pn618. Fijian land. It has long been thus—Indians/Muslims/the Bainimarama's government are stealing the land from us

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Nawaikula

The iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB)—which administers the 87 % of Fiji's land that remains in "native" title—has once again had to refute false and misleading allegations made by lawyer and SODELPA Opposition MP Nik Nawaikula  on social media on the status of iTaukei land in the hope, presumably, of persuading grassroots iTaukei that the FijiFirst government is trying to steal the land from them. 

The cartoon from the anti-Government blog Truth for Fiji  is typical of others that perpetuate the falsehood of the land steal. Notice Indian businessman Tappoo and Muslim Attorney-General Khaiyum eating into iTaukei land.

Opposition members frequently use the social media,  where there is little check on truthfulness of their comments. to address issues. Speaking in parliament, on TV and in the mainstream media has to be more circumspect.

This recent case had made it necessary for the TLTB to spell out exactly what is the legal position of iTaukei land and the representativeness of the Board.  

TLTB reiterates that iTaukei land ownership is secure and safe as has always been the  case. The land cannot be sold and leases are administered by the Board. 

The Board no longer includes members of the  Great Council of Chiefs that was abolished by Government in 2012,. Since then it has included two representatives of owners, three representatives of each of the 14 provincial council, and two representatives appointed by the Minister of iTaukei Affairs—none of them Indian or Muslim, and with Government members outnumbered 30 to 2. 

--ACW