Page 10 - IBs November 2022

We Say

(L-R) People’s Alliance Party leader Sitiveni Rabuka speaks to a rally, as National Federation Party leader Biman Prasad watches
on. Photo: NFP. FijiFirst Party leader and PM, Frank Bainimarama at a party rally. Photo: FijiFirst

DISUNITY, FEAR AND PERSONAL

ATTACKS

When Fiji emerges from the December 14 elections, the with no prior checks nor monitoring and evaluation. The
nation will have a government it truly deserves. removal of ethnic labels has meant that the truth about the
The new parliament will be a house which mirrors the Fijian distribution of contracts, scholarships, jobs and development
people, their hopes and aspirations. It will also paint a picture projects has been cleverly hidden.
of how divided the country has become under 16 years of Most opposition parliamentarians have done little to
Frank Bainimarama. investigate or highlight these issues. Indeed, over eight
During the campaign, which was bereft of policy statements years they have done little but fight among themselves.
and heavy on personalised criticism, FijiFirst openly attached Unfortunately, this has meant that while in 2022 there is a
future assistance to voter support. Fear-mongering and dire wealth of worthy candidates, they are spread over several
predictions on the future of the Indo-Fijian community under parties.
anyone other than Bainimarama were peddled shamelessly This means there may not be a clear winner and politicians
among the electorate. will be forced into alliances which do little for national
In iTaukei communities, the threat of the loss of land and development. The election is likely to be a fight between
indigenous rights was held over the heads of voters like the Bainimarama and his nemesis, Sitiveni Rabuka. It will be a
sword of Damocles. battle between those disadvantaged in the last 16 years and
But the campaigns of all political parties - at least as those who have benefitted from Bainimarama’s rule.
covered by the media - played on fear and emotion rather Corruption, abuse of authority and nepotism are but some
than policy and reason. of the issues which trouble the electorate. The nation’s water,
In 2006, Bainimarama seized power, claiming that he would power and health services are crumbling, as is the facade of
end corruption. He used the military and police to silence Fiji’s so-called democracy, in which criticism is suppressed by
critics, removed senior civil servants and appointed regime- people who fear victimisation and a media cowering under
friendly citizens to positions of power and influence. There the threat of prosecution.
was little opposition as military and police units rounded up If Bainimarama returns to power, it will reflect the success
dissenters who were often physically abused. of drip-feeding favours to a nation content to live on
In 2014, after introducing a Constitution touted as a handouts. It will also be an indictment on an opposition which
document to create national unity and end the coup culture, has bickered and backstabbed publicly since 2014.
Bainimarama was elected to rule Fiji. Yet the document Should Rabuka take power, it will be a sign that the people
protects the perpetrators of all Fiji’s political unrest, except want change. And should the race be close enough to force a
George Speight who led the 2000 coup and remains in jail. coalition government, this will indicate how fragmented Fiji
In the last 16 years, Bainimarama has introduced a client has become. But it will allow an opportunity for true nation
privilege relationship with voters, ensuring a mentality that building and unification if the leaders can set aside their
development is vote related, not a right. Favoured villagers differences and put Fiji ahead of all else.
and settlements receive agricultural assistance, roads, water -Netani Rika
supplies and electricity. Money has been handed out from
State coffers for education, agriculture and cyclone assistance publisher@islandsbusiness.com

10 Islands Business, November 2022