Editorial

Officials of the Opposition parties who deliberately boycotted the Fiji Day celebrations at Albert Park in Suva yesterday showed they were not genuine about national unity.

Their predecessors, who they brag about all the time, would be disappointed to put it mildly, to learn that their successors did not support the Fiji Day celebrations.

Some of them would even turn in their graves in absolute shock.

If they were alive today, they would be sitting at the pavilion, relishing the event.

Despite their political differences, they would turn out in force to support the celebrations because they understood the significance.

For the National Federation Party (NFP), independence from Britain and common roll (one man, one vote), featured prominently in its manifesto.

Fiji attained independence in 1970. The electoral change happened in 2013 when the new Constitution was enacted.

NFP officials should be the first to celebrate Fiji Day and Constitution Day because of what the party founders and pioneers fought for.

It’s obvious that Opposition parties’ officials have allowed their political bitterness over some issues to influence their decision to stay out.

That’s their choice and they are entitled to it. But they are no ordinary people. They are public figures who are in Parliament because the voters put them there with a mandate to represent them.

When they boycott an event like yesterday’s Fiji Day or Parliament, are they representing the views of the people who voted for them? Maybe some, but not all of them.

People who joined the celebrations came from different political backgrounds, but united for a common purpose. They know that Fiji Day and Independence Day transcend politics.

These two holidays are at the heart of who we are and what we stand for.

They define us and constitute the foundation on which our nation is built.

As we celebrate the 49th anniversary of our independence we need to take into consideration that it has not been smooth. We have had our share of political unrest highlighted by four coups. Hopefully, we have learned from our past experience and are working towards ensuring that we do not repeat the same mistakes.

Next year, we reach a new milestone, when we celebrate our nation’s golden jubilee.

Our hope, aspirations and values are reinforced in these national events. Our diversity and differences should not be our weakness. It should be our strength like our leaders of the past showed.

They put aside their political differences and came together in national celebrations like Fiji Day because they understood what they meant - unity, peace and prosperity. They shared a common vision.

Our political leaders today, particularly those in Opposition, need to learn from them.