Cheers, jeers greet Bainimarama in Auckland
A mixed reaction greeted FijiFirst Partyleader Frank Bainimarama when he visited Auckland last week on a campaign trail ahead ofthe September 17 election.
On one hand there were hundreds ofsupporters, some who turned up at the VodafoneEvents Centre in Manukau at 10am for the interimFiji Prime Minister’s 2pm appearance, on the other hand close to 20 protesters waving placards rallied outside the gates of the venue.
A predominantly 1000-plus Indo-Fijian crowd packed the event venue as Mr Bainimarama, who overthrew the elected government of Laisenia Qarase in December 2006, appeared on the stage to the cheers of his supporters, and the heckles of the protesters who were let in minus placards.
“I have been told not to worry about the devils,” he told the audience, referring to the protesters and their consistent interruptions.
Mr Bainimarama opened his campaign by highlighting the fact that the new constitution allowed racial equality and at the same time safeguarded native land.
“This constitution takes Fiji away from the dark days of 2000,” Mr Bainimarama said, referring to George Speight’s overthrow of the Mahendra Chaudhry government.
“This constitution is dear to my heart and I am happy that the people of Fiji have endorsed it.” Mr Bainimarama said the new constitution had been hailed as a fair and just document by many
countries.
“The previous constitution allowed the sale of native land; it is now refined and secure than ever,” Mr Bainimarama said.
“Like any previous constitution, it upholds the legal and moral basis of a common and equal citizenry without denying anyone’s individuality or culture.
“For the first time, ordinary people now enjoy guarantees of free education, adequate housing
and health care, social security, clean water and protection of the environment,” Mr Bainimarama
said.
“This constitution establishes common citizenry. All citizens of Fiji are now called Fijians.
“One person, one vote, one value.” Answering a question from a member of the audience, Ajesh Sood, on whether he could guarantee there would be no more coups in Fiji, Mr Bainimarama said “vote for me and there will be no more coups”.
Another Aucklander, Komal Gounder, praised the work carried out by the Bainimarama government over the past few years, but urged the FijiFirst leader to guarantee sound education for all Fiji children “so that when they grow up they will pick up a pen and not a gun”.
Although he did not take questions from the media, one local journo snuck one in. Yolande Ah Chong, presenter on Radio 531 PI, asked what he would do to prove the protesters wrong, Mr Bainimarama said: “They are a bunch of losers. I close my eyes and ears to losers.”
Mr Bainimarama’s August 8 visit was believed to have been organized by a local media organization. He did not grant interviews to local media except one Indian community newspaper and radio station.
He is expected to visit Australia next week aspart of his campaign.
A mixed reaction greeted FijiFirst Partyleader Frank Bainimarama when he visited Auckland last week on a campaign trail ahead ofthe September 17 election. On one hand there were hundreds ofsupporters, some who turned up at the VodafoneEvents Centre in Manukau at 10am for the interimFiji Prime...
A mixed reaction greeted FijiFirst Partyleader Frank Bainimarama when he visited Auckland last week on a campaign trail ahead ofthe September 17 election.
On one hand there were hundreds ofsupporters, some who turned up at the VodafoneEvents Centre in Manukau at 10am for the interimFiji Prime Minister’s 2pm appearance, on the other hand close to 20 protesters waving placards rallied outside the gates of the venue.
A predominantly 1000-plus Indo-Fijian crowd packed the event venue as Mr Bainimarama, who overthrew the elected government of Laisenia Qarase in December 2006, appeared on the stage to the cheers of his supporters, and the heckles of the protesters who were let in minus placards.
“I have been told not to worry about the devils,” he told the audience, referring to the protesters and their consistent interruptions.
Mr Bainimarama opened his campaign by highlighting the fact that the new constitution allowed racial equality and at the same time safeguarded native land.
“This constitution takes Fiji away from the dark days of 2000,” Mr Bainimarama said, referring to George Speight’s overthrow of the Mahendra Chaudhry government.
“This constitution is dear to my heart and I am happy that the people of Fiji have endorsed it.” Mr Bainimarama said the new constitution had been hailed as a fair and just document by many
countries.
“The previous constitution allowed the sale of native land; it is now refined and secure than ever,” Mr Bainimarama said.
“Like any previous constitution, it upholds the legal and moral basis of a common and equal citizenry without denying anyone’s individuality or culture.
“For the first time, ordinary people now enjoy guarantees of free education, adequate housing
and health care, social security, clean water and protection of the environment,” Mr Bainimarama
said.
“This constitution establishes common citizenry. All citizens of Fiji are now called Fijians.
“One person, one vote, one value.” Answering a question from a member of the audience, Ajesh Sood, on whether he could guarantee there would be no more coups in Fiji, Mr Bainimarama said “vote for me and there will be no more coups”.
Another Aucklander, Komal Gounder, praised the work carried out by the Bainimarama government over the past few years, but urged the FijiFirst leader to guarantee sound education for all Fiji children “so that when they grow up they will pick up a pen and not a gun”.
Although he did not take questions from the media, one local journo snuck one in. Yolande Ah Chong, presenter on Radio 531 PI, asked what he would do to prove the protesters wrong, Mr Bainimarama said: “They are a bunch of losers. I close my eyes and ears to losers.”
Mr Bainimarama’s August 8 visit was believed to have been organized by a local media organization. He did not grant interviews to local media except one Indian community newspaper and radio station.
He is expected to visit Australia next week aspart of his campaign.
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