Government Interfering with Property Rights, Says Lal

Dialogue Fiji has raised concerns over what it describes as government interference with property rights following a decision to stop the buying and selling of Public Service Vehicle (PSV) permits.

The organisation said the move goes against existing law, which recognises PSV permits as personal property that can be bought, sold and used as collateral.

Dialogue Fiji said the sudden ban removes a fundamental feature of ownership — the ability to transfer or sell an asset — raising serious legal concerns.

Nilesh Lal said many Fijians had acted in good faith, purchasing permits legally, taking loans and treating them as long-term investments.

“They played by the rules. And now the rules have been changed on them overnight,” he said.

He said trust in the system has now been broken, with permit holders left in a position where they still own the permits, but their value has effectively been stripped away.

“In simple terms, people still hold the paper, but the value behind it has been taken away,” Lal said.

Dialogue Fiji also criticised the lack of consultation, saying no transition period or impact assessment was carried out before the decision.

The organisation warned that the move sets a dangerous precedent beyond the transport sector, raising concerns about the security of legally recognised assets in Fiji.

Lal said such actions could undermine investor confidence and economic stability.

“There is a basic principle of fairness here. You cannot invite people into a legal system, encourage them to invest, and then collapse that system overnight,” he said.

Dialogue Fiji is calling for reforms to be carried out in a fair, lawful and predictable manner.