National Federation Party Leader, Professor Biman Prasad says they have always condemned the use of the word visitors to describe non indigenous Fijians in the past and will continue to condemn that whether it is from People’s Alliance or any other party.
While responding to Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum’s comments that NFP has remained silent on the statement released by Liliana Warid of People’s Alliance, Prasad says it is none of Sayed-Khaiyum’s business to talk about how the NFP responds to these kind of issues and concerns because they have fought for equal citizenry in Fiji for the last 60 years.
Prasad says it is a pathetic attempt by Sayed-Khaiyum to put the NFP in bad light.
He also confirms he had a discussion with People’s Alliance Leader, Sitiveni Rabuka on the issue.
Prasad says NFP is committed to a multi-racial, dynamic Fiji in its partnership with the People’s Alliance and under their Government, people will be free to express their views, even those with which the Government disagrees.
Prasad has also raised concerns on Sayed-Khaiyum calling People’s Alliance “Paapi”.
Part of Warid’s post on World Indigenous Day had said that the i-Taukei are being left behind is a statement one does not see every day. She said certainly not from an indigenous Fijian living in country, lest he or she is publicly shamed and branded a racist but the reality paints a factual picture. She had said that hypothetically, imagine visitors who have travelled some distance, and you welcome them into your home. She said they are not going back anytime soon, they are hard workers, you learn a lot from each other, share food, and become friends however, there are still distinctive differences between you and your friends such as physical makeup, religious beliefs, culture, and traditions.
She had gone on to say that over time, you find that by no fault of theirs, life has become extremely hard for you, but your friends appear to be thriving while you continue to struggle.
Warid said this is a picture of where we are today in Fiji as we are made to believe that we are living in a country that creates opportunities for everyone to thrive, but the reality reveals a different story.
The People’s Alliance has put up an official post of it’s Leader, Sitiveni Rabuka on it’s facebook page that they stand for the rights and progress for all Fijians.
Rabuka says they stand for all, and the party is bound by its Constitution to seek a united and prosperous nation.
He says it is time now for Fijians to reach across the barriers that have separated them; to join hands and make a new, complete and happy Fiji.
Rabuka says this is their mission and purpose.
