Unity Fiji leader and former Reserve Bank of Fiji Governor Savenaca Narube has accused Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka of using the Constitution Review Commission’s report to create fear and uncertainty among Fijians ahead of the next election.
Narube said the Prime Minister was “again trying to use the people for his political gain” following the presentation of the Constitutional Review Commission’s report and recommendations.
“There was no reason whatsoever for the Prime Minister to start the fearmongering on the Constitution. But that is his style,” Narube said.
He claimed the Government was facing voter dissatisfaction over its record, including salary increases for political leaders at a time when families were struggling with the cost of living.
“He knows that his coalition government has nothing to show the voters for awarding themselves huge increases in salaries when families could not buy enough food to feed the families,” he said.
Narube said Rabuka could have simply assured the public that the CRC had completed its work and that the recommendations would undergo the appropriate processes.
“All that the PM needed to say was that the Constitution Review Committee (CRC) has completed his report, and he would make sure that due transparent and legal processes will be followed in independently reviewing their recommendations,” he said.
Narube accused the Prime Minister of deliberately using sensitive issues contained in the CRC report, including race and religion, to influence voters.
“Make no mistake about it. The PM is deliberately using the CRC’s report to spread fear and uncertainty amongst the people on sensitive issues like race and religion before the elections. It will not work this time,” he said.
He called on Fijians of all ethnic groups to reject what he described as political manipulation and urged political parties to focus on issues affecting people’s daily lives.
“It is time that the people of all ethnic groups tell the PM to stop. There is no need to fracture this beautiful country again. The people have had enough,” Narube said.
“All political parties must contest these elections on their abilities to resolve the challenges that the people are facing. The people deserve nothing less.”
