“Let the people decide.”
That was Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry’s response when 2000 coup convict Varina Tiko questioned whether Fiji was ready to accept a non-iTaukei prime minister.
The exchange took place during the Fijian Media Association town hall meeting in Nasinu last night, where members of the public gathered to discuss the proposed constitutional changes.
Mr Tiko said he wanted a straightforward answer to a question he believed was central to Fiji’s political future.
“My simple question is this, and I want you to honestly answer this: Yes or no? Is the country ready for a non-iTaukei prime minister?”
He said the repeated discussion of coups continued to reopen painful wounds for many Fijians.
“I believe everyone is fed up of the word coup,” he said, adding that hearing the term brought back difficult memories.
Mr Tiko drew parallels between the current constitutional reform process and the political climate surrounding the 1997 Constitution.
“This is the same thing that happened in ’97, when the Constitution was rushed, the people were complaining,” he said.
“They were not happy with what Rabuka was doing.”
He also questioned proposed constitutional provisions relating to the military and Cabinet, raising concerns about how the military would respond in the event of political unrest.
“What happens if the people rise up and arrest the Cabinet? Who will the military listen to?”
Mr Tiko warned that public dissatisfaction could grow if people later discovered that the constitutional changes did not deliver what they had been led to expect.
He also raised concerns about the translation of the proposed legislation and whether communities fully understood its implications.
Returning to heis original question, he directly challenged Mr Chaudhry.
“Are we ready for a non-iTaukei prime minister, Mr Chaudhry? What is your answer?”
Mr Chaudhry responded briefly.
“Let the people decide. Let the people decide.”
