The so-called 2013 Constitution has no place or standing in the governance of Fiji. It should be declared null and void.
It was born with no consultation and the folly of one man who presumed to be the fountain of all knowledge.
The two leaders of the FijiFirst party framed the 2013 Constitution to perpetuate dictatorial powers. Fiji ended up “governed” with scarce justice with honourable people jailed and the judiciary compromised alongside the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Fiji Independent Commission against Corruption.
The two FFP leaders did not allow the laborious scholarly work Professor Yash Ghai to see the light of day. They burnt his draft constitution, a great act of injustice and sacrilege, and imposed the so-called 2013 Constitution, framed it to give them immunity and unfettered powers never before exercised by any Fiji government since Independence.
They exercised excessive powers, spent scarce funds on nebulous “Bollywood” projects and gave their benevolence to a select band of lackeys in return for their unquestionable support.
The two leaders moved around with six bodyguards and helped themselves to $3000 per day travelling allowances. Meanwhile our medical services were neglected resulting in the pathetic state of the CWM Hospital – a national disgrace.
The 2013 Constitution does not have one iota of good governance.
The use and spread of drugs in an open manner is what emerged during the 16-year reign of dictatorial leaders and today the entire the country is suffering this problem, which has been allowed to become the scourge of our society.
There was neglect and self-serving use of laws, nepotism was practiced nakedly and without remorse.
As I have said earlier the 2013 Constitution must be declared null and void.
The provisions to change the Constitution have been spelt out. They are onerous and demanding and there is no need to give any credence or substance or value to these requirements as they are out of context and have no intrinsic value.
Any constitution worth its salt must demand fairness, justice and equality and always hold responsible those who handle the levers of power and ensure that they always act in the interests of the people.
Any constitution must promote true democracy and economic development and preserve the cause of justice.
Not one good word can be said or written about the perpetrators of the 2013 Constitution.
We must with all haste plan and implement a new constitution.
Most importantly it is absolutely vital to have a constitution that is democratic and tailored to the needs of the people.
Since 1987 we have had so many constitutions, at tremendous cost to the economy of Fiji and we have gone backwards, costing many billions and causing the migration of skilled people which is also costing Fiji many billions.
Changing a constitution should not be treated in a frivolous manner. What FFP did to burn the Yash Ghai constitution is a matter of grave concern. They flouted the rule of law and the judiciary and gave themselves powers that they were unreasonable and outright illegal. They governed for 16 long years with impunity and dictatorial powers.
If Fiji is to progress economically and with total support from its people we need a stable, fair constitution and one which would allow elected representatives as benign leaders who would respect the rule of law and the general citizenry would feel comfortable and not live in fear but with total freedom and confidence.
All of us must ensure that we have a constitution that is there for good, not to be tampered with or abrogated at the whims and wishes of a so-called leader whose only ideal is to govern with fear and with total disregard to the rule of law.
Fiji needs a constitution that has longevity, stability and can be the supreme law of the land. The Constitution can be amended with proper justification. This will ensure peace, progress and good governance and freedom of expression and ensure that we do not live in fear.
