PM: 1997 constitution promoted racism
FijiFirst leader Voreqe Bainimarama says provisions stipulated in the 1997 Constitution promoted racial division during the time it was been implemented. During a campaign meeting at the Vatulaulau Sanatan Dharam school in Ba on Tuesday night he said: “They’re always boasting about this 1997 Constitution because Rabuka and NFP (National Federation Party) put it together.
“And you know what happened in 1999, election, they both flopped, both lost,” he said. “1997 Constitution is one of the worst you can ever come across, for the iTaukei, the 1997 Constitution did not protect our land and that’s how that land in Denarau was lost.
“The fact remains that the land has gone and it will not return to the native owners.” He said the 2013 Constitution protected iTaukei land and did not include the land exchange act.
“I don’t know if any of you remember the 1997 Constitution; when you go to vote, there are about four lines - the iTaukei, the Indo-Fijian, the Rotuman, the Solomon islanders, the Tongans, others, because it’s a racist constitution, it divided the people of this nation.
“In the 2013 Constitution there’s only one line because we want to tell peoples there’s only one Fiji and all for Fijians.”
He said under his leadership, there was equality in Fiji.
“I don’t know if any of you know that our constitution is written in English, in iTaukei and Indo-Fijian, but it’s also in brai. There is also a Constitution for those who are blind, the Constitution is also done for them. Why do we want to do that? We want to tell everyone that we’re not going to leave anyone behind,” he said.
He said he was also aware of a certain member of the PA informing supporters that the party’s recently launched manifesto was for a manifesto for the iTaukei.
“Where’s the rest of the races you’re supposed to be supporting somebody should be standing up for? None,” he said.
“My party and my candidates understand what I want done, that we all treat everybody the same.