(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.