PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT

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

By Rajendra Prasad

SUVA, Fiji (Fiji Sun, May 26) – Change in political fortunes is rarely realized. From the abyss of despair it can move into the sunshine of hope as in the case of Fiji elections 2006. A week of anxiety, uncertainty and speculation following the declaration of the results kept the nation on the edge. Fijians took shelter under the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua Party and Indo-Fijians under the Fiji Labor Party. It cast ominous shadows for the future Fiji.

This was further aggravated when the commander of the army Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama clearly expressed his displeasure at Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua victory giving his preference to Fiji Labor Party. However, the people had spoken through their ballots in a free and fair elections and it gained acceptance and eminence locally and internationally.

In strong democracies the power of the ballot subdues the power of the bullet. Fiji may not be a perfect democracy but it has not blatantly violated its principles and values. It is still the most powerful democracy amongst the island nations.

Sadly, the outcome clearly showed a nation deeply divided along ethnic lines.

Prime Minister Qarase acknowledged, "One very clear message from the general election is that our two major communities, the Fijian and Indian communities, have given overwhelming support to the two political parties which, in their view, would best represent and safeguard their interests in Parliament and in Government."

This is a positive interpretation of a result that is generally seen in a negative light. The fact that the two dominant races have chosen their ethnically based parties is an expression of their faith and trust in their own leaders. It is certainly not a license for them to engage in acrimony or a war of attrition but to forge relationship to work for the good of the nation. The road they need to take is to build Fiji on the strengths of its diversity where all its citizens can expect justice, freedom, rights and equality. The road to attaining racial unity rests on the elected leaders.

There is enormous amity and goodwill amongst the ordinary people. Sadly, it has not translated into racial unity. The leaders inhibited it because it secured their political tenure. Since independence in 1970, racial politics gained dominance. The colonial regime left a legacy of racial divide (Fijians/Indo-Fijians), which 36 years later still shows no sign of dissipating. It is a gaping wound in the heart of a small but dynamic nation in the Pacific. It is a sad reflection on the post-independence leaders who failed to reverse the trend that has caused political instability and consequent adverse impact on Fiji's economy and race relations.

Fiji, since independence, has largely used the Westminster form of Government, excepting the coup and post-coup periods. It is an adversarial form of Government where the role of the opposition is vigorous. In Fiji, the Indo-Fijian dominated parties always comprised the opposition parties and they zealously and vigorously dispensed their roles against the Fijian-dominated Governments. It contributed to two opposing values. In its favor, the Westminster system worked perfectly. In the reverse, it did an incalculable harm to race relations in Fiji.

In their adversarial role, the Indo-Fijians from the opposition ranted and raved against the Fijian-dominated Governments that included, at times, virulent criticism of highly respected Fijian chiefs. The ordinary Fijians, uninitiated in the workings of democracy, were incensed by such an attack on their chiefs and leaders. Their dislike for Indo-Fijians grew in intensity. However, the Indo-Fijian leaders never came to realize that what they considered to be justified attack on the Government was in fact hurting ordinary Fijians. Increasingly, it contributed to Fijians distrusting and despising Indo-Fijians. In their view, they were uncouth, selfish, greedy and disrespectful to their chiefs and leaders.

Sadly, the two communities lived side by side for over a century but failed to understand the sensitivities and feelings of each other. A little effort by the leaders, with understanding, vision and goodwill from both sides could have averted the confrontational stance to conciliatory response from ordinary Fijians and Indo-Fijians. Both, in my view, are extraordinary human beings with values and virtues that could have, given the opportunity by their leaders, transformed Fiji into a jewel of the Pacific.

Fiji is a rare gift of God to its people. Its power of recovery after every political or natural disaster is legendary. It requires a new approach in the governance of the nation. The adversarial politics has not worked for Fiji. However, it is not the end of the road as a new opportunity beckons the nation. Prime Minister Qarase has taken a bold step to establish a multi-party Government and the nation must salute him for his courage and support him in building a new Fiji on the foundations of amity, goodwill and trust.

Prime Minister Qarase's offer to Fiji Labor Party with powerful Ministries is a proof of his sincerity and it is heartening to note that Fiji Labor Party leader Mahendra Chaudhary has taken it in that stride. An opportunity has come three decades after Fiji's independence and it must not be squandered. It is make it or break it situation and naturally, there is nervousness as the ship of the nation is steered through uncharted waters. Both leaders, decried and demeaned as narrow in their outlook have the opportunity to show to the nation and the world that they have the ability and commitment to build a new Fiji on the strength of its diversity.

The choice is consistent with the provisions of the 1997 Constitution that requires inclusion of parties in Government that poll more than ten percent of the votes.

The architects of the Constitution clearly saw this method as appropriate for Fiji in promoting racial integration.

It was not given a fair chance since its introduction.

Now is the time for the leaders and people of Fiji to join hands to make a new Fiji that is stable and secure for everyone.

In this, let not the ghosts of the past foreshadow talks and walks that may ensue in achieving the desired objectives.

Indeed, the new experiment with democracy does not mean that everything will be hunky-dory.

Two bitter adversaries have come to the fore; joining hands, to take the nation forward and they need everyone's support and prayers. Fiji has suffered needlessly for too long.

[Rajendra Prasad is former town clerk, Ba and author of Tears in Paradise, a book on Indo-Fijian history 1879-2004. He left Fiji to settle in New Zealand following the first coup in 1987.]

FijiSUN: http://www.sun.com.fj/

Copyright © 2006 Fiji Sun. All Rights Reserved