Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu has urged Fijians to respect the full range of voices taking part in the nationwide review of the 2013 Constitution, singling out the recent participation of the Great Council of Chiefs as an example of submissions that must be heard. Speaking in Parliament during a recent sitting, Seruiratu called for restraint amid growing public commentary on the material being lodged with the review process.
“Let me just say that with the process that is already in place, we need to respect the participation, the willingness, and of course the right to be heard for those who are making submissions,” he told MPs. Seruiratu acknowledged that many people have already begun reacting to submissions, but he urged the public to allow the formal consultation process to continue without pre-empting outcomes. “The Great Council of Chiefs have a right to make submission. They have a right to be heard, but then there are a lot of comments already being made. Let the process take its course,” he said.
Seruiratu also expressed confidence in the mechanisms established to manage the constitution review, saying he had “faith and confidence in the process that was in place.” While he would not speculate on what the final outcome might be, he stressed the importance of reflecting on the historical causes of constitutional change when assessing submissions. Among the factors he listed were ethno-political and socio-economic drivers, governance issues, socio-psychological and socio-cultural shifts, the role of the military, and “other sources of power, particularly the role of the media and that of the church as well.”
The Opposition leader’s intervention comes as the government-led public consultation continues across the country, drawing a range of groups and institutions into debate over potential amendments to the 2013 Constitution. Seruiratu’s call for civility and process-based consideration highlights growing public attention to high-profile contributors like the Great Council of Chiefs, whose involvement has prompted spirited discussion beyond formal hearings.
Seruiratu also appealed directly to the media, saying he hoped journalists and outlets would exercise responsibility in their coverage because “there are already so many comments being made.” His remarks follow a broader chorus of political leaders urging unity and clearer communication: Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, in recent parliamentary remarks, emphasised the need for the Coalition Government to improve public engagement and to foster national unity despite differing views.
As the consultation phase proceeds, Seruiratu’s message frames the debate as one that should be guided by structured hearings and considered reflection rather than immediate public reaction. With submissions now coming from diverse sectors, including traditional leadership bodies, the outcome of the review remains open—and Seruiratu’s appeal underscores the stakes of maintaining an orderly process that can accommodate competing perspectives.