Page 10 - IB January 2023

We Say
A TIME OF RECONCILIATION,

NOT RECKONING

By Netani Rika people killed, hospitalised and traumatised.
Jobs were lost and families plunged into financial distress,
With the advent of Fiji’s new government, has come much some losing homes and savings for daring to speak against a
relief and joy. ruthless regime which claimed to have a mandate to end cor-
The announcement of a tripartite coalition after days of ruption but which changed legislation without consulting the
negotiation amidst national angst, brought an immediate people.
groundswell of hope and support for change and new begin- It is understandable that people would want change and
nings. revenge. And they want it immediately.
Fiji - after 16 years of oppressive rule in which the views But true change, beneficial to the nation, must follow due
of the people were seldom sought and their opinions brushed process as provided for in the Constitution.
aside - emerged into a new day with the promise of a govern- By treating Bainimarama, Khaiyum and their sycophants in
ment which would listen and care. the despicable and loathsome manner in which they treated
Celebratory cheering, singing and fireworks erupted na- people perceived as anti-regime, the nation becomes no bet-
tionwide as the heavy cloak of oppression was lifted from the ter than them.
country’s shoulders. The infectious mood was transmitted If Fiji is to emerge anew as a nation in which all people are
through social media throughout the land. treated with respect, where all faiths and creeds are toler-
But despite the joy and positivity, a vein of anger, and indig- ated and all children have the opportunity to be educated and
nation runs just below the surface of the nation’s skin. find employment, it must follow the rule of law.
As the celebrations subsided and the time came to move on Beneath the surface, the nation remains divided.
with the task of building a new Fiji, that vein began to throb. To bridge that divide, there must be a willingness to rec-
Over close to two decades, depression, anger, pain, and oncile and put aside the bitterness of the past. For that to
injustice caused by ill-treatment, corruption and favouritism happen, Fiji must:
without the opportunity to protest through the media or on • Allow due process to take place;
the streets, have taken hold in hearts and minds. • Ensure that all alleged crimes and corrupt practices are
And in self-righteous indignation, people have taken the thoroughly investigated;
opportunity of a free media to hit out at enemies - perceived • Provide a platform for the nation to address its fears
and real - in an effort to assuage the pain of the past. and misconceptions;
There have been calls for summary dismissals and termina- • Introduce cross cultural and religious teaching in our
tion of contracts believed to have been handed out as favours schools to promote understanding and tolerance.
by the two military governments over which Frank Bainima- Social service providers like the Scouts and Guides associa-
rama and Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum presided, before their eight tions, the Red Cross and Saint John Ambulance Brigade can be
years of elected rule. reintroduced in schools to encourage teamwork, civic respon-
It is true that a privileged few benefitted from the rule sibility and character building.
of these two men while the masses were silenced with coins While these may be simple methods, it is important to
from the national coffers. In effect, taxes were used to keep recognise that some of the wounds of Fiji’s volatile politi-
the taxpayers silent and blind to the failure of the govern- cal past remain unhealed. There are wounds which pre-date
ment to follow due process. independence.
Once the nation became aware of the fact, change was Fiji stands at a unique juncture in its history. The people of
inevitable, as was the anger felt by so many people. this diverse nation crave healing and direction.
To its credit, the coalition government has called for calm Its coalition government, comprising a plethora of political
and attempted to unify the nation, offering a hand of friend- views, has the perfect opportunity to create a truly united
ship to Bainimarama. He has been treated with respect - a nation if it can look beyond self-interest and focus on bi-
trait glaringly absent in his persona and government. partisanship and inclusivity.
For many, a change in government is a time of reckoning, Fiji’s people also need to look into the future and envision
revenge and settling old scores. a nation in which all people are treated with respect and
When Bainimarama seized power for the second time in dignity, a country in which all people feel at home.
December 2006 - his first coup was the removal of President, This is a time for Fiji’s people to be completely honest
Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara; in 2000 - he immediately removed all about their fears, weaknesses and struggles. By being open,
permanent secretaries. people will find they are not alone.
A purge of the Civil Service and statutory bodies saw the And it is in that realisation that they can move forward
loss of millions of dollars in investment in human capital and together.
institutional knowledge.
Arbitrary arrests and torture by police and the army saw publisher@islandsbusiness.com
10 Islands Business, January 2023
10 Islands Business, January 2023