Fiji style politics
RACE TO THE POLLS
BULA readers, today I wanted to talk to you about politics in Fiji and also why it really doesn’t have to be conducted in such an angry and venomous atmosphere.
My understanding is we are considered equals in the eyes of God, yet we continue to degrade, rant, persecute, intimidate and bully each other mercilessly in the political field.
I have noticed in various developing countries that behaviour like this is normally encouraged by a select few who hide behind the veil of deceit and immoral intentions of being close to power for their own personal or family gain, for fortune and power.
After studying various religious books about forgiveness and also how one should conduct themselves as a humble and compassionate leader, maybe it’s time and also very much overdue in many people’s opinion, to have round table discussions with the media for both Sitiveni Rabuka and Voreqe Bainimarama who are the two titans of politics and let’s face it, the two biggest names in the political arena, not just in Fiji, but across the Pacific Island region.
This mud-slinging and derogatory style of politics is now beginning to set a very dangerous precedent going forward for all our citizens and especially the younger and more impressionable in our society being the youth, who make up the bulk of the population.
There has to be a better way forward than this continuous “he said, she said, they said” nonsense which we have been seeing for far too long now.
What type of examples are we setting for our own children and loved ones going forward if it is encouraged to berate and humiliate your political colleagues if they have a difference of opinion or ideas?
Yes, robust discussion should be encouraged by all means, but it needs to be done with just a little respect and that is what we are certainly not seeing.
What a tragic shame that such hatred is shown for each other in all aspects of traditional media and also social media.
I am constantly messaged or called by someone saying I have dirt on this person, or I know something we can get that person on, but to be honest, I am sick to death of this cloak and dagger approach to politics and it is starting to be rather annoying.
I am not bothered if one politician said this or another politician said that, because if you haven’t already noticed, we have a nation sinking in the highest rate of debt in our nation’s history, plus huge poverty and unemployment rates to deal with.
Let’s discuss and get these issues under control. Otherwise we will all be looking at a nation in very serious problems, if we aren’t there already.
I am passionate about Fiji, and I truly believe it is our people who are our greatest assets. We are kind, gentle, forgiving and generous as a nation, but if we continue to poison each other with dirty politics which is bringing out the worst in our society, this beautiful trait we have as being a friendly nation will evaporate and what will we have left?
Am I disappointed with what is going on? Yes, I am and I have every reason to be, just like so many of us I have children growing up in a society which is starting to display everything that is negative about our nation.
It all begins with leaders, whether it be leaders of large and small business organisations, NGOs, government leaders and most importantly leaders in our home environment. We all have a crucial role to play in instilling respect for one another.
It appears to me that this upcoming election is going to be a very ugly battle fought on fake social media profiles, dubious media reporting, discrediting, undermining and disrespecting individuals and organisations.
It looks like it will be one where the past is to be dragged up, when the vast majority of the people just want to know about the present, plus look to the future. This is the ugly face of politics, but it doesn’t have to be this way.
The alternatives are to have a neutral town hall style of meeting between our two leaders, where they can conduct themselves as gentlemen and discuss topics without getting personal.
They can talk on the economy, the environment, law and order, health, education, infrastructure and the underprivileged and poor in our society.
Who wouldn’t want to watch Mr Rabuka and Mr Bainimarama discuss these vital issues in a robust and energetic debate, that could shape our nation’s future?
I am positive Mr Rabuka would welcome this style of debate and I am fairly confident Mr Bainimarama would also agree to this, so what is the problem? ~ AJAY BHAI AMRIT
This style of debate is a common occurrence across many countries where the most popular leaders in the nation debate and also discuss topics of national interest and leave it up to the public to make the decision on what policies are best for the people going forward.
This is true democracy in motion and a fair and level playing field for all.
This needs to be done for our future generations and not for ourselves and it will show our youth that leaders can set an example for all of us, showing they have compassion in their hearts and the leadership skills needed to inspire future generations to live in a respectful and loving society.
Let’s stop taking away attention from what really matters to 99 per cent of the people today and that is controlling our enormous government debt levels, fixing up our roads, repairing our crumbling infrastructure, having constant electricity in our homes, having constant water in our taps, having health care that is acceptable for the public, reducing the high unemployment rates, reducing the huge poverty levels in our nation and the list goes on.
Let’s have more talk on what really matters and less talk on issues of the past.
Finally, I have written this article with respect for all, and I am willing, just like so many others, to give the time, effort and dedication needed to work together to build our beloved nation into a place we can all be proud of and call home.
This mudslinging and derogatory style of politics is now beginning to set a very dangerous precedent ...
AJAY BHAI AMRIT is a founding member of The People’s Alliance party and is also a freelance writer. The views expressed in this article are his and does not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper.