Deputy Prime Minister Professor Biman Prasad expressed confidence in the public’s ability to assess the government’s performance during a recent interview on The Lens @177. When questioned about his party’s strategy to attract former FijiFirst voters, Prof Prasad pointed out that past voting behaviors were sometimes influenced by propaganda.
He asserted that the pre-2022 election atmosphere in Fiji was marked by significant propaganda, fear, and intimidation. Prof Prasad specifically mentioned that Indo-Fijian voters were misled by elements within the FijiFirst campaign, being told that their social welfare, land rights, and scholarships would be jeopardized under a new government.
However, Prof Prasad emphasized that these fears were unfounded. He highlighted improvements made since the Coalition took power, noting enhancements in scholarship schemes, increased social welfare, and the continuation of free education pathways for school students. Additionally, he cited the introduction of two tranches of $200 each at the beginning of the school year, an increase in sugar prices by over $100, and a rise in the minimum wage to $5 from April 1 as key achievements.
Feedback from the public, according to Prof Prasad, indicates widespread satisfaction with the current government. While he acknowledged that a minority might hold differing opinions, he stressed that the general populace is wise enough to evaluate the government’s actions independently. He also stated that the government focuses on effective governance rather than engaging in popularity contests.
Addressing ongoing challenges, Prof Prasad highlighted healthcare, infrastructure, and roads as areas needing prompt improvement. Despite these concerns, he claimed that support for the government has significantly increased over the past 18 months.