Forgiveness, support
That moral compass
PROFESSOR Sudesh Mishra has a valid point about the need for a renewal of our moral compass.
Sixteen years of dictatorship means that there is a whole generation who have grown up without truth, justice and a good code of ethics and we have all been paralysed by fear from taking the necessary actions to support the good ethical standards we grew up with.
Now we have managed to act for change through the process of elections and, with new leadership, we can look to a renewal of good values.
I commend the new Government for their enthusiastic start and encourage them to move steadily and carefully and thoughtfully as they guide our nation forward.
They have spoken of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. This is a difficult undertaking and much can be learned from the South African experience before we embark on such a project. It will require forgiveness. Without this most challenging requirement there can be no reconciliation. Forgiveness for wrongdoings is the great gift that Christians accept from God through the Saviour Jesus Christ. The challenge is to forgive others, because forgiveness is a twoway thing. This is required of all of us.
The current publicity being given to the British royal family makes very obvious the desperate need for everyone to accept that we must forgive those who wrong us, however hard it is.
Prof Mishra has labelled the present and former prime ministers as coup-makers. This is to deny history. The two have behaved very differently.
Mr Rabuka was more a coup-enabler. Through the subsequent years he has humbly expressed his regret for what he did and he has asked for us to forgive him and to move forward. He has already proved to be a good leader of government. Many of us have been able to accept his confession and to forgive him, humbling as this is for us.
Sadly, Mr Bainimarama was a coupmaker who took full advantage of his coup and reigned in dictatorial power. We do not see any sign of regret.
I greatly appreciate Prof Mishra’s reminder of Dr Timoci Bavadra. There are so many who have been victims of the coups that have beset our beloved Fiji. But we cannot put all the blame on the individuals who were responsible. We have to realise that we have harboured and nurtured our differences and resisted attempts to build long-lasting and genuine relationships. We put too much emphasis on our differences and do not appreciate the richness that the differences bring to our whole community.
Like the enormous task that faces Government, we too, as individuals, have a lot of work to do to help put Fiji back on the right track.
We will need to be honest in all our dealings and our words. We need to reconsider how we use social media.
We need to support the Government’s efforts to improve the situation our beloved Fiji finds itself in. Our young people will need moral guidance. We will need to be humble in seeking justice. A great opportunity lies before us. Do not let us waste it.
As the rugby fans say: “Go Fiji go”. Together we can win!
TESSA MACKENZIE
Suva
Refreshing presser
BACK to school support presser was amazing. PM announcing the initiative. DPM and MOF breaking down how it will be done. MOE also there and answering media questions. As opposed to the previous lot, one man blah blah blah. Refreshing.
MANOJ LAL PATEL
Drasa Ave, Lautoka