The People’s Alliance party (PAP) vice president, Ratu Jo Dimuri, has emphasized that the fight to amend the 2013 Constitution remains crucial, despite a recent setback in Parliament where a proposed amendment was rejected due to last-minute changes in support. He expressed sadness over the failure, noting that the Coalition Government had the necessary votes but lost the backing of one opposition member right before the voting process, preventing the amendment from succeeding.
Ratu Jo highlighted that the proposed amendments were a significant focus of the coalition’s manifesto for their first term in office. There are specific provisions he believes are essential for amendment, particularly those related to the rights of indigenous communities, which he feels have been diminished from what was provided in the 1997 Constitution.
He acknowledged that more clarity on the desired changes might have helped secure the votes necessary for passage. However, Ratu Jo remains optimistic about the future, indicating that legal experts within the party are exploring other avenues to pursue the amendments, including potentially taking the matter to the Supreme Court.
This ongoing desire for constitutional reform echoes sentiments shared by other leaders in the government, including Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica. Both have expressed the necessity of reforming the 2013 Constitution, arguing that it does not adequately reflect the will of the Fijian people and calling for a more participatory process in governance.
While the recent defeat is a setback, it has also prompted calls for continued dialogue among political factions in Fiji, which can pave the way for a more inclusive constitutional process that engages citizens and reflects the diverse aspirations of the populace. This determination from political leaders to pursue constitutional reform offers a hopeful perspective for the future of governance in Fiji.
In conclusion, the commitment to revisiting and potentially amending the constitution signifies an ongoing engagement with the democratic process, encouraging unity and representation among all Fijians. The political landscape illustrates that, while challenges remain, there is a collective will to foster reforms that resonate with the needs and rights of the community.
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