Former FijiFirst member Ketan Lal has expressed his dedication to continue serving the Fijian people as an Independent Member of Parliament. This decision comes after the de-registration of the FijiFirst Party by Registrar of Political Parties Ana Mataiciwa earlier this week.
“It is imperative that we remain steadfast in our work, upholding the principles and ethics that we have always stood for,” Lal stated.
“As your Independent MP, our duty will be to be the voice of the people as we have been since the 2022 General Elections. Fijians are most welcome to call and share their thoughts and also discuss their issues with us,” he added.
Lal highlighted that following the de-registration of FijiFirst, Opposition MPs were faced with a critical decision: either join another political party or remain as independent MPs.
“In the spirit of transparency and honesty, I want to share that I had the opportunity to speak to my parents, former FijiFirst executives and supporters, my family, friends, and many others from different walks of life regarding this significant decision,” said Lal.
“Politics is often seen as a ruthless game, one where numbers and betrayals can dominate. However, I believe that our true strength lies in the values instilled in us by our parents—values of integrity, resilience, and unwavering commitment.”
He also mentioned learning key principles from Former Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama and former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
“They taught me principles, ethics, and loyalty—qualities that define us as leaders,” Lal concluded.