LAISENIA Qarase was brought in by the military to return Fiji to constitutional legality and democratic legitimacy but he did more than that, says renowned former prime minister’s permanent secretary Joji Kotobalavu.
“That he did by choosing to go back to the people, first in the general election held at the end of August 2001, and then again in the general election in May 2006,” he said.
“His political party, the Soqosoqo Duavata Ni Lewenivanua (SDL) won the majority of seats in Parliament in both elections.
“But more than returning Fiji to constitutional democracy, Mr Qarase, following his party’s clear victory in the 2006 elections, then proceeded to implement the multi-party Cabinet/Government provisions of the 1997 Constitution.
“The Fiji Labour Party, under its leader Mahendra Chaudhry, had won more than five seats in the House of Representatives.
“This qualified it to be invited to join in a multi-party Cabinet/Government with the parliamentary majority party SDL.
“With Prime Minister Qarase’s invitation, the Fiji Labour Party, led by Krishna Dutt, joined the SDL in forming Fiji’s first multi-party Cabinet/Government as provided for under the 1997 Constitution.”
Mr Kotobalavu said the move marked a significant political development for Fiji.
“The SDL/FLP multi-party Cabinet/Government commenced in late October 2006.”
Mr Kotobalavu said the Government “was just beginning to establish itself with agreed operating procedures” when the December 2006 military coup happened.
“As we look back, we can assign great credit to Prime Minister Qarase for his commitment to constitutional democracy and the rule of law in implementing the multi-party Cabinet/Government provisions of Fiji’s 1997 Constitution.”
Mr Kotobalavu, now a School of Law lecturer at the University of Fiji, served as PS at the PM’s Office under four of Fiji’s PMs — Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, Sitiveni Rabuka, Mahendra Chaudhry and Mr Qarase.
