General secretary
The general secretary of SODELPA might be correct that he had informed the management board that there were two board members who were not re-elected as required.
However, according to the SODELPA Constitution this was not required during the last management board meeting, but at least 60 days earlier.
The SODELPA Constitution under 13.8.4 clearly states that is the duty of the general secretary to keep proper records and “advise the management board […] of the expiry of appointment and call for a replacement sixty (60) days before such membership is due to be renewed by the appointing authority”.
In other words: If there have been people voting at the SODELPA management board meeting that were not legitimate then it was the general secretary who should have informed the management board, not on Tuesday, not on Monday, but at least 60 days in the past.
Eberhard Weber Suva
Bow out gracefully
Even with all the resources of State which the FijiFirst party used to gain an unfair advantage it did not win the election to form government again.
The message is clear. The people no longer want Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and the FFP to rule over them in the manner they done in the past 16 years. They have, under the Constitution Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum had imposed on them, decided it’s time for a new government.
So I say to my old friend Aiyaz, do the honourable thing and bow out gracefully. Don’t let the people think you are a sour puss loser with your irrelevant post election commentary (FT 22/12).
I don’t think people are interested any more in what you say.
Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Testing time
A coalition partnership between PAP, NFP and SODELPA had been signed and sealed in spite of SODELPA general secretary having challenged the validity of his party’s coalition partnership selection process. Be it as may I thought the signing could and should have taken place after the issue had been sorted out to the satisfaction of all concerned. SODELPA right now needs to tidy up its house which seems to be in a mess before forging ahead. In a way we can already see their brokenness what if it happens when the coalition was already in full gear.
Here, prevention is better than cure. To run a government the rulers cannot afford to have any negativity affecting their work. You need a solid foundation to be successful in any venture that you may undertake.
Our economic situation isn’t so good to immediately call another general election. I hope a solid working ground is established before you march to Parliament. May our Lord almighty give his supreme guidance so that our country doesn’t suffer unnecessarily.
Suresh Chand Nadi
Let go!
Democracy is the will of the people!
In Fiji, 58 per cent want change, 42 per cent don’t.
Anything else is malice.
Let it go, give to Caesar what is Caesar’s.
Rick Eyre Labasa
Prisoner 302
Reading Prisoner 302, the late Laisenia Qarase’s book, I noted his words about the new SODELPA Constitution in late 2015. He said “the structure has changed significantly … the general secretary had wide powers. I believe this structure will lead to disunity and divided loyalties”.
He ended the paragraph with the quote: “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other” (Matthew 6:24).
Mr Qarase hit the nail on the head then, and here we are today.
Korina Waibuta Knollys St, Suva
Power to question
In The Fiji Times ‘Today’s Thought’ (21/12) we read “The power to question is the basis of all human progress – Indira Gandhi”.
I believe that power was largely denied to the people of Fiji since the 2006 military coup and sadly even after the purported “return to democracy”.
Many thinking Fijians wondered what kind of democracy Fiji really had in the past 16 years.
Rajend Naidu Sydney, Australia
Do next
All the mummies and daddies out there, what do you think cry baby will do next?
Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
No arrogance
Messi is one of the richest sport stars on the planet. Even after winning the soccer World Cup he did not show any arrogance. I just wish more people can be like Lionel Messi.
Sukha Singh Labasa
Glitch-free
With the on-going post-election hoopla and bedlam that’s been brewing for the past couple of volatile days, I hope the PAP/NFP/Coalition government is declared at the earliest so that I can observe a “glitch-free” Christmas.
Nishant Singh Lautoka
Petty politics
It is very unfortunate that power hungry and ego centric elements are hell bent on dividing SODELPA so as to weaken its position as a coalition partner. Professor Steven Ratuva has aptly pointed out that the SODELPA split which led to the formation of the People’s Alliance was unfortunate with lots of bruised souls and egos who harboured resentment and clamour for vengeance (FT 22/12).
I can only hope that good sense will prevail and they will rise above petty politics and personal agendas and exercise their wisdom and good judgement in the greater interest of the country. Let’s put the past behind us and join hands to make Fiji a better place to live for all its citizens.
SELWA NANDAN Lautoka
PM’s post
Let’s convene the parliament and let’s have a secret ballot and see who gets the PM’s post.
Sukha Singh Labasa
Absurd theory
Has the absurd theory that there are not many educated people in Fiji failed the test?
Mohammed Imraz Janif Natabua, Lautoka
SODELPA grandstanding
Sixteen years of being ridiculed, disrespected, and denigrated to gutter level was never even considered by some of the board members of the SODELPA political party.
The main aim of the exercise of their grandstanding was to fuel the personal hatred some had towards Rabuka and the People’s Alliance Party.
This was the price SODELPA supporters had to pay to enable some of their party members agree to another four years of the current government and endure the same ridicule, disrespect and denigration.
For the 14 board members who had agreed to join the current government in their first meeting on Tuesday, December 20, agreements had to be made that could be overturned within party meetings as per their individual constitutions.
All SODELPA supporters, Fiji and worldwide, wanted was a change of government, period.
That was the narrative being relayed to supporters for the last 16 years. The idea of joining the current government was never an issue.
Sad to see that personal agendas are now at the forefront of decisions being made within, what was once an honourable political party.
The mandate of the party was the people, never individuals with personal issues. This is a prime example of how some current Fijians and leaders have no moral compass, integrity and honour to rise above and beyond their personal and petty issues to put their people first!
EPELI RABUA Suva
National interest
Does Lenaitasi Duru — the ex-SODELPA secretary think he is bigger than the national interest of our united people of Fiji.
The people of Fiji don’t want to know of his squabble with the PAP leadership.
They deserve a stable government which has already been agreed too.
His claim that he’s taking a principled stand by resigning and opposing the coalition is laughable.
It cannot be true for a simple reason. I believe any principled, mature person will put the interest of the majority and desires of their fellowmen foremost.
Personal squabbles take backstage for the sake of the common good.
If he cannot do this, then he is no better than a child who throws tantrums because he has not been given his candy.
William Rosa Ba
GCC referendum
Voreqe Bainimarama is entitled to his own opinion and so do the rest of the iTaukei who are registered under the VKB like myself.
His view on the ‘GCC will not come back’ in your F/T 18/12/21 (Pg. 3) and even in his recent political campaign is his personal view and does not represent the voice of the iTaukei communities.
I believe the only way forward to have this voice of GCC in our government system is for the new incoming government to call for a referendum for all registered iTaukei in our VKB to declare their choice or say via voting.
I believe a referendum is the only way of keeping or discarding the GCC.
Let the iTaukei people decide what is best for them and not by someone in authority?
There might be some changes in how the GCC might operate but let the will of the iTaukei people decide that change.
Jioji M Cakacaka Tadra-Votualevu, Nadi
