Former FijiFirst member Ketan Lal has announced his commitment to continuing his service to 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 explained that following the de-registration of FijiFirst, Opposition MPs had to decide whether to 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.”
He emphasized that while politics is often seen as a ruthless game driven by numbers and betrayals, he believes true strength lies in the values instilled by parents, such as integrity, resilience, and unwavering commitment.
Lal also mentioned that he had the privilege of learning 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,” he concluded.