IN FIJI, on 31 August 1998, Tavakubu villagers erected roadblocks that cut off access to Tavakubu cemetery.
The landowners demanded to meet with the Minister for Lands as police struggled to calm a volatile
situation.
Immediately afterwards, the Attorney-General, Ratu Etuate Tavai, criticized the police for failing in
its duty to deal with those who carry out unlawful acts. In response, the Commissioner of Police,
Isikia Savua, shrugged off criticisms and stated that it was the failure of ministries in amicably
resolving complex land disputes.
The war of words between ministers and the Police Commissioner brought to surface speculation
that Government was displeased with the police force and in particular with the attitude shown by the
Commissioner, who reiterated that there were more than 100 cases of land disputes that are being
closely monitored by the police and that these disputes had the potential to flare up - not to mention
reports that two members of the Monasavu Landowners Association, Ratu Vasutoga and Maika
Drodrolagi, are charged with instigating rebellion against the Rabuka Government.
As if this want not enough, on September 7, mataqali members from Korotulotulo closed down
Korotulotulo Primary School, arguing that they had been misled, because the lease for the land on
which the school was located had expired in 1996.
The Fiji Times editorial requested landowners to be compassionate and not to deprive school
children of education.
While landowners continued to resort to illegal means to resolve land disputes, the Government came
under fire from regional journalists and academics for "reviewing" the work permit of University of the South Pacific journalism academics David Robie and Ingrid Leary.
The actions of the government against the two lecturers have raised concern over the regimes
commitment to fundamental freedoms, which are firmly entrenched in the 1997 Constitution Act.
In 1996 and again last year, there has been numerous attacks on media, including suggestions that
foreign owned and expatriate-run media remain insensitive to local culture.
The most notable
example is The Fiji Times, which has been found by both a Parliamentary and a Senate Committees
to be in contempt, following reports on the Joint Parliamentary Select Committee deliberations on
Constitution and on Senate proceedings.
Not only journalists, but members of the Fiji Labour Party know too well about the use of
parliamentary committees to sanction political speech. In 1997, Labour Party MP Anand Babla
found himself battling to stay in Parliament, following criticism of the Government and the Speaker of
the House. The Leader of the Fiji Labour Party, Mahendra Chaudhry, also found himself caught in a
politically charged court battle over imputations of corruption in the judiciary. Interestingly,
Chaudhry is once again facing the Parliamentary Committee over allegations of conspiracy during a
debate on the Sugar Cane Growers Fund Act in Parliament.
All this points towards a system that discourages political expression, particularly that which is
overtly critical of the Government.
Not only the Government, but Indo-Fijian political parties, too, practice a rather crude form of
communal sanction against its critics. No wonder, opposition parties remain unusually silent on the
issue of political speech.
Nevertheless, the month of September also saw internal bickering among members of the Fijian
Association Party (FAP), with Dr Fereti Dewa expressing his dissatisfaction to Adi Kuini's election
as the party leader. Another prominent FAP MP and Minister for Fijian Affairs Ratu Finau Mara has
also criticized the new leadership. All this came at a time when the Fijian Association Party is
considering the fate of those members who are in the SVT government.
Viliame Cavubati and Ratu Finau Mara are two members who continue to remain in Rabuka cabinet,
despite concerns from the new FAP leadership.
On 7 September, Viliame Saulekaleka became the
new FAP Parliamentary Leader, as the FAP continues to break all ties with the Government.
All this
may be for the benefit of the FAP, with the latest poll, released on 14 September, suggesting that Adi
Kuini Speed is running neck and neck with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka as one of the most popular
leaders in Fiji.
Apart from the popularity contest, the Auditor-General, Michael Jacobs, found himself on a collision
course with the Fiji Military Forces. The problem started following unsuccessful attempts by the
Auditor to access the Fiji Military Forces Regimental Fund.
The army refused to cooperate as the
Auditor turned to the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for assistance. On 15 September,
the Auditor-General stated that the autonomy of his office was no longer guaranteed. Immediately
afterwards, the government came up with a half-baked plan to complement the powers of the AG via
legislation. It is interesting to note that the government of the day remains very cautious when
dealing with the Fiji Military Forces.
Complaints of misuse of office are still not taken seriously, despite past experiences with the
National Bank of Fiji, Housing Authority, and the Customs Department. Worse, perhaps, is the snail
pace of investigations and legal proceeding against those accused of abuse. Already investigations
into allegations of abuse against FMF Commander Epeli Ganilau have been completed and
forwarded to the relevant authorities.
With respect to the ongoing drought, there was good news as the Fiji Weather Office predicted an
improvement, following some relief on 24 September. More than 10 months of drought have caused
numerous hardship.
During a recent Fiji Principal's Association Conference, it was noted that students have been hit
hard as calls are being made to give students fee-relief. The United States has provided some $1.6
million in food aid and this is being distributed through the Fiji Red Cross and District Offices.
Finally, local effort towards cushioning the effects of this prolonged drought must also be
acknowledged. Radio stations throughout Fiji helped to raise funds as well as concerned citizens of
both Australia and New Zealand.
Dr Sanjay Ramesh is a Fiji Islander former political analyst and now a computer analyst based in Sydney.
