The chairman of the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC), Ratu Viliame Seruvakula, advocates for the military to revert to its traditional role that existed before November 2006. In an interview with The Fiji Times, Ratu Viliame highlighted that this change aligns with one of the essential provisions of the 2013 Constitution.
He noted that the military’s responsibilities were explicitly defined in the 1970 Constitution, and the politicization of the military adversely impacts the morale of its personnel. Ratu Viliame expressed concerns that the current wording of the 2013 Constitution was designed to serve the interests of specific individuals.
According to Section 131 of the 2013 Constitution, the overarching duty of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces is to safeguard the security, defense, and welfare of Fiji and its citizens.
Moreover, Ratu Viliame pointed out that other sections of the Constitution, particularly those that limit resource utilization, require reassessment. He recalled a recent forum with resource owners who inquired about reforms to existing laws, stressing the urgency for change. He cited the Mining Act as an example, noting that the Minister of Lands indicated they could not amend it until the Constitution was revised.
Furthermore, Ratu Viliame mentioned a public lecture by Australian constitutional law expert, Professor Anthony Regan, who criticized the language of the 2013 Constitution as poorly crafted, leading to confusion among the populace. He emphasized that such uncertainty during this crucial stage of Fiji’s history is detrimental and can lead to negative consequences.
Ratu Viliame called for prompt action to refine policies and advance resource development to catch up with global progress.