Party for ‘all Fijians’
THE People’s Alliance supports the rights and progress of all Fijians, party leader Sitiveni Rabuka said in a public apology yesterday to members of the public who might have been offended or insulted by an opinion piece that was shared on the party’s official Facebook page.
The article in question was posted on August 9 to mark United Nations International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2022.
Mr Rabuka said the party recognised the right of every Fijian citizen and national to call Fiji home —which was expressly stated in the introductory section of the memorandum of understanding he signed with the National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad on April 8 this year. He said neither the party nor the author of the opinion piece had any intention to offend, insult or incite hatred against any person or group of persons on the basis of their race or ethnicity.
Mr Rabuka said the party acknowledged the varying views on the word ‘visitor’ and ‘vulagi’ and that they provided different meanings in relation to the various circumstances and contexts in which they were used.
“The party is bound by its constitution to seek a united and prosperous nation,” Mr Rabuka said.
“It is time now for Fijians to reach across the barriers that have separated them, to join hands and make a new, complete and happy Fiji. This is our mission and purpose.”
He said The People’s Alliance welcomed the educational value of healthy and constructive debate on issues of public interest.
However, the party, considering the criticisms and concerns provoked by the opinion piece and that its purpose was not to harm anyone, had removed it from its Facebook page, he said.