Opposition MP Semi Koroilavesau has demanded full transparency from the Coalition Government over its Constitutional Review, insisting the public must be told what changes are proposed and why, and warning that any amendments perceived to benefit a few or create legal loopholes will be rejected. Speaking in his right of reply in Parliament, Koroilavesau urged the government to open the process beyond Suva and ensure rural and maritime communities — long affected by land and resource decisions — are properly consulted.
Koroilavesau accused some leaders of clinging to a “Colonial mindset”, saying Fiji has been independent for more than 52 years but still behaves as if permission is needed to progress. He argued that a genuinely national conversation about constitutional change requires outreach to villages and island communities where customary structures and land ownership remain central to daily life and livelihoods.
A focal point of Koroilavesau’s concerns is economic inequality tied to iTaukei land ownership. He said indigenous landowners remain “resource-rich but cash-poor,” with multinational companies often the primary beneficiaries of resource extraction and commercial leases. To address this imbalance, the opposition MP called for communal corporatisation — the establishment of mataqali, yavusa and tikina trusts (clan, tribal and district-level corporate entities) — as a mechanism to protect culture while generating income and jobs for landowning communities.
Koroilavesau also raised a modern set of risks to Fiji’s democratic processes, warning about the disruptive potential of artificial intelligence and digital misinformation. He cautioned that unregulated AI and online disinformation campaigns could manipulate elections, spread fear and undermine public trust in institutions, adding that ethical leadership and robust information safeguards must form part of any constitutional or legal reform.
The speech drew an immediate response from Acting Attorney-General Siromi Turaga, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a transparent and lawful constitutional review. Turaga said the process would be guided by democratic principles, the rule of law and “meaningful public participation,” reiterating that the review is intended to be inclusive and accountable to the Fijian people.
This exchange marks the latest public tussle over the direction and openness of constitutional change, following months of debate in political and civic circles about who should shape Fiji’s legal future and how. Opposition demands for broad consultations and protections for customary rights echo concerns previously raised by provincial leaders and indigenous organisations about preserving iTaukei interests amid proposed legislative changes.
Koroilavesau’s call for communal corporatisation and his warnings about AI frames the constitutional review as not just a legal exercise but one with deep social and economic consequences. With the government insisting on adherence to democratic norms and public participation, the next phase will test how effectively consultations can reach remote communities and whether proposed reforms will reflect the balance between customary rights, economic development and modern governance challenges.
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