if
the people making the laws in Fiji could be forced to live in a village with no electricity, bad or little water, dirt roads, prohibitive communication costs for just one year and wonder if perhaps this might make them think about all of the people they are voted in to serve.

J Smith

USA

Walk this Way.

Listen up.

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Resort CEO
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Road Safety and Fiji Police.
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Driving a Point.

Fiji Army Truth Campaign is received with open arms by some provinces, indicating that not all Fijian provinces are in tune with the S.D.L talking points.

The abysmal road carnage on Fiji roads has created a sense of contempt among drivers. This is also a product of under enforced laws.
Fiji Meterelogical Centre Director raises the need for a local tidal warning system. This is technically feasible but not financially prioritized by Fiji Government.

Club Em Designs

One China- One Policy for the Entire Pacific Region.

Chinese attempts to establish bi-lateral agreements with island nations of the South Pacific; is derived from their foreign policy of energy independence. The concept of check book diplomacy works, only for some ignorant leaders; already counting the dollars gleefully.

Pacific Ocean, the largest on the planet, also possess the natural resources fit for a waking economic giant. Chinese Premier fresh from signing a Uranium deal with Australia, stopped briefly in Fiji. Sending the local embassy into over-drive because the visit is also of historical concern. It commerates the senior-most Chinese leader, to ever stop-over at the remote Pacific outpost of Fiji.

The Aussie-Sino agreement packages a comprehensive understanding that, cements Australia with their One China policy and their plans of total Pacific domination. Will this also drive the U.S foreign policy makers attention back into the Pacific; after the disastrous foreign policy applications, in the Middle East.
This uncanny diplomatic development, prompted the lighting stopover of U.S Secretary State, Condaleeza Rice in Sydney. Illuminating the high stakes diplomatic courtship of Australia by the two superpowers ( US and China)both wary of each other's agendas.

Back to Fiji current affairs.

China's offer of a providing a hydro power station on Taveuni is encouraging for the wrong reasons. First the proposal will have to receive the blessings of the landowners wary of Government promises ( in light of the Monasavu Landowners). It can be expected that the Chinese Engineers and workers will be using the Chinese template of hydro technology in Fiji. Or is Fiji, a guinea pig for their infantile technology research?

Finally, the relatively isolated power station must figure out how to transmit the power(efficiently) to the main island of Viti Levu, where most of the demand for power is located.
These are the commercial usage areas, using 3 phase supplies to factories and other industrial applications.

It is un-economical to construct a power station for an island whose power consumption will not change anytime soon. It is also quite capital intensive, to transmit power from the much isolated island, to the urban demand centers. Electricity is commodity unlike Gasoline, Water where the product can be stored for late use. Electricity must be used, as soon as it is made. It cannot be stored for later use. If there's no demand, don't generate: the simple axiom of power generation.

Is China willing to spend big money, to design, construct and operate with industry standards; a viable power generation project on Taveuni?

On the Military/State Conflict. Two more senior officers in Fiji Army have been sidelined for their involvement with the recent Colonel Baledrokadroka; who vocally opposed the Army Commander and as rumor goes, attempted a mutiny.
The Army's Truth Campaign continues unabated in the rural villages in Fiji. Despite furious objections by the provincial councils namely: Kadavu, Natasiri, Serua and Macuata. The truth campaign only further underlines the fact that the final decision rests with the individual villages and defines the Provincial Council's limited jurisdiction.

The new 15 storey Carpenters building, to be constructed at the old Morris Hedstroms' near Nabukalou creek will definitely inject new blood into the area. However, safety concerns should not be glossed over. The project also proves that there is money and capital investors, in-country. It only requires political stability in Fiji to make those calculated risks - a commercial success.

Speaking of money the Financial Intelligence capabilities of island nations like Fiji are improving. Albeit gradually.
The major concerns for any state is the performance of the Public Service sector, that must become increasingly efficient. The problems for Fiji is exuberated by conflicting legislation claims
C.E.O for Ministry of Public Enterprises and Public Sector Reforms. The title of the ministry itself should be an indication of the problem's magnitude. It is amazing that the issue has not entered into the election campaign.

In-efficiency has not only plagued the Public Service and their agencies. It is a concern that major Police investigations seems to take the 'slow boat to China' for political agendas of those involved. Resembling an endless circle of 'who dunnit'. First the un-charged agricultural scam, and now the report has just been compiled on the abuse of major Government contracts by officials.

Fiji Water complex in Yaqara is under threat of closure, by disgruntled and dis-enfranchised landowners. The convenient labels of native concerns, used perpetually by Fiji Governments' as rhetoric, to dilute the human rights issue. Those issue are one and the same.

A thought provoking letter to Fiji Times Editor.

Church outburst
I REFER to the outburst in the media by the chairman of
the Assembly of Christian Churches, Reverend Tuikilakila Waqairatu calling on
the army commander to resign. He said the commander was going beyond the
extreme of his normal jurisdiction. Perhaps, Mr Waqairatu should tell the nation why the president of the Methodist Church is involved in the campaign of one of the SDL party's candidate for the Nasinu primary election?

And why a chief in the West and a senior official in the church have become SDL party candidates? And why a reverend in the Senate has been making negative
comments about the army? And why spiritual messages from the pulpit echo the
same sentiments against the army?
It is obvious there is an element of political influence in the top ranks of the church and the nation does not deserve people of God misleading the flock. The church must be seen to be neutral because at the end of the day when all fails, the multi-racial population of this country will have the two institutions to fall back
on.
The army was seen to have achieved this role after 2000 and groups such
as the ACCF are expected to uphold the cause.
Mr Waqairatu went on to say that the role of the church was to see that peace was achieved in the nation.

People such as him must not mislead the church. The church will not achieve peace until kingdom come. Peace will only be achieved by the Almighty. It is the noble duty of the church to continue to spread the gospel of truth and justice, in fact complementing the very stance the army has been trying to embrace. Reverend Ame Tugaue defended his deputy on air, saying that his call on the commander to resign came from his capacity as ACCF chairman and not from his role as deputy secretary of the Methodist Church.

Was he implying that there is a split in the Methodist Church?How deceiving can that be? Anointed men of God must not be seen to be making silly comments and making a mockery about the church.Perhaps it is time the good reverend refrained from making unnecessary public comments and do what he does best.
The army has a constitutional role to play and it will jump out of its jurisdiction if peace and stability is to be achieved.The last thing the nation wants to experience is people of God using the church to push the political agenda put into them by
politicians.

Isireli Tawake
Nasinu

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Manufacturing Consent in Fiji.

Fiji Methodist Church's gatekeeping role has been challenged by the Fiji Army's Truth Campaign. It also underlines the despicable trend of Churches attempting to blur the line between religon and politics.
Fiji P.M is continuing to play racial politics as their 'last straw' to gain mileage. Fortunately, the frustrations of voters is fueled by dual standards of law, unreliable basic services like water and electricity will definately swing the pendulum.

Corrupt police

ON Friday, March 31, the evening bulletin of Fiji One National News showed taxi driver Rajendra Kumar venting his frustration because police officers were denying him justice.

Mr Kumar was allegedly robbed by some including the son of a parliamentarian but police could not arrest the offenders.

Could it be that one of the offender is the son of a prominent public official?
I would like to call on the Commissioner of Police to look into the matter. Such types of police officers should not continue as law enforcement officers because one of their job is to protect the public and bring criminals to justice.

Mr Kumar said police visited a suspect's house on the night in question and found one of the accused there and evidence linking the accused to the crime. Where are the records of the events which are usually logged daily at the station by officers?

Who were the officers involved in the case?

A month has gone and attempts to make the case disappear are going on in front of the voters. This is the kind of administration people of Fiji are governed by — officials who protect the rich and famous and turn a blind eye to the mistreated and oppressed.

The other day, two guys were sentenced to six and seven years for robbery with violence at the home of Graham Leung of the Fiji Law Society.
How is it that when you rob the home of Mr Leung there is no problem in putting offenders away but if you rob a taxi driver you might get away with it if you are connected to the rich and famous.

What dreadful injustice people of Fiji are exposed to. What do think readers?

Gene Kotobalavu
Tamavua

It is pleasing to note that the socio-cultural abuse in native Fijian administration framework has been identified by a chief, as the root source of political power broking. A system that is denying villagers of their constitutional right, as a Fiji citizen. S.I.F.M poses the pragmatic question: "What to do with the archaic system?"

Vanua used to manipulate Fijians
Monday, April 03, 2006

The vanua and the chiefly system has been used many times to manipulate Fijians for political gain and this has confused them into not accepting democratic values, says Ro Filipe Tuisawau.

The independent general election candidate made the comments after a meeting at Nadoi Village in Rewa at the weekend. Ro Filipe said this confusion had only led to the demise of the Fijian people and transformed into other things like coups, upheavals and non-conformity to the rule of law. He said the traditional Fijian system and the democratic system are two different things but some use the chiefly system to gain political support.

"Politics is something different and this is based on individual choice whereas the chiefly system require the support of the whole vanua and it should not be used for politics," Ro Filipe said.

Ro Filipe's comments were also made after he was confirmed to stand against his aunt and the Roko Tui Dreketi Ro Teimumu Kepa in the Rewa Fijian communal seat in the general election.

He had accused his aunt of trying to use her influence as a chief to get political support for the election. Ro Teimumu had officially informed the chiefs of Rewa but was picked by the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua Party's Rewa Fijian communal constituency council.

He said while the chiefly system is part of the Fijian socio-political structure, the people deserve better political representation in Parliament.

"The people should not be made to choose because of the chiefly title but because they believe the person they elect would serve them well and look after their interest," Ro Filipe said.

Club Em Designs

Lofty Ambitions.

Fiji Indigenous Business Council President is literally placing his foot in his mouth; in degrading the national report on affirmative action, published by Fiji Human Rights Commission (F.H.R.C). It is difficult to fathom Messr Jo Taoi's comment, about the lack of objectivity taken by F.H.R.C during the draft stage. Their objective was to identify flaws in the Fiji Government's national policies; which have been skewed, maligned to camouflage voter-buying methods.

Party targets right body
Fiji Times Saturday,
April 01, 2006

The Fiji Human Rights Commission's independence can be compromised by the election hopes of a political party, the Citizen Constitutional Forum says. Forum executive director Reverend Akuila Yabaki made the comment yesterday after the Prime Minister's Office criticised the commission for trying to bulldoze its agenda by pressing for the Government's reply to the Affirmative Action Programs investigations.

PM's Office chief executive officer Jioji Kotobalavu had accused the commission of trying to push a political agenda when it insisted that Government make its reply on the report available by March 25. Mr Yabaki said the commission did not need permission from Mr Kotobalavu to release its report to the public. He said the SDL Government was trying to delay the report because it was aware the report would damn its Affirmative Action programs for having flouted the law.

Mr Taoi, an ambitous individual, is well-schooled in commerce and misleadership by echoing the talking-points of S.D.L party. Messr Jo Taoi, is also guilty of instigating unsubstantiated rumours about the effects of the Army Commander's Truth Campaign.

S.I.F.M believes it is unfortunate that, this pillar of the Indigenous Fijian Commerce Association has defiled the cardinal rule about business, which is non-political commentary. Neglecting their fiduiciary role of giving free financial advice to native Fijians as well as, their uphill task of spreading the knowledge of wealth building and distribution in Fiji's poverty stricken areas.

Club Em Designs

Rivers of Mud.

Corruption is a stain on the S.D.L election campaign which they just can't diminish. Despite unqualified statements from the P.M that, minimizes his Government's corrupt track record.
Fiji media should be more alert for politicians who use the fracturous issue of race as a campaign talking point, particularly inrural areas. It is certainely not rocket science to conclude that, Fiji P.M Laisenia Qarase is guilty of the offence. So the Fiji Police is predicted to drag their heels on the investigation; whilst reminding everyone to abide by the law.

S.I.F.M believes that Fiji Police should walk the talk in enforcing the law. The same street which their mandate of law enforcement is founded, is also the same street which the Fiji public demands an unbiased, accelerated and accurate performance.

That would be an accurate measure on Police performance, since it recently was equipped with new vehicles, new arms cache and a new website. Fiji Police Corporate plans. The following is an excerpt from their publication.

OUR MISSION

TO SERVE AND PROTECT THE PEOPLE OF FIJI AND
ITS VISITORS THROUGH COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP FOR A SAFER FIJI FOR ALL.

OUR VISION

A WELL RESPECTED AND EFFECTIVE CONTRIBUTOR
TO FIJI’S LAW AND JUSTICE SECTOR, RECOGNISED BY OUR COMMUNITY AND OTHER POLICING AGENCIES AS
INNOVATIVE AND EFFECTIVE IN CRIME PREVENTION AND ENHANCING COMMUNITY SAFETY.


1.0 Preventing crime and enhancing feeling of community satisfaction and safety
1.1 Strengthen community partnership and safety through participation in crime prevention programmes
1.2 Encouraging & supporting initiatives in community & Police partnership projects
1.3 Deploying consistent & smart maritime, rural and urban patrols
1.1.1 Reviving the defunct the crime prevention committees.
1.1.2 Establishing new crime prevention committee.
1.1.3 Expanding Crime Stoppers Programmes in all divisions.
1.1.4 Conduct ongoing Crime Stoppers programmes
1.2.1 Complete ongoing community projects.
1.2.2 Identify potential new projects.
1.2.3 Complete O/2 project-community policing review
1.3.1 Establish & formalise maritime structures.
1.3.2 Strengthen manpower & equipment to facilitate consistent rural & urban patrols

2.0 Strengthening the investigation, intelligence and detection process.
2.1 Developing professional approach to investigation of complex and sophisticated crimes.
2.2 Strengthening human rights compliance during investigations and
interrogations.
2.3 Developing an effective intelligence capacity through establishment of a criminal intelligence bureau.
2.1.1 Ensure investigators are attached or undergo specialist courses overseas
2.1.2 Strengthen and up
skill existing major fraud & transactional crime unit
2.1.3 Conduct
crime task force to address complex crimes
2.1.4 Complete all projects under ACP/C portfolio
2.2.1 Familiarise frontline investigators with policies and procedures.
2.2.2 Enforce human rights awareness to frontline investigators
2.3.1 Establish criminal intelligence unit
2.3.2 Ensure training for officers in the unit
2.3.3 Complete C/5 project – Corporate intelligent Management database
2.4 Pursuing consistent successful detection.
2.5 Developing evidence based approach to investigations through use of scientific analysis systems.
2.6 Ensuring efficient processing of cases for prosecution.
2.7 Strengthening and supporting National Juvenile Bureau
Division.
2.4.1 Strengthen investigation resources to result in swift detection of cases Mission critical for 2000 coup investigations
2.4.2 Up skilling CID Personnel

2.4.3 Complete C/1 project – CID investigative practices review and implementation
2.5.1 Provide adequate Laboratory space
2.5 2 Strengthen and up skill the forensic personnel
2.5.2 Complete project C/3 – NAFIS & C/4 forensic upgrade
2.6.1 Improving docket management system
2.6.2 Providing proper analysis of evidence.
2.6.3 Conducting proper training on evidence gathering.
2.7.1 Review the role of Juvenile Bureau and deployed to the appropriate division.

S.I.F.M acknowledges the well defined mile-stones in Fiji Police Force corporate plan. However, it is disturbing to note that the investigation of the 2000 coup will probably be at the bottom of the to-do-list; when compared with all the new developments in the Police cadre.

Club Em Designs

Back to Square 1.

Fiji Prime Ministers' office C.E.O's belligerent response to the report by published by Fiji Human Rights Commission that condemned the Affirmative Action program, sums up the crooked path for honest reform. It is unquestionable that the S.D.L party and their members in Government, have been actively pursuing vote-buying schemes for their own political advancements; which is far removed from voter's needs or practical applications of nation building.

Fiji's divisive issue of race continues to be manipulated by malice laced politicians who will ride the band wagon of racial splinterism. Fiji voters are more aware of this trend of politicians approaching with them, with the proverbial "cap in hand".

The financial health of the nation of Fiji is in dire straits. Unfortunately the issue of fiscal policy will not be developed into political leverage because there are not many differing perspectives. The stagnant state owned companies get another report highlighting their gross inefficiencies which only adds to the bottom line of Fiji's purse.

Fijian politics laced with old rivalry

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Rivalry among Fijians has been an underlying issue since the 1800s and has continued in Fijian party politics. University of the South Pacific lecturer in History and Politics Doctor Alumita Durutalo made the comment at a lecture on Fijian
party politics on Monday. She said since the early 1960s, politics was a means to express Fijian cultural diversity, liberation from dominant chiefs and the vanua within the matanitu i taukei.

[Durutalo] said a study of Fijian party politics revealed that parties served more than the modern concept of democracy and continued ancient rivalry and dissent.
Many Fijian parties in the 1960s were formed to maintain Fijian hierarchy.
"Politics was most dominant in the eastern and north eastern parts of Fiji. "There was ongoing rivalry between political parties brought about by outside forces such as colonialisation."

Ms Durutalo said in the 1960s, many Fijian parties were more concerned with their chiefly status than upholding the rights of indigenous Fijians. "Then came the Seventies, bringing the electoral system where Fijians had 12 communal and 10 national seats, Indians 12 communal and 10 national seats and general electors three communal and five national seats."
During her research Ms Durutalo met many pioneer politicians including Villiame Savu. "Mr Savu said many Fijians felt their needs and demands would not be met by the Constitution. The seed of Fijian discontent was sown before Fiji became an independent nation." She said during her interviews it was revealed that people believed Sitiveni Rabuka failed because he diverted from a nationalist to a multi-racial politician.

S.I.F.M is quite interested to know the conclusions of the learned professor, Ms. Savu and her recommendations on rectifying the political quagmire in Fiji.

Club Em Designs

Cauldron of Disunity.

Fijian Affairs Board should be taken to task, for this disintegration of village protocol. Mixing politics and cultural platforms are the root causes of confusion in Fiji democracy. Whilst social mobility, constitutional rights are mere issues of convenience for Fijian politicians. Promising infrastructure development and ignoring knowledge empowerment. Those are the chains of political illiteracy which bind Fiji citizens in perpetual socio-cultural ignorance, handicapping them from the advancing.

Letters to the Fiji Times Editor
Sunday, March 26, 2006

Indian PM

IN the past few weeks we've been entertained by SDL's promises of unity, peace, more jobs and much higher wages. They have even claimed to have support from members of a Christian church.

Yet the bold headline, "SDL says no to Indian PM" (ST 19/3) shows just what hypocrites a vast majority of so-called Christians are in this country, government included.

The Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase, once stated publicly that he was not a racist.

Then what does the SDL statement mean?

It is an outright rejection of people of a different race who have made Fiji their home?What is wrong with being an Indian? Are they not created by God and equal as others in the eyes of the Almighty?

The first commandment of God is being brushed aside for man's own selfishness. Jesus Christ himself assured his Apostles that the greatest commandment was to love ones neighbor, be they black, brown or white, Indian, Fijian or Chinese, Hindu, Buddhist or Christian.

It's time the Indian community put their support behind those who really care for them.

Edward Andrews
Lautoka

Club Em Designs

Flawed Reasoning in Power.

Fiji Prime Minister dangling more promises to lure voter who are employed as civil servants.


Fiji Minister for Home Affairs whose vitriolic remarks attempt to misinform Fiji citizens on the legal comments outlawing restrictions to the freedom of movement in rural villages. The Fijian Affairs Board adds more confusion and is perceived as increasingly dabbling in political matters and neglecting the development and social mobility in rural villages.
Particularly in the un-audited accounts of the various provincial councils.

Fiji Times Editorial of Sat. March 25th 2006, furiously defends their article and in the same stroke condeming the Minster.

Vosanibola erred
Saturday, March 25, 2006

Home Affairs Minister Josefa Vosanibola misses the point.

By condemning The Fiji Times front-page article yesterday in which lawyer Richard Naidu gave an opinion on the legal right of people to enter villages as "grossly inflammatory and irresponsible", he obviously fails to grasp the point of the article.

The Fiji Times had invited Mr Naidu, a senior partner with the law firm Munro Leys which by the way handle this newspaper's legal cases, to express a legal opinion on the right of people to move around in public places.

As Mr Vosanibola will note in the first paragraph of the article, Mr Naidu refers to the "legal right" of the provincial councils and traditional leaders rather than any other rights like, say, as owners of the land.

Mr Naidu interprets the law as simply as possible so that the ordinary reader understands there is nothing to stop them from moving about in public places such as roads, parks and rivers as they see fit. In other words to totally ban someone or some group from entering a province is illegal

Mr Naidu gives a legal opinion on what we think is an important issue and we published that opinion. And the publishing of that opinion is very much part of our duty to disseminate information, educating people on what they can or cannot do.

Mr Vosanibola knows that any sensible and responsible person knows that there are certain protocols to observe when entering villages or traditional settlements. And they will certainly observe those protocols.

Nowhere in the story does Mr Naidu say that people should enter these areas and ignore whatever protocols are there to be observed.

The point is about freedom of movement rather then ignoring protocols.

As for the army's Truth and Justice campaign, Mr Vosanibola should know that this newspaper has expressed on it and does not support it. The purpose of the article is not to encourage the soldiers to enter villages forcefully and conduct their campaigns without following the accepted procedures.

There is no intention to, as he puts it, "inflame the situation''. We are a responsible media organisation and will strongly oppose any actions to incite violence and law-breaking.

The military has its own legal advisers to give opinions to those in command on such matters.

One would have thought that as a former Minister for Information and after a reasonably long association with the media, Mr Vosanibola would have better understood its role.

Fiji Broadcaster defends sacking of talkback host

Fiji Government's claim of freedom of the Press and Fiji Broadcasting Commission Ltd is a farcical application of ideals.

Fiji's state-owned Fiji Broadcasting Corporation is strongly denying claims by the opposition Labour Party that it sacked a popular talkback radio host due to government pressure. Sitiveni Raturala was sacked after he interviewed the commander of Fiji's military, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, on his show. Mr Raturala claims his sacking was due to FBCL being afraid of the government, which has been locked in a war of words with the military commander for several months.

HILL: The dispute centres on the way Sitiveni Raturala changed the format of his talkback show when Commodore Bainimarama appeared, taking no calls, and allowing the commander to name names of people allegedly involved in coup activity.

FBCL is sensitive about being seen to be politically partisan, and removed the popular talkback host for breaking rules about balance. Sitiveni Raturala himself is unrepentant.

RATURALA: They made a big mistake, well put it this way, if I were to do it again, that program, I'd do it all over again just the same way I did it.

HILL: Could there have been a danger though that in doing that, you might give the impression that the army was somehow using Radio Fiji for its own purposes?

RATURALA: No I didn't see it that way. As I said I've always wanted the Commander, I've been after him for the past three years. No I don't see it that way. I've been overwhelmed, inundated with calls since I was fired, and now, three weeks down the line I'm still having calls from my colleagues, in the papers and TV people I know. And the question they're asking is this, if it happened to you, this is what they told me, could it happen to us as well?

HILL: Why do you think that Radio Fiji did this? Was there, as some have been suggesting, that they were sort of ordered to by the government or do you think it was just off their own bat? Were they perhaps scared of the government and didn't want to upset them?

RATURALA: You hit the nail right on the head.

HILL: Opposition leader Mahendra Chaudhry, of the Fiji Labour Party, believes the government is much more directly responsible for Sitivenui Raturala's sacking.

CHAUDHRY: It's highly likely that the orders must have come from the government. I don't think Radio Fiji would have done it on its own volition because the reporter is a well-known figure, and I'm sure that he would have obtained clearance for doing this interview.

The government has also not given any reason as to why this dismissal has taken place, nor has Radio Fiji given any reasons why. They've done that with TV also to some extent. They're controlling TV1, now that's the only news channel that we have here. But I can clearly see a bias in their reporting, and the Daily Post, of course, the other newspaper, which is a substantially government-owned newspaper, that's also throwing out government propaganda quite unashamedly and in violation of journalistic ethics.

HILL: But this has been vehemently rejected by FBCL's CEO Francis Herman.

He says they must be seen to be as fair and balanced as possible.

Francis Herman says Mr Raturala broke the normal format of his show in a way that endangered the station's reputation for impartiality.

HERMAN: In this case, all talk, the telephone calls were all stopped, the guest was allowed to speak as he wanted to without any interruption or questions from the listeners. Bruce, I'm no politician, and neither am I interested in getting involved in the political mud slinging. All I'm interested in making sure that our radio company continues to exercise a good sense of judgement in ensuring that we are balanced, we are accurate, we give all sides of the story in the same program if possible, and so we don't take sides. So our radio station is not used like it was in 1987 and the year 2000.

HILL: The leader of the opposition Mahendra Chaudhry more or less accuses you of taking orders to get rid of Sitiveni Raturala from the government?

HERMAN: That's not true, that's totally untrue and I'm surprised that Mr Chaudhry has made those comments. I think I'd like to refresh their memories of what happened when they were in government, and the directives that they gave the FBC to remove a particular talk show host simply because they didn't like the content of his programs.

Presenter/Interviewer: Bruce Hill
Speakers: Sitiveni Raturala. sacked talkback host, Mahendra Chaudhry, Fiji's opposition leader

Fiji Media Council seems to out of touch with the whole episode. Probably an indication that the Council only protects the Media Companies more than their employees.

Posted below are Fiji Media Council's procedure for lodging a complaint.
S.I.F.M will email a bonafide complaint to the council to ascertain their effectiveness.


COMPLAINT PROCEDURE

Any complaints?


While the Media council exists to preserve the freedom of the press and broadcast media within the Country, it also functions as a forum to which anyone may put a complaint against the media. Its authority rests in the willingness of publishers, editors arid broadcasters to respect the Council's views, accept its rulings and publicly admit mistakes.

The Complaints Committee is totally independent and consists of three Media Council members who represent the interests of the public. They are Chairman Mr Daryl Tarte, Mr Thomas Raju arid Mr Paula Sotutu.

The Committee will hear complaints concerning any media organisatioll in the Fiji Islands whether a member of the Media Council or not.

Here's how the Media Council's complaint procedures work:

Step 1. If you have a complaint against a media organisation you should notify that organisation's senior executive by letter, fax or email and forward a copy of the complaint to the Secretary, Media Council (Fiji) Ltd. at the address shown below. Complaints must be lodged within one month of the date of publication or broadcast.

Step 2. If after two weeks no satisfactory response to your complaint has been received and the Secretary has been unable to resolve the matter the complaint will be referred to the Chairman of the Complaints Committee

Step 3. The Chairman will decide whether or not the matter falls within the jurisdiction of the Complaint Committee. If it does and he considers an immediate settlement possible, he may take the matter up with the media organisation concerned. Alternatively, he will ask you to sign a document waiving any legal rights before proceeding further.

Step 4. If your complaint is accepted and you have signed a legal waiver, the Chairman will refer the complaint to the Complaint Committee for adjudication.

Step 5. The adjudication procedure is at the Chairman's discretion. He may a) invite the parties to appear before the Committee, or b) consider the complaint on the basis of written submissions. If the parties are to appear before the Committee, the names and official positions of the nominated persons should be stated. Legal council may not represent either party. The hearing will take the form of a discussion not a trial. The Committee may uphold or dismiss a complaint, or simply express an opinion on the matter. It has no power to penalise or issue orders of compliance with its findings.

Step 6. A copy of the Committee's adjudication will be sent to both parties. The organisation against which the complaint was made is expected to publish the adjudication. If it does not do so within one week, copies of the adjudication may be released to other media organisations for publication. The Committee reserves the right to restrict publication in special circumstances.

For more information about complaint procedures, or if you wish to lodge a complaint, please contact:

Bob Pratt
Executive Secretary,
Media Council (Fiji) ltd.
P. O. Box 11852,
Suva,
Phone/Fax 3317055
Email: rjfpratt@connect.com.fj

© Fiji Media Council 2002




Club Em Designs

Ulitimate Breaking Point.

Fijian Affairs Board is in damage control regarding the logger heads erupting from the Rewa Provincial Council's endorsement of a election candidate.

This legal issue is a product of the cultural hedgemony and unethical political endorsements by the Fijian Affairs Board. Their role of developing all Fijian provinces has taken a back seat to their self appointed role of politician selection, which basically dis-enfranchises the voting rights of Fiji citizens, who dwell in these same native boundaries. It is as if the individual is not capable of choosing their own representatives in Parliament.

Further to contenscious issue, of the legal boundaries for Politicians and their conflict with the existing framework of provincial councils. The legality of stopping the movement of outsiders into rural Fijian villages is impinging on the constitutional rights of Fiji citizens. Adding more confusion of the marriage of convenience between Fiji cultural system and the western democracy; which the entire state of Fiji straddles. Creating a unsustainable situation, for the aspirations of Fiji as a multiracial nation.

Fiji Times editorial adds more verbatim on the issue.

A right to choose
Friday, March 24, 2006

CHIEFS wield a lot of influence and command respect in their traditional communities.

The people look up to their traditional leaders for guidance, support and especially advice on matters concerning their welfare and safety. The people in turn commit themselves to obeying legal directives and instructions from their leaders.

This traditional loyalty to authority however is often taken advantage of.

An example is the use of traditional leaders by politicians to garner support and thus votes.

As the general election campaign gathers momentum, a strategy by political parties we will see more of is the use of these traditional leaders to woo voters.

The hope is that the chiefs by using their influence will win the support and confidence of the people in supporting that particular party. Out of loyalty to their chiefs, the people support whatever political party the chiefs join.

It has been a trend since Independence and is a sad reflection on the kind of leadership some people had to face, and are still facing, in their various communities.

It will continue unless these people are made aware of their rights to make their own decision on such matters without having to accept what the chiefs accept.

In previous general elections some traditional leaders disallow certain parties from entering their districts or villages to speak to the voters. This is unfair because then the people are not given the opportunity to listen to all the political parties before making informed decisions on how to vote.

While everyone should enjoy the right to move freely around the country, some political parties out of respect for traditional protocol avoid going into areas they know they will not be welcomed in. Thus the electorate is denied the opportunity to listen to alternative political viewpoints before making their decision at the polling booth.

Not only political parties but also some religious groups have been banned from entering villages and rural settlements where their members reside because the chiefs hate new denominations entering their domain.

Politics or religion, it is important and just that one is given the opportunity to make one's own decision, after listening to all the alternatives available, without any hint of coercion.

Freedom of movement, speech, assembly, expression and association are rights enshrined in the supreme law of the land. Those who deny them to others are breaking the law and should be prepared to face the consequences.

Club Em Designs

Dual Burners of Dis-information.

The conflict emerging from the Rewa Provincial Seat only highlights the legal quandry which the Paramount chief and the
Provincial Council find themselves. In addition to the dichotomy between democracy and Turaganism.

Fiji Prime Minister is in criminal hotwater for giving a racial barrier for the job as a political talking point, that exposes his hollow multiracial platform.

Fiji Election Office now reverses their posture on the timing and demonstrates the flawed justifications that accompany the original decision.

The water policies discussed in Fiji must be take into account the water rights of the native landowners.

Pay to advertise

Of course the Prime Minister considers it is perfectly legitimate to use taxpayers' money to advertise or promote his party and the few good things they have achieved.

After all he has spent more of the taxpayers money on advertising spin doctors/ media consultants/ professional speechwriters than any previous political leader in Fiji and has gotten away with it.

No one has questioned the total cost to the taxpayer. And what does it matter since the SDL has proven itself incapable of operating within their annual budget anyway.

Does anyone suggest how much better these advertising funds could have been spent on scholarships or leadership training?

Has anyone pointed out to the Prime Minister that a good leader or a good government's achievements speak for themselves and they have no need for costly media consultants and advertising?

Obviously not.

Rick Rickman
Lautoka

Club Em Designs

Rising Concerns.

The hammer has fallen on the Government Agencies responsible for Fiji elections.

The legal question should be pursued by Fiji Human Rights Commission, regarding the barred election right for Fiji citizens overseas who carry the passport. Overseas observers have been organizing their aresa of operations.The S.D.L Line-up for Kadavu, Tailevu and Lomaiviti provincial seat is also receiving a lot of scrutiny from grass root council.

The Macuata Paramount Chief get a stern reminder where his traditional jurisdictions lay. Interesting free-speech advances underlying the social mile-stone in democracy in Fiji. No longer will the village community take voting rights for granted.

The party formely known as C.A.M.V is attemping to revive it's principle under different banner. Which only leads to further confusion among voters in Fiji and adding to the frustrations of Fiji Election Office.

The use of official assets is being defended by the Prime Minister must also be straightened by legal review, in view of the recent complaints of the Army's Truth campaign.

Fiji Reserve Bank warnings of dire financial horizons is a reflection of the current policies and mentality within the Government departments.

Provocative letter to Fiji Times Editor on the role of chiefs in Fiji.

Elected chiefs

I WHOLEHEARTEDLY support the call by Senator Dr Ratu Epeli Nailatikau that chiefs should now be democratically elected.

The qualities of modern chiefs should necessarily be in line, and continue to be in the future, with the progress of civilisation in modern day activities.

In decision making, modern day chiefs must be familiar and consciously understand the current trends in world economic and social shifts and changes. Our beautiful earth is a dynamic world and changes are taking place all the time, everywhere and to everything.

Forward we march together with our spearhead formation and sharpness, sorting out and solving our problems, as we face dynamic times ahead.

Senator Dr Ratu Epeli Nailatikau is a very good example of a dynamic gentleman and a good leader. He observes and sees the role of traditional chiefs as gradually becoming obsolete.

Jake Tulele
Suva

Club Em Designs

Political Spin in Fiji.

Methodist Church of Fiji must rectify the massive log in their own eye, before telling the military about the speck in their eyes.

New S.D.L's only Academic hopeful, Dr. Tupeni Baba is a knowledgeble, yet opportunistic individual whose judgement is severely clouded by lofty ambitions. It apprehensive of Messr Baba to air the dirty laundary that, borders on character assasination of his former acquaintances; especially on his public address debut. Politics does make strange bed-fellows, even in Fiji. Dr Baba may be related to S.D.L spokesman Messr Jale Baba and that family relationship faciltated the selection.

S.D.L's announcement of their political candidates and their flawed racial criteria for the job of Fiji Prime Minister, began on an embarrassing note on Tailevu Chief (George Cakabau's) part, a descendant of Seru Cakabau who engineered the ceeding of Fiji to England in 1870. This situation
only describes the sorry state of affairs which most chiefs find themselves. By straddling both side of the socio-poltical thresshold whilst their electorate remain in the doldrums of social mobility and progress.

At the other end of national dialogue of native land, this case of dis-enfranchised landowners; will breed nationalistic resentment.



Fiji Sun's opinion article by Academic Vijay Naidu outlines Fiji Voter's Manifesto of Demands and the responsibility they have, at the ballot box.

Common issues that face us

By PROFESSOR VIJAY NAIDU

This paper seeks to draw the attention of voters to those common issues that face them as citizens of Fiji. Besides national level concerns there are issues that face particular sections of the community. At the national level political leaders must address five pivotal issues that affect the country’s prospects in the next 5-10 years.

These are: 1. Nation Building:

Since 1987 Fiji has become a very divided country. Politicians have been primarily responsible for this state of affairs. Voters need to examine if candidates and parties have a vision for Fiji. Is this vision based on moving Fiji away from its obsessions with the race of its citizens or is it seeking to further entrenched race and racism in the country. What nation building measures are being suggested? How a strong national identity can be build? Can our enthusiastic support for our sports teams, especially our national rugby 7’s team be translated to strengthening the sense of belonging for every Fiji citizen?
Government’s affirmative action policies, supposedly for the benefit of all indigenous Fijians and Rotumans, appear to have produced an elite group of beneficiaries. Working class and rural Fijians have little to show after 5 years of such programmes. How can the benefits and opportunities be more widely shared? How can the disadvantaged people of all ‘races’ access resources and opportunities?

2. Responding to Globalisation:

As our trade partners comply with World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules-both the sugar and garment industries are on the verge of collapsing altogether. Thousands of farmers and workers will lose their livelihoods. What contingency plans do our politicians have? Is there a willingness among politicians to work together in the national interest to save livelihoods and jobs?

What are the opportunities and risks for Fiji in this globalising world? Besides short term labour migration and remittance dependence, what else can the people of Fiji do to better their lot? What is the reform agenda for the country? How will the public sector be made more efficient and accountable? Will there be redundancies and job cuts? Will the system of taxation change?
Are there measures to deal with the rising cost of fossil fuel? Bus and taxi fares and general transportation costs have gone up and will continue to rise. What ideas do our politicians have to lower fuel costs and to promote alternative energy use.

3. Law and order is another major issue for political leaders, as it not only relates to personal security but to business confidence.

At the national level the on-going impasse over the 1997 Constitution between SVT and FLP continues to send negative signals to potential local and foreign investors. The fact that a number of those obviously implicated in the 2000 turmoil have been rewarded with government positions does not augur well for improved governance. The role of the military in pursuing those involved in the mutiny is admirable but the strained relations with government has caused jitters amongst ordinary citizens and gives Fiji an unfavourable image abroad.

Corruption and open abuse of public office appears to be rampant as seen from the Auditor General’s reports. What are the ways in which candidates and their parties envisage tackling these deeply rooted problems? Crimes against decent hard working citizens including seriously violent offences have been a feature of Fiji in recent times. The current police commissioner appears to have stopped the rot in the police force but there remain strong negative perceptions about police competence in the wider community. How policing can be made more effective has to be a central concern. In this regard vulnerable young males who are inclined to turn to breaking the law as a way of life must be identified and given the assistance they need to eschew anti-social behaviour.

4. Employment and Livelihoods -and just returns for labour:

Recent experience has shown that Fiji citizens are desperate for jobs that earn them a decent income. They have taken high risk employment in Iraq. A large number have joined the British army. Still others are working overseas or have migrated in droves. Besides the economic prospects, the main reason for emigration is the sense of insecurity that Indo-Fijians have felt ever since the 1987 military coups. The shortage of freehold land and the insecurity of tenure compound these feelings of insecurity. With only 2000 formal sector jobs each year, between 14000 to 16000 school leavers have no prospects for jobs and meaningful livelihoods. What new ideas do our politicians have to create more jobs and livelihoods? What ideas do they have about ensuring decent wages for workers? More than 60 percent of those who work earn below the national poverty line or around $160 a week. How will the politicians ensure that the hardships faced by our people because Fiji is mainly a low wage economy are addressed?

5. Land tenure and natural resource use:

There are many people, probably more than 65 percent of the population who are landless (most non-indigenous Fiji citizens and indigenous Fijians no longer resident in their province of origin) who would like to have access to land on a more secure basis. The impasse over the ALTA-NLTA debate has severely undermined commercial agriculture. Agriculture is not an attractive livelihood in this day and age and the rural to urban migration has already become a flood. What new ideas have candidates for the coming general election on how best to deal with the chronic land problem? How will they encourage the productive use by landowners of land that was previously under sugar cane? In the national interest what ideas do politicians and political parties have about the better use of our land and natural resources so that the resource rich and cash poor syndrome of such resource owning groups can be addressed?

There are many problems that rural people face besides access to land and other resources and security of tenure. These include transport and communication, market access and improved services. Many rural people in inland areas and outer islands do not have roads and or shipping and flights that connect them with the rest of the country. Elsewhere transport services are irregular and difficult. In many places the public works department has failed to maintain roads and jetties. Bus companies have refused to send their buses in rural routes because of the deteriorated conditions of roads. Market access is critical for them as they tend to be cash poor. There is an urgent need to stop the decline in the quality of rural services and for improvements in school facilities, dispensaries, water supply, electricity and telephone connections, and agricultural extension and banking services.





There is also the issue of the security of farmers in rural areas who are exposed to livestock and produce thefts and threats to their person; a number of farming families have lost their loved ones as a result of robberies leading to homicide. Among urban issues are deteriorating full of pot-hole roads, water and power cuts, garbage and sewerage disposal. Poor urban planning and the huge jump in housing rental and property values are concerns for town and city dwellers. Each urban centre has specific issues relating to services (including safe drinking water) and the environment. Law and order is a problem all over the country but in towns and cities crimes such as mugging, home invasion, violent robberies and burglaries as well as sexual offences are particularly widespread.

Dealing with youth unemployment in urban areas must be a central concern. There are many areas of concern for women which women voters should look out for when voting in the general election.
The extremely small number of women in decision making positions need to be tackled by giving the voters the opportunity to vote for many more women candidates. Are political parties fielding acceptable number of women candidates? Another issue for women relate to educational opportunities. What do politicians say about making more educational opportunities for women? What do they have to say about more employment for women especially at higher levels?

Do they accept the principle of equal pay for equal work? Women’s human rights mean amongst other things their right to own property. How is this right being translated into reality? Have the politicians thought about this? Do domestic violence and sexual abuse feature in the party platform of the parties? What about women’s rights? Are our streets and bush tracks safe for our mothers, sisters, daughters and wives? How can we make these safer?

In Fiji the government provides very little support for families that have children who are between 13-24 who are not in school and are unemployed. Fiji’s prisons are filled largely by those between 18-30 years. In post coup Fiji the number of street children has increased in leaps and bounds. What plans do the political parties have to deal with massive unemployment amongst young people? Are there sufficient places in vocational and post-school institutions to train them so that they can fit into the labour market better or have the skills to engage in self-employment? Do we need to rethink our training programmes for young people -in and out of school? What plans do politicians have to improve the quality of schools for those children and youth in schools? Better facilities from safe drinking water to computer access are issues in most schools. What about school libraries? The quality of teachers and their balanced allocation to rural and urban schools remain issues to be tackled.

For the poor there are many issues around having the resources and opportunities to meet their modest needs. Most of Fiji’s poor are working people who earn less than $160 a week (for a family of 4). Meeting the cost of housing, food, clothing, health care and medicines, education, transport and fulfilling social obligations is very difficult and even impossible. There is absolute poverty in squatter settlements and considerable hardship in rural localities.

A majority of Fiji citizens are in poverty or vulnerable to poverty with incomes below the national poverty line. However it is their votes that will determine which political party or coalition of parties that will rule the country for the next 5 years. There are minorities such as landless mixed race and the Solomoni communities who suffer the highest level of unemployment and are in poverty. Will they be ignored because they do not have the numbers? What plans do politicians have for disable and blind people? What about sexual minorities? Will their human rights be respected and upheld? Fiji is an extremely unequal country. In recent years the rich have got richer and the situation of the poor has worsened. What policies do the political parties have to redistribute wealth and give everyone a fair go?

What are the ideas, if any that politicians and political parties have for improving the quality of life of the majority of Fiji’s people - from the desperately poor to those who are barely coping? The general election is about electing your representatives and deciding who will govern Fiji for the next 5 years. The quality of the representatives and political parties that will win the election will have great significance for the voters’ lives, as they will influence the quality of life that each citizen has. Voting along racial lines may not give you the best leaders.

Vijay Naidu was born and educated in Fiji and the United Kingdom. He obtained his undergraduate and masters qualifications at the University of the South Pacific (USP). He completed his doctoral studies at the University of Sussex in Brighton (Falmer), England. He is currently Professor and Director of Development Studies at Victoria University of Wellington. He is on leave from University of the South Pacific where he has served as Professor and Director of the Centre for Development Studies, Associate Professor/Reader in Sociology, Head of School of Social and Economic Development (SSED), Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) and Acting Vice Chancellor.

Another provocative and insightful Fiji Sun article by Ponipate Ravula (member of a local NGO) juxtaposes a hypothetical situation, of having a popular elected Government with the right leaders, with the right agendas and policies to empower all citizens of Fiji.



Club Em Designs