Leader of Opposition Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu says the Government should not politicise issues and consider their comments constructively and recommendations positively.
He has suggested Government make adjustments where necessary rather than continuing to be defensive as usual.
Responding to the Revised 2021-2022 National budget in Parliament, he said it had become a norm for the Minister of Economy to call opposition members of the Parliament “unpatriotic” when they constructively criticised and suggested alternatives to be considered.
“His latest buzz word, when people disagree or suggest alternatives, they are accused of being un-Fijian,” he said.
“May I suggest to the Minister of Economy that he must be more sensitive in the choice of words in the public domain particularly in our multiracial and multicultural society.
“I believe that we are all patriotic in our own ways.
“For me personally, as a traditional leader and an indigenous Fijian, I continued to be patriotic based on values and traditional norms which I will continue to embrace for the common good so as other people in our different communities.
“It would be interesting for the Minister of Economy to explain the meaning of the term un-Fijian because everybody embraces values that are close to their heart based on their belief, faith and culture.
“Generally, the word ‘un-Fijian’ creates an environment of uncertainty, mistrust and disunity among our different communities particularly at the time when we must all be working together as a nation of one people with one common goal for a progressive and prosperous society.”
