(o) The Link Between February's Dialogue Forum, the 2012-13 Constitution Forum and the 2014 Elections

This post is a summary of an exclusive interview by Samisoni Pareti of  Islands Business with the Prime Minister's Office Permanent Secretary, Col. Pio Tikoduadua (photo), in which Tikoduadua spells out the functions of next month's nationwide dialogue forum and its relationship with the constitutional dialogue scheduled for between September 2012 and September 2013, exactly 12 months before the 2014 elections.  Click here for the full article.

Next month's National Dialogue for Fiji’s Future (NDFF) will have an “open” agenda  to be decided by  the NDFF Secretariat and its yet-to-be appointed chair.  People and organisations that participate will meet four basic prerequisites.They be forward looking, have the best interest of Fiji at heart,  hold views consistent with the People’s Charter for change, will not have an outstanding case before the courts, and not  represent a political party that espouses ethnic based politics.

Civic rather than political party participation is desired on the state of the nation and economic and political issues.  "You can’t really separate political issues from the people’s discussions," says Tikoduadua."That is going to come through but as long as they don’t go in and try to further their own political party agendas. It is hoped the  outcome will be previous support for “They can gauge their way from there and go forward. What we would like to see is for the forum to develop further into what could become a consultative body for the new constitution by way of input.” [It will be noted that former PM Qarase, who has a court case pending, and race-based parties, are excluded. It will be interesting to see how race-based parties are defined.]

The Constitution Dialogue Forum consultations during between September 2012-2013  will be  extensive and not limited to political parties.  Issues to be decided include the size of the new parliament, the appropriateness of a bi-cameral system, the length of a government's term of office, and systems of checks and balances. [It is probable that the political parties involved will not include the old race-based parties.]

The new Constitution will be in place by September 2013 at the latest and will be translated into the vernacular languages. Pocket-size editions will be be made widely available so that candidates and all citizens can  familiarize themselves with its provisions.

[It will also be interesting to see how this enhanced sequence of popular consultations is received by Australia, New  Zealand and the international community. India, the most populous Commonwealth country, has already indicated it will help in any ways it can to pave the way for democratic elections.]

(o) The Julian Moti Story Does Nothing for Australia's Pacific Reputation

Hunted and hounded for the last five years, Julian Moti, QC, Australian citizen, former Attorney General of the Solomon Islands is now broken but a free man. In the aftermath, it left the Australian claim to being a model democracy in tatters and the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australia’s law enforcement agency, as one that cannot and must not be trusted for its impartiality. It is a deeply worrying revelation in the Pacific that has also brought the Australian mainstream media into focus on its claim of being independent, impartial and a great protector and defender of people’s rights. It’s eloquence in highlighting this case was matched with a deafening silence or voices that were clearly inaudible or incoherent."

So opens Rajendra Prasad's truth-is-stranger-than-fiction account of Julian Moti and the Australian authorities. When the saga finally ends Justice Mullins, in her thirty page judgment, claimed “The conduct of the AFP ...is an affront to the public conscience." She stopped just short of accusing the AFP of bribing witnesses for political ends in connivance with the Australian Government.

To read the full story, click on this link to download the article from Mediafire. Photo: Moti under arrest. The Age.

(o) Why the Judiciary Reshuffles and Dismissals?

Reshuffles and dismissals in the judiciary have again raised eyebrows. Government detractors like Auckland journalist Michael Field and a group of closely related anti-Government blogsites see this as further evidence of Government malpractice. Words like purge, fired and sacked abound. They infer Government has "fired" four prosecutors and three magistrates to replace them with people "more acceptable to the regime." And they could be right  or partly right.

Not being a confidant of Aca Rayawa, the newly appointed Director of Public Prosecutions (an alleged "supporter of the regime") or of the Attorney General, I have no way of knowing why these people were dismissed, but it is possible they were  dismissed because they were not performing on the job.

Government has had to appointment a number of  people who would otherwise not be appointed because many better qualified people have not applied for Government positions due to the Australia and New New Zealand travel bans. And the judiciary is not on its own:  similar action has been taken in other areas purportedly to improve the civil service and statutory authorities.

How one interprets these events stems more from one's political presumptions than any special knowledge of the situation. No government is obliged to reveal why employees are dismissed. That is between them and the employee, unless contested in law. But if those dismissed do not object, it would "clear the air" if Government provided its reasons. I hope it does.

Meanwhile, Luveiviti, an anti-Government blogger, has called on those dismissed (with nothing more to gain from associating with government) to help bring down the Government. The message here speaks poorly of some anti- blogger motives. Luveiviti seems to be saying: Forget principle. Forget Fiji. Just focus on what you can personally stand to gain or lose. Come and join us other losers.

Photo: FBCL.

(o) Lament Over Democracy in Fiji:Sanjay Ramesh*

An excellent, thought-provoking and provocative article on Fiji's coups with comments on Australia's and NZ's policies and the role of the media in 1987, 2000 and 2006; the accusations against Bainimarama over the November 2000 mutiny; how Bainimarama tried to work within the Constitution, and why the press is now restricted.  Click here  or here for full article.
* Sanjay Ramesh is an adjunct research associate in transforming cultures at the  National University of Fiji. He is currently completing a research degree on inter-group conflict in Fiji at the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Sydney. He invites you to send comments to sanjay.ramesh@uts.edu.au

(o) On Media Abuse of Power and Influence in a Democracy: NZ's Dominion Post

I've always thought there's something more than a little undemocratic and cowardly that those writing editorials do not reveal their identity, especially in a proudly democratic country like New Zealand.

All we know is that an editorial contains opinions (not always backed by facts or fully researched thoughts) that are usually written by the publisher, the editor or one of the editorial team. I see no good reason why these people, and journalists in general, who so often demand access to private information,  hide behind anonymity. Why are so many media sources "usually reliable" or "our correspondent in X." Why does the law permit them to publish anonymous "leaked reports," even of personal emails? Why do we allow them these powers when we, their readers, do not even know who they are?

I'm also unsure why they think we should be interested in their anonymous opinions when we know nothing about their knowledge of the topics they discuss? We would not accept this from a doctor, a lawyer or accountant, so why should it be acceptable from journalists who play with our minds, mould our opinions, and set the boundaries of our democracy?

If the so-called Fourth Estate is entitled to a special, protected,  place in our society, searching out hidden truths and using its "freedoms" to keep citizens and voters properly informed, then the media must be far more open, accountable and known.

The latest DominionPost editorial, "Dictators must not hold sway in the Pacific" (click here) is a case in point. We know nothing of the writer who presumes to advise Prime Minister John Key what to do about our relationship with Fiji other than that he, she or it thinks it wrong for us to ease up on Bainimarama who "took power at the point of a gun and deposed a democratically elected government" and who since then has "tightened his grip on the country." Et cetera. Et hackneyed cetera. Nothing was written on anything even remotely wrong with the old "democracy" and nothing about anything  good on  the de facto government.

"Whatever else he does [the editorial states]... Mr Key should not accept advice such as that from Auckland academic Dr Hugh Laracy or, presumably, anyone else who thinks the travel ban and other measures have failed. Yet these measures, imposed three years ago, have brought about no change in Bainimarama's position; they are hurting many innocent Fiji citizens, and they've prevented many qualified people applying for civil service positions, even in positions not remotely political.  The editorial thinks Mr Key is "right to try to make a new start with the commodore [but] that does not mean forgetting that he is a dictator. The aim must be that dictatorships do not become the 'Pacific way.'"

With this sort of inane, patronising advice Key could well fall back on Laracy: afterall, he is not anonymous; he's studied the Pacific for close to 40 years and, although not enamoured with coups, he does have a plausible alternative to our initially well intended but now obviously failed policy.

I'm sure Professor Laracy will join me in issuing a public challenge to the  DomPost Editor(s).

• Come out from behind your masks. 
• State your qualifications and Pacific experience. 
•  Publish balanced statements on Fiji's past and present. 
• Provide your readers with sufficient background for them to form their own independent judgments.
  
• Comment on at least some of the positive actions taken by the Bainimarama government.  
• Take the trouble to find out what is really happening in Fiji.
  

And if you can't -- or won't -- do any of these, at least make an intelligent and realistic suggestion to help John Key formulate a workable policy towards Fiji.

Hugh and I may lose the debate, of course, but we would at least know who you are -- and your readers and John Key may learn something they did not know before.
           Photos. Dominion Post. stuff.co.nz; Prof. Hugh Laracy. University of Auckland.

Snippets: Microcredit, School Buses, Blogs Blocked, National Dialogue Forum, Civil Service Housing, Driti Attacks Shamima

(+) Banks Required to Assist Microfinance: Part of the Roadmap.The Reserve Bank has issued microfinance guidelines for all commercial banks that require them to establish internal microfinance divisions and units in existing branches.  The banks are expected to "innovatively and effectively" extend sustainable banking services to Fiji’s marginalized, poor communities and individuals, and to small and micro enterprises, that will "empower them to participate in economy building and in the development of their welfare." Source:  Focus Jan.2 2010.

(o-) Blogs Blocked Again. Email from Fiji 4th January. "Looks like the anti-govt blogs have been blocked. I just can't log into any. Been trying for two days now. It's sad because many of them had noble causes when they started. Then things remained relatively calm in Fiji and life carried on and progress was on the way. And they started to stray and became angry and envious and started to be spiteful maybe even jealous because they are being left behind.  Your Blog is OK....No problems so far ... "

(o) Free School Buses. About 71,554 children, whose parents jointly earn less than $15,000 a year,  will qualify for the free school bus fare scheme this year. The scheme will only operate for children within 18km of destinations to encourage parents to send their children to schools close to home. PM Permanent secretary Col.Tikoduadua said the funding is in place and "it's going to cost a fair bit."

The scheme is expected to benefit children attending 490 schools on Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Levuka, Taveuni and Rotuma. Full story. Fr Barr's concern that students living in heavily populated rural areas who have to travel further than 18km  could lose out -- and all his other comments were positive -- produced a typical Fiji Times headline "Some will lose out, says priest." Yet another display of how the media works!

(+) National Dialogue Forum. An encouraging number of new names, from overseas and a wide cross-section of the community, have been put forward to chair February's National Dialogue Forum. Government takes this as an indication that people want to share their views of the way forward in terms of what government has planned to move Fiji forward. The February talks are expected to lay the groundwork for a constitutional forum in September 2012.  Full story.

(-) AUCKLAND (Café Pacific/Pacific Scoop/Pacific Media Watch): Café Pacific has issued its New Year honours, awarding the Newspaper of the Year handle to The Fiji Times. Café Pacific writes: “As a crusading newspaper under the helm of battling Netani Rika, it is hard to go past this Australian-owned publication – the strongest daily newspaper in Fiji in spite of its past political baggage and track record that goes right back to its colonial days in Levuka.” Comment: The underlined words tell all.

(o) Housing for Civil Servants. FMA President Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete hopes "good sense" will prevail in the termination of government rented quarters for doctors in the outer islands. I agree, but surely government does not intent to apply this decision as Dr Waqainabete suggests.

Government's general reasoning for exiting rental quarters for civil servants -- and dropping the retirement age back to 55 --are sound enough. Many "sit" on the accommodation provided when they can afford to purchase their own homes, just as many 55+ people "sat" on their jobs, but the implementation of these decisions must be flexible, not mandatory. Government or subsidized private rental housing must be provided for contracted expatriates and employees on short-term and remote postings. Better pay and working conditions, as mentioned by Min.Health Perm.Sec.Dr Sala Saketa, will help to attract and retain staff but they still need a roof over their heads.

I can't imagine any doctor, nurse or teacher buying or building a house in Tavuki (Kadavu), Matuku or Ono (Lau) or Itutiu (Rotuma) unless they were born there. And I doubt they'd get a housing loan even if they did. Perhaps we should just wait and see. We shouldn't have to. How decrees are to be implemented should be clear from the time of their pronouncement. That they are so often not creates uncertainty and  plays into the hands of Government's opponents.

(-) Diriti Threatens Shamima Ali.  This is Ridiculous. Government passes a decree extending the operating hours for nightclubs and liquor licence outlets. Fiji Women's Crisis Centre Coordinator Shamima Ali  criticized the decision in a general radio interview on violence against women and children saying it would result in more alcohol-related social problems. And Land Force Commander, Brig.Gen.Pita Driti  warns Shamima Ali  " "to think very carefully about what she says before making a public statement" -- and a lot more besides. He says the extended hours will discourage bootlegging and rowdy house parties, and lessen binge drinking. How does he know? He doesn't, and neither does Shamima know the decision will increase alcohol-related problems.

But that's besides the point. It is central to Shamima's job, for which she is well qualified and experienced, to comment on these matters and (while her anti-Government position in other respects seems to affect Government's ability to listen to her warning), it certainly should not invoke Driti or anyone else to threaten her in this manner. This is not the first time Driti has made similar threatening remarks. They do his cause no good. Click  here also.

(o) Fiji Consumer Council welcomes next month's merger between the Prices and Incomes Board and the Commerce Commission saying it will benefit consumers.

(+) Letter on the X Factor

Letter from a Reader

Bula and congratulations on making Robie's list.

I have followed your blog and would like to point out the "X" factor variable.

Most of the people who supported Qarase (including my elite friends) are the rich, powerful and urbanites. A lot of my friends who were connected to the SDL became rich overnight. These are the people who have PCs at home and can read and comment on the numerous blogs. These are the people whom Frank Bainimarama has "neutralised" and, they in turn wage a campaign of misinformation against his administration. Included in this list are politicians, lawyers, NGOs and foreign governments.

The people who support the regime are the poor and marginalised and a lots of expats and investors who agree with his will to rid corruption from our system. 

 

Except for the expats and the investors, the majority of Frank's supporters do not own or have access to computers. Most live in the poor settlements, villages and outer islands. This is the "X" factor when considering your survey and the type of respondents you would encounter.

Continue the good fight on behalf of the people of Fiji.

 

Yasayasa.

(o) We Made it! New Year Honours List

Well, I never!  Fiji: The Way it Was, Is and Can  Be  is mentioned in David Robie's Cafe Pacific  New Year  Honours List.

COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG

Check out the Comments on the postings, and add your own.  Comments make the blog come alive.  The record number of comments so far is 28, on (+) "The Real Frank Bainimarama Stands Up" (see below)  but surprisingly most comments were about Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi.

Lockington's Everyday Fiji ... Life Goes On

 Allen Lockington is a self-employed customs agent and business consultant who has regular articles published in www.connectme.com.fj/news/opinion. I thank Allen and Connect for permission to reprint some of them in this political blog. They remind us that life goes on, whatever the political situation. And it's good to know that.

For the Kid's sake

 

After the MIC Show, the Hibiscus Festival and the Miss South Pacific Pageant one of my grog mates said that Fiji really has talent. Then Paulini Curuenavuli, Suzy Vulaca and other international Fijian superstars sang in Suva. Then we had the Fiji Fashion Show and saw beautiful and handsome young men and women strut their stuff.

This mate of mine said that our young people can sing, dance and act and sew. He said many of our children will now try to become beauty queens and kings even models. What Fiji needs now is to show another side of these talented young men and women. We need to see them cooking home dinners and cleaning the house, making their bed and reading books, scrubbing the bathroom and washing the clothes.

My mate said it would benefit our children who think that the beauty queens and kings have perfect lives. And he wonders if Aiysha can be shown on Get Set cleaning her room and washing dishes and cooking. He said if we went just a little further we can teach our children that being superstars also includes being able to cook and clean and sew.

And he said, “Miss South Pacific will be the best person to get on our children’s show and tell the kids." 

And you know what, sometimes I wonder what it would be like if my grog mates finished their schooling.  Hey with the kind of things they think of.

Write LETTERS TO THE EDITOR HERE, and post-specific COMMENTS at the end of posts.  

(o+) The Prime Minister's New Year Message

 Over 35,000 people ushered in the New Year at Albert Park, in the capital's biggest ever street party.Full story.

In his New Year's message to the nation, PM Bainimarama urged his fellow citizens "to get out of our little boxes and collectively think of taking this nation we call home forward  [and] work together to move Fiji into the modern world. He said "government will continue to focus on improving the lives of all citizens in the New Year." The PM also urged people to be aware of , and to stand up to, those who continue to undermine the work of the government. Click  here.


Speaking of those who still opposed what the Government was trying to do, he said:

"I know there are some who are still working behind the scenes to undermine the coming together of our people; there are some who still think along ethnic or racial lines. I also know that there are a few who are working with some of our development partners, our international friends, and some sections of the media to undermine the efforts of the government. They are spreading misinformation about Fiji and what is happening in Fiji. We have to be aware of them; we have to stand up to them by pointing out the facts."

He said that we should not let the personal agendas of a few who were part of the elite ... of the old way of thinking, undermining us.

"Stand up to them.

• Tell them that you are looking to the future. Tell them that our youth, our young are our future. 
• Tell them that you will not stand for ethnic or religious chauvinism. 
• Tell them that we want to engage with our neighbours and welcome friendships as equals, as partners.
• Tell them that we no longer have a racial agenda. 
• Tell them that we truly believe in and want to practice good governance, transparency and accountability. 
• Tell them that we want true justice. 
• Tell them that we want true democracy. 
• Tell them that we are one nation."

He wished all the people of Fiji and abroad as well as visitors to Fiji's  shores a  very happy New Year.

Note: The Fiji Sun link is wrongly dated. The PM's remarks were made this New Year, not last. Thanks, Cornelius for pointing this out.
POSTSCRIPT
The Fiji Times did not report the PM's message but it had a New Year  message of its own that highlighted the many good things it had done for the nation. Thank you, Tiji Times. How could we ever have thought we could do without you!   Photo: Fiji Village.