Former FijiFirst member Ketan Lal has declared his commitment to continuing his service to the Fijian people as an Independent Member of Parliament. This comes after the FijiFirst Party was de-registered 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,” said Lal. “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.”
Lal highlighted that following the de-registration of FijiFirst, Opposition MPs had to decide whether to join another political party or remain independent. Reflecting on this significant decision, he said, “In the spirit of transparency and honesty, I spoke to my parents, former FijiFirst executives and supporters, my family, friends, and many others from different walks of life.”
He acknowledged the often ruthless nature of politics, where numbers and betrayals can dominate. However, he believes that true strength lies in the values instilled by parents—values of integrity, resilience, and unwavering commitment.
Lal also expressed his gratitude for the guidance he received 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 added.