I trust their judgement. Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama made the comment in Parliament yesterday during his response to the 2017-2018 Budget.

He reaffirmed that in the next general election; he trusts the Fijian people to make the right decision. “I’ve said it before and I say it again.

Unlike my political opponents, I have a fundamental respect for the intelligence and common sense of the Fijian people. I don’t lie to them.

I don’t spread false rumours or prey on their fears,” Mr Bainimarama said. “I don’t seek to divide and rule. I trust their judgement. And I know that when it comes to choosing who is best to govern them next year, they will exercise that judgement and make the right choice.

“When they read the details of this Budget or have it explained to them honestly, they can form their own opinion. But the one thing I respectfully ask them to ask themselves: Am I better off now than I was 10 years ago? Do I have more opportunity now than I had 10 years ago?

“Do my children have more opportunity now than 10 years ago? Is Fiji in a better position than 10 years ago? Are we all being treated equally and with dignity?

And I believe the resounding answer to that is a big “Yes”. “We are not fixated on short-term political gain like those opposite, except those on the opposite right corner.

We have a plan to place Fiji in the best possible position to achieve greatness. And we have been doing that. Edited by Karalaini Waqanidrola