FIJI flag co-designer Tessa McKenzie says the national flag should be treated with dignity and respect as a powerful emblem of the nation’s history and unity — not as a decorative item.
Speaking to The Fiji Times following public concerns over a photo on the Fiji Government social media showing the Fiji flag covering part of a table with food trays on it during the Fiji Day dinner at the State House, Ms McKenzie said while she found it “a little surprising, even a little offensive,” she also believed people’s enthusiasm for displaying the flag came from national pride.
“A flag is a national emblem, and it should not be used for anything other than celebrating or it’s all right to use it for a funeral. It’s a national emblem — it shouldn’t be used in any old way, like on cars or tablecloths,” she said.
“Some of the designs made into shirts or sulu are lovely, but some of them are rather questionable.”
She said that while Fiji had been through difficult political times, the flag remained a reminder of resilience and faith.
“We’ve made mistakes, but we must have hope. As a Christian, I know God will not give up on us.”
Rewa chief and a founding member of the People’s Alliance Party, Ro Naulu Mataitini also raised his concerns saying that how a flag is used reflects what a society values most.
“A flag is much more than a piece of coloured cloth. It is a powerful symbol of a country’s identity, history, and independence.
“It flies over government buildings and embassies to show a country’s authority. Many nations, like Fiji, have laws to protect their flag’s dignity. For example, using the flag on items like a tablecloth is often illegal.”
However, prominent lawyer Richard Naidu said that currently, there are no gazetted law to regulate the use of the Fiji flag.
“There is the (ill-fated) 2015 National Flag Protection Act which the FijiFirst Government passed through Parliament in anticipation of having a new national flag,” he said. “However, while the Act is on Fiji’s law books, it has never been formally gazetted with a starting date, so it is not in effect.”
He said the need to have a law in place to protect the flag as a national emblem would entirely be on “the people and their government”.
