Fiji: Regime leader claims chiefs’ support

Eighteen prominent Fijian chiefs have reportedly shown their support to the proposed FijiFirst Party.

In a statement, the leader of the proposed FijiFirst, Voreqe Bainimarama, said as well as the more than 40,000 signatures put forward for the registration application, there are many Fijians who continue to send in their names from all parts of Fiji.

Bainimarama said amongst those Fijians are some prominent chiefs whose support could not be included because the party’s application had already been lodged.

Bainimarama named the 18 chiefs – a move which has drawn criticism from the leader of the Social Democratic and Liberal Party saying it is “un-Fijian” to publicly state the support of chiefs.

Sodelpa leader, Ro Teimumu Kepa said that people who know traditional protocols would never state the names of chiefs publicly.

Bainimarama said he is looking forward to the registration of his party because it will give him an opportunity to tell all Fijians what the proposed FijiFirst can offer as a government. He says it will also give him an opportunity to dispel the many untruths, misinformation and fear mongering that is currently being carried out by the existing four political parties.

Bainimarama said the proposed FijiFirst intends to campaign with honesty, sincerity, love and affection and without any pretentions.