Opposition MP Parveen Bala has used a parliamentary address this week to urge Fijians to “demand more” from their political leaders, warning that continued partisan division risks exacerbating the country’s social and economic problems and leaving Fiji exposed to future shocks.
Speaking in Parliament, Bala said the failure of political parties to cooperate would have “serious consequences for Fiji’s future,” listing a string of potential outcomes if divisions persist: rising crime, worsening drug abuse, an escalating HIV crisis and growing economic instability. “The cost of failing to unite is high,” he said, adding that warning signs were already visible in struggling communities and declining social indicators.
Bala also warned that a lack of unity would leave the nation vulnerable when the next global crisis occurs. “If the next global shock hits – and it will hit – we will face it divided, weakened and unprepared,” he told lawmakers, arguing that short-term political manoeuvring must not take precedence over national resilience. He framed his appeal as being about the future Fijians want for their children, urging leaders across the political divide to act in the national interest.
Directing his remarks to Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, Bala urged the head of government to consider concrete proposals for greater cooperation between the government and opposition. “You have the power to initiate this change. You have the opportunity to be remembered as the leader who put the nation before party,” Bala said, offering the opposition’s willingness to engage constructively on national issues.
Bala concluded by calling on citizens to hold elected representatives to account not only for campaign promises but also for their readiness to collaborate. “Tell your representatives that you are tired of divisions. Tell them that you want leaders who can sit at the same table and solve problems and not just score points,” he urged, framing public pressure as essential to forcing cross-party engagement.
The MP’s appeal comes against a backdrop of heightened public scrutiny of governance and accountability. Over the past year, Fiji has seen high-profile ministerial changes and legal disputes involving public institutions—developments that have kept questions about leadership and institutional resilience in the public eye. Bala’s intervention is the latest appeal from the opposition for a less adversarial parliamentary culture and for political leaders to prioritise collective action on social and economic challenges.
It is not yet clear whether Prime Minister Rabuka or the government will respond to Bala’s proposals for formal cooperation with the opposition. For now, Bala’s speech signals an attempt to shift public debate from partisan point-scoring to a concerted call for accountability and united leadership as Fiji confronts ongoing domestic pressures and regional uncertainties.
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