‘Time will tell’: Political loyalties change after Fiji’s former ruling party deregisters

Fiji’s Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu (left) and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka shake hands after the budget was passed, Thursday, July 13, 2023.
photo: Facebook.com/Parliament of the Republic of Fiji

A former Cabinet Minister and MP says “time will tell” the loyalty of deregistered FijiFirst party politicians.

Premila Kumar, a former point man in Bainimarama’s government, told RNZ Pacific the intervention in this week’s parliamentary budget debate would paint a clearer picture of individual MPs’ political loyalties.

The former ruling party collapsed just 18 months after it lost power after some of its MPs voted in favour of a government bill aimed at Salaries have risen sharply,thereby Leading to their suspension.

Former FijiFirst MP and now independent Mosese Bulitavu appealed the suspension.

Bulitavu has alleged that Fiji First has violated the party’s constitution by not allowing its parliamentary leader, Inia Seruiratu, to attend the party’s leadership council meetings.

The Registrar of Political Parties, Ana Mataiciwa, cancelled the registration of FijiFirst under Section 12(4) of the Political Parties Act.

Mathaisiwa pointed out that FijiFirst had no provision for internal party dispute resolution – a requirement under the Political Parties Act.

She notified the FijiFirst party on May 30 to amend its constitution to incorporate the clauses required by Schedule 2 of the Act.

The party was asked to make the necessary changes by 4pm on June 28. However, founding members including Bainimarama Resigned a lotand failed to amend its articles of association, resulting in its cancellation.

Kumar told New Zealand’s Pacific Radio that 26 Fiji First MPs, currently independents, were preparing their responses to the Budget this week.

“Time will tell and the only way we can test this is to see how people react to the Budget in Parliament. That will indicate (who) is on which side,” Kumar said.

“But we cannot say who will be independent members and who will join other parties.”

Kumar said she would become an independent MP and remain in the opposition.

“I will continue to hold this government to account; I will continue to scrutinize the job they are doing for the people of this country,” she said.

When RNZ Pacific asked Fiji First if they would form a new party with existing MPs, Kumar said they had to get together and discuss all these issues.

Premila Kumar in Parliament. (File photo)
photo: Fiji Parliament Media

Not the whole picture – Bedos

Former United People’s Party leader and former Opposition Leader Mick Beddoes said Fiji First had chosen to go down this path.

He said the FijiFirst party could easily meet the constitutional requirements to submit the application in time and arrange to settle the party’s debts.

“I would say that what happened here and the sequence of events, I don’t think what we’re seeing is necessarily the full picture,” Beddoes told New Zealand’s Pacific Radio.

“I’ve heard some comments from some people that maybe 10 to seven to 10 (Fiji First MPs) will stay. I’m not sure what the situation is for the others.”

According to local media reports, nine Fiji First MPs Commitment to support Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s coalition.

Fijian voters told Radio New Zealand Pacific that deregistering Bainimarama’s party was “fair” but they also believed the country still needed a strong opposition to hold the government to account.

One of them said: “I think it is fair to deregister because the party did not comply with the rules. As for whether it matters whether there is an opposition, I think it matters. These are the voices of the people.”

“If you look at FijiFirst, they are very strong. I think they are doing a great job. I think their opinions matter,” added another.

Another said: “(Fiji First) could have managed the logistics of a political party better and it is very important to have an opposition party in order to keep the country functioning and transparent.”

Mick Beddoes.
photo: Twitter

Beddoes said a key part of any democracy is having a strong opposition.

He said there would be a lot of bargaining but he was totally against the concept of a “government of national unity”, a suggestion that was floated by Rabuka himself.

“When there is a crisis in the country, when there is civil unrest, when there is war, a government of national unity is formed. Then the parties come together and work together. There is no crisis at the moment.”

“The implosion due to their own mishandling is not a crisis, it is a failure of the party.”