Views on naturalised citizens

Gul Fatima,

Suva

On July 16, 2021, SODELPA posted a statement on its Facebook Page titled “MP Aseri Radrodro Questions Appointment of Saud Minam As FDB CEO”.

As I read through the statement, I realised that it is not just about one individual. Naturalised Fijians, from countries that Mr Radrodro may not like, are not people who have “infiltrated” Fiji, as Mr Radrodro has put it. They did not come to Fiji with any “ulterior motives”.

Fijian Employers or businesses established in Fiji extended employment to these now naturalised Fijians. They came to Fiji as expatriates, obtained work permits legally, worked in Fiji and contributed to the growth of Fiji.

Their love for Fiji made them apply for citizenship by naturalisation with the Immigration Department because they wanted to call Fiji home. They truly believe in Fiji and that is why they wish to become citizens.

I have called Fiji my home for the last 23 years.

Should I not be permitted to apply for local employment positions? Should I be deemed ineligible simply because I’m a naturalised Fijian, and not, as you put it, a “born and bred”, Fijian?

Should I be regarded as a second-class citizen who doesn’t deserve employment in top positions? Should my education and achievements be disregarded because I was not born in Fiji? What if I told you I have been fully educated in Fiji?

In fact, I graduated top of my class and I’m a gold medallist of a local Fijian University. I truly believe in Fiji and that is why I chose to get educated here so that I too could contribute to my country Fiji.

Fiji is no longer in its dark days where education and employment opportunities were premised on race and ethnicity. We now have merit-based appointments.

Mr Radrodro is entirely incorrect to think that an equal opportunity to apply or be selected for a position should not be given to an individual who is not born in Fiji. Everyone deserves equality.

In his statement, Mr Radrodro says that “these kinds of people have to be monitored very closely as their intentions to come to Fiji has other ulterior motives that will rob our hard-working Fijian born people from being recognised in the country of their birth”.

Is it suddenly a crime to be a naturalised citizen? What ulterior motives is Mr Radrodro referring to? Perhaps he should have spelt it out.

Does Mr Radrodro not recognise the fact that many former expats who are now naturalised Fijians have started businesses, employed ordinary Fijians and are effectively contributing to the Fijian economy?

I cannot recall any similar statements, filled with such allegations, being issued when other former expats turned Fijians were appointed in different roles or started businesses in Fiji.

I haven’t seen Mr Radrodro come out with such statements when people from Australia, New Zealand, America have become naturalised citizens in Fiji or have gone on to hold important positions in Fiji.

Mr Radrodro appears to be obsessed with Pakistanis and Pakistan and this is the sort of racism that that he is again peddling with this statement.

Many of our Fiji-born family members or friends are working or living abroad. They are on work permits or naturalised citizens of Australia, New Zealand, United States of America, etc.

Would Mr Radrodro like for any of these naturalised citizens to be treated the same way he has treated naturalised Fijian citizens?

The only motives any individual has when applying for naturalisation is to contribute to the future of that country, in this case, Fiji, and to enjoy its benefits.

Mr Radrodro is a Member of Parliament, he has contested in two General Elections and this is his 7th year in Parliament. There is no excuse on Mr Radrodro’s part for making such statements. We are all Fijians.

Fiji is one of the most diverse and multicultural island nations in the world. We pride ourselves in that. It is therefore disheartening to see a politician taking cheap shots and seeking to get political mileage through racially charged politics.

Mr Radrodro should retract his statement, and his political party should be deeply embarrassed for having endorsed this statement.