PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT

Pacific Islands Development Program/East-West Center
With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies/University of Hawai‘i

By Narendra P Singh

HONOLULU (Pacific Islands Report, May 23) – The decision of [Fiji Prime Minister-elect] Laisinia Qarase and Mahendra Chaudhry to form a multiparty cabinet is to be applauded. The compromise must have been difficult for both men but the result will be of immense benefit to the nation of Fiji. True statesmen are able to place the interests of their country ahead of personal ambition and petty party politics. Mr Qarase and Mr Chaudhry are indeed true statesmen. Whether or not their followers will earn this title remains to be seen.

Fiji has never tried a government of national unity despite the effort by the former Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara to form one in the 1980’s. At that time the opposition of the day, the National Federation Party, derailed Mara’s efforts. They could not envisage politics outside the traditional Westminster system, where the opposition is there to oppose, and Mara’s attempt to develop a workable multiparty structure came to naught.

Some argue that a democracy needs a forceful Opposition. In practice this is not true. Many democracies practice unity government, particularly when the national interest is paramount. Israel, Germany and the minority government of Canada are three leading examples. The international community will no doubt applaud the decision by Fiji to take this pragmatic step in the light its demographic composition.

The two party system of government has not worked well in Fiji. Both parties have always been at loggerheads. The Opposition has opposed for the sake of opposing. The Government has advanced provocative issues, such as land lease arrangements and affirmative action policies to bait the Opposition. These two issues have racial connotations, resulting in the perception that Indians, who were predominant in the Opposition were always opposed to proposals were put forward by Indigenous Fijians, who were predominant in the Government. This attitude polarized the races up to and during the present election, resulting in a 2006 vote that was almost entirely on racial lines.

The current leaders know that the traditional Westminster democracy leaves Fiji racially divided. They understand the need for a government that represents all communities. A multi-party cabinet will allow the nation the opportunity to progress economically and socially, rather than join the basket case economies of many other Pacific Island nations.

A multi-party government must now be formed as a matter of urgency. Only then can a number of issues that has remained dormant be correctly addressed. One such issue is the lease arrangements in the sugar cane industry. Sugar enjoys a favorable international market treatment that may be discontinued if structural problems are not addressed. Ethanol production should be encouraged. High oil prices, the prospect of the abolishment of preferential trade agreements and the example of Brazil highlights the importance of this issue.

Terrorism has propelled more tourists into the South Pacific. Our mineral and timber industries should be thriving. In all these areas there is room for local participation and the participation of overseas investors confident of a stable Fiji.

Fiji imports over 50% of its rice for local consumption. This is a pity. We have huge tracts of vacant fields that are eminently suitable for rice production not only for local needs but for emerging export markets such as China.

Many more income and employment generating projects were mentioned by both leaders during the election campaign. A multi-party government will provide the degree of stability essential to bring these projects to fruition.

Fiji has some catching up to do. It has missed the first boat. Other developing nations have sailed past Fiji in terms of economic growth, employment and wealth creation. We now have another chance. Mr Qarase and Mr Chaudhry, by burying their differences for the good of the nation, have led us to the gangplank. It is not too late to board the second boat.

Narendra P Singh is former Fiji Diplomat and former Director of the Economic Development Board of Fiji, now (FTIB). Author of the book With the Gods and Sea: A True Story of a Family’s Survival in the Pacific.

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