RAKIRAKI resident Hendry Nand says the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) should retain its role, including the authority to determine who becomes Fiji’s president.
Mr Nand made the submission during a public consultation on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 yesterday.
He said the GCC had served iTaukei communities for years and its traditional role should not be taken away.
“They have their own protocols in the village,” he said. “They have their own ways to do things.”
Mr Nand said the council played an important role in maintaining traditional leadership and supporting iTaukei communities.
He warned that removing the GCC’s authority could weaken the traditional system.
“If you’re going to take that banner away from them, they will collapse,” he said, comparing the situation to a house standing on only two legs.
He said Indo-Fijians had their own strengths, particularly in business, and could contribute to the country in other ways.
“We are good in doing business. We are doing other things apart from running the Government and other stuff.”
Mr Nand said elected representatives were chosen by the people to serve in Parliament, but he believed leadership also involved a higher authority.
He said the GCC’s role should be respected as part of Fiji’s traditional leadership system.
