President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu says any future review of Fiji’s Constitution must be done properly and with national unity in mind.
He made the remarks this morning while opening the 27th Attorney-General’s Conference at the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort in Nadi.
Reflecting on Fiji’s constitutional history, the President said the country had gone through four constitutions — 1970, 1997, 2013 and previous attempts — yet had struggled to build one that was fully accepted by the majority.
“The fact that we have had four constitutions means that we have tried and failed to establish a solid foundation acceptable to most of our people,” he said.
“The challenge we now face, collectively as a nation, is to get it right this time and to strengthen our institutions of state, ensuring we never again go through political disruptions.”
He said building a stable nation required unity and participation from all Fijians.
“The work of nation building requires each and every one of us,” he said.
President Lalabalavu also expressed support for the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, noting that Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka had recently testified before it.
“There is much pain in our nation, and the Truth Commission offers us the opportunity to listen to each other, to learn and to come back together to rebuild our nation,” he said.
“I hope that every Fijian will support its work.”
