Page 10 - IB FEB 2017

Cover Story ‘ ’
Rabuka targets disillusioned voters

PM Voreqe Bainimarama casts his vote in the 2014 Elections. Photo: File
n From PAGE 9 Federation Party. those disillusioned with Fiji First.
“People should be able to meet freely, Colonel Samuela Saumatua held the The target group is large – communi-
speak freely without fear of victimisa- Housing, Local Government and Envi- ties still living in tents after recent natu-
tion. ronment portfolios in Bainimarama’s ral disasters, villagers whose land has
“The current government is very vin- interim administration until a falling been exploited by foreign businesses,
dictive and use civil servants and depart- out – again with Sayed-Khaiyum – over families of the victims of security forces
ments to victimise those it considers to control of the Climate Change Unit. brutality, individuals who have lost their
be its enemies. Saumatua has been working in the jobs after false accusations.
“Our civil servants should be free background on SODELPA strategies. There will be no campaigning against
to have political views – open, public The last officer to fall from Cabinet was any Opposition party candidates.
views – without being victimised as long Captain Timoci Natuva who took over In fact, Fiji’s unusual electoral system
as they do their work as they should.” Infrastructure from Tikoduadua until allowed the party with the stronger per-
As if on cue, Attorney-General Aiyaz he himself fell afoul of Sayed-Khaiyum. sonality following to dominate and carry
Sayed-Khaiyum announced a day later As a troika the retired officers hold candidates into Parliament on his votes.
that the government intended to amend tremendous influence not only over Bainimarama’s massive 202,459 votes
Public Order laws to allow greater free- the current 5000-odd troops of the allowed his party 32 seats while SODEL-
dom of assembly prior to the polls. Republic of Fiji Military Forces but also PA and the Federation took 15 and three
Until now police have been used to some 30,000 members of the territorial respectively in the 50-member house.
enforce the current law to limit political soldiers and reservists. Based on individual votes for the 50
meetings. And their support base is in the critical candidates who secured the highest
Among those who have faced the vin- areas of Tailevu, Naitasiri and the Suva- returns, SODELPA would have won 24
dictiveness of the government – chiefly Deuba corridor. seats, Fiji First 24, the Federation and
through the actions of Bainimarama Asked whether he would seek support People’s Democratic Party two each and
and Sayed-Khaiyum – are three former from Tikoduadua and Natuva, Rabuka one to One Fiji.
Cabinet members and career soldiers. said he would wait until “they decide to “When I go out into the community
Lieutenant-Colonel Pio Tikoduadua break for cover”. there is a sense that people are looking
was Infrastructure Minister until a fall- “I will respect whatever decision they for an alternative – they are not happy,”
ing out with Sayed-Khaiyum over an make given that they may not want to Rabuka said.
intra-Cabinet discussion on local land do anything right now because of the “We want to be that alternative for all
laws. vindictiveness of the government.” Fiji’s people. We want to give freedom
Tikoduadua has intimated to close For Rabuka the current tactic appears to everyone.”
friends that he will stand in the next to be to retain SODELPA’s support from r netrika66@gmail.com
election, most likely with the National 2014 and attempt to swing the votes of

10 Islands Business, February 2017