Labour leader Mahendra Chaudhry says the people of Fiji are ready for political change and has challenged his party to rise to the occasion by offering clean, honest and compassionate leadership.
Addressing the National Council meeting of the Fiji Labour Party in Nadi yesterday, Mr Chaudhry said growing public frustration reflected a deep crisis of governance and a loss of confidence in key state institutions.
“The people are ready for a change,” Mr Chaudhry said.
“Are we ready to provide the kind of clean, honest and compassionate leadership they are looking for?”
He told party executives and branch members that Fiji was facing what he described as a breakdown in governance, warning of serious institutional dysfunction.
“We face a situation where the administration of justice is in the wrong hands,” he said.
“There is a self-inflicted paralysis where one arm of government, the judiciary, is openly defying the Executive, creating a constitutional crisis.”
Mr Chaudhry also criticised the Prime Minister’s leadership, saying decisive action was needed to restore public trust.
“The Prime Minister is unable, or unwilling, to take firm action to clean up the rot that has permeated vital institutions of the State,” he said, adding that this had brought disrepute to the entire administration.
He said many Fijians were increasingly disillusioned and searching for leadership that prioritised integrity, accountability and the rule of law.
“People are clamouring for honest, incorruptible and committed leadership capable of restoring good governance and law and order,” Mr Chaudhry said.
He urged Labour members to prepare themselves to meet what he described as a national call for change, saying the party must be ready to serve a country “crying out to be saved.”
