Rabuka Urges Calm as Cabinet Prepares to Consider Constitutional Review Recommendations

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has urged all Fijians to remain calm following the presentation of the Constitutional Review Commission’s report and recommendations, stressing that the proposals are recommendations and not decisions of Government.

Rabuka said the Commission had completed its work and Cabinet would now carefully consider what had been proposed before determining the way forward.

“These are recommendations, not decisions of Government. Cabinet will now carefully consider what has been proposed before determining the way forward,” Rabuka said.

The Prime Minister acknowledged particular concern surrounding the recommendation relating to Fiji’s status as a secular state.

Rabuka, whose Christian faith he said was well known, maintained that declaring Fiji a Christian state was not what made the country Christian.

“Christianity should be reflected in the way we live — through humility, kindness, compassion, hard work, service and love for one another.”

He also sought to reassure Fiji’s different faith communities that their religious freedoms and place in the country must continue to be protected.

“Our Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and other brothers and sisters must never feel that their faith, freedom or place in Fiji is threatened. They are an integral part of our nation, and their right to practise their faith freely must always be respected and protected.”

Rabuka also appealed to fellow political leaders to exercise responsibility in their public comments, saying differing views on the recommendations should not turn an important national discussion into a political, racial or religious battle.

He expressed concern that commentary from some anonymous accounts and online trolls was already attempting to generate anger, fear and panic.

“Please do not allow misinformation or inflammatory rhetoric to divide us.”

Rabuka stressed that Cabinet had not yet settled its position on the Commission’s proposals.

“There may be recommendations we support, others we do not, and others that require further consideration.”

The Prime Minister concluded his message by quoting 1 Corinthians 16:14: “Let all that you do be done in love.”

He said this was the spirit in which Fiji should approach the important national discussion.

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