PM Rabuka rejects Chaudhry's claims

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has rejected claims by Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry that the Supreme Court’s opinion on constitutional amendments makes the Indo-Fijian community more vulnerable.

Mr Rabuka said a referendum would ensure every community had an equal say, dismissing suggestions of exclusion.

“In a referendum, every community is part of the decision. Indo-Fijians, like all other minority groups, vote as equal citizens. Any government wanting to change the Constitution would have to win support from the whole nation. Discriminatory ideas would never survive such a test,” the Prime Minister said in a statement.

He also criticised Mr Chaudhry’s stance that constitutional reform should only be decided through political negotiations.

“That usually means a few leaders making deals in closed rooms, giving a small group veto power over the entire country. A referendum is the opposite of backroom politics — it is open, transparent, and gives the final say to the people themselves,” Mr Rabuka said.

The Prime Minister said Fiji may be heading towards its first-ever referendum, calling it a historic step that strengthens democracy for all communities.

“Mr Chaudhry should move past the old style of politics. As your Prime Minister, I give my assurance to all Fijians that this process belongs to you,” he said.

Background

Mr Chaudhry earlier warned that the Supreme Court’s ruling on the 2013 Constitution could erode minority rights.

While the court upheld the Constitution’s validity, it ruled that amendments could now be made with a two-thirds majority in Parliament and a simple majority in a national referendum, a lower threshold than the previous 75 per cent double super majority.

He said this shift could expose the Indo-Fijian community, given Fiji’s history of race-based coups, and criticised the Coalition Government for not clearly outlining which amendments it intends to pursue.

“The Coalition Government’s unwillingness to spell out the constitutional changes it is contemplating has made people more apprehensive,” Mr Chaudhry said.