The president of the People’s Alliance New Zealand (PANZ), Sai Lelea, has urged the party to enhance its political management during a general assembly held in Lautoka last Friday. He highlighted the necessity for transparency and accountability to be central to their governance approach.
Lelea pointed out a rising concern that the party’s leadership often appears to be in a reactive state, dealing with crises instead of proactively guiding the direction of the party. This, he noted, detracts from Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and other ministers’ ability to set a clear vision for the future. He emphasized the importance of establishing systems to minimize these distractions, thereby allowing leaders the space required for effective leadership.
Additionally, Lelea called for improved communication from government ministers, advocating for key policies and programs to be made clear and accessible to all Fijians, regardless of their location. He stated, “We must ensure that every Fijian, no matter where they live, has access to clear information about what their Government is doing.”
Lelea also stressed the need for employing political experts as advisors to ministers, aiming to provide much-needed expertise and support to help them stay focused on their commitments to the public.
He suggested regular engagement with overseas voters as another means of enhancing governance, proposing the use of radio programs and Zoom sessions to keep them informed and foster direct communication between these citizens and Fiji.
He described a vision for Fiji where every citizen, both at home and abroad, feels heard, respected, and connected. Lelea urged the party to lead with purpose rather than merely reacting to challenges, pointing out the importance of actively integrating the perspectives of overseas voters into the party’s activities and decisions.
Emphasizing the strong connections that Fijians living abroad have with their homeland, he asserted that their insights and concerns should not be overlooked or only acknowledged during election cycles. Instead, officials should make regular visits to engage with these communities and listen to their voices year-round.
Finally, Lelea indicated that advancements in technology should eliminate geographical barriers, enabling the party to involve overseas voters in key discussions and legislative changes through digital platforms. Such ongoing dialogue, he argued, could significantly strengthen democracy and ensure that the government remains aligned with the views of its diaspora.