Chiefs in Fiji have not forgotten comments by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, berating them to drink home brew under a mango tree, says Tui Namosi Ratu Suliano Matanitobua.
Responding to the President elect Ratu Wiliame Katonivere’s maiden speech in Parliament yesterday, Ratu Suliano reminded the house that Ratu Wiliame was a direct descendent of one of 10 chiefs that ceded Fiji to Great Britain.
Referring to Mr Bainimarama, Ratu Suliano said, “It is amusing how the truth is catching up with this same man now running to the chiefs and all of a sudden quoting verses from the Holy Bible and styling himself as a defender of the native rights for obvious reasons”.
“Let us ask him what is next? Is he also preparing to accompany us for a Talanoa session under the mango tree to bring back unity in the spirit of genuine dialogue? Ratu Suli said the FijiFirst Government’s record was laughable and disappointing, adding they held an unprecedented record of destroying and dismantling institutions and structures that were built as a major fabric of our society.
“In other words, they have removed processes and procedures that guided our institution structures so that there’s no check and balance.
“One just has to look at the track record of the Fiji First government’s non-compliance to the rule of law, law and order and undermining human rights.
“The third issue which I wish to highlight is the lack of transparency and accountability by the Government to our people during the second wave of the pandemic that struck our shores in April, 2021.”
Ratu Suli said Government could not hide their failure now while expecting people to vote for them in the next election.
“Their failures have brought pain and suffering to the lives of our people and their loved ones which will be very hard to forget.”
