PRESIDENT Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has issued a powerful warning against allowing short-term political interests to shape Fiji’s constitutional future, saying those making decisions today are only temporary custodians of the nation’s supreme law.
Receiving the Constitution Review Commission’s report on Monday, Ratu Naiqama said the decisions arising from the review would affect generations yet to come.
“None of us own the future,” he said.
“We are merely each temporary custodian.
“The decisions that will ultimately emerge from this report will extend beyond the tenure of the president.
“They will extend beyond the tenure of the present Prime Minister and government. They will extend beyond the present parliament.”
Ratu Naiqama said the Constitution would eventually be inherited by Governments and political parties that did not yet exist.
“That reality should bring humility to everyone involved.”
He warned that constitutional change must not be driven by the interests of any government, political party or generation.
“Constitutional change should not be driven by temporary political advantage by interests of any individual government, political party, or generation.”
Ratu Naiqama said decision-makers must instead consider what constitutional order would best protect Fiji’s democracy, peace, rights, accountability, stability and national unity.
“A good constitution should be strong enough to restrain those who exercise power and fair enough to protect those who do not.”
