Repúblika | April 2014

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#FIJIV TES

Volume 2 | No 6 | Issue 11

YOUR TIME HAS COME COUNTING THE COST DENGUE

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WOMEN DOMINATE POLITICAL LEADERSHIP

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TRIBUTE TO QORINIASI BALE

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Conditions Apply

Tired of cooking the same dish? Try our new Quick & Easy Crest Chicken Recipes Crest Chicken Herb Roast WHAT YOU NEED • 1 Whole Bird Crest Chicken • 1 Clove Garlic • 1 Onion • 80-100g Butter • 2-3 Eggplants • 2-3 Carrots • Half a Pumpkin • 3-4 Potatoes • 3-4 Kumalas • Handful of Fresh Basil • Bunch of Spring Onions WHAT YOU DO Preheat oven 180˚c. Place chicken in a baking tray and pat dry with a paper towel. Slide your finger under the skin of the chicken breast to loosen it up and slide in slices of butter. Season with salt & pepper and a generous helping of olive oil and massage in to the chicken. Slice up 1 clove of garlic roughly and stuff some into the cavity of the chicken with the rest on the chicken and baking tray. Slice up an onion and add it to the baking tray. Now cut up eggplant, carrots, potatoes and kumala into big pieces and spread around the chicken. Chop up spring onion roughly and sprinkle all over the chicken. Season the vegetables with salt and pepper. Finish off vegetables with a generous amount of olive oil place in oven and roast for 45mins – one hour or until cooked.

Crest Chicken Satay Drumsticks

WHAT YOU NEED • 6-8 Crest Drumsticks • 2 tsp Soy Sauce • 2 tblsp Peanut Butter • 2 tsp Turmeric • 2 tsp Cumin • 2 cloves of Garlic • 1 small piece of Ginger - grated • 1 can Coconut Milk • Cooking Oil WHAT YOU DO Preheat oven to 180˚c. Season Crest chicken drumsticks with salt & pepper and brown quickly in a frying pan. While in the pan add sliced onions and sprinkle a tsp of cumin. Once the chicken is browned, place in a baking dish. Combine ginger, garlic, peanut butter, turmeric, soy sauce and coconut milk in a bowl and mix to a smooth consistency. Pour the sauce over the drumsticks and bake in the oven for 45mins or until cooked. Serve Crest Chicken Satay Drumsticks with salad.

Crest Chicken Mango & Lemon Roast WHAT YOU NEED • 1 Whole Bird Crest Chicken • 3-4 Mangoes • 1 Lemon • 4–6 Spring Onions • Salt & Pepper • 80 -100g Butter • Olive Oil • Balsamic Vinegar WHAT YOU DO Preheat oven 180˚c. Place chicken in a baking pan or dish and pat dry with a paper towel. Slide your finger under the skin of the chicken breast to loosen it up and slide in slices of butter. Season with salt & pepper and a generous helping of olive oil and massage into the chicken. Then rip up the spring onion and slice up mangoes and add to the chicken dish. Cut lemon into quarters and stuff into the chicken’s cavity. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and place in preheated oven for 45mins.

Crest Chicken Southern Fried Thighs

WHAT YOU NEED • Crest Chicken Thighs • 1 Litre of Milk • Mixed Dry Herbs • Bread Crumbs • Paprika • Cooking Oil WHAT YOU DO Marinate Crest Chicken thighs in milk and refrigerate overnight or no less than 3 hours. In a bowl add dry herbs and paprika into breadcrumbs and mix. Coat the marinated chicken generously with the breadcrumb mix. Heat oil in pan or use a deep fryer and add crumbed chicken thighs into the hot oil until the chicken is golden brown or cooked. Serve Crest Chicken Southern Fried Thighs with coleslaw.

April 2014

ONlY THE BEsT fROm CREsT - fiji’s TRUsTED CHiCkEN republikamagazine.com | Repúblika |

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contents republikamagazine.com

/republikamag

@RepublikaMag

/republikamag Vol 2 | No 6 | Issue 11 | April 2014

COVER

16 | Date with destiny Perhaps the most eagerly awaited decree in recent months has YOUR TIME been the one that HAS COME would spell out how Fiji’s first general election in nearly eight years would be conducted. Now, five months out from that defining moment, we know what the new rules of the game will be and we have a date – Wednesday, 17 September, which will be a paid public holiday. The 2014 general election will feature many historic firsts in our transition out of military rule: the first time to vote under the one-person, one-vote principle, the first time 18-year-olds will be franchised, the first time under Laying down the law Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum explains the a proportional representation system... provisions of the Electoral Decree on its release on 28 March. republikamagazine.com

April 2014 | $4.95VIP $3.50GST

#FIJIV TES

HAS THE DENGUE EPIDEMIC PEAKED?

WOMEN DOMINATE | POLITICAL LEADERSHIP |

TRIBUTE TO QORINIASI BALE

HEALTH

POLITICS

GREGORY RAVOI

Volume 2 | No 6 | Issue 11

COVER MONTAGE GREGORY RAVOI

aud/nzd

SALON

RICARDO MORRIS

25 | Women in politics For the first time in Fiji, more women are in key political party positions

35 | Turning a new leaf Solomone Rabulu profiles an ex-convict who got his life back on track despite the odds

28 | An epidemic of dengue Ricardo Morris on the outbreak of dengue and its cost

REGULARS

OPINION

8 | Briefing MIDA cites Fiji TV on hate speech

13 | The Rising Ape Alex Elbourne on why people distrust police

12 | Pasifika Post Honiara devastated by flash flooding

15 | The Green Line Nakita Bingham on the politics of being green

42 | The Last Word Kalafi Moala on land alienation in Tonga

38 | Coconut Cognition Gregory Ravoi on childhood changes

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| Repúblika | republikamagazine.com

OBITUARY 27 | Qoriniasi Bale Ratu Joni Madrawiwi on the first indigenous attorney-general

April 2014

editor’snote ricardo@republikamagazine.com

@RicardoMorris

Our time has come ... pating in an historic event which should be carried out faithfully within the rules set by the powers that be.

In this regard, the public pronouncements of the new army commander Brigadier-General Mosese Tikoitoga, reassuring the nation of the armed forces’ apoliticalness and Bainimarama’s statement that whatever the outcome of the election, he will be happy that he has built a better Fiji, must be welcomed.

And indeed the Constitution that Bainimarama himself has given us must be seen to be respected every step of the way, until a democratically elected government can deal with the issues that no doubt need addressing as soon as possible after a new government is in place.

Over the years Bainimarama has been in power, the term “anti-government” and “pro-government” has been thrown about with abandon.

If you disagree with or seem to have a different view of anything our government leaders are doing, you are no doubt “anti-government”. If you like some of the policies of Bainimarama’s government and see merit in them, you must be “pro-government”.

This type of rigid thinking has pervaded almost every area of our lives.

ADMIN/ADVERTISING Rosemary Masitabua rosemary@republikamedia.com

Vol 2 | No 6 | Issue 11 PUBLISHER & EDITOR Ricardo Morris ricardo@republikamedia.com MANAGER ADMIN/FINANCE Prethi Vandana admin@republikamedia.com

DISTRIBUTION Kishore Kumar kishore@republikamedia.com GRAPHIC DESIGN/RAKAVI.COM Gregory Ravoi gregory@republikamedia.com

There is almost no room for a nuanced and reasoned discussion in which we can agree with some things but disagree with others. You are either with us or against us, the thinking seems to be.

Indeed, Repúblika and many of the people who contribute to it have been labelled “anti-government” and “too political” in the short time we’ve been in existence. It is quite easy to slap the label on but not as easy to undo.

The consequences of being branded “anti-government” have not been easy to deal with commercially, and indeed many business people are so terrified of that tag that they steer clear of anybody deemed anti-government or anything remotely associated with them.

But rather than “anti-government”, we see ourselves as “anti-hypocrites” and pro-Fiji, standing on basic principles that we hold dear. What we are fond of calling out is the hypocrisy that surrounds us at every turn.

In the months ahead, with the political atmosphere reaching fever pitch, Repúblika will strive to uphold the ideals we were founded on of telling it like we see it, being unafraid of listening to and publishing opposing ideas and in all that we do exercising fairness, balance and giving credit where it is due. R

CONTRIBUTORS Fiji Alex Elbourne Joni Madraiwiwi Nakita Bingham Solomone Rabulu

Pacific Kalafi Moala

We welcome your comments, contributions, corrections, letters or suggestions. Send them to ricardo@republikamagazine.com or leave a comment on our social media pages.

The opinions expressed in Repúblika are the authors’ own and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. The editor takes responsibility for all nonattributed editorial content.

Published by Republika Media Limited | 8 Mitchell Street, Peace Embassy Suite A107, Suva | PO Box 11927, Suva, Fiji | Phone: +679 3561467 Mobile: +679 9041215 | Email: info@republikamagazine.com | Printed by Quality Print Limited, Suva | ISSN: 2227-5738

April 2014

republikamagazine.com | Repúblika |

In veritate libertas

W

e are now five months out from a general election that has been touted as the first truly democratic one in all of Fiji’s history.

That is a bold claim to make but it has been the mantra of the Bainimarama-led government from the moment it seized power in 2006.

It is now time to hold them to that promise.

By the time the country goes to the polls on 17 September, it will be just short of eight years of Bainimarama and his Attorney-General, Aiyaz SayedKhaiyum’s leadership.

To be sure, there have been many advancements and changes at all levels of our society in that time. Many of them have been positive and have modernised this country.

But many of these advancements have also come at a cost - whether it has been the limitation of certain freedoms, the dismantling of institutions or the victimisation of some.

Whether any or all of the Bainimarama government’s decisions were right, history will judge - and perhaps the voters casting their ballots on election day.

Whatever the personal views of voters, on 17 September they will be partici-

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inbox Your letters, feedback and viewpoints

Ro Teimumu leads sodelpa I will vote for Ro Teimumu Kepa because i want her to become the first ever female Prime Minister of Fiji.

Come on guys, it’s time for change now in Fiji.

Navunisaravi Eroni Daunibau via republikamagazine.com I’m with you sodelpa. Let God do his work. All we do is pray, believe and wait for his miracle. He will never ever forget his people.

Lavenia Lord via republikamagazine.com Let God be glorified in all. I’m deeply touched by the speech. It is time for restoration and stopping coup culture and dictatorship.

Marilyn Ritova via republikamagazine.com What an empowering speech by her excellency Marama na Rokotui Dreketi.

Awesome from the depth of any reader.

Vakanuinui vinaka ka me kalougata na noda vanua o Viti.

Sakiusa Niumataiwalu via republikamagazine.com The speech really sounds like an old broken record. This is the time for all these lovely speeches but most of us are immune to them all.

All those people in previous governments, what have they done for the country and the people? They come around delivering good speeches during election and you’ll never see them again until the next election.

The Bainimarama government has done some mistakes but, which government doesn’t?

I would like to praise the Bainimarama government for not delivering good speeches as such but delivering the goods for the grass-root people that needed them.

He runs a military government in a military way, but some people criticise him.

Let me reminds us that we must open our eyes and ears not allow these bunch people to be breaking the rules of the game, left and right, up and down, under the veil of democracy.

Let us admit, the Bose Levu Vakaturuga is a waste of time and 6

| Repúblika | republikamagazine.com

inbox@republikamagazine.com

money which can be put to some better use. There is no wisdom in it.

Poate R. Bula via republikamagazine.com [Comments on Ro Teimumu’s maiden speech as president and leader of the Social Democratic Liberal Party on 7 March. Read her full speech at: http://republikamagazine.com/?p=604] Ratu Joni’s on NFP’s revival Very wise words from Ratu Joni may they be heeded.

Cheryl Saunders via twitter.com/republikamag Ratu Joni on #FijiElections: “A great moment to provide more, meaningful space for #womeninpolitics” clare richards via twitter.com/republikamag [Comments on Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi’s speech at the National Federation Party convention on 29 March. The speech can be read at: http://republikamagazine.com/?p=635] ‘We all know’ Perhaps the most-telling three words in Ms Draunidalo’s wonderful maiden speech is “we all know”.

With today’s marked increase in fundamentalism, and so-called leaders’ insensitivities to the people’s need to articulate their opinion, Fiji must step up, show up and participate in September.

“We all know” what’s going on. Simple!

Vasiti Ritova via republikamagazine.com it’s really time for a change in this government, and am proud that you’re holding that banner high. I will be praying for you and your party. Kalougata tiko Na Vasu.

Te Waqa via republikamagazine.com [Comments on the inaugural speech by Tupou Draunidalo as NFP president.

Read her full speech at: http://republikamagazine.com/?p=648] Lights out at mortuary These kind of nonsense would hardly occur, at least not with such high frequency, if these services were

delivered by private entrepreneurs.

As much as possible, all goods and services which can delivered by the private sector need to be privatised.

Sound economics and hundreds of years of economic history indicate that the constraints and incentives provided by profits and losses are the most effective and efficient regulator of firm behavior, by rewarding innovation (in the minimisation of costs and improvements in quality) and punishing waste and complacency.

The solution to most of our problems in health care and education lies in allowing markets to work for us.

Sgt Novo via facebook.com/republikamag This should be a normal daily maintenance item with the maintenance crew at the local hospital. It shouldn’t be brought up to the management level at all, unless there’s no maintenance crew at the hospital.

Chay Habbib via facebook.com/republikamag [Comments on an article in The Fiji Times on the absence of lights at the Savusavu mortuary.]

Police brutality Wearing the uniform does not give them the right to take the laws into their own hands.

Nancy Alisi Sosefo via facebook.com/republikamag Finally someone’s doing something about these people abusing authority!

Please stick to your word and do something about it if it happens again and name and shame each of these policemen.

Don’t just brush it under the carpet.

Good job Mr Ravi!

Bulou Lainee Soqosoqo via facebook.com/republikamag [Comments on a statement by acting Police Commissioner Ravi Narayan who warned police officers about abusing their powers after Lautoka police allegedly assaulted and threatened a child who was in custody over an alleged theft.]

April 2014

briefing The nation reviewed

news@fijireport.com

GREG’S VIEW

GREGORY RAVOI

Words and phrases to take note of from Media Industry Development Authority chairman Ashwin Raj’s ruling against Fiji TV

TOP 4 ITEMS STOLEN BY THIEVES The Fiji Police Force has revealed

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that the most targetted items in recent burgularies are mobile phones, smart phones and tablets, laptops and digital cameras. The Police Force also urges the public to be cautious when purchasing electronic items and not to buy stolen property. Police believe

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thefts of these items points to a market available to sell such items for a quick buck.

NUMBERS

300

Vacancies exist at the Fiji Elections Office in the lead up to the September polls as of 1 April.

51 15

Out of the 300 single mothers assisted by the social welfare department are teenagers.

The road death toll as of 3 April as compared to 12 for the same period last year.

$44m The amount given by the US government to 12 Pacific Island countries to help mitigate the impact of climate change within the region.

3 April 2014

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5000

The number of cane contracts issued by the Sugar Tribunal to farmers around the country. republikamagazine.com | Repúblika |

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briefing

The nation reviewed

MEDIA

MILESTONES

MIDA perturbed over ‘hate speech’

President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau declared the general election to be held on 17 September.

The announcement was published in the Fiji Government Gazette on 27 March and announced

by Attorney-General Aiyaz SayedKhaiyum the next day.

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Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama launched the first-ever braille edition of the Fiji Constitution on 3 April at the Fiji School for the Blind. An English and iTaukei versions in braille are available while a Hindi version is being prepared in India. The braille versions were made possible with support from the Royal New Zealand Federation for the Blind.

RICARDO MORRIS

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On 3 APRIL, the assembled media sat quietly at the “mandatory” news conference and listened as the chairman of the Media Industry Development Authority, Ashwin Raj (pictured above), read them the riot act.

Why, he wanted to know, had journalists not absorbed what they should have learnt at several awareness workshops on the crimes decree, the constitution and mida decree.

Just two weeks before, mida had organised a daylong constitutional workshop facilitated by former High Court judge Nazhat Shameem in which the very subject of the news conference that day had been discussed – hate speech.

Some 80 journalists and media students attended that workshop in Suva and Raj says those who attended should have passed their learning on to colleagues.

“What’s the point of me spending so much of mida’s funds doing these workshops when it’s not going to be materialised?” asked Raj. “What were we doing that day? Just sitting around eating sandwiches and listening to Madam Shameem, and receiving our certificates from the Attorney-General and the Chief Justice and walking away?”

Two days before the mida lambasting, Fiji One News had broadcast an item from the Tailevu Provincial Council meeting which Raj found was in breach of the media decree and the crimes decree.

A lengthy part of Fiji TV’s report was taken up by an address Ratu Timoci Vesikula had made to Prime Minister 8

| Repúblika | republikamagazine.com

Voreqe Bainimarama. Among other things Ratu Timoci said the Indo-Fijian community did not want Bainimarama’s leadership, only his constitution, and added that water and kerosene could not mix.

That part of the broadcast, Raj found, was hate speech because it had the potential to create ill-will against the IndoFijian community.

Raj read a five-page letter addressed to Fiji TV’s chief executive officer and the Permanent Secretary for Information, Sharon Smith-John, communicating his decision to censure the TV station. SmithJohn had lodged a complaint about the news item broadcast on 1 April and within a day a decision was made.

Fiji TV’s reps at the news conference, Cherrieanne Wilson and her reporter Apisalome Rabo, who was responsible for the report, were finding out about the decision as they sat there.

Also in mida’s scope are freelance journalists who must now register themselves with the authority and declare the outlets they work for.

And the Friends of Fiji Media Facebook group also came under scrutiny, as did some of the personalities who post and comment on the page. n Read the full decision and hear

the audio of the news conference at: http://republikamagazine.com/?p=669

Likuliku Lagoon Resort has received international travel website Trip Advisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award for 2014.

The resort situated in Malolo Islands is the only resort in Fiji with overwater bures.

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The Fiji Crop and Livestock Council was launched in Lautoka on 28 March by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama.

The council represents farmers and works with government to find solutions that will grow their businesses. One such solution was developed by the International Trade Centre: a new mobile application for farmers to improve their know-how on crop and livestock data. ITC also devised a match-making service for buyers and suppliers to conduct their trading online. Another app loaded onto a computer tablet facilitates the collation of market prices by officers from the Ministry of Agriculture, which can cover more than 40 types of farm products sold in municipal markets. Through a database and mobile application server, the info is published at municipal markets countrywide.

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The Vodafone Fiji 7s team won the Tokyo 7s tournament defeating South Africa 33-26 in a hard-fought final on 23 March.

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n RICARDO MORRIS April 2014

briefing

The nation reviewed

TOURISM

ON THE RECORD

FJFW to christen Grand Old Lady

“I would like to encourage women to come forward and offer themselves as candidates in a politcal party. I would lke to encourage women to vote for politcal parties that stand for women, ask the political parties what stand and what policies do they have on women.”

Taufa Vakatale, Fiji’s first woman deputy PM, in an interview on FBC News on 28 March, on the need for more women politicians in the upcoming elections.

RICARDO MORRIS

“Young people as any other group can see through fakery and falsehood - they do not neccesarily want control but they seek recognition not only from their peers but from their seniors who tend to wield power and influence in a wider social circle.” Former Vice President Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, in his address to the National Federation Party on 29 March.

Grand Pacific Hotel general manager Eugen Diethelm, left, with three of his staff sporting some of the hotel’s uniform and Fiji Fashion Week managing director Ellen Whippy-Knight pose for a photo.

FIJI Fashion Week 2014 will be the first big event to be held at the Grand Pacific Hotel when it re-opens in May, 100 years after it was built.

FJFW managing director Ellen Whippy-Knight is thrilled to be able to secure the venue for the event from 27-31 May. She says the collaboration between Fiji’s leading fashion event and GPH would help contribute to the economy.

GPH general manager Eugen Diethelm says the partnership between the hotel and FJFW was perfect.

“In general fashion has to do with lifestyle and some luxury and that is like our hotel also,” Diethelm said.

Three of the hotel’s staff uniforms were also revealed. Intended to reflect some of its colonial heritage, the hats to be worn by male staff did raise some eyebrows.

GPH, fondly known as the Grand Old Lady, was built by the Union Steamship Company in 1914 to cater for its transpacific passengers. n RICARDO MORRIS

“I have been hearing that alot of people have been saying that the general election will not take place this year. I would like to reassure the people of Tailevu that the general election will surely take place on September 17.”

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama quoted in The Fiji Times, 2 April, during the Tailevu Provincial Council annual meeting.

“I’ve got no dog in the fight, except for the fact that I’ve got to judiciously undertake this responsibility.” Chairman of the Media Industry Development Authority, Ashwin Raj in a news conference on 3 April in which he sanctioned Fiji TV over their broadcast of Ratu Timoci Vesikula’s words to the Bainimarama which were deemed hate speech.

You don’t have to suffer in silence free and confidential counselling services and legal advice are available at our branches in suva, nadi, Ba, rakiraki and labasa. You can call our hotline 24 hours a day.

‘

’

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

Dr Martin Luther King Jr (1929-1968)

Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre | 88 Gordon St, Suva | Phone: 3313 300 / 9209 470 (24hrs) | www.fijiwomen.com April 2014

republikamagazine.com | Repúblika |

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THE BIG PICTURE

| RepĂşblika | republikamagazine.com

Crowded house ... A jam-packed Suva harbour on a gloomy afternoon in March. Derelict vessels littering the harbour has created an eyesore and hazard for several years. Fiji Ports Corporation Limited last year invited tenders to salvage these vessels but the company did not accept any of the them. FBC News reported FPCL general manager Eminoni Kurusiga as saying the work is estimated to cost between $400,000-$500,000, and that an overseas company had been engaged to carry out the work for much less. Salvage operations should be completed by July, according to FBC News.

GREGORY RAVOI

briefing The nation reviewed

April 2014

business

news@fijireport.com

A $3m FACTORY to process root crops, fruits and vegetables for export is being built in Navua by a businessman who left Fiji after the 1987 coup.

Agriculture permanent secretary Ropate Ligairi officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony for the JMO Agri-Export factory at Vakabalea on 1 April.

Mul Chand Prasad, the managing director of JMO Exporters, said he had already injected $1m into the project, according to the Fiji Sun. Prasad was quoted as saying he has six retail outlets across southeast Queensland and wholesale customer bases in all major Australian centres. With the success of his Australian operations, he says it was time to provide work opportunities to locals.

Ligairi said the agriculture sector has the biggest potential to alleviate poverty and provide new employment opportunities for Fijians, especially those living in rural and remote communities.

“To explore and taking advantage of these opportunities, our Government has introduced tax incentives to support farmers and stakeholders,” Ligairi said in his speech.

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION

$3m factory to boost agri export markets

Mul Chand Prasad, managing director of JMO Exporters (Fiji) Ltd with Permanent Secretary for Agriculture Ropate Ligairi at the factory site.

He highlighted the new government initiative to provide opportunities for young interested Fijians to pursue farming as a business through the commercial farmers scholarship.

“Our support to the Navuso Trainee Farmers Scheme and the Methodist Church in terms of tools and equipment and the reintroduction of the $315,000 grant to Navuso to train farmers is all part of our quest in trying to modernise agriculture and changing the mindset of the farming communities.

“All the mentioned initiatives will only be successful if we can expand and penetrate into markets which this project will bring about.”

New products like giant taro or via will be exported from the new factory. The company specialises in exporting fresh and frozen taro, cassava, chillies, duruka, breadfruit, jackfruit, chestnuts and frozen seafood.

Ligairi said the factory will “encourage and facilitate farmers to increase agricultural production and to meet the high demands of the ever-hungry overseas markets and guarantee local food security for our people.”

Pacific leads the way in financial inclusion THE Alliance for Financial Inclusion’s (AFI) Pacific Islands Working Group (PIWG) says it has been successful in the promotion of financial inclusion policy within its region during the last five years.

So much so that for the first time the working group hosted another AFI Network member institution, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), as an observer during the 12th PIWG meeting held 24-26 March in Nadi.

“As a region we have established and achieved a number of outcomes, and we must take pride in our achievements to date,” said Barry Whiteside, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji.

“Some of us took bold steps and established specific departments or units within our central banks to drive financial inclusion-related matters,” Whiteside said.

“We have set policies and guidelines to enable other stakeholders in our countries to contribute and be a part of the financial inclusion cause. Some of us have set up a national financial inclusion taskforce to guide and spearhead the development work and initiatives in this area.”

April 2014

During the two-day meeting attended by more than 30 participants, PIWG members discussed a variety of priority topics including financial inclusion strategy, mobile financial services (MFS), financial identity, formalising savings, consumer protection, data measurement, financial literacy and education and microinsurance. Additionally, the group presented on issues concerning trends and opportunities, unlocking collateral and credit, and an update on remittances.

Regarding the MFS landscape in the Pacific, members deliberated on how to avoid the sub-scale trap and the issue around agents’ liquidity. In terms of remittances, participants had in-depth dialogue about money transfer operators (MTOs) and the problem being faced globally regarding the corresponding relationship considering that the Pacific is quite dependent on remittances.

At the conclusion of the meeting, PIWG members agreed to prioritise and develop a work plan in regard to access to credit, access to broader financial services, and consumer protection, each of which

represent policy areas of main concern.

The event also featured a joint session with the Financial Inclusion Strategy Peer Learning Group (FISPLG) that enabled PIWG members to share their lessons and experiences with another working group, followed by a field trip to the MFI called Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises and Development (FRIENDS).

PIWG is one of the original working groups in the AFI Network and was formed in 2009 to address the high unbanked rates in the Pacific region that result from factors which include geographically dispersed islands with low density populations, and challenges related to physical and banking infrastructure.

Its key objectives are to remove policy barriers to improve access, utilise technology for financial service provision and access, as well as utilise data for smart policymaking and monitoring. The group will next meet at the 2014 Global Policy Forum (GPF) set to be held 9-11 September 2014 in Trinidad and Tobago. n www.afi-global.org republikamagazine.com | Repúblika |

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pasifikapost Regional current affairs worth noting

news@pasifikapost.com

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| Repúblika | republikamagazine.com

JAMES KADAFI

KIM LITERA

DAYS of heavy rain brought by a tropical depression that later turned into a cyclone, devastated the Solomon Islands in early April but wreaked the most havoc on the capital city Honiara and the Guadalcanal Plains.

Flash flooding swept through the city on 3 April when the Mataniko river burst its banks carrying entire communities away and leaving at least 23 dead. (This was the confirmed toll when this edition went to press, with at least eight children among the dead). Scores of people were still unaccounted for Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo in an address to parliament on 4 April, declared Honiara and the Guadalcanal Plains national disaster zones. Parliament’s first sitting for the year had opened the day before when the flooding began, but it was promptly suspended to allow MPs to attend to their constituents.

“We will rise above this disaster, but we have to stand together as one people doing all we can,” Lilo said after the declaration of the emergency which was to have lasted seven days after which it would be reviewed.

The government is leading the response with the support of Red Cross, non-governmental organisations, UN agencies and donor partners. Australia and New Zealand military aircraft delivered supplies and personnel.

About 10,000 people were being housed in evacuation centres around Honiara. More than 50,000 have been affected by the flooding according to the UN Office of the Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). OCHA staff have gone to the Solomons to assist in the relief effort.

The heavy rain which triggered the flooding began two days earlier but many people were caught by surprise at the speed with which the water rose the day it inundated the capital.

Solomon Islands Red Cross secretary general Joanne Zoleveke described the floods as “a tragedy none of us saw coming”, the AFP news agency reported.

“We were watching the river but never expected it to rise so fast. It took us by surprise. That is why there are deaths,” Zoleveke said.

Local resident Paul Lega told the Solomon Star newspaper the river rose too fast for some families to escape. “I witnessed a mother and two children swept away in their home,” he said. The newspaper described the devastation as “the worst disaster the nation has seen”.

TWITTER @KAILEKKE

Honiara devastated by flash flooding

Homes along the Mataniko river in Honiara were washed away on 3 April (top), while in the days following people searched for bodies as well as materials to rebuild their home.

The ABC’s Pacific correspondent Sean Dorney who travelled to Honiara days after the disaster said: “Never have I seen Honiara in such a mess.”

The flooding in Honiara forced staff from the Solomon Islands Red Cross to evacuate from their headquarters and establish an emergency operations centre at the Honiara Hotel from where they have been coordinating relief efforts.

Zoleveke says one of the main challenges the operation is facing now is reaching communities outside of the capital. “Our volunteers have reported extensive damage especially in the eastern parts of Guadalcanal,“ she says.

Transporting relief supplies has not been easy. Flights into Honiara were suspended due to debris on the runway and damage to navigation and lighting systems, but the airport was opened several days later. One of the main bridges that divide the capital collapsed and the only

remaining bridge to transport supplies across the city has been severely weakened.

The Solomon Star’s Ednal Palmer reported what he described as heartbreaking scenes in the days following the disaster. He saw men, women and children from settlements up the Mataniko river, whose homes were washed away, braving the heavy downpour and high seas at the Matanikao river mouth trying to retrieve timber and corrugated iron to rebuild their homes.

“I know my husband and I cannot afford to build another permanent home,” he quoted a woman as saying. “It will take us many more years to do so, therefore all I could do is get a few kids with me to help retrieve anything we could get hold of from this debris.” n SOLOMON STAR/ABC/AFP/OCHA/ IFRC April 2014

OPINION

The thin blue line The Rising Ape with ALEX ELBOURNE

W

ith all these reports of alleged police brutality (something that’s not new unfortunately) I’ve been thinking about the problem with our police force.

Why do so many people mistrust and, in some case downright hate the police?

I think a lot of the problems stem from the fact that our police force (and police from all around the world for that matter) don’t seem to realise what exactly they are. First, the police are not a disciplined force. Fundamentally the police are civilians who happen to wear a uniform. That’s it. Their job, as entrusted to them by the state is to enforce the law.

In Fiji, we have this thing where we lump the army and the police together which is a hu-uugg-ge mistake and continually leads to police personnel taking the law into their own hands, without realising that the army serves a completely different function.

The purpose of the army is to fight.

The purpose of the police is to protect.

People, property, the law. When we lump them together, when the organs of the state start getting confused as to what their exact roles are, that’s when the problems begin.

It’s something that has always plagued the force. It has become this vicious cycle that started years ago. And all because (and remember, this is the opinion of someone with no academic qualifications) our police have never had their roles truly and properly defined for them.

So, incidents occur, people get brutalised by the police and we’re off! More and more people start disliking the force.

They develop and “us-against-them” mentality and get even more aggressive.

This is in no way a denigration of the Fiji Police Force by the way; I’m merely trying to think my way through why too many Fijians are scared of their police.

You sometimes come across pictures of cops doing little acts of kindness on Facebook and people are like “Awwww... the cops aren’t so bad.” Isn’t that sad?

That’s kind of the basic function of the April 2014

police, helping people. My, oh my, we have drifted.

“The police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence.” ~ Robert Peel God: love, understanding and a whole lotta money…

Ever heard of Joel Osteen? He is an American televangelist who runs a mega-church called Lakewood Ministries.

Anyway, someone apparently robbed the church safe. us$600,000 was taken. On reading that, I thought to myself, ‘wow that is a lot of money, must have taken some time to collect all that.’ Then I read this: “This includes cash, [cheques] and envelopes containing written credit card information, and it is limited only to those funds contributed in the church services on Saturday, March 8 and Sunday, March 9, 2014.” Forty-eight hours to rake in $600,000, a third of that in cold hard cash ... farrrrr out ... the God-worshipping business is lucrative. Good for Joel Osteen ... make your money bro. The full story is here (including them offering a $25,000 reward): http://tiny.cc/ki6ndx The disservice we do our children…

My daughter and I were talking after the Tokyo 7s (Go Fiji go!) and she was fascinated with the concept of women playing rugby. And it made me a little sad and got me thinking. When babies are born, why are we so quick to assign them gender roles? Think about it for a moment. Our little girls are taught that they have to be pretty, ladylike and demure and our boys are taught to be rough, tough and don’t cry.

Little girls playing with trucks or some other “boys toys” – not allowed. Little boys playing with a doll – people start getting all worked up. Isn’t the idea of there being only two genders a bit redundant these days? Considering the amount of effeminate males, masculine females and those who straddle both genders in Fiji alone would suggest that it is so, right?

So why in heaven’s name do we keep insisting that our sons and daughters can

only be A or B when it’s clear that we’ve got A, B, C, X, S, T and on and on and on.

Is it a religious thing or what? Wherever it stems from, I don’t think it’s the type of attitude that can last long in the 21st Century, a century that is increasingly looking more rainbow-coloured instead of the traditional black and white.

By the way, before I move on, I actually did not realise that there is a difference between sex and gender.

“Sex” refers to the biological and physiological characteristics that define men and women.

“Gender” refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviours, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for men and women.

To put it another way: “Male” and “female” are sex categories, while “masculine” and “feminine” are gender categories.

Yay…learning!

Dude, didn’t you leave high school like a million years ago?

Ah yes, that time of the year again. The Coca-Cola Games coming up later this month. Grown men (and grown women for that matter) obsessing over how their school will do in the games. It’s crazy isn’t it?

I for one am thoroughly bemused at those who still wonder whether Suva Grammar School or Marist Brothers or someone else will win the boys’ division and who has the athletes to take Jasper Williams out in the girls’. I just shake my head and ask why? I can see everyone who knows me laughing at this.

Yeah, I’m pretty much the worst of those I just described. So, best of luck to every single athlete taking part this year.

There has been a fair amount of criticism leveled at the notion of a qualifying system and the change in grade ages. That’s all done. The zones are done. The athletes have run, jumped and thrown their way to get to this moment. All that sweat and tears. It all comes down to this.

So, best of luck once again to all of you…but just a little bit extra going the R way of the 2014 Marist squad. n Alex Elbourne is the Breakfast Show host on Legend FM. The views expressed are his own. republikamagazine.com | Repúblika |

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OPINION

The politics of being green The Green Line with NAKITA BINGHAM

J

ust ahead in the distance, we can see democracy, freedom, sovereignty and the restoration of basic human rights. Fiji’s uncertain political future has the nation buzzing with excitement.

The recent developments in this brazen political race have everyone questioning each political leader, asking what they can do for our beloved nation.

As a mother, I act on my instincts, resulting in nurturing and being protective of my three children. I want to see them develop in the healthiest and most fulfilling ways possible, so I exercise parenting skills to reinforce growth that won’t have negative impacts in years to come.

These characteristics manifest beyond my parenting into most aspects of life, including my political views and my values. It is my hope and expectation that our newly-elected leaders will also hold these attitudes true to heart and governs our nation forward; instilling change, fulfilling our country’s potential, but most importantly developing Fiji sustainably.

What I don’t want to see, and I hope this extends to all people who have children, is our economy boom at the expense of environmental integrity.

So I ask the future political leaders of Fiji, how valuable to you is the land on which we are casting our votes, the soil on which we plant our crops, and the sea upon which we rely for our meals? What are you going to do to protect these necessities to make sure that over 50 years from now, my great grandchildren and their children will have the same natural luxuries that we enjoy presently?

In an effort to find the political party that best represents my rights and values as a citizen, I couldn’t help but notice, despite all the propaganda, no party’s main agenda is to move Fiji forward in sustainable ways promoting environmental conservation and advocacy.

April 2014

As much as people may like to think that a nation’s economic success is separate from natural wealth, it’s not. The growth of every economy is driven by the utilisation of natural resources.

While a nation’s development is emphasised by the productivity and organisation of educational services, health services, civil infrastructure, GDP, access to clean water, and waste management – each quantifying the quality of a citizen’s life, the ignored undertone here is the intrinsic value of the natural world around us and the capacity our ecosystems serve to make all these aspects of governance possible.

Civilisations that have risen have done so by expending natural capital, and those that have fallen have suffered because of the deprivation or shortage of required resources.

Without the raw materials needed to make a decent education possible, for the creation and distribution of books, paper, and pencils, there would be no formal education system and educated people we know today.

All of humanity’s accomplishments and developments cannot be achieved without the natural resources the world offers us in the form of trees, rivers, streams, oceans, soil, minerals, mountains, clouds, animals, fish, plants, and more.

This political race has proven that such ecological value is being ignored and thus far hasn’t been recognized as a core issue on any party platform, compared to human rights. Article 1 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”

The most basic form of human rights is freedom and equality.

But such fundamental freedom cannot be achieved on its own without food and water security.

If a baby is born into a world of hunger, where is the dignity and freedom in that? Freedoms practiced today such as the right to vote, speak freely, and have access to education can only truly exist with food and water security – both of which are spoils of the earth.

They are definitive freedoms that are secured when a country’s environment is not degraded. The promise of our next meal is completely reliant on the ecosystem that sustains the ability for life to persist and transmit energy in the form of cassava, bananas, fish, and other natural food sources.

When we look at the Suva Harbour, it’s an eyesore. The ships that line the blue bay are disconcerting, to say the least. They come from nations that have exhausted their fish stocks, now attempting to raid this corner of the world to do the same because their marine ecosystem cannot support the rate at which they are consuming marine life.

Environmental reverence must be defended and addressed by the country’s next leaders. The longevity and security of our nation relies on it.

Who will lead Fiji to protect the country’s environmental dignity through thoughtful, careful, and good governance?

Who will envision Fiji 100 years from now and not just 10 years down the line?

Who will fight to ensure our forests are not diminished and our seas are properly managed and not further depleted?

An understanding of the value of the natural world and the fact our survival is dependent upon its health must be addressed by the next government. This is a call to our country’s next leaders – the balance of humans and nature must be managed and corrected or the future of our benevolent nation will be bleak.

This will be suffered not because we have allowed our human rights to be taken from us, but because we have forfeited the natural wealth of our nation through mismanagement, poor leadership, and lack of thoughtful, preventaR tive action.

n Nakita Bingham is a Suva resident as is employed as a legal assistant with experience in environmental and corporate law. republikamagazine.com | Repúblika |

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Laying down the law ... Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum gestures at a news conference to announce the Electoral Decree 2014 (photo montage) on 28 March at Suvavou House. PREVIOUS PAGE: Newly-appointed Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem on a montage of political party leaders.

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By RICARDO MORRIS

AFTER THE 2013 CONSTITUTION, perhaps the most eagerly awaited decree in recent months has been the one that would spell out how Fiji’s first general election in nearly eight years would be conducted.

Now, five months out from that defining moment, we know what the new rules of the game will be and we have a date – Wednesday, 17 September, which will be a paid public holiday.

The 2014 general election will feature many historic firsts in our transition out of military rule: the first time to vote under the one-person, one-vote principle, the first time 18-year-olds will be franchised, the first time under a proportional representation system, the first time there will be a single constitu18

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ency, the first time with strict rules for political party funding transparency – and the youngest supervisor of elections we’ve had.

On 28 March, Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum unveiled his 54page Electoral Decree, which spells out in detail the processes and procedures of campaigning, voting, counting and allocation of seats in the new 50-member parliament.

Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, among others, welcomed the announcement of an election date. And the travel bans by Australia and New Zealand on the political and military leadership since the takeover in December 2006 were lifted.

With the electoral rules revealed, cautious optimism seems to be giving way to a growing space for political discourse despite what many see as the restrictions that could dampen campaigning.

The Electoral Decree contains 156 sections covering election administration, conduct of elections, election campaigning and the media, disputed returns and electoral offences as well as

a schedule containing the specimen for the ballot paper – a single sheet containing 280 boxes which each have a number in them from 135 to 414. There are also three pages of definitions of phrases and references in the decree.

Former USP academic, Dr Steven Ratuva, who is now with Auckland University says Fiji’s electoral system compares with Australia and New Zealand, although he told Radio New Zealand International there are some concerning factors such as the restriction on foreign-funded NGOs from carrying out voter education without permission from the Electoral Commission.

Another analyst, Tess Newton-Cain, the non-resident fellow at the Lowy Institute for International Policy in Sydney, says the electoral decree is extensive and provides reassurance that state agencies will not be misused in the poll.

The decree disallows the use of state authority to pressure or intimidate political opposition.

“It puts the regime on notice, it puts the police on notice, it puts the military on notice. I think we’d be a bit concerned if there wasn’t a provision of that sort,” Newton-Cain told Radio New April 2014

RICARDO MORRIS

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Blue blast from the past ... A refurbished 40-year-old Leyland bus was unveiled on 30 March as the vehicle that will travel around Fiji to gather signatures for the registration of Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama’s proposed FijiFirst party. INSET: Bainimarama with his grandchildren at the unveiling of the bus at My Suva Park in Nasese.

Zealand International. “It’s a very extensive decree. It covers all of the different parts of the process.”

Supervisor of Election In the same news conference in which he unveiled the decree, SayedKhaiyum also announced that Mohammed Saneem, who was acting permanent secretary for elections and registrar of political parties, would become the much-awaited supervisor of elections. Sayed-Khaiyum said of the 13 applications for the post, 10 were from overseas, three locals and one person withdrew – but none met the criteria for appointment, which included at least 15 years’ experience in conducting national elections.

When asked whether Saneem met the criteria, Sayed-Khaiyum said that he met “some” of the criteria before explaining how the decision was arrived at.

“We had to ensure that there was consistency in the manner in which the assessments of the applicants was carried out. We had to recruit the services of consultants from Australia, New Zealand and the European Union and they April 2014

set a criteria for all the applicants and it was found by the consultants together with the Constitutional Offices Commission that none of the applicants met the criteria,” Sayed-Khaiyum said.

“We then subsequently offered the position of Supervisor of Elections to one of the consultants who was already working in the office and continues to work there – and has had enormous experience and has held senior positions in the Australian Electoral Commission.

Unfortunately Laurie McGrath was unable to take up the position because of family commitments.”

Sayed-Khaiyum said the consultants including McGrath recommended that Saneem take up the position. The recommendation was put to the Electoral Commission, Sayed-Khaiyum said, and they agreed.

Complaints against Saneem’s appointment came from the Fiji Labour Party and the Social Democratic Liberal Party. flp leader Mahendra Chaudhry said in a statement: “It is highly unlikely that Saneem has had more than a couple of years in private practice, let alone having 15 years’ experience in the conduct

of national elections.

“This appointment was clearly made to put the regime’s own man in charge of the 2014 general elections. flp is surprised that the Electoral Commission has concurred with this charade.” sodelpa general secretary Pio Tabaiwalu was quoted in The Fiji Times as saying: “Would these learned consultants accept with equanimity the appointment of such a junior person to administer important elections in their own countries, given the overwhelming importance of these elections to every Fijian?”

However, Roshika Deo who is standing as an independent candidate did not see Saneem’s age as an issue.

“I think it’s great that young people are visible in public spaces and young people are taking these roles,” she was quoted as saying in The Fiji Times.

Saneem, who completed form seven at Labasa College in 2003 before studying the four-year law programme at the University of the South Pacific, promised to discharge his duties without fear or favour.

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ALL IMAGES GREGORY RAVOI

Electoral commissioners

Chen Bunn Young Young is the chairman of the Electoral Commission. He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from Auckland and is a former president of the Fiji Law Society.

He runs the law firm Young & Associates in Lautoka.

Vijay Naidu

James Sowane

Naidu is professor and director of Development Studies at the School of Government, Development and International Affairs (SGDIA) in the University of the South Pacific’s Faculty of Business and Economics.

Sowane is managing director for Fiji of Pacific Destinationz.

He has been involved in the Fiji tourism industry since 1994, upon graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Tourism & Business Marketing from Lincoln University, Christchurch, New Zealand.

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Jenny Seeto Seeto is senior partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Fiji. She is also president of the Chinese Association in Fiji.

David Arms Arms is a Columban priest and linguist originally from New Zealand. He has spent most of his 50 years in the priesthood in Fiji since he arrived in 1970.

He was previously a member of the Electoral Commission from 2007-2009.

ference on Saneem’s first day in office, Young said an overseas candidate would usually not be able to start until a month or two after they were appointed.

As well, they would need to settle down and familiarise themselves with the country and how things worked before they could get into the job.

That would not be a problem with Saneem, according to Young, because

“I’m honoured and proud to have been chosen as the Supervisor for Elections,” Saneem said on his first day on the job on 31 March.

“I make a solemn commitment to the Fijian people that I will discharge my duties as supervisor with complete integrity, transparency and independence,” he said on his first Read Dr Wadan Narsey’s analysis of the day on the job. new electoral system (PDF): “As supervisor, I come under the direction and http://tiny.cc/mirqdx guidance of the Electoral or you can scan the QR code on the right Commission, whom I would like to assure of my fullest support.

“We strive to be professional, just “he had the advantage of continuity, and transparent in our work. We recog- knows how the systems work and we nise that in order to maintain the trust have worked with him over a couple of and confidence of the Fijian people, we months.” will operate independently without fear Whatever the case, Saneem has his or favour.” work cut out for him as he leads the The Electoral Commission chair- team that will deliver to Fiji what the man, Chen Bunn Young, defended Sa- Bainimarama-led government has alneem’s appointment saying with the ways touted as the country’s “first truly limited time before elections, he had democratic elections”. the “advantage of continuity”.

Answering questions at a news conOpen list system 20

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Alisi Daurewa Daurewa is a former executive director of Partners in Community Development Fiji. She is an educationalist and civil society leader.

Larry Thomas Thomas is an accomplished documentary maker, author and educator.

He is a former senior lecturer in language at USP and was coordinator of the SPC’s Regional Media Centre.

Fiji will go to the vote under a proportional representation ‘open list’ system in which the percentage of votes secured by a party will determine the number of seats the party secures in the 50-member parliament.

An ‘open list’ system is one where the voter, not the party, determines the order of election of the candidates, potentially meaning that voters can exercise more control over who is elected. Under the system, independent candidates will face a tougher time because of the threshold rule which excludes parties and independents who gain less than five per cent of the votes of all those who cast their ballot.

Global examples of open list pr with nationwide or large constituencies are Columbia’s Senate (with 100 members) and Brazil has some districts and state legislatures that use open list pr and are around the size of, or larger than, Fiji’s proposed parliament.

Former usp economist, Dr Jon Fraenkel, in a paper written after the publishing of the 2013 Constitution, says the April 2014

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FIJI SUN

FACEBOOK.COM/ELISSAVET.KARAGIANNIDOU

USP

RICARDO MORRIS

Senior election officials

Mohammed Saneem

Michael Clancy

Elissavet Karagiannidou

Josua Tuwere

Saneem is supervisor of elections. He is a graduate in law from the University of the South Pacific and holds a Professional Diploma in Legal Practice.

A Labasa College alumni, he completed form seven there in 2003. Saneem was deputy registrar of legal at the High Court of Fiji from January to May 2012, when he was sworn in as a resident magistrate. In September 2012, he was promoted from deputy to chief registrar following

the sudden departure of Sri Lankan Irani Arachchi.

He became acting permanent secretary for justice and registrar of political parties in March 2013 when Mere Vuniwaqa resigned, a post he held until he took up the role as supervisor.

overseas work in Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Tonga. He has been a facilitator at the expert level in workshops on electoral processes and democracy in Australia, Nepal, Indonesia, East Timor, Solomon Islands, PNG and Fiji. He has also worked with UNDP in Nepal and for the International Organisation for Migration.

She describes herself as a freelance electoral legal consultant since 2011. A Greek, Karagiannidou has a first degree in law and two MA degrees in international law and relations with a focus on southeast and east Europe.

She has participated in some 40 election observation missions in Europe since 1998, and has held core team positions mostly as a legal analyst.

Clancy is the deputy supervisor of elections. He worked for the Australian Electoral Commission from 1989-2008. During this time he also undertook

Karagiannidou is director electoral procedures.

Josua Tuwere is director

proportional representation system is explained how an open list system could likely to work better for Fiji than the work in Fiji. first-past-the-post system (used from “Certain politicians, by dint of their 1970-1997) or the alternative vote (1997- past history and good reputation, will 2006). win their seats easily enough,” Arms was His concern at the potentially “table quoted as saying by the Fiji Sun. cloth”-like ballot paper has been ad“But this does not mean that they dressed with the simple numbers-only should rest on their laurels. If they camballot paper outlined in the Electoral Decree.

Read the Electoral Decree 2014 at this “Open list pr systems link (PDF): potentially strengthen http://tiny.cc/knx1dx the position of candior you can scan the QR code on the right dates with a strong personal base and minimise the ability of parties to control which candidates get elected,” paign well for the party and gain even writes Fraenkel, who is at anu. more votes, though they cannot do any Under the open list pr system, those better personally, nevertheless the party personal votes a party candidate is able will do better since by having these extra to accumulate will automatically trans- votes, an extra candidate on the party’s late into votes for his or her party. In list may get elected. short, a popular candidate can carry “The former situation where the other candidates into parliament on the results in some constituencies could strength of their popularity. be taken for granted can no longer apDuring the Attorney-General’s con- ply. There is only one constituency, and ference last December, Father David within it, voters have many possibilities Arms, now an electoral commissioner, of making a difference.”

April 2014

communications. He was most recently the deputy editor production at the Fiji Sun. Between August 2006 and July 2011 he was the communications officer for the International Committee of the Red Cross’ regional delegation in Suva. Before that he also worked as a journalist for The Fiji Times between 1999 and 2000, he was a schoolteacher and has lived and worked in Fiji, Australia and Bangladesh.

Robin Boyd is the director operations. He worked for the Australian Electoral Commission from 1978 to 2007. Boyd has also worked extensively in various areas including staff recruitment, training, administration and organising and communications. He also worked in Fiji, PNG, Cambodia and Namibia recently.

Restrictions While many of the provisions are clear and create a more equitable electoral system, several sections have raised concerns.

In particular is section 63, part (2) (d) in particular, which forbids in the 48 hours before election the distribution of campaign material or any political messages in any manner, “including through telephone, internet, email, social media or other electronic means.” Breach of the decree could mean a fine of up to $50,000 or a jail term of up to 10 years or both.

Fiji Law Society president Dorsami Naidu told Radio Australia this strict provision is “very unreasonable” because, for example, while party sheds are allowed 300 metres or more away from a polling station, the blackout provision, would mean it could be illegal to talk to potential voters or give them any party material if they do visit the shed 4CONTINUED PAGE 22 republikamagazine.com | Repúblika |

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Infographic by Gregory Ravoi. It is based on a briefing to the Electoral Commission by European Union electoral consultant attached to the Fijian Elections Office, Jerome Leyraud, reported by Rosi Doviverata in the 14 March 2014 edition of the Fiji Sun.

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V-Day ... Fiji will go to the poll on 17 September and voters will have 10-and-a-half hours in which to turn up at the polling station at which they are registered. Other voting options include postal ballots and special pre-voting day ballots will be held at certain institutions.

3FROM PAGE 21

on voting day.

He says the provision is open to abuse and risks stifling freedoms despite the move towards a restoration of democracy. Of particular concern is that it could legalise spying on communications during that period, creating a “Big Brother” state.

However, Salanieta Tamanikaiwaimaro, a lawyer and director at Pasifika Nexus Limited, says the Constitution and international covenants on freedom of expression will triumph over any decree in court.

She told Radio New Zealand International: “I would say that the people of Fiji still have constitutional redress through the court if they would like to have an alternative interpretation of that particular provision. They can do that by way of constitutional redress or by way of a judicial review.”

Seven days before an election and on polling day, it will become unlawful to publish any election-related opinion polls, according to section 110. A fine 22

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of $10,000 including imprisonment for up to five years can be handed down on conviction as punishment for breaching this section.

Of the several restrictions relating to political campaigning is section 115(1) of the Electoral Decree which prohibits any foreign-funded organisation and its employees from participating in or conducting debates, public forum, meetings, interviews, panel discussions or publishing any material related to the election or any election issue.

This clearly affects ngos which receive donor funds, especially the Citizens’ Constitutional Forum, which has played a central role in civic education since its founding in 1995 when the 1990 Constitution was being reviewed.

The next part of the section, 115(2) makes it unlawful for anybody to do anything that is the responsibility of the Electoral Commission or the Supervisor of Election unless permission has been granted in writing. This appears to be an extension of the previous clause to restrict individuals or organisations from making unauthorised electoral educa-

tion material or holding discussions on the electoral system.

However, universities are exempt from the restrictions of this section and may organise “inclusive public forums or panel discussions that are related to the election.” The penalty for breaching this section is a fine of up to $50,000 or a term of imprisonment of up to 10 years or both.

April 2014

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Making your ballot count ... Each candidate will be randomly assigned a number beginning from 135 through the drawing of numbered balls. Voters will need to mark their ballot paper with a single circle, tick or cross on the number of their preferred candidate. Before the poll and in the polling booth, charts with all candidates’ names, photos, candidate number and party affiliation will be display. It will be an offence to take any kind of paper into a polling booth.

GREGORY RAVOI

the prior approval of the Media Industry Development Authority to ensure compliance” and mida must ensure all media organisations comply with the section.

The penalty for breaching this section is imprisonment for up to five years for the editor, publisher or owner of the media organisation.

Back in the game ... National Federation Party officebearers, from left, president Tupou Draunidalo, treasurer Dalip Kumar, party leader Professor Biman Chand Prasad, general secretary Kamal Iyer and vice president Parmod Chand at their convention in Nadi on 29 March.

Section 118 prescribes media restrictions during the campaign, including a 48-hour blackout period. During this period, all publications and broadcasts relating to the election “must obtain April 2014

Voting – a summary from the Elections Office Voting will take place on Wednesday 17 September between 7.30am and 6pm which will be a public holiday.

However, some people will be allowed to vote before that date, including Fijians who will be away from Fiji on election day, those who have to work on election day, the sick and elderly who cannot travel to a polling station and those living in designated remote areas.

If you fall into one of these categories, special arrangements will be made for early voting or voting by post.

Only registered Fijians will be able to vote and you will not be able to register on election day. Voter registration

will stop when the election writs are issued on 4 August – 44 days before the election – to allow the final version of the voter register to be compiled in time for polling.

Every registered voter will be assigned a polling station that is close to where they live. You must vote at this polling station and no where else.

The locations of the polling stations will be published in the newspapers and broadcast on radio and free-to-air television, at least 30 days before election day.

On voting day, you must go to your assigned polling station between 7.3o am and 6pm and be sure to be standing in the queue to be allowed to cast your ballot.

If you forget your voter id card, you can show any other form of identificatition although your thumbprint will need to be verified.

Once you have been identified, your name is crossed off the list and you will be given a ballot paper and asked to sign 4CONTINUED PAGE 24 republikamagazine.com | Repúblika |

23

RICARDO MORRIS

COVER

Ready to roll ... Senior members and staff of SODELPA at the dedication of their headquarters on Denison Road in Suva on 1 April.

3FROM PAGE 23

next to your name on the voter list.

You will then take your ballot paper into a private voting booth. In the booth, you will mark your ballot to vote for the candidate of your choice by either ticking, circling or crossing the number of the candidate of your choice before folding the ballot paper.

As you leave the booth, an official will mark one of your fingers with indelible ink which will not fade until several days after polling. This is a way to prevent cheating by stopping anybody who tries to vote twice under different names.

Finally, after your finger has been inked, you will place your ballot into a secure ballot box and exit the polling station.

In the polling station you will not be allowed to talk to anybody except election officials wearing official badges.

It will also be forbidden to use mobile phones, cameras or other electronic devices.

24

| RepĂşblika | republikamagazine.com

Counting and seat allocation Sections 89 to 109 define the ballot count, persons authorised to observe the count, preliminary count procedures, the opening of ballot boxes, invalid votes, how to deal with objections and complaints, how to record and tabulate the results and what to do with ballot papers and materials, among the many specifics in that section.

Ballots will be counted at each polling station and the votes tallied for each candidate. The presiding officer for the polling station will be in charge of the count, which will take place in full view of election obervers, political party agents and the media.

Party agents have a right to request a recount through a written request.

Once the presiding officer is satisfied that procedures have been complied with, the results are posted and securely delivered to the elections supervisor.

The supervisor will then prepare a national results tally, which will record the total number of votes cast for each candidate and total number of votes for

each political party.

The Supervisor of Elections will forward to the Electoral Commission the national results tally for the commission to allocate seats.

Parties and independent candidates must secure five per cent of the total vote or they drop out of the race for parliament.

If an independent candidate clears the five per cent threshold, he or she will receive a seat in parliament.

If a political party clears the five per cent threshold, the number of seats it wins will be proportionate to the total number of votes it receives.

The process involves using a specific mathematical formula to calculate the exact number of seats to award to a party based on the number of votes it receives.

So, for example, if a party wins 60 per cent of the total vote, they will receive roughly 60 per cent of the seats in parliament - or 30 seats.

R April 2014

COVER

Ro Teimumu Kepa

Adi Sivia Qoro

Roshika Deo

Tupou Draunidalo

WOMEN IN

P litics

By RICARDO MORRIS

F

or the first time in Fiji’s political history, women outnumber men in leadership positions within their parties. Of the five parties expected to contest the general election on 17 September, three have women in key positions.

The newest political party, the People’s Democratic Party, formed last year has as president Adi Sivia Qoro, a former Fiji Labour Party parliamentarian who joined the multi-party cabinet as commerce minister in 2006. Qoro was one of those flp members who broke away from the party to form the pdp, which seeks a return to the ideals of a democratic party true to socialist principles.

On 7 March, the Social Democratic Liberal Party (sodelpa) selected as its president and party leader paramount chief of Rewa province, Ro Teimumu Kepa. On the day of her election Ro Teimumu, a former education minister and one of those former army commander Voreqe Bainimarama ousted from power, delivered a stinging attack on his government, saying soldepa would restore the rights taken away, including the return of Christian principles to governance. [Read April 2014

Ro Teimumu’s inaugural speech to sodelpa at this link: http://republikamagazine.com/?p=604] On 29 March, the National Federation Party, the country’s oldest political party but one that has failed to win a parliamentary seat since the 1999 general election, declared it was back in the game. The nfp is the only party to have stuck formidably to its anti-coup stance and can be credited with first raising many of the issues that are now accepted as necessary for building a better Fiji when it was founded 50 years ago.

As part of its revival, the nfp elected Tupou Draunidalo, a lawyer and daughter of the late flp senior member Adi Kuini Vuikaba Speed, as its president. Draunidalo becomes the first indigenous Fijian and only the second woman to lead the party. [Read Draunidalo’s inaugural speech to the National Federation Party here: http://republikamagazine.com/?p=648] Roshika Deo, who has declared her candidacy as an independent, is another woman who is hoping to make her mark in political leadership. In March she was one of 10 recipients from around the world to receive the US Secretary of State’s 4CONTINUED PAGE 26 republikamagazine.com | Repúblika |

25

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3FROM PAGE 25

‘Women of Courage’ award. With her ‘Be the Change’ campaign, Deo is battling the deeply entrenched patriarchal attitudes in society and has been out campaigning with her small but loyal team in communities across the country. As an independent candidate she faces an uphill battle under the new electoral rules. She must file a list of at least 1000 names and signatures of those who support her candidacy as well as pay a $1000 fee. The even bigger hurdle is trying to secure at least five per cent of the votes of everybody who casts a ballot in the 17 September elections.

The only other two parties expected to contest the election are both headed by men. But with Mahendra Chaudhry’s conviction on exchange control offences, that excludes him from running for election as leader of the Fiji Labour Party. It is still not certain who will succeed him in a party that still commands support in many of the cane belt areas.

That leaves Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama’s proposed FijiFirst party of which he will become the undisputed leader. With his customised blue bus, Bainimarama has been travelling the country to get the 5000 signatures he needs to register the party. He has said women will play an important role in his party, and at least one – Minister for Women Dr Jiko Luveni – has already declared her candidacy in Bainimarama’s proposed party.

In the lead up to the general election, Repúblika will feature the voices of women political leaders, publishing their thoughts on Fiji’s electoral system and the road back to parliamentary democracy through the September general election.

In this issue we ask People’s Democractic Party president Adi Sivia Qoro about the role of women in Fiji’s political process.

Repúblika: Compared to your previous experience, how would you characterise women’s involvement in politics in the lead up to the 2014 election?

Adi Sivia: Compared to 2006, the political, social and economic environment is completely different. This applies to both women and men. The 26

| Repúblika | republikamagazine.com

ELECTION WOMEN WOMEN YEAR CANDIDATES ELECTED

PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN

1994

12

3

4.3%

1999

26

8

11.3%

2001

31

5

7%

2006

27

8

11.3%

Women’s participation in parliamentary politics by numbers in Fiji in the four previous elections.

political parties and electoral decrees and the Constitution in place, although gender-neutral, have various qualifying criteria and rules for political parties and potential candidates that do not augur well for an enabling environment to facilitate and encourage women to become involved in politics.

It appears that there is further polarisation of the major races and within this context it makes it challenging for women candidates of a particular ethnic background to appeal across the divide to a different ethnic background.

In 2006 there were in total of eight women elected into the Lower House and five women were appointed into the Upper House. The political environment into which these women were elected or nominated was considered relatively more free and fair.

While this is so, an examination of the major registered political parties shows strong women leadership at the helm. Fiji, a country with well-developed party systems, is facilitating this emergence. Whether this has a flow-on effect to the ‘candidates level’ is yet to be seen. In addition, the very restrictive environment is providing a catalyst for qualified and skilled women to emerge and who are willing to take on the challenge.

Repúblika: How easy or hard is it for women to enter politics?

Adi Sivia: Women entering politics is not an overnight decision. The Pacific has one of the lowest levels of women parliamentarians in the world. But what was once considered a male bastion is no longer the case today although this is happening slowly. I am certain for most women the goal to enter parliament would have been part of a longterm vision and mission. A supportive environment including that of the family is one of the positive determinants

to women making a decision to enter politics. In most cases careers, family commitments and available finances are three major considerations that prevent women from engaging in politics.

Additionally, experience has shown that under an open list system women often do not fair well in comparison to a closed list. In addition, the choice of electoral systems can have a major impact on the number of women and men in parliament. This includes how big the constituency is (here it is a case of one constituency), the ballot format and the electoral formula. In the case of Fiji we have yet to see the impact of this new system which already, from analysis carried out, is proving to be quite a challenge.

Repúblika: How big a role do you think cultural barriers still pose in preventing more women from entering politics?

Adi Sivia: Cultural barriers are not a major hurdle for Fiji women to enter into politics. In 1999 Fiji had eight women in parliament as well as in 2006.

Traditionally in Fiji we have women leaders and also in the public and private sectors, women have been and are leaders in their own right. While this is so, there is certainly room for improvement, especially within the private and public sector and considering that 50 per cent of the population are women.

Not to engage constructively 50 per cent of a country’s population is to deny the nation 50 per cent of the potential skills, expertise and knowledge that it could gain from meaningfully in terms of national development.

Repúblika: How are your preparations coming along for elections?

Adi Sivia: PDP is progressing very well in terms of setting up branches in major centres around the country. At the same time we are visiting settlements and villages talking to the people about the policies of the party. Women and youth are a major focus of our strategy. PDP has made it mandatory that women form 30 per cent and youth 20 per cent as members of the executives at branch and national levels. This is also to be reflected in parliament. In other words, women’s participation is being mainstreamed within the party hierarchy.

R April 2014

OBITUARY

RICARDO MORRIS

Tribute to Qoriniasi Bale, the first Taukei A-G

Q

oriniasi Babitu Bale who died on 21 March was one of the leading lawyers of his day. This present generation of lawyers “knows not Joseph” (to use a biblical phrase), but Bale was a formidable advocate in court and meticulous in his conduct of cases. Bale was from Levukana, Vanuabalavu but grew up in Nabukelevu, Kadavu where his mother was from.

Graduating from the University of Auckland in 1969 at a time when there were few Taukei lawyers, Bale made an impact with his ability and easy-going manner. He had acquired his social flair at the all-Taukeimale Queen Victoria School (QVS) with its camaraderie and levelling effect standing him in good stead. Bale formed lasting friendships there which were to endure his whole life. It also reinforced a QVS Old Boys ‘perspective’ that emphasised male bonding and identity.

Bale joined the DPP’s Office where his forensic skills were soon on display. One of his contemporaries was Jai Ram Reddy, former senior politician and later a judge of the Fiji Court of Appeal. He prosecuted the notorious Evelyn Nair case in 1972, in which the young schoolteacher from Taveuni was abducted by two men, before being murdered and raped near Naboro.

Bale rose quickly through the ranks and was appointed Solicitor-General in 1979. Four years later he was appointed to the Senate and became the first Taukei Attorney-General and Minister for Justice under Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. One of his concerns was the dearth of Taukei lawyers during his tenure, and he would be gratified by the present situation of prevalence in numbers.

Although seemingly westernised, Bale remained Taukei in his thinking. He supported the unsuccessful attempt to reintroduce the Fijian Affairs Regulations (abolished in 1967) in the early 1980s and defended them at the Bose Levu Vakaturaga meeting in Somosomo in 1985. Part of April 2014

By JONI MADRAIWIWI

this initiative included the re-establishment of Taukei courts. However, too much time had passed and Taukei were used to more freedom and less regulation.

The 1987 coup was a conflicting time for Bale. He had been schooled in the precepts of the rule of law and democracy, but the essence of him was Taukei. While he could not agree with Rabuka’s actions as AttorneyGeneral and leader of the bar, part of him understood the Taukei psyche which responded so readily to the manipulation of their emotions over the possible loss of land and identity. Bale remained silent because it allowed him to preserve his position in relation to democracy advocates, as well as not appear disloyal to the Taukei ‘cause’.

This was not uncommon for many Taukei lawyers at the time.

I, along with Suruj Sharma, Nainendra Nand, Graham Leung, Ratu Finau Mara, Imrana Jalal and Jon Apted among others, was fortunate to serve under him for Bale was as accessible to junior lawyers as he was supportive of them. He was at his most expansive in the yaqona sessions held in the library of the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

In that setting, the most junior legal officer had equal right of audience with the government’s chief legal adviser. We always referred to him as “Mr Bale” out of respect, although his contemporaries called him “Qori” and he and his QVS ‘brothers’ addressed each other as “Ritchie”. Short in stature, Bale’s prematurely-grey luxuriant head of hair gave him a distinguished appearance enhanced by a sartorial dress sense.

Apart from his legal responsibilities, Bale served in a number of other capacities reflecting his civic mindedness. He was chair of the council of the Fiji School of Medicine for nearly a decade. He also served as chair of the Electoral Commis-

sion and was legal adviser to the Bose Levu Vakaturaga for many years. Bale relaxed with a round of golf or a tanoa of yaqona with family as well as friends. He also enjoyed the occasional cigar.

After the first coup in 1987, Bale went into private practice with John Flower who had served with him as Solicitor-General.

These were not happy times for he was disbarred subsequently for issues with his trust account. But he attracted sympathy rather than opprobrium given his personable nature and the complexities of his domestic arrangements. His name was restored to the roll later but the scars remained.

Bale was recalled as Attorney-General and Minister for Justice in the SDL Government of Laisenia Qarase in 2001. During this period he was responsible for the Promotion of Reconciliation, Tolerance and Unity Bill and the Qoliqoli Bill. Both were divisive pieces of legislation and did neither the government nor Bale much credit.

Moreover they would return to haunt the government, for they helped lay the foundations for justification of what was to happen in early December 2006.

Yet at the height of the controversies over both pieces of legislation, Bale maintained amicable relations with his fiercest critics in the legal profession and outside it.

It was that generosity of spirit which so endeared him to all those who were privileged to have known him. Bale’s last years were marked by ill-health but he was sustained by the love of his young wife and large family to whom he was remarkably generous.

Although Bale’s career was punctuated by high achievement and marred by poor judgment, he nevertheless demonstrated to his own community, and to the country at large, that Taukei had the ability to practice R law as capably as anyone else. republikamagazine.com | Repúblika |

27

DENG FEVE HEALTH

Counting the cost

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| RepĂşblika | republikamagazine.com

April 2014

GUE ER April 2014

HEALTH

republikamagazine.com | RepĂşblika |

29

HEALTH

By RICARDO MORRIS

F

iji’s dengue epidemic is one of 14 outbreaks of mosquito-borne disease to have gripped Pacific countries and territories in the past 14 months alone.

This “unprecedented” situation has left epidemiologists scratching their heads about the reason for the increase as well as sounding the alarm about the social and economic costs.

These epidemics have put considerable strain on the region’s health services, incurring millions in economic losses and claiming dozens of lives.

In Fiji, the current outbreak was officially declared on 10 December 2013 after the Ministry of Health’s “sentinel sites” began picking up suspected cases of dengue-3 from October.

By early December, the number of people turning up at health facilities with similar symptoms had increased to the point that a declaration of an epidemic was “triggered”.

Toll As at 4 April, the officially confirmed death toll was 13, on par with the 199899 epidemic of dengue-2.

Six of those deaths occurred in the Central Division, four in the Western, one from the Eastern Division and two from the Northern Division.

In late March, Dr Mike Kama, the health ministry’s national adviser on communication disease, noted that weekly cases had reached into the thousands. Clinically suspected dengue was 4087 and a week later this had dropped to 3523.

The Central Division has been the hardest hit. “The country currently faces a dengue outbreak which focused initially on the population in major urban centres in the Central Division and now the population in the Western and Northern divisions,” Kama said.

Dr Mike Kama, the health ministry’s national adviser on communicable diseases, said earlier that up to 24,000 people were expected to be affected by the dengue outbreak but this could rise to 48,000 under the correct conditions.

At press time, the cumulative total from “clinical cases” reported by the ministry since 30 October had crept 30

| Repúblika | republikamagazine.com

On alert ... Dr Mike Kama, the national adviser on communicable diseases talks to the media.

over the 20,000 mark to 20,229.

Dr Kama would not be drawn on whether that 20,000 could be revised upwards or downwards at any time.

“Revisions to the projections will only be made by the Ministry of Health staff if the risk variables for dengue infection change and also only after consultations with technical partners WHO and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine,” he told Repúblika.

“The dengue data for last week suggests that the epidemic is slowing down in the Central Division, it is plateauing in the Western Division and picking up momentum in the Northern Division,” Dr Kama said.

Dama added minimal cases have been reported from the Eastern Division health facilities.

The dengue serotype 3 virus has not seen in Fiji since 1975, and Dr Kama estimated it could last all the way to June.

Financial cost So how much is all this likely to cost?

It certainly is in the millions. The 1998-99 epidemic, which also caused 13 deaths – a cost an estimated $5-10m at the time.

The longer the epidemic lasts the more costly it will be.

But Dr Mike Kama has been reported as putting the figure at about $5m.

He said the $97,000 allocated to the first phase has been used to combat the first phase of the epidemic from December to January, FijiLive reported.

For the second phase, $1.2m had been budgeted to run from January to March.

“I think it all comes up to $5m give or take,” Kama was reported as saying by FijiLive.

Stepping in to help Fiji, Australia has donated $1.2m to buy medical supplies and fund an ongoing public health awareness campaign; the Chinese embassy provided $94,000 and the New Zealand government gave $630,000.

These figures does not include the amount of public funds spent on addressing the issue.

What’s driving the epidemic?

Dr Eric Nilles is the World Health Organisation’s Emerging Diseases Surveillance and Response Unit team leader in Suva.

In an interview with Repúblika, Nilles said dengue is a complicated disease and there are many factors which determine whether an outbreak occurs. The most important factor is the susceptibility of the population to the virus.

Once a person has been infected with dengue, the person will remain immune to that particular type but could April 2014

GRAPHIC: GREGORY RAVOI

HEALTH

4CONTINUED PAGE 32 April 2014

republikamagazine.com | Repúblika |

31

HEALTH

Current dengue, chikungunya and Zika virus outbreaks and circulation in the Pacific as at 7 April 2014

CHIKV

DENV-3

CHIKV

DENV-?

DENV-?

DENV-3

DENV-1

Legend

DENV-1 ZIKV

DENV-1 DENV-3

DENV-3

DENV-2 ZIKV

UNKN

Cases reported are increasing or peaking.

Cases reported are decreasing or viral circulation is ongoing.

Awaiting confirmation of aetiology.

DENV-1 ZIKV

DENV: CHIKV: ZIKV: UNKN:

DENV-3

Dengue virus Chikungunya virus Zika virus Clinical suspicion of cases of DENV, CHIKV or ZIKV, awaiting confirmation.

SPC

DENV-3

3FROM PAGE 30

be susceptible to another type.

He says because type 3 dengue has not been circulating in Fiji for at least 20 years, the population would not be immune to it, which explains the thousands of cases reported at health facilities nationwide.

Nilles says the main way the virus is being spread is through “infective” humans who travel with the virus in their blood.

The dengue season is the wet, hot period between December to about May. Hot weather increases transmission of the virus because it reproduces faster inside the (usually) Aedes aegypti 32

| Repúblika | republikamagazine.com

mosquito, the most effective transmitter – or vector – of dengue.

Because mosquitos don’t live very long – about six to eight days – the quicker the virus can incubate inside the mosquito, the higher the chances that it will be ‘infective’ when it bites a human and the greater the chance of spreading the virus to a human.

Nilles says we often think of mosquitos as a rural insect, whereas dengue is actually an urban disease. The Aedes aegypti mosquito likes small, artificial containers, which are abundant in urban areas. And when it is wet, these containers fill up with water and provide and an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes.

R

GREGORY RAVOI

Viral attack ... Current dengue, chikungunya and zika virus outbreaks and circulation in the Pacific as at 7 April 2014. Although the map shows dengue-2 as circulating in Fiji, the ministry of health says it is not the source of the data. The SPC’s surivellance information and communication officer Christelle Lepers said this information originated from the Queensland Health Statewide Communicable Diseases Surveillance, reporting three dengue-2 cases acquired in Fiji since January 2014.

Keeping watch ... Dr Eric Nilles April 2014

Q&ADenguePacific in the

HEALTH

By HELEN J. YU, communications officer, World Health Organisation Western Pacific Region, Suva.

Q: What’s the current situation about dengue outbreak in Fiji?

A: To date, over 20,000 clinically suspected dengue cases have been reported and 13 deaths have been confirmed in Fiji since December 2013, due to the re-emergence of the dengue virus serotype 3 after nearly 20 years. WHO is closely monitoring the situation and working closely with the Ministry of Health and other partners to prevent and control dengue outbreak. A decline in new cases reported per day has been noted since end of March. This is probably due to a combination of factors including cooler weather, a decreasing proportion of the population susceptible to the dengue virus, and the control measures taken.

Q: What’s the current situation in other Pacific Islands?

A: Dengue serotype 3 outbreaks have started in Kiribati, French Polynesia and New Caledonia since end of 2013. Now the number of dengue cases reported is decreasing or low and WHO is continuing to monitor closely. The number of new cases in Vanuatu has plateaued and as of 25 March there were a total of 1440 cases and 2 reported deaths. A modest increase in dengue cases in the Solomon Islands has been reported with more than 50 suspected cases since last November, and surveillance and public health measures have been strengthened.

In French Polynesia, New Caledonia and the Cook Islands, a Zika outbreak has been confirmed and ongoing, with more than 400 cases in New Caledonia since end of 2013 and 600 cases in Cook Island reported since March 2014. The epidemic in French Polynesia seems to have entered a phase of decline while the number of cases in New Caledonia and the Cook Island is expected to increase.

Q: Will dengue and other mosquito-borne virus continue to spread in Fiji and other Pacific Islands?

A: Ministries in affected countries and territories continue to take effective surveillance and control measures.

In Fiji, the number of new cases appears to be decreasing since end of March, due to cold weather, a decreasing proportion of the population susceptible to the dengue virus, and active vector control measures taken such as national clean-up campaign. WHO is collaborating local health authorities and takes dengue and other mosquito-borne virus seriously and is monitoring them closely. The risk of spread of mosquito-borne diseases in Fiji will be there in the future April 2014

and therefore it is important to focus on long term preventive measures.

Q: How can infection with dengue and other mosquitoborne diseases be prevented?

A: At present, the only method to control or prevent the transmission of dengue virus is to combat vector mosquitoes through: n preventing mosquitoes from accessing egg-laying habitats by environmental management and modification; n disposing of solid waste properly and removing artificial and natural water containers; n covering, emptying and cleaning of domestic water storage containers on a weekly basis; n applying appropriate insecticides to water storage outdoor containers; n use of personal and household protection such as wearing long-sleeved clothes, installation of mosquito proof window screens, use of insecticide treated materials, coils and vaporisers; n improving community participation and mobilisation for sustained vector control; n applying insecticides as space spraying during outbreaks as one of the emergency vector control measures; n and active monitoring and surveillance of vectors should be carried out to determine effectiveness of control interventions.

Q: What has the local health authority done to prevent and control dengue outbreak?

A: Surveillance and public health response measures have been strengthened in affected countries and territories. For example, in Fiji and Solomon Islands, the National Dengue Taskforce has been activated and the surveillance unit, vector control unit and laboratory services are alerted.

They are responding quickly. The Ministry of Health in Fiji has issued a National Dengue Action Plan with focus on strengthening dengue surveillance, dengue clinical management, dengue laboratory reporting and management, strengthen public health response, coordination and logistics for outbreak and improve communication. The Fijian government has embarked on a massive health clean-up campaign, lasting four weeks in March, to combat the outbreak of dengue fever in the country. republikamagazine.com | RepĂşblika |

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FEATURE

J R WHITE & CO LTD E-mail: jrwhite@connect.com.fj Suva Shop 10 QBE Centre Ph: 3302325 Shop 16 Harbour Centre Ph: 3306499 Lautoka 111 Vitogo Ph: 6660045 | RepĂşblika Parade, | republikamagazine.com 34

April 2014

Repúblika

salon Cultural stimulus for the curious mind

Turning a new leaf

FACEBOOK/FILIMONI TUISATAVU

FILIMONI TUISATAVU

PAGE 36

Repúblika | salon

April 2014

PROFILE

Making good Y

in the dock and faced the court alone, he felt ashamed of what he had put his father through. In retrospect, Tuisatavu says it is understandable that even his dad was not there that day.

At the end of his trial, Tuisatavu was found guilty and magistrate Katonivualiku sentenced the young man to twoand-a-half years in prison. Even before the magistrate had finished sentencing him, Tuisatavu felt his world collapsing around him, and he began to shiver with fear.

That afternoon, the 15-year-old was taken to Korovou prison on the outskirts of Suva.

FACEBOOK/FILIMONI TUISATAVU

ket, a pillow and a mattress and was sent to Vesi dorm, which housed about 30 inmates. The prisoners had already had ou can’t really tell how much pain Filimoni Tuisatavu has endured their dinner when he reached there, so through much of his 22 years of life bethe kitchen hand had to find something cause he always has a smile and appears for him to eat. to be in a jovial mood.

Tuisatavu was told he would spend Tuisatavu, known as Fili to family the first three months in Korovou beand friends, is from the island village fore being transferred to Nasinu prison. of Qoma off the Tailevu coast. An only While at Korovou, he made many child, Tuisatavu was brought up by his friends and he asked the prison officers father from the age of eight after his if he could serve the rest of his sentence mother died of breast cancer. there. But the officers said the better His mother’s death at that tender option would be at Nasinu so he could age affected Tuisatavu badly and he sufdevelop some vocational skills. fered feelings of loneliness, even as he “The guards told me that it would watched his father struggle to be good in Nasinu because bring him up. they offered Training and By his teenage years, he Productivity Authority of was filling the emptiness inFiji (TPAF, now Fiji National side him with the company of University) courses. I could his friends. But soon he was choose a course to study and yielding to peer pressure. graduate before I was reHe thought doing what his leased from jail. They said it friends were doing would help was for my own good.” him fit in and relieve the perBut the first day in the sonal demons he battled. Tunew prison did not go well. isatavu began dealing drugs, Two of the seven other priscomforting himself with the oners transferred from Kothought that he was helping rovou to Nasinu with Tusupport his father. isatavu that day escaped.

He finally felt some sucTuisatavu underwent quescess because of the money he tioning along with the five was making, although his faother remaining prisoners. ther had no idea he was pushDespite the bad start, Tuing cannabis. isatavu soon settled in to the In late 2006, soon after routine of prison life: 5am the military coup, Tuisatavu and 5pm checks daily, when was caught in a raid on his their dormitory and bedhome. At the tender age of Lights, camera, action ... Filimoni Tuisatavu working on a short film for his dings would be inspected. at FNU’s UniStudios, Raiwai. PREVIOUS PAGE: Tuisatavu acts in 15, he was hauled up to the assignment He became a close friend a short film with classmate Demayble Pasoni.

Queen Elizabeth Barracks in of high profile inmate, PeNabua where he underwent niasi Kunatuba, the former “The only prison life I was aware of agriculture permanent secretary who military-style interrogation, including being assaulted along with other people was the ones I watched on television. was jailed for his role in the agriculture who had been detained for protesting I was even more scared when I was es- scam that occurred after the 2000 coup. corted to the front gate of the Korovou the takeover.

Tuisatavu also became involved in a Tuisatavu was eventually charged prison,” Tuisatavu recalls. rugby course offered to inmates under Arriving in prison, he remembers a the guidance of Frenchman Frank Boiwith being in possession of illicit drugs and brought before magistrate Amini- guard shouting from a distance for him vert, the former national academy diasi Katonivualiku in Suva. The boys he to stay where he was and to face the wall. rector at the Fiji Rugby Union. thought were his friends were nowhere He was then searched for contraband.

Tuisatavu was enthusiastic about the After the search, he was given a blan- course and was named one of the top to be found and as the teenager stood

By SOLOMONE RABULU

republikamagazine.com

FACEBOOK/OPERATION FOUNDATION

All smiles ... Inmates with Filimoni Tuisatavu (standing far right) pose for a group photo after attending a workshop held by an NGO called Operation Foundation.

students. When Fiji TV’s sports news team visited the prison, Tuisatavu was interviewed about his participation in the programme.

His success in the rugby course meant he was invited to referee matches at Suva’s Albert Park for which he was paid. The earnings prisoners make from jobs carried out while in prison are kept in their name and given to them upon release.

Several months into his stint at Nasinu, his world came crashing down again. Tuisatavu’s father died after suffering a heart attack. Tuisatavu was still a teenager and had become an orphan.

The pain and helplessness struck deep and all he could do was cry without anyone noticing.

“I mean what could I have done? I was in prison, I wasn’t there for him,” says Tuisatavu, the memory still fresh years later. “I blamed myself because what I had done troubled him … I know my father.” Tears brim in his eyes as he remembers the period.

Tuisatavu made a special request to attend his father’s funeral. The prison officers took their time in making a decision, so Kunatuba interceded on behalf of the youngster. The night before the funeral, his request was approved.

Tuisatavu was often part of the grave-digging squad, but on the day of his father’s funeral, he asked his fellow inmates if he could dig his father’s grave alone.

“I had to do this by myself. He was my father, I had hurt him and now he was gone. I felt so bad losing him. I

didn’t even say goodbye to him.

“I wasn’t there to comfort him. I feel more ashamed now,” he says as his eyes well up again with tears.

Digging his father’s grave was the only way he felt he could make amends.

“It was the least I could do for my poor father,” says Tuisatavu, his head bowed.

When he had completed his sentence, Tuisatavu was released from prison with the money he had earned refereeing rugby tournaments and digging graves: $1860.

But even with money, he had nobody there and nowhere to go. Both his parents were gone and his relatives saw him, young as he was, as an ex-prisoner.

He lived briefly with an aunt in Lami, but felt unwelcome so he moved in to a friend’s home in Raiwaqa with whom he started going to church.

They attended the Christian Mission Fellowship’s World Harvest Centre in Kinoya and Tuisatavu soon joined the youth group, where he felt at ease among the other young people.

One day during dance practice, Susana Kolivuso, a youth leader and the daughter of a senior pastor in the church, asked Tuisatavu about his life and he finally opened up.

Later, Kolivuso invited Tuisatavu to their home and related his story to her parents. Sensitive to the grief Tuisatavu had gone through since an early age, Kolivuso’s parents knew exactly what he was in need of. They asked him if he wanted to live with them at their Laucala Beach Estate home.

Tuisatavu spent some time thinkrepublikamagazine.com

ing about the offer, which he felt as an answer to his prayer. He had longed for a supportive family since he had gotten out of prison. He had now found a family to replace the one he had lost.

“My new family treated me like their own child,” he says in tears. “They remind me of my parents when I was young.”

Susana Kolivuso has two sisters and a brother, and she considers Tuisatavu her fourth sibling.

Despite the challenges thrown at him from an early age, Tuisatavu is now making up for what he missed out on.

He studies film and television production at the Fiji National University’s Raiwai campus, and works part-time at Mai TV in Garden City.

He has also developed a passion for acting, landing a supporting role in the recently released local short film titled Giving Life, produced by Bright Future Films and the FNU’s College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

“I am thankful for where I am today.

For all the problems I’ve been through, I still believe that it was a sort of trial that God gave me to live through under his guidance. If I hadn’t got into all my past acts, I wouldn’t have come this far in learning from my mistakes and becoming a better person. God has his own purpose and that’s why he is my inR spiration.” n Solomone Rabulu is a journalism student at the Fiji National University. He is currently taking a break from studies.

PAGE 38

Repúblika | salon

April 2014

The evolution of childhood Coconut Cognition with GREGORY RAVOI

M

any people love reminiscing about their sweet memories of childhood. As people grow older they tend to defend their generation saying that without a doubt their’s was the best.

My grandmother who reminisces of her early days on Rotuma walking to and from school and playing marbles by the beach.

My mother has stories of her generation running along the lines of walking from one end of Raiwaqa to the other just to wait for the school bus and playing the famous game of zuru every morning near the site of where the taba va (Public Rental Board’s former fourstorey flats) once stood. May I add that when my mother shared this story with us, my younger brothers asked curiously, “what’s zuru mum?”

The question filled the room with laughter. And that is exactly what I mean by the evolution of childhood.

Children today miss out on some of the things that made the childhood of the older generations amazing.

Some things that formed a big part of childhood in one generation are slowly fading among the children of today.I am not saying that the change is bad, its just interesting to observe how childhood is evolving.

A few weeks ago my brothers (who are twins) both received an Android tablet each, compliments of my parents. It was fun watching them play in excitement and one day I heard one of them ask where the charger for his tablet was? Then I started thinking, never in my childhood would I have ever had the chance to say “where is my tablet?” (except perhaps if I was talking about Panadol). I could not imagine that such a device would be mine during the days of exploring the backyard and battling

out with the evil villains (the trees) that walked the forbidden land (my grandfather’s plantation).

Childhood has really evolved over the years. I wonder what is in store for the future generations?

One thing I can say, though, that has not changed since the days of my childhood and my brothers’ childhood - with a 10-year gap between us is that Shortland Street is still there and every weeknight when the TV serial comes on you are not allowed and will never be allowed to change the channel. Some things never change.

Kaji rugby For a few weeks now I have been going down to the Marcellin Primary School grounds each Saturday to watch my two brothers play. It’s a wonderful thing to see parents coming down early on Saturday mornings to watch their sons play and support them.

There is always joy among parents and family members when their son makes a try. And because we take our rugby very seriously in Fiji, you’ll have parents, family and friends concerned about their child’s performance in the game.

They would always be giving advice and words of encouragement to the young ruggers which does them a lot of good on the field. This is where it all starts - at the grassroot level.

Although what does not help is the lack of planning and punctuality on the part of organisers. They tell the children to be there at 9am and the game begins at 10am. In fact, the Fiji time fever kicks in and officials and coaches arrive at 10am with everything kicking off at 11am or later.

The only people who come early are those who collect the gate takings (of course they wouldn’t be late for the world, wonder why?).

It is unfair on the children because they wake up early and always insist on republikamagazine.com

leaving early because they don’t want to be late (trust me, I know).

However, when they reach the grounds they end up waiting for an extra hour or more. Something has to change because the children and their dedicated parents should not be held victim to waiting and waiting and waiting because of the disorganisation of a few organisers.

Lastly, I’ve noticed that whenever they start the games on Saturday they always have an assembly where the children line up and sit on the cement court (even on a hot day) while the organisers announce from the comfort of the shade. So much for team spirit.

Fiji finals fever It is that time of the year where everyone proudly supports their high school in the biggest schools athletics meet in the world.

Even those who left school ages ago still get hyped up in one way or another in their circle of friends over the CocaCola Games.

That’s the beauty of Fiji and how we do things. It doesn’t matter how long ago you left school you can still feel enthusiastic about the event because there’s a high chance that the very person sitting next to you on the bus or your work colleague at the next desk is feeling the same way.

It’s part of our culture in Fiji that we all share, topped off with the stunning T-shirts and flags that will create a sea of colours down at the national stadium.

So while some things about childhood change, some things stay the same.

Here’s wishing all best of luck to all schools and their athletes taking part and just an extra bit of luck to the boys R from Kaunikuila. n Greg Ravoi is the reigning Hibiscus King.

He is a graphic designer with Republika Media Limited.

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By KALAFI MOALA

F

or some Pacific island states, land issues have reached critical points, which is why land could be the central theme of key reform debates in the next decade or so.

A stark example is from Efate in Vanuatu, where the capital Port Vila is situated. Some estimates indicate that up to 80 per cent of customary land on the island has been leased to foreigners leaving many ni-Vanuatu dispossessed.

There seems to be no land laws – or lack of enforced land laws – limiting land leases or at least restricting it so as to ensure there is still land in the control of the indigenous people, and utilised for their benefit.

As in other Pacific states, the people’s livelihood is based on land.

In a country like the Kingdom of Tonga where the land tenure system has ensured local ownership, and strict enforcement of the constitutional clause that bans any sale of land ‘forever’, there is a looming problem that, if unchecked, could approach the kind of situation Vanuatu has found itself in.

Despite the ‘no sale’ land clause in Tonga, there is provision in the Tongan land laws for leases, and in some cases up to 99 years. Most of the leases are to foreigners, corporates, churches, or schools, but also to individual Tongans who live overseas, and who have a greater level of wealth than their local counterparts.

The situation of leasing to foreigners in the northern islands of Vava’u for example is pretty bad, according to many locals. As the most popular tourism destination in the island kingdom, the commodification of land for foreign retirement or business interests may have been slowed by the 2009-2010 hearings in Vava’u by the Royal Land Commission, but the current situation is back up to the pre-2009 activities.

Many foreigners lease land in Vava’u to build holiday residences. Most of those leases are for 20 years, but the foreigners intend to renew their leases after they expire. And they usually come up with money sweeteners to entice approval.

On the other hand, the leaseholders are thinking that after 20 years when the lease expires, their children or the inherited landowners will take back the leased land with a nice house on it.

The Royal Land Commission was created in 2009 as an initiative of the late King George Tupou V. Their assigned task was: “Not to change the basic land 42

| Repúblika | republikamagazine.com

tenure of our kingdom, but to ascertain the prevailing practices and consensus of opinion, legal or otherwise in order to recommend changes that will provide a more effective and efficient application of land laws and practices.”

The Royal Land Commission conducted its work over a period of three years at a cost of over $3m pa’anga (FJ$2.9m) Dr Teena Brown-Pulu, a Tongan academic from the Auckland University of Technology wrote: “In effect, the not-soindependent land commission would act as an advisory body to the minister of lands who by Tongan law could only be a noble’s representative to parliament. In all honesty, how classless and democratic in principle was the proposed set-up?

Considering the land commissioners appointed by King George Tupou V were three lawyers and members of the King’s Privy Council, where one was a noble estate-holder and one had life-peerage and a lord’s title, how impartial and nonpartisan were these advice-giving men making suggestions for change?”

The Land Commission report was released in 2012, two weeks after King George Tupou V’s death, and gave 120 recommendations; 99 of these decided by the commissioners themselves based on public meetings conducted all over Tonga, and 21 put forward by the nobility, the constitutional estate-holders of the greater part of Tonga’s landmass.

Tonga’s pro-democracy leader and longest member of parliament, ‘Akilisi Pohiva, says the Land Commission’s report still has not been tabled and debated in parliament, despite the fact that twice during 2013, there were motions for it to be debated in the house.

“To this day, the report and all the recommendations it made still has not been presented to Parliament,” Pohiva says. “In the meantime, the nobles who are the large estate-holders are already trying to amend land laws to make it favourable to them.”

But what are the nobles trying to amend in Tonga’s land laws?

Dr Teena Brown-Pulu wrote: “The trouble with the 2010 parliamentary restructuring which enabled 17 people’s representative seats to outnumber the nine allocated for nobles was this; the nobility interpreted the system change as a potential destabiliser to their power and resource base — land.”

Because the present land laws require cabinet approval for all land leases, one of Tonga’s large landholding nobles brought a private bill into the legislature

in 2010. The bill aimed at taking cabinet’s function of authorising leases and tenancy agreements on noble’s estates, giving this legal responsibility to estate holders themselves. Cabinet would be confined to approving land occupancy matters solely on crown holdings belonging to the state.

Amending the current land laws would mean that the hereditary estate holders have the explicit rights over issuing leases and allotments on their estates without the approval of cabinet. Land disputes will be negotiated with the minister for lands, who is by law a noble representative in parliament.

A point that reformers are starting to debate openly is money generated from leases for publicly used land such as the airport, the wharves, power stations, and schools should go to public services that benefit the citizens of Tonga, rather than to estate-holders.

Nobles get rich through land leases, and millions are being paid for land used for schools, airports, wharves, and other publicly used areas.

The questions surrounding the nobles’ control of land leases are undergirded by the original role assigned to them by His Majesty King George Tupou I. In a sweeping political move in 1839 and progressively in the years following, he abolished the existing chiefly system of the day and replaced it with the nobility system that has lasted to this day.

King George I not only gave the nobles he appointed hereditary titles but also large estates with the purpose of redistribution to the people of Tonga.

The nobles were to be custodians of the land, and would systematically grant land ownership to their people, free of charge — not only town allotments for residency but also out-of-town allotments for planting crops.

The critical issue facing Tonga is that while nobles are leasing out large quantities of their land for millions of dollars, there are a lot of their people who are without land.

Land reform may indeed be a major issue in the region, and not just in VanuR atu and Tonga. n Kalafi Moala is publisher and managing

director of the Taimi Media Network in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. He is the vice-chairman of the Pasifika Media Association.

April 2014

*But facts are sacred. ~ CP Scott

How Tongans are losing their land

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