Editor,
The development in the inter-relationship between the government and the chiefs of various factions in Fiji pushed our not too long ago relatives in Ono-i-Lau (southern part of the Lau Group) to make their wishes known. They wanted to secede from Fiji and join their closer relatives in the kingdom. I, for one, was elated at this gesture. Although this outburst was due to the stress of the emotions of the day, one could not fathom that the "kainga" of Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara would rise and say, "Stick it! We want out."
In the scheme of things, this is insignificant. The military regime is still in charge, and the chiefs who favored secession will be prosecuted for treason and removed. What is most notable, the son of Ratu Mara, Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba, is in the middle of it. Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba is a lieutenant-colonel in Fiji's army, now the Lau Group Provincial Chairman. This is a strange twist of fate. The group who booted Ratu Mara out of power now has Mara's son as one of their own.
This skirmish in Fiji's political scene should be taken seriously by those who are in power in the kingdom. The elected PRs in Parliament, the Yes-men of the Cabinet, and whatever is left of the Royal Family should take notice of this development.
The parallel between what is going on in Fiji and our situation in Tonga is: both governments are not listening to their people. In addition, both people were initially led to believe change is good, but change only benefits those in power. For example, the PRs had been bad-mouthing the government for all its problems. Yes, the people are suffering, the economy is bad, and the taxes are too high, but . . . they must have their 60% pay raise. Let us not forget their reduced work hours and work week.
Of the so-called movement leader, 'Akilisi Pohiva, I ask: is it possible the reason why the people you represent are suffering from high taxes is because someone has to pay for your pay increase? And that Someone is the very People you claim to represent. Really! That is where your huge pay increase came from.
As for the people of Ono-i-Lau, they do not want to be part of Fiji any longer. Who knows? Is Vava'u next? Although I am not in the kingdom, I am already sick of those self-serving groups in power. Yes, those in Parliament are included. Let us not fool ourselves thinking they are one of us. That was true before they were sworn-in to take office. Neither one of us can make laws, even in our own neighborhood, nor can we approve our own salaries. Those whom you elected can do both of the above and they have done well for themselves.
'Uliti Uata, Clive Edwards, and 'Akilisi Pohiva can claim amnesia or memory loss of their involvement in the sales of the kingdom's power generation to Shoreline. What a good project to use as a whipping boy. I do not blame the King for he had to make a buck. My only beef with him was that he used his status as Crown Prince to influence the transaction. Someone ought to remind the three PRs that we are suffering high electricity costs because they were knee deep in it. To my PR from Ha'apai, aren't you ashamed?
TamaFoa
tamafoa [at] comcast [dot] net
