Repúblika | May 2014

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#FIJIV TES

MEDIA FREEDOM IN THE PACIFIC

THE LURE OF KARMEN

TRIbUTE TOLAISA TAGA

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YOUTH HOLDBALANCE OF POWER

A role for chiefs in politics

by JONi MADRAiWiWiSpecial to Repúblika

THE FiJi FiNALS iN PHOTOS

Crest Chicken Herb Roast

WHAT YOU DO Preheat oven 180˚c. Place chicken in a baking tray and pat dry with a paper towel. Slide your finger under the skin of the chicken breast to loosen it up and slide in slices of butter. Season with salt & pepper and a generous helping of olive oil and massage in to the chicken. Slice up 1 clove of garlic roughly and stuff some into the cavity of the chicken with the rest on the chicken and baking tray. Slice up an onion and add it to the baking tray. Now cut up eggplant, carrots, potatoes and kumala into big pieces and spread around the chicken. Chop up spring onion roughly and sprinkle all over the chicken. Season the vegetables with salt and pepper. Finish off vegetables with a generous amount of olive oil place in oven and roast for 45mins – one hour or until cooked.

WHAT YOU NEED • 1 Whole Bird Crest Chicken • 1 Clove Garlic • 1 Onion • 80-100g Butter • 2-3 Eggplants • 2-3 Carrots • Half a Pumpkin • 3-4 Potatoes • 3-4 Kumalas • Handful of Fresh Basil • Bunch of Spring Onions

Crest Chicken Satay Drumsticks

WHAT YOU DO Preheat oven to 180˚c. Season Crest chicken drumsticks with salt & pepper and brown quickly in a frying pan. While in the pan add sliced onions and sprinkle a tsp of cumin. Once the chicken is browned, place in a baking dish. Combine ginger, garlic, peanut butter, turmeric, soy sauce and coconut milk in a bowl and mix to a smooth consistency. Pour the sauce over the drumsticks and bake in the oven for 45mins or until cooked. Serve Crest Chicken Satay Drumsticks with salad.

WHAT YOU NEED • 6-8 Crest Drumsticks • 2 tsp Soy Sauce • 2 tblsp Peanut Butter • 2 tsp Turmeric • 2 tsp Cumin • 2 cloves of Garlic • 1 small piece of Ginger - grated • 1 can Coconut Milk • Cooking Oil

Tired of cooking the same dish? Try our newQuick & Easy Crest Chicken Recipes

WHAT YOU NEED • 1 Whole Bird Crest Chicken • 3-4 Mangoes• 1 Lemon • 4–6 Spring Onions • Salt & Pepper • 80 -100g Butter• Olive Oil • Balsamic Vinegar

WHAT YOU DO Preheat oven 180˚c. Place chicken in a baking pan or dish and pat dry with a paper towel. Slide your finger under the skin of the chicken breast to loosen it up and slide in slices of butter. Season with salt & pepper and a generous helping of olive oil and massage into the chicken. Then rip up the spring onion and slice up mangoes and add to the chicken dish. Cut lemon into quarters and stuff into the chicken’s cavity. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and place in preheated oven for 45mins.

WHAT YOU DOMarinate Crest Chicken thighs in milk and refrigerate overnight or no less than 3 hours. In a bowl add dry herbs and paprika into breadcrumbs and mix. Coat the marinated chicken generously with the breadcrumb mix. Heat oil in pan or use a deep fryer and add crumbed chicken thighs into the hot oil until the chicken is golden brown or cooked. Serve Crest Chicken Southern Fried Thighs with coleslaw.

Crest Chicken Southern Fried Thighs WHAT YOU NEED • Crest Chicken Thighs • 1 Litre of Milk • Mixed Dry Herbs • Bread Crumbs • Paprika • Cooking Oil

Crest Chicken Mango & Lemon Roast

ONlY THE BEsT fROm CREsT - fiji’s TRUsTED CHiCkEN

May 2014 3republikamagazine.com | Repúblika |

Young blood Youth members of the National Federation Party

OPINION

13 | The Rising Ape Alex Elbourne on our national apathy

14 | The Green Line Nakita Bingham on impending climate doom

COVER

16 | Going for the youth vote

REGULARS

8 | Briefing The nation reviewed

12 | Pasifika Post PNG’s liquefied natural gas project begins production

50 | The Last Word Kalafi Moala on Tonga and Fiji’s border claims

SALON

41 | Karmen comes calling An old European musical given a Fijian twist

ESSAY

33 | Women in politics Roshika Deo on ageism and the youth vote

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contentsrepublikamagazine.com /republikamag @RepublikaMag /republikamag Vol 2 | No 7 | Issue 12 | May 2014

38 | Laisa Taga A profile of the life of Fiji’s first woman newspaper editor

ObITUARY

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When the count-ing of votes is com-pleted after the Wednesday 17 Sep-tember election, a lot will hinge on the contributions of young people who

form a majority of the voters in one of the country’s most historic events in recent times. As the 2014 general elec-tion draws near, it is clear where the balance of power lies. With just over three months to go, young people – and women – have become the focus of interest of Fijian political parties as they drive their campaign agenda for-ward. But do young people know the power they hold and will they exercise it?

36 | Chiefs in politics Joni Madraiwiwi on why chiefs have a role

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#FIJIV TES

MEDIA FREEDOM IN THE PACIFIC

KARMEN COMES CALLING

TRIbuTE TOLAISA TAGA

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YOUTH HOLDBALANCE OF POWER

A role for chiefs in politics

by JONi MADRAiWiWiSpecial to Repúblika

THE FiJi FiNALS iN PHOTOS

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34 | E-libel David Robie on the new front line in Pacific media freedom

May 20144 | Repúblika | republikamagazine.com

editor’snote [email protected] @RicardoMorris

May mayhem and our young hope

Vol 2 | No 7 | Issue 12

Published by Republika Media Limited | 8 Mitchell Street, Peace Embassy Suite A107, Suva | PO box 11927, Suva, Fiji | Phone: +679 3561467 Mobile: +679 9041215 | Email: [email protected] | Printed by Quality Print Limited, Suva | ISSN: 2227-5738

PUBLiSHER & EDiTORRicardo Morris

[email protected]

WRiTERKelvin Anthony

[email protected]

MANAGER ADMiN/FiNANCE

Prethi Vandana

[email protected]

ADMiN/MARKETiNG

Rosemary Masitabua

[email protected]

SALON and GRAPHiC DESiGN

Demayble Pasoni

[email protected]

We welcome your comments, contributions, corrections, letters or suggestions. Send them to [email protected] or leave a comment on our social media pages.

The opinions expressed in Repúblika are the authors’ own and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. The editor takes responsibility for all non-attributed editorial content.

CONTRiBUTORS

Fiji

Alex Elbourne

Joni Madraiwiwi

Nakita bingham

Pacific

Kalafi Moala

As a nation, May can be con-sidered a month of mayhem. While it was also the month

the first indentured labourers arrived from India in 1879 - on 14 May - it is a month best known for the havoc of two coups 13 years apart on 14 May 1987 by Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka and on 19 May 2000 by George Speight and his band of men.

May is the month we lost our in-nocence as a nation. The month our dreaded coup-culture first reared its head and in some ways has continued to overshadow our attempts to build a new nation.

As journalists May is a month we mark World Press Freedom Day, a time when we are expected to reflect on our jobs, on our place in the industry and the state of our profession.

After numerous years of silence by media professionals, a panel discussion organised by the University of South Pacific’s journalism programme trig-gered an outpouring of emotion and sometimes anger from those in the au-dience, who undoubtedly had a lot to get off their chest.

And that has been the effect of of-ficial censorship and self-censorship. As journalists and media businesses we

have been tip-toeing around issues that really need to be aired, fearing that we would step on toes we would rather not.

The result has been a media that’s less than robust in its reporting, bland and boring.

That is not to say that there has not been instances of interesting, original reporting and writing in the daily me-dia. It is just that such pieces are few and far between.

And that is why USP journalism stu-dents were amazed at the forthrightness of some of the comments and the angst within some of the questions made at the USP panel discussion.

While it bordered on hysteria at points, the consensus later was that such discussions should become a regular feature among journalists and editors. We need to continue talking to each other about the issues we are fac-ing and answer for our actions to the public and our colleagues.

This month we focus on the all-im-portant youth vote. Statistics suggest that close to half of all those eligible to vote (or be registered to vote) will be young people between the ages of 18 and 35.

This huge demographic is being tar-geted in various ways by political par-

ties and aspiring candidates but do our young people even know the political power they hold? And if they do know, will they even use their vote?

These are just some of the questions that political strategists will want to an-swers in order to understand how Fiji’s young people are thinking and how far their political inclinations go.

There are certainly many politically active young people who hold opinions, are able to defend these opinions and share them with dignity.

But there are also many who do not show any interest in the political processes going on around them even though political decisions that are made in the corridors of power will affect their lives, whether they like it or not.

One argument is that young people feel there is a lot of time later to become interested in politics, and prefer to fo-cus their time on less mentally taxing issues. Another view is that young peo-ple feel disconnected from the whole process of politics and nation-building and cannot see any relevance of these in their lives.

Whatever young people are thinking and feeling however, the fact is they will hold an enormous amount of political clout come 17 September. R

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P.O.BOX 2427 Government Buildings, Suva

krlatchans.com

Phone: (679) 3477 268 Fax: (679) 3477 511Email: [email protected]

NEED TO CHARTER A BUS?

inboxYour letters, feedback and viewpoints [email protected]

Commerce CommissionSeveral years ago, I queried why the Commerce Commission had allowed Carlton Brewery (then virtually a beer monopoly in Fiji) to take over South Pacific Distillery, Fiji’s only rum producer, also benefiting from substantial duty protection at great cost to consumers.

Despite this takeover leading to a clear lessening of competition in Fiji’s alcohol consumption market, the Commerce Commission strangely made no objection.

Recently, a major soft drink multinational producer/retailer, also enjoying substantial market power (a favourite phrase of Dr Reddy, the Chairman of Commerce Commission), took over Carlton Brewery, thereby increasing its concentration of market power in the broader “drinks” market.

There was apparently no objection from the Commerce Commission although in the comparable media industry, owners of shares in television, radio stations and magazines, have been

forced by decree (and at some loss) to choose between the sub-media and not have cross-media ownership.

Now it seems that the manufacturer of Fiji beer has also taken over the manufacturer of Vonu beer, eliminating even that tiny bit of competition in the domestic beer producers’ market.

Can the Commerce Commission publicly explain why this has been allowed, so that curious students and economics lecturers (if any still exist in Fiji) can better understand the subtle functions of the Commerce Commission?

We are still waiting for a response from the chairman of Commerce Commission to my questions (through these columns) on his failure to regulate the exorbitant retail prices set by mobile companies, and the equally exorbitant prices on the domestic routes set by the monopoly Fiji Airways (with the monopoly profits no doubt assisting considerably in the miraculous payment of dividends to its shareholders).

I would plead with Mrs. Premila

Kumar (of Consumer Council) to desist from answering on Dr Reddy’s behalf, as she rashly attempted when voluminously evading my question on why the Consumer Council was not tackling some companies who were targeting children in their advertisements for chicken sales.

Professor Wadan Narsey Suva

Fiji electionsWhat significance has election when the ethos and spirit of politics in Fiji re-main so deeply committed to conflict?

Jas Kaurvia twitter.com/RepublikaMag

Political parties and media Is the media afraid to ask the political parties hard questions? Hope the elec-tion coverage changes. Your magazine rocks!

Romitesh Kant via twitter.com/RepublikaMag


briefingThe nation reviewed [email protected]

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15Confirmed deaths from dengue after an outbreak began last October.

25 The road death toll compared to 14 for the same period last year, after a mother and her

daughter were crushed between two buses at the Suva bus station.

26The drowning toll at mid-May compared to 23 for the same period last year.

1755The number of people who have died from asthma out of the 10,435 cases seen from 2000 to last year.

34The number of teenage pregnancies recorded in the first quarter of this year.

RBF warns on spoof emails

bANKING

THE Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has warned businesses which purchase goods and services from overseas suppliers to exercise extreme caution when dealing with their overseas business transactions and payment instructions.

FIU director Razim buksh said cases recently brought to the attention of the FIU show corporate and business entities have fallen victims through email spoofing and identity theft. Cases reported to the FIU show that email correspondence sent between the ordering local business entities and their overseas suppliers were intercepted by cybercriminals.

The cybercriminals would then use email spoofing to communicate with the local business entities using the same email address of the overseas supplier.

The cybercriminals then advise the local business entity that due to changes within their (overseas supplier) finance and accounting department, the payment should be redirected to another bank

account. This bank account belongs to the cybercriminals themselves.

Mr buksh added that local business entities should immediately become suspicious when they are advised of any last minute changes in bank account details or payment instructions.

All payment instructions should be verified by the local business through alternate communication links, such as facsimile messages, or telephone verification with the genuine supplier.

business entities and the general public who have email accounts should install good antivirus tools on their computers and communication devices, including strong email filters, and should never communicate or share personal information on the internet with strangers.

Commercial banks and money remittance service providers are also requested to exercise caution when processing such payment instructions from local businesses. n RBF


MILESTONES

briefingThe nation reviewed

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Vodafone Fiji 7s winger Samisoni Viriviri became the first Fiji 7s player to win the 2014 IRB Sevens Player of the Year on 12 May. He

finished as the top try scorer in the 2013/2014 HSbC Sevens World Series with 52 tries to his name and was also named in the 2014 IRb Sevens Dream Team.

Suva became the first city in the region to be declared a smoke-free zone. The Suva City Council, the Ministry of Health and the

World Health Organisation worked together on the initiative to create and encourage healthy living. Terry Walk, Ratu Sukuna Park, the Ivi Triangle, Suva market, Suva Handicraft Centre, the Suva bus Station, taxi stands, swimming pools and Suva Carnegie Library have all been declared smoke-free zones.

National Netball shooter Maria Lutua has become the country’s first netballer to sign on with Digicel Fiji as its brand ambassador.

Lutua’s contract will last for two years. She follows in the footsteps of other well-known stars of Fiji such as banuve Tabakaucoro, Iliesa Delana and Setefano Cakau.

Cloud 9 floating bar and restaurant has re-opened at its new location at Ro Ro Reef in the Mamanucas following its forced closure

by Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum last November stating that Cloud 9 was in breach of the surfing decree at its old location off Tavarua Island.

THERE exists much frustration, hate and a sense of being victimised for journalists to do their work without fear despite the strong stand by the Fiji Media Industry Development Authority (MIDA) that those in the profession were free to report without any pressure.

This came out strongly during World Press Freedom Day which was marked with a panel discussion on the theme ‘Press Freedom and the Fiji Elections’ at the University of the South Pacific, Laucala Campus on 2 May.

The panel discussion had well-known panelists from the Fiji media fraternity and was chaired by experienced broadcaster and journalist, Stanley Simpson. Panelists included MIDA chairman, Ashwin Raj, Fiji Sun business editor, Rachna Lal, veteran journalist Seona Smiles, former editor of The Fiji Times Netani Rika and Ricardo Morris of Repúblika.

The event turned out to be a truly emotional space for current and former media practitioners to come together and openly discuss and debate the state of the Fiji media. Questions were raised by the panelists and from some of the very vocal members in the audience on the role of the media, the definition of an educated journalist, and the kind of journalist that Fiji was creating.

Smiles, who stated that she was the only one present at the discussion who had real experience in covering a free and fair elections prior to the first coup in 1987, says that the media decree restricts freedom and should be removed immediately.

“We have lost some of our best

journalists overseas,” Smiles says.

“Everyone including journalists should be

part of the elections process, however

flawed it may be. Journalists should be

free of fear to report on the process,” she

adds.

MIDA’s Raj says that journalists need

to think critically and know their media

and electoral decrees. “If the media

upholds the media code of ethics there’s

nothing to fear,” Raj explains.

Raj also raised the point that the

ethical standards of a journalist were a

pressing concern.

“The media can play a much more

productive role in this country and need

to stop with the divide-and-rule.”

Professor Wadan Narsey, a prolific

commentator, was at the panel discussion

and felt that while it was an improvement,

self-censorship still existed.

In an article on his website he said:

“This certainly was progress of sorts

in Fiji, in the run-up to the elections

planned for September. but who would

have thought that the media reports on

the panel discussion would themselves

illustrate very clearly how self-censorship

continues in Fiji, quite contrary to the

MIDA chairman’s guarantee of protection

of the media?”

n See a recording of the panel

discussion at this link:

http://tiny.cc/5ps4fx

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5Fiji’s first women-led community radio station FemTALK 89FM operated by FemLINK Pacific marked its 10th year

anniversary on 1 May. Starting with only one mobile suitcase radio in November 2011 and then moving on to two additional community radio stations FemLINK Pacific was able to achieve 1645 broadcast hours in 2013.

MEDIA

Media discussion gets fiery

Media Industry Development Authority chairman Ashwin Raj and director Matai Akauola at a MIDA news conference in October 2013. Raj and MIDA came in for criticism on World Media Freedom Day.


briefing The nation reviewed

Conviction ends Chaudhry’s career

POLITICAL PARTIES

PERHAPS the most interesting news in Fiji’s political realms this past month was the sentencing of Fiji Labour Party leader, Mahendra Chaudhry. He escaped jail time for foreign exchange violations but was handed F$2million lifeline on 2 May by the High Court judge, Justice Paul Madigan.

The 72-year-old former prime minister’s convictions means the FLP is without not being able to contest the 17 September general elections because his conviction remains after he was found guilty of three counts of breach of the Exchange Control Act and put a dent on FLP’s election campaign.

The 2013 Constitution states that a person may be a candidate for election to parliament only if the person has not, at any time during the eight years immediately before being nominated, been convicted of any offence under any law for which the maximum penalty is a term of imprisonment of 12 months or more. The same is stated in the Electoral Decree 2014 for candidate eligibility.

Chaudhry is also ineligible to lead FLP as under the Political Parties Registration Decree, a person is disqualified from being an office holder of a political party if that person has, in the five years preceding the date when he or she applies to become an office holder of the political party, has been convicted of an offence and sentenced to imprisonment for a period of not less than six months.

Chaudhry remains FLP’s leader and has to pay his fine by 30 June.

People’s Democratic PartyTHE revelation by former Fiji Trade Union Congress general secretary, Felix Anthony that he has stood down from his post after serving for decades, to pursue his political career with the People’s Democratic Party also came on the same day as the FLP leader’s sentencing on 2 May.

The Political Parties Registration Decree does not allow trade unionists to be involved in politics. Anthony gave up on his position and immediately declared his intentions to take on the leadership role of PDP. He was elected as the new leader at the party’s conference in Lautoka.

Although Anthony has resigned from the union posts, he says that he will continue to oppose the provision in the Political Parties Registration Decree that

states that unionists cannot hold official positions in a party.

Anthony took over the position from the interim president Adi Sivia Qoro.

Proposed FijiFirst partyPRIME Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has applied to register his proposed FijiFirst party on 5 May and also presented the 40,083 signatures he collected from the four divisions. He received the most signatures from the Western Division - 15,636. From the Central Division he collected 14,499 signatures, in the Northern Division 9045 and 903 from the Eastern Division.

The committee members of the proposed party were also announced following the registration.

The Prime Minister will be the leader of the proposed party, Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Dr Jiko Luveni is the president.

The vice-president is Tui Macuata Ratu Wiliame Katonivere. The other VP was former Fiji Labour Party Nadi branch president and former senator bijai Prasad, who quit his post because he did not disclose that he was convicted on a criminal charge and served a prison term

three decades ago.

Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-

Khaiyum is the general secretary and

accountant Vimlesh Kumar is the

treasurer.

Along with presenting the 40,083

signatures the Prime Minister also paid the

registration fee of $5005.

National Federation PartyTHE country’s oldest political party

is expected to hold a national youth

convention in mid-July, according to

party president Tupou Draunidalo.

The NFP recognises the power of the

vote of young people between 18 and 35

years, who make up just less than half of

registered voters.

People’s Democratic Party leader and former general secretary of the Fiji Trades Union Congress Felix Anthony, left, is seen here in a 2012 photo with Rajeshwar Prasad who is now FTUC acting secretary.

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THE National Youth Party leader, Nayagodamu Korovou has delayed the registration of the party again. Korovou has also proposed that the party is considering a name change.

n KELVIN ANTHONY

Proposed National Youth Party


briefingThe nation reviewed

ON THE RECORD

“As long as I am around, MIDA will be neutral.” Ashwin Raj, Me-dia Industry Development Authority chairman at the World Press Freedom Day 2014 panel discussion at Univer-sity of the South Pacific, Suva.

“If we are all to progress as a nation and as a country and im-prove the lives of people, no matter where they are in Fiji, we must embrace leaders who are sincere, truly care for everyone irrespective of their ethnicity, religion, socio-economic back-ground or gender.” Prime Minis-ter Voreqe Bainimarama in his speech addressing the people of Rotuma on 12 May.

“People at the grassroots are scared to vote for anyone ex-cept the current Fijian Prime Minister.” A comment from a mem-ber of audience at the World Press Freedom Day 2014 panel discussion.

“Fiji Media Decree restricts free-dom and should be removed im-mediately.” Seona Smiles, veteran Fijian journalist at the World Press Freedom Day 2014 panel discussion.

“We should actively court and engage the young who need to get better connected to the po-litical history of Fiji so as to pre-pare themselves better for the rebuilding task that lies ahead.” National Federation Party president, Tupou Draunidalo quoted in The Fiji Times on 14 May about Fiji’s youth holding the key to deciding the out-come of the September elections.

Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre | 88 Gordon St, Suva | Phone: 3313 300 / 9209 470 (24hrs) | www.fijiwomen.com

Dr Martin Luther King Jr (1929-1968)‘ ’Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

You don’t have to suffer in silence

free and confidential counselling services and legal advice are available at our branches in suva, nadi, Ba, rakiraki and

labasa. You can call our hotline 24 hours a day.

CRIME

DOMESTIC violence is a real concern in households around the country and the Fiji Police Force is pleading with members of the public to avoid resorting to violence as a means of solving problems.

A Fiji Police Force statement on 9 May revealed that what continued to stand out is the parties of those involved and these cases are mostly between married couples.

According to the statement, incidents that being reported most in the southern and western divisions include disputes over trivial issues which could be resolved in an amicable manner, but these result in violence and this is becoming a trend.

“While we acknowledge that there are other incidents that go unreported, we continue to plead with members of the public to adopt a change of mindset

when it comes to dealing with their problems,” police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro said in the statement.

“Assault cases continue to be recorded on a daily basis and it is worrying to note that despite numerous awareness campaigns on the need to respect our women, it continues to fall on deaf ears.”

The Fiji Police Force states that there continues to be a zero tolerance policy when dealing with such matters and all cases will be investigated thoroughly and brought before the courts to be dealt with.

“This is why we continue to ask for a change in attitude as a few minutes of one losing their temper could result in the separation of families which is something the Fiji Police Force does not want to see happening.”

n KELVIN ANTHONY

Violence at home spikes

Supervisor challenges new recruits

ELECTIONS

Supervisor of Elections Mohammed Saneem challenged his adjudicators at their inducation training in Suva in early May to ensure all voters are assisted in a timely manner during the 17 September elections.

Adjudicators will be responsible for verifying voter registration details and identify the proper venue for them to cast their votes.

“You are now part of a special team tasked with delivering a successful elections that Fijians will never forget,”

said Saneem. “All of you are an integral part of that process.”

“We will not leave any stones unturned in our efforts to maintain the integrity of the electoral process.”

Saneem said all staff recruited to date are the best for the designated jobs.

Meanwhile, the Education Ministry has directed schools chosen as polling venues to cooperate with the Elections Office to ensure a smooth poll.

n KELVIN ANTHONY


The nation reviewed

Off the hook ... Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry walks out of court after his sentencing on foreign exchange violations on 2 May, accompanised by his wife Vir Mati Chaudhry and grandaughter. He was spared an immediate jail term but fined $2m and ordered to repatriate to Fiji funds he has in accounts in Australia.

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pasifikapostRegional current affairs worth noting [email protected]

ExxON Mobil has announced its $19 billion

liquefied natural gas project in Papua

New Guinea began production ahead of

schedule in late April.

The company’s PNG LNG project

has been six years in the making and is

expected to boost the Pacific nation’s

economic growth to over 20 per cent in

2015.

Gas is being piped more than 700

kilometres from the PNG highlands to

a processing plant near the capital, Port

Moresby.

The early start means the first cargo

will be shipped to customers in Asia

before mid-year.

Production will ramp up progressively

with the plant’s second processing train

expected to start in the next several

weeks.

Peter botten, managing director of

Oil Search, the project’s junior partner,

says the start of LNG production ahead of

schedule is “excellent news”.

It “represents a transformational

milestone for both Oil Search and Papua

New Guinea”, he said in an announcement

to the Australian Stock Exchange.

Oil Search expects its 2014 production

to be up by 1.5 million barrels to between

14.5 and 17.5 million barrels of oil

equivalent (mmboe).

The start of shipments to customers

in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan marks

PNG’s emergence as a gas producer for

Asia.

The Exxon Mobil gas project is PNG’s

biggest ever development and its first

LNG project.

“The project is optimally located

to serve growing Asia markets where

LNG demand is expected to rise by

approximately 165 per cent between

2010 and 2025, to 370 million tonnes per

year,” said Neil W. Duffin, president of

ExxonMobil Development Company.

A second major gas project is being

developed in PNG by Canada’s Inter-Oil

and Total of France.

Australia’s Horizon Energy and Japan’s

Osaka Gas are developing the third project

known as the Stanley gas project.

Exxon Mobil’s PNG facility has the

capability to produce 6.9 million tonnes of

LNG a year.

“Project revenue and profitability are

underpinned by long-term LNG sales

contracts covering more than 95 per cent

of the plant’s capacity,” Duffin said.

Exxon Mobil has previously said it is

considering expanding the project with a

third, fourth or even fifth processing plant.n JEMIMA GARRETT/RADIO AUSTRALIA

PNG gas project starts pumping


OPiNiON

Apathy is our national sport

n Alex Elbourne is the breakfast Show host on Legend FM. The views expressed are his own

R

Ever noticed how we in Fiji tend to try our best to never, ever rock the

boat? It seems to come from a deeply held insecurity about being recognised.

I’m not saying we don’t have opin-ions but we certainly have strong opin-ions about expressing said opinions.

And we all keep quiet until some-thing bad happens. For example, we’ve all known for ages that the Suva bus stand is a death trap waiting to happen. It’s obvious. And nothing changed.

Until two people died. You know why nothing changed all

those years? Because we, the gang who use the bus stand, were too apathetic to say anything.

We just accepted that a poorly planned bus stand, that’s as dangerous as to use, was okay.

So we can point fingers at the Suva City Council and the bus companies and the drivers and the checkers. And we can laugh at the Land Transport Au-thority for being reactive.

And yeah, sure maybe some are more culpable than others ... but let’s not forget that we allowed those that could make a change not to because we said nothing.

The circus is back! Man, elections coming up in Sep-

tember and the smearing has begun. He said this, this one said that, how about when you tried to get special favours, how about when you were convicted, how about when YOU were convicted? And round and round we go.

It’s blerrie fascinating. It’s like a cross between Shortland Street and an episode of Game of Thrones without the actual swords and sex (well, I assume there’s not much sex…this is where you picture the politician you hate the most doing their “O-face”). It’s amazing.

So, sit back, get your snacks ready and enjoy the show because brother, these gang have been waiting eight long

years to worm their way back. Yay! And on the subject of elections man

remember back in 1999, 2001 and 2006 when flp and nfp objected strongly to Rabuka and Qarase being the respec-tive ministers responsible for elections whilst also being members of a political party?

You gang remember that? No? That’s cause they didn’t say any-damn-thing. So, why now?

The double-edged sword I saw this lady on her mobile phone

the other day and whoever she was speaking with was getting a hell of an ear-bashing.

It got me thinking about how much technology has changed human interac-tions. The next time you watch a movie or TV series from before mobiles were in use, just see how many situations could be resolved if they had mobile phones.

Anyway, remember when we grow-ing up (I can’t believe I just wrote that, feel like a venerable, ancient talking about the “good ol’ days”.) without mo-biles and you messed up.

Whether it was at work or school, if you messed up back in the day, you had a buffer zone, a few hours at least before you got a growling from your parents or whomever.

You had some time to either (a) make up an excuse that did not sound lamer than those One Direction blokes or (b) you had some time to make a clean get-away, run away to another country and start a new life.

These days, make a mistake and BOOM! Within seconds you’ve some-one like the lady I saw the other day telling you off. Any chance of a good excuse/clean getaway? Gone. However, there is a flip side.

Before mobiles, you’d mess up and you had time. Time to let your imagi-nation go wild. Say you did something in school. You get home and you have about three hours before your parents get home. Three hours to imagine all the hurt they’re going to inflict on you.

It would be even worse if/when you messed up at work. All night imagining

what your boss will say to you. At least with mobile phones, you mess up, you get it, you move on. Well, hopefully you move on.

Social media is a bit too socialI noticed a fair amount of comment-

ing between alumni of various schools on Facebook after the Coca Cola Games had finished. Some of it was quite heat-ed. Made for entertaining reading.

Then you had students of schools who decided to express their displea-sure at other schools by literally drag-ging school flags through the mud in one instance and burning a school flag in another.

What got me about these incidents was how those who were involved seem to have some sort of tunnel vision of what exactly social media means.

I mean, even with it literally there in the name, people in Fiji (and overseas, although they’re a bit more cautious) just do not seem to get the fact that if you say or do something on the inter-net, you will get exposed. It might hap-pen quickly, it might take some time but it will happen.

So, be careful what you put online. Your stupidity will be displayed for ev-eryone to see and if that everyone in-cludes your family and/or employer, remember what I saying earlier about how mobile technology allows us to be contactable even when do not want to be…yeah.

And that’s it for May… Just about. 2014 needs to slow the

hell down. Almost the middle of the year again. Started the year off with such high hopes as did most of us.

But, life happens you know. Been some massive changes in my personal life but it’s all good. Or it will be once I recover from the shock.

The Rising Apewith ALEX ELBOURNE


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Thas the nation buzzing with excite-ment. The ipcc (Intergovernmen-

tal Panel on Climate Change) report, Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adap-tation, and Vulnerability has been re-leased, and the yielded results should come as no surprise. The report was a collaborative effort produced by 1250 international experts, reviewed and au-thorised by 194 governments. The re-port concluded, climate change is real and will affect every part of the globe from the South Pacific’s humble small island nations, to the wolves of Wall Street, slums of Mumbai, farmers of Europe, and even the royals at Buck-ingham Palace. However, it goes on to mention that such drastic environmen-tal changes can be mitigated if humans, the main motivator of climate change, address their dependence on carbon emitting energy and turn to renewable energy solutions instead.

For South Pacific islanders, climate change effects are already being expe-rienced, while some parts of the globe have yet to feel its destabilising nature. As drab as our environmental doom sounds there’s hope contingent on rest of the world’s leading fossil fuel con-sumers acting now to reduce their car-bon footprint. Citizens of small South Pacific nations have to adapt to climate change, making decisions in our daily lives that set the example of how people across the planet should be living.

The un climate panel surmised that carbon emissions have soared in the last decade. Evidence of this can even be seen in Fiji, where more cars on the road than ever before. It doesn’t take a scien-tist to notice Suva’s growing automobile market; a definitive indication that Fiji is developing unsustainably. Accord-ing to the Bureau of Statistics, in 2011, mineral fuels accounted for the highest import at 30.7 per cent with machinery and transport equipment as the second biggest import, at 22 per cent.

Chris Filed, co-chair of Working Group II of the ipcc Report on Cli-mate Change 2014 exclaimed: “With high levels of warming that result from continued growth in greenhouse gas emissions, risks will be challenging to manage, and even serious, sustained investments in adaptation will face lim-its.”

Currently, our modern schemes of development are fuelled by non-re-newable energy, a habit that must stop before attempting to mitigate effects of climate change becomes an impos-sible fight. The report raises hope that through sustainable technologies and clean energy, the shift from fossil fuels won’t be economically damaging.

Kaisa Kosonen of Greenpeace In-ternational looks to clean energy as the only way forward, “Renewable energy is unstoppable. It’s becoming bigger, bet-ter and cheaper every day. Dirty energy industries are sure to put up a fight but it’s only a question of time before pub-lic pressure and economics dictate that they either change or go out of busi-ness.”

Evidence of green energy growth is found in the 2014 Bloomberg New En-ergy Finance Key Findings Report pub-lished by the Frankfurt School fs-unep Collaborating Centre for Climate and Sustainable Energy Finance. The report states since 2011, the cost of sustainable energy technology has decreased 23 per cent. The decline indicates sustainable energy is a growing business; increas-ingly accessible to the public.

At this point, citizens of the world must collectively weigh the implications of unsustainable development and eco-nomic drivers promising a satisfying monetary return, versus sustainable development - free of fossil fuels - with a financial gain yet to be figured. The outcome of unsustainable growth leaves the world’s resources and environment sold short for a quick dollar, whereas sustainable development promises a way forward without total environmen-tal compromise.

“The (report shows) the tools we need to tackle climate change are avail-able, but international efforts need to

significantly increase” said uk’s Energy and Climate Secretary, Ed Davey. It’s clear that climate change isn’t a prob-lem that can be managed individually but must be met with a collective effort from every part of the world, both po-litically and commercially, if real and lasting impacts are to be made.

It’s hard to stay resilient when the un-disputed evidence of the Pacific region’s fate is predicted in black and white. Ac-cording to the ipcc 2014 Report, three key risks that were identified with “high confidence” for small island nations in-cluded the “loss of livelihoods, coastal settlements, and infrastructure in small islands”, “decline and possible loss of coral reef ecosystems in small islands through thermal stress” and denoting, “the interaction of rising global mean sea levels in the 21st century with high water level events will threaten low-ly-ing coastal areas in small islands”.

Will it cost the world to save our planet? At the rate society is develop-ing, consuming anything in its path, it is more likely than not that some kind of detrimental environmental disaster will happen before a proper account-able response is made. As in the case of the 2011 Fukushima Nuclear disas-ter, the world’s reaction to the nuclear meltdown sparked a worldwide current of anti-nuclear power protests, provid-ing a sound reason to lose confidence in nuclear power. Though it should be noted, it wasn’t devastating enough to shut down all nuclear power plants in the world.

Perhaps in the instance of climate change, it will take a catastrophe for the world to relegate the use of carbon emit-ting energy consumption to the past. If history repeats itself, South Pacific Is-land nations will first be enveloped due to rising sea levels before policy and de-cision makers in the world’s largest car-bon markets decide climate change is a real threat to humanity and responds by making dirty energy an obsession of the past.

OPiNiON

The impending inferno

The Green Linewith NAKiTA BiNGHAM

n Nakita bingham is a Suva resident and is em-ployed as a legal assistant with experience in environmental and corporate law.



Eyes left ... Students of Ratu Kadavulevu School salute Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama as they march past during the closing of the Fiji Schools Athletics Finals on 26 April. Bainimarama, keenly aware of the importance of the youth vote, was the first prime minister to attend the biggest schools athletics meet in the world, where he was chief guest on the last day of the two-day event.

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Fiji’s young people hold the key to the election result, but do

they know and will they use it?

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YOUNG BLOODWhen the counting of votes is com-

pleted after the Wednesday 17 September election, a lot will hinge on the contributions of young people who form a majority of the voters in one of the country’s most historic events in re-cent times.

As the 2014 general election draws near, it is clear where the balance of power lies. With just over three months

to go, young people – and women – have become the focus of interest of Fijian political parties as they drive their cam-paign agenda forward.

In Fiji, there are many definitions of youth. The National Youth Council of Fiji defines youth as “anyone in be-tween the ages of 15 and 35 years old.” At the provincial level, a youth is con-sidered a person between the ages of 15 and 45 years old. While according to the Fiji Bureau of Statistics, youth is anyone between the ages of 15 and 24 years old.

Statistics from the Fiji Elections Of-fice at the end of April reveal that out of the 550,262 people who have registered to vote so far, there are about 259,675 young men and women (based on Bu-reau of Statistics projections) between the ages of 18 and 35 years old who will be casting votes – the majority of them for the very first time.

This means that the youth vote will make up almost 47 per cent of the total number of voters.

4CONTiNUED PAGE 18

by KELViN ANTHONY

#FIJIV TES


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The equation is simple: the Bureau of Statistics projected population es-timates tell us that if the youth popu-lation can be mobilised by political parties through smarter campaigning, attaining political supremacy could be-come easier.

Already the hype is building within political parties who are putting more focus and effort into becoming pro-youth to strengthen their campaigns and have an edge over their opposition.

The Social Democratic Liberal Party (sodelpa), the National Federation Party (nfp), and the People’s Demo-cratic Party (pdp) are moving away from traditional campaigning techniques to put added emphasis on young people because of the big change in the voter profile. Setting up youth committees and branches that are driven by youth leaders to feed into the overall party ob-jectives illustrate political parties’ inclu-

sive approach for the September polls.There is also the proposed National

Youth Party that is getting a fair amount of media space, although it has yet to register. It recently said it would regis-tering in May and hinted that its leader would be a Fijian woman of Indian de-scent.

The Fiji Labour Party (flp) claims to still have a youth wing but did not name a spokesperson saying that only party leader Mahendra Chaudhry comment on behalf of their young members.

And then there is Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama’s, proposed FijiF-irst party that has already named poten-tial candidates – Bainimarama himself and his Social Welfare Minister Dr Jiko Luveni – even before registration.

But never in the history of Fijian pol-itics has there been so much attention given to the youth demographic.

There appears to be a lot of token-ism when there is talk about genuinely engaging with young people, not only

in Fiji but in other parts of the world. Effective youth participation in the de-mocratisation process from the grass-roots to the policy making level remains a key topic of discussion in Fijian soci-ety.

For this reason – as it appears to be – it is not surprising to note a lack of interest by young people in the de-mocratisation process in the lead up to elections. While there exists an ‘elite-minority’ of youth that are very visibly active in the political sphere, the large majority at the grassroots level remain disengaged from the whole process that will shape a new Fiji.

For example, a casual question to a young self-employed man about poli-tics was revealing. Had he registered to vote? “Not yet, but I’m hoping to.”

Was he interested in politics? “No I’m not.” Why? “Because I trust nobody, only God.”

Even more difficult is to determine the level of influence rural young people

3FROM PAGE 17

Why is it necessary for young people to take an active role in Fiji’s road to democracy?

Youth need to play an active role because this year’s election is

an opportunity for youth to make changes in the existing form of govern-

ment. It is an opportunity that we

are getting after eight years of living in a dictatorship. Free participation of the electorate in deciding its future, especially by the youth is vital.

Young Fijians have been forced to adhere to decisions made by a handful of individu-als without the opportunity to critically analyse the effects of the same.

We need to realise that because there has been no opposition to the regime for the past eight years, the youth have been starved of the transparent and accountable form of govern-ment that they deserve.

Ravikant Singh, 28, National Federation Party Youth Branch

The reality is that we have a group of old politicians who have been in

politics for some time now and are try-ing their luck this time around as well.

I mean no disrespect to any leader or politician but the fact is that after this group of politicians there is no one else to take up leadership.

There will be an absolute vacuum because the younger generation was never given emphasis, commitment and empowerment on these na-tional issues.

Therefore, it is vital for young people to enter politics at this stage and be directly involved in the democratisation process for the sake of the future of youth to ensure and safeguard a sus-tainable and prosperous economy and nation.

Patrick Shamal Singh, 27, PDP Suva Branch Youth President


4CONTiNUED PAGE 24

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have compared to urban youth in deci-sion-making or being politically aware.

To gauge ordinary young people’s interest and understanding of their role in the 2014 general election is quite en-lightening, in the sense, that young peo-ple are barely able to share a legitimate opinion on the importance of their role in influencing the outcome of the elec-tions.

“I will vote for (Voreqe) Bainima-rama because he has done many good things to make the lives of poor people easier, such as free education and bus fare for school children,” said Joshua Nair, a second-year University of the South Pacific student from.

Nair, 21, is yet to register as a voter and was still unaware of when the elec-tion would be held or if there were any political parties that existed. But he was quick to respond that he would vote for the current Prime Minister during the election.

Nair’s situation could very well mir-

ror that of many of his generation – a disempowered young

Repúblika interviewed youth lead-ers of soldepa, nfp, and pdp who have the mandate of the young people that they represent to get their perspectives on the young people’s political par-ticipation. Repúblika also asked them their party aspirations for youth during and post-elections, and how they see contributions by young people influ-encing policy.

sodelpa’s Youth Council president, Peter Waqavonovono, nfp’s National Youth Branch leader Ravikant Singh, and pdp’s Suva Branch youth president, Patrick Shamal Singh responded to Repúblika’s questions with great en-thusiasm.

Waqavonovono, 29, says sodelpa is focused on providing a better economy and better state services for all people. “We are keen on allowing young people to determine their own future by setting up processes that will benefit the youth

of Fiji and allow us to have a true appre-ciation for our democracy.”

Waqavonovono has also revealed the sodelpa youth have set up infor-mal support groups that operate in high schools and tertiary institutions. The high school movement is facilitated by a few students in the West and Suva.

Ravikant Singh, 28, the son of trade unionist Attar Singh, says that nfp has a strong desire to involve young people in decision making which affect their lives. He explains that by “involving youth it will help improve the democratic defi-cit and develop processes of democratic renewal amongst young people who feel excluded and disengaged.”

“nfp appreciates the important role that youth play in positively transform-ing society, especially through their public and political participation to-wards a more inclusive and democratic society,” says Singh, a lawyer by profes-sion.

Why is it necessary for young people to take an active role in Fiji’s road to democracy?

We have a very real opportunity at hand to set the scales right, vote

out the coup culture, and put in a just government that will remove discrimi-

natory and unfair policies and laws forced upon us by this Bainimarama government.

Through SODELPA, we also have a party that is willing to bring about an atmosphere of justice and ensure the instru-ments and institutions of the coup culture are held account-able and allowed to face the will of the people.

This may mean the sub-mission of the Bainimarama Constitution to a court of law to determine its legality and than a restructure of the security forces, a revoca-tion of existing decrees that give pardon to coup predators and send the murderers of persons like Sakiusa Rabaka back to prison.

Peter Waqavonovono, 29, SODELPA Youth Council President

Democracy is a tool for the empow-erment of the people. From that

standpoint alone, the democratisation process must be supported by all - young or old. Where democ-

racy is destroyed or suppressed, individual freedoms or liber-ties are lost and human dignity suffers as a result. This must be understood by all. The younger generation must understand that people around the world are lay-ing down their lives to gain their freedom – Egypt, Libya, Syria, are cases in point where dictatorships are being challenged or have been dismantled through peoples power. There is growing interest in politics from young people this election but there is a need for their greater involvement in our democratisation process. It requires commitment and courage which our young people can muster when the call comes.

Mahendra Chaudhry, 72, Fiji Labour Party leader

#FIJIV TES


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Repúblika’s Kelvin Anthony asked several young people if they would be voting and if they had a candidate in mind.

Merelita Siri, 25, Rai-waqa: I will vote for Fiji First Party.

Bola Benedito, 20, Vatu-waqa: I have registered to vote but not yet thought of whom I will vote for. But I think if I do vote it will be for Frank Bainimarama.

Sakaraia Vitukawalu, 18, Naboro: I have not regis-tered to vote and don’t have anyone in mind to vote for.

Chris Ward, 27, Suva: I will vote for whoever has a better pitch on the day of the elections. I am definitely not voting for Bainimarma be-cause I think he had the best era – eight years – to make a difference and he could have done more.

Priya Ashna Singh, 19, Savusavu: I have not regis-tered to vote and will register later on. Frank Bainimarama is the first person that comes to mind when I think of voting because he is doing a lot of good work.

ON THE RECORD


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#FIJIV TES

Krishneel Raj, 20, Kinoya: I will be voting for Frank Bainimarama because I think he is the best candi-date to lead the county as he has already done a lot of good work and made plenty improvements in Fiji’s laws that govern us.

Shameet Kumar, 25, Samabula: I am still decid-ing on whom to vote. I will wait for the manifestos of political parties and after critically looking at them make a choice.

Mili Dinawa, 22, Tama-vua: Is it compulsory to vote? At the moment I am undecided but by the time elections come I should be able to make up my mind.

Jimaima Tupou, 19, Ma-koi: I registered to vote early this year and we had a familydiscussion regarding this and my dad has advised that we will decide on who to vote for as a family when the time comes. Personally, though, I would have wanted to vote for Frank Banimarama.

Senilata Sukabula, 23, Delainavesi: I will vote for Prime Minister Frank Baini-marama’s Fiji First Party.

Autiko Naitini, 22, Suva: Frank Bainimarama’s gov-ernment is all right at the moment. However, when the voting time comes than I will think about who to vote.

Sumeet Sharma, 24, Tamavua: I will vote for Frank Bainimarama.

Rose Madden, 20, Sam-abula: Frank Bainimarama is doing good things in Fiji. I will vote for him.


COVERIn

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V-Day ... Fiji will go to the poll on 17 September and voters will have 10-and-a-half hours in which to turn up at the polling station at which they are registered. Other voting options include postal ballots and special pre-voting day ballots will be held at certain institutions.

The infographic above is an updated ver-sion of one first published in the previ-ous edition of Repúblika to help voters understand the new electoral system. It

was published before the voter education programme was launched on 17 April by the Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem. below are photographs of what

THE bALLOT PAPER THE bALLOT bOOTH

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The ballot paper with a number of security features is expected be a single A3-sized sheet, with numbers beginning from 135 through 434 or as many numbers as there are candidates. Voters will either have to tick, circle or cross only one number of the candidate of their choice.

The ballot booths are made of corrugated cardboard and comes folded in a box that’s only slightly larger than a pizza carton. According to the Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem, the boxes can be unpacked and folded out into a sturdy ballot booth in a matter of minutes. The design of the ballot box makes it easy to transport and set up.

Each voter will be given a booklet that contains the candidate number, name and photograph to help them choose who to vote for when they go into the ballot booth.


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Making your ballot count ... Each candidate will be randomly assigned a number beginning from 135 through the drawing of numbered balls. Voters will need to mark their ballot paper with a single circle, tick or cross on the number of their preferred candidate. booklets containing the names, candidate numbers and photos of all candidates will be printed and distributed. Each voter will also be given a booklet to take into the booth on polling day. It will be an offence to take any other materials into a polling booth.

#FIJIV TES

THE bALLOT bOx

voters can expect to see on polling day, including the A3-size ballot paper, fold-out cardboard booths, trans-lucent boxes and serially-numbered tamper proof seals for those boxes.

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Translucent plastic ballot boxes with six serially numbered seals will be used. A numbered seal will also be used to close the slot once voting has ended. The numbers on the seals will be matched against the record for a particular ballot box before they are broken to begin the count.


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pdp’s Patrick Singh says the party wants to empower young peopel and encourage their participation at the legislative level. The party also wants to give young people the right to speak for themselves and to give them the posi-tion to legislate on their decisions about things which matter to them, including the environment, their future, the econ-omy and the betterment of the nation.

“In this election it is overwhelm-ing to notice this change in trend from where previously young people weren’t so interested in politics however now youth want to be empowered and have their voices heard with their own rep-resentation to parliament,” says Patrick Singh.

The nfp’s Singh points out that there is a growing interest amongst youth in the democratisation process, which is evident in the way urban youth are us-ing social media to raise issues and have lively discussions about those issues. “However, we feel that the interest, al-though encouraging, is not enough giv-en the number of young people who will be voting.” He adds: “nfp realises the need to have the views of rural youth heard and will be organising forums for them to participate fully.”

According to the sodelpa, nfp and pdp youth leaders, the key issues that affect the young people of Fiji are edu-cation, lack of employment opportu-nities, social security, access to proper health services, restriction on human rights, and climate change.

pdp’s Singh believes youth are be-coming more vocal when it comes to issues such as gender discrimination, equal rights, education costs and stan-dards, and unemployment. “All this goes to show that the youth are genuinely se-rious about having their concerns given top priority to be addressed.”

nfp’s Ravikant Singh acknowledges that the ‘influence’ of youth in the de-mocratisation process at this point is minimal. “This could change in the fu-ture with more active participation of youth in the process for a greater influ-ence which will translate into greater youth recognition and formulation of policies around the needs of the youth,” he adds.

nfp’s Singh further adds that the nfp National Youth Branch has called upon the nfp selection committee to ensure

that credible young people are given an equal opportunity to be selected as can-didates for the 2014 general elections.

“We have been assured that the se-lection committee will persevere to en-sure that youth are represented in the candidate line-up and there is word that some youth have already been ear-marked and will be endorsed soon.”

A national youth conference organ-ised by the nfp is scheduled for mid-July. Party president Tupou Draunidalo told The Fiji Times the response at a youth meeting in Suva was “overwhelm-ing”.

“We should actively court and en-gage the young who need to get better connected to the political history of Fiji so as to prepare themselves better for the rebuilding task that lies ahead,” Draunidalo was quoted as saying by The Fiji Times.

sodelpa is currently holding talanoa sessions, sports activities, campaign ral-lies, and other online social media ac-tivities to reach out to young people at the grassroots level as part of its cam-paign strategy to engage more young people for the September elections.

Waqavonovono says the party’s youth will play an active role in driving the sodelpa candidates. “One of our

biggest problems is actually encourag-ing youth to register with the elections office. Young people may make up a large voting bloc, but they are all not registered,” he adds.

As for pdp, the party is engaging in talks with youth groups in villages and settlements, in tertiary institutions, and on the streets to ascertain the concerns and issues which young people would like to be addressed. pdp’s Patrick Singh says young people have seen pdp’s genu-ine commitment to the youth with the party’s Suva branch comprising 71 per cent of youth.

“pdp has taken to the streets and have started advocating on the need for youth empowerment and participation. We work and monitor our social media platforms very carefully to engage with our supporters and the increase in the number of our social media followers indicates to us the interest and influ-ence youth have in this revolution to lead our country towards democracy,” Singh adds.

Speaking on behalf of the young people of his party, Fiji Labour Party’s Mahendra Chaudhry says the party is doing its bit to woo young voters.

“We are talking to them, encour-aging them to involve themselves in the political process. We need their support to send our message across to the people. We need them in our cam-paigns to influence people to vote La-bour,” Chaudhry said in reply to ques-tions from Repúblika.

“They constitute 30-35 per cent of the voters and we would like to see their active participation in politics, includ-ing as candidates for the parliamentary elections.”

Chaudhry says he understands the level of influence of young people in the democractisation process.

“The younger people have a great deal of influence as can be seen through their keen participation in the social media on political issues,” Chaudhry said. “They are also in a position to ad-vise and influence the older members of their families. This is a good sign for the future well being of the nation.”

When looked at from a different an-gle, the youth debate is male-dominant – particularly in its leadership and ev-ery other visible platform. Where, then, does it place young Fijian women is an-other point of discussion.

It is not surprising to note a lack of interest

by young people in the democratisation

process in the lead up to elections.

While there exists an ‘elite-minority’ of youth that are very visibly active in the political sphere, the

large majority at the grassroots level remain disengaged

from the whole process that will shape a new Fiji.

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PLAYER OF THE YEAR

2 0 1 4 I R B S E V E N S

SAMISONI VIRIVIRI

May 201426 | Repúblika | republikamagazine.com May 201426 | Repúblika | republikamagazine.com

GOSPEL HIGH SCHOOL200m INTERMEDIATE GIRLS

2014 FIJI FINALSGOLD MEDALLIST

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This year’s Coca Cola Games were the biggest ever with 2800 athletes and

160 schools competing over two days in late April.

Thirty-six new records were set in both track and field events, of which 10 were achieved in the girls’ division.

In the girls’ division, Jasper Williams High School successfully defended their title for the first time tipping archrivals Adi Cakobau School by two gold med-als.

In the boys’ division, Marist Broth-ers High School continued their domi-nance in secondary schools athletics raking in 34 medals. Natabua High School settled for second place and Queen Victoria School third.

Mereseini Naidau of Jasper Williams High School and Sereseini Vesoka of

Xavier College were awarded the best female athletes having won two gold medals each. Inia Sili of Suva Grammar

was named best male athlete with three gold medal wins.

n KELVIN ANTHONY

36 records tumble at Fiji FinalsSCHOOL GOLD SILVER BRONZE

GIRLS

Jasper Williams High School

Adi Cakobau School

St Joseph’s Secondary School

xavier College

Natabua High School

BOYS

Marist brothers High School

Natabua High School

Queen Victoria School

Suva Grammar School

xavier College

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2

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7

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11

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With afp’s backing in Rio, Christophe Si-mon, afp’s head of photography in Bra-

zil, taught basic photography techniques to a group of 18 adolescents from the “Cidade de Deus” (City of God) favela (the term for Brazil’s slums) in Rio de Janeiro, with amazing results. Together, they photographed their daily life and their passion for football, at a time when all eyes are on Brazil, set to host the Football World Cup 2014 beginning in June.

It was while covering efforts to “pacify” the favelas that Christophe Simon realised that these underprivileged young-sters were fascinated by photography and his profession.

Seeking to share his professional knowledge and show how much Brazilians love football, Christophe Simon worked with Tony Barros, a local photographer who runs the “Lente Dos Sonhos” photography school in Rio. They found 18 kids ranging in age from 10 to 15 years old who wanted to partici-pate in this project.

Each weekend, for more than five months, they met with these budding photographers in the City of God slum, train-ing them in picture-taking techniques.

Although freshly “pacified”, the City of God nevertheless remains a complex place where anything is possible. Such as coming face to face with drug dealers surprised to find children equipped with cameras. A tricky situation that was quickly defused thanks to the diplomacy of Tony Barros.

The project rapidly became popular and the young people turned out to be particularly driv-en, some even showing promising talent.

The end results are striking. The quality of their work is indisputable.

The children caught on quickly to the basic rules (no posing, no flash, etc.). They saw their neighbour-hood through new eyes, discovering things that they had not noticed previously.

The teachers selected 70 photos to be sold on ImageForum,afps photo database. Any income from sales of these images will be donated to Casa Geraçao, an organisa-tion that trains underprivileged children to work in the fash-ion industry.

By selling these photographs and working with Casa Gera-çao, afp intends to advance this project further by making a photo training workshop available to the favela children until the 2016 Olympics.

afp has chosen only one newspaper or magazine per country to be given advance access to these photos in return for a donation to Casa Geraçao.

As a client of afp, Repúblika is the only print media in Fiji to publish these photos before they are released on the ImageForum website.

In the upcoming issues, we will run more photos tak-en by the children of the City of God.

Life through the eyes of Rio’s children




POLiTiCS

Women in

P litics

#FIJIV TES

by ROSHiKA DEO

The build-up and journey towards the elections is full of joy, friend-

ship, solidarity, unity including a few challenges here and there. One of the challenges that I want to share is the manner in which ageism and patriar-chy has posed undue barriers for us, as young people.

Personally I had to continuously deal with situations where my informed decisions through my thought process and reality are mocked and discredited because I had not adopted the decision of the older person!

Members of the campaign had to deal with similar issues. One person in Suva was told that he was too fresh on the political scene hence didnt know

anything and another volunteer from Ba when he attempted to organise a gath-ering to collect signatures his efforts was ignored and not taken seriously be-cause “people did not want to listen to and believe” a young person.

It is sad that despite young people having made remarkable achievements in education, the professions, as volun-teers or as advocates they are still treat-ed in this manner by many older people.

Young people’s ideals, values and efforts are not being nurtured and en-couraged but instead being mocked and crushed by some of the very ones we look up to.

The control on the young people continues in order to make them con-form to the ideals of older people.

Where is the democracy in this?

It is diversity and representation that young people bring that makes democ-racy dynamic. Young people make up 47 per cent of the voting bloc in this elec-tion yet we are not accorded the same respect, value, consideration as another not so young.

It is a sad reality for our country. My message to the young people of Fiji is: harness your power!

Remember that you are leaders of today and you can and should make in-formed decisions based on your current realities and context! You have the same value, equality, respect and dignity as the next person! Create the future you want to live in and don’t merely exist but live! R

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One of Fiji’s best investigative journalists and media trainers ended up as a spin doctor and

henchman for wannabe dictator George Speight. Like his mentor, he is now lan-guishing in jail—and enjoying garden-ing—for life for treason.

Some newshounds in Papua New Guinea have pursued political careers thanks to their media training, but most have failed to make the cut in national politics.

A leading publisher in Tonga was forced to put his newspaper on the line in a dramatic attempt to overturn a con-stitutional gag on the media. He won—probably hastening the pro-democracy trend in the royal fiefdom’s 2010 general election.

The editor of the government-owned newspaper in Samoa runs a relentless and bitter “holier than thou” democ-racy campaign against the “gutless” media in Fiji that he regards as too soft on the military-backed regime. Yet the editor-in-chief of the rival independent newspaper accuses him of being a state propagandist in a nation that has been ruled by one party for three decades.

In West Papua, Indonesia still im-poses a ban on foreign journalists in two Melanesian provinces where hu-man rights violations are carried out with virtual impunity. Journalists in the Philippines are also assassinated with impunity.

Media intersects with the raw edge of politics in the Asia-Pacific region, as countries are plunged into turbulent times and have faced the spectre of ter-rorism.

A decade-long civil war on Bougain-ville, four coups in Fiji (if the ill-fated

George Speight putsch is counted), ethnic conflict in the Solomon Islands, factional feuding in Vanuatu and politi-cal assassinations in New Caledonia and Samoa have all been part of the volatile mix in recent years.

And journalists are still struggling to regain a free press in post-coup Fiji with a nervous regime trying to restrict free-dom of speech with a general election approaching in September.

While teaching journalism in Aus-tralia, New Zealand and other Western countries involves briefing students how to report on regional and local business, development, health, poli-tics and law courts free of the perils of defamation and contempt, in Pacific media schools one also needs to focus on a range of other challenging issues—such as reporting blasphemy, sedition, treason and how to deal with physical threats and bribery.

At times, it takes raw courage to be a neophyte journalist in the Pacific. At the University of Papua New Guinea, at a time when it still had the region’s best journalism school, two senior report-ers were ambushed and beaten by a war party from a Highlands province after the local award-winning training news-paper, Uni Tavur, featured the campus warriors’ home affiliation in an unflat-tering front-page report on politics.

On another occasion, a student jour-nalist slipped into hiding when omi-nous “wanted” posters with his name and picture were plastered around campus because of his report exposing corruption over an annual Miss UPNG beauty pageant.

Also, at the University of Papua New Guinea in the mid-1990s, trainee report-ers covered five campus-related murders over two years as part of their weekly as-signments, including the slaying of a lec-turer by off-duty police officers.

In July 2001, four students were shot dead in protests against the Papua New Guinean government over unpopu-lar World Bank structural adjustment policies. Two young women, Uni Ta-vur reporters Wanita Wakus ad Estella Cheung, wrote inspiring accounts of the shootings and gave evidence at a subse-quent commission of inquiry.

At the University of the South Pacif-ic—a unique regional institution owned by a dozen Pacific nations—a team of students covered the Speight rebellion in 2000, when Fiji’s elected government was held at gunpoint for 56 days, for their newspaper, Wansolwara, and web-site, Pacific Journalism Online.

Although three long-established journalism schools at university level exist in the Pacific—UPNG in Port Mo-resby and Divine Word University at Madang in Papua New Guinea, and USP in Fiji—along with a second tier of trade school-level programmes supported by Australian Aid, most journalists in the region still have little foundation train-ing.

During my decade teaching jour-nalism in Fiji and Papua New Guinea, I found many bright young graduates will work for a year or so as journalists then leave for other, more highly paid, media-related jobs using the double major degrees they gained to get into journalism.

This continual loss of staff makes it very difficult to achieve stable and con-sistent editorial standards and policies.

Poorly paid journalists are potential-ly more readily tempted by “envelope” journalism—the bribery and other in-ducements used by unscrupulous poli-ticians and other powerful figures.

Financial hardship and lack of train-ing are an unhealthy mix for media in a democracy.

Media organisations themselves

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are too dependent on donors in the region for the limited training that does go on, and this makes them captive to the donors’ agendas.

Many view ventures as band-aid projects out of step with journalism training and education in Australia and New Zealand.

Australian Aid has contributed little to the main university-based journalism schools—the best hope for sus-tainable media training and education in the region.

But even the univer-sities are under threat.

In Timor-Leste, on the cusp of Asia and the Pacific, there is se-vere criticism of me-dia education and training strategies. Award-winning José Belo, arguably his country’s finest investigative journalist and president of the Timor-Leste Press Union, is highly critical of “wasted” journalism aid projects totalling more than us$5 million.

A “journalism in transition” confer-ence in Dili last October attempted to strengthen the self-regulatory status of the news industry “in response to the so-called international aid, particularly from the United States and Australia, which has been misused in the name of journalism in this country”.

The good news was that there was a united stand on a new code of ethics.

The most disturbing trend in the digital age is electronic martial law—a new law in the Philippines that crimi-nalises e-libel in an extreme action to protect privacy. The Supreme Court in Manila ruled in December 2012 to tem-porarily suspend this law and then ex-tended it until further notice in Febru-ary 2013.

However, in February this year, the Supreme Court ruled that the law was indeed constitutional, “effectively ex-panding the country’s 80-year-old libel law into the digital domain”.

This Cybercrime Prevention Act is

like something out of the Tom Cruise futuristic movie Minority Report. An offender can be imprisoned for up to 12 years without parole and the law is clearly a violation of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Po-litical Rights.

And truth is not recognised as a de-fence.

Last month, the indictment of two journalists, Alan Morison and Chutima Sidasathian, for alleged criminal libel under a similar Computer Crime Act in Thailand “may spell doom” for the on-line news website Phuketwan.

Already a copycat draft law attempt-ing to gag cyberspace is making an in-road into the Pacific.

Bloggers in Papua New Guinea are up in arms about proposed changes to a cyberspace law that will outlaw anony-mous and “slanderous” social media postings.

Opposition Leader Belden Namah in April described this development as “dangerous” for Papua New Guinea’s traditional freedom of speech. He says Prime Minister Peter O’Neill should grow a thick skin.

In the Philippines, at least 206 jour-nalists have been murdered since 1986-34 of them in the Ampatuan massacre

in Mindanao in 2009. Four years lat-er nobody has been convicted for these atrocities.

The Philippines is a far more dan-gerous place for the media under de-mocracy than it was under the Marcos dictatorship. There is a culture of impu-nity.

West Papua is the most critical front line for de-fending media free-dom in the South Pacific at present. The West Papua Freedom Flotilla last September fo-cused unprecedent-ed global attention on human rights

and freedom of expression in the Indo-nesian-rule region.

Vanuatu Prime Minister Moana Carcasses Kalosil challenged the Unit-ed Nation Human Rights Council last month to act decisively to end the “in-ternational neglect” of the West Papuan people.

Australia’s shameful human rights violations and suppression of informa-tion about asylum seekers is another media freedom issue.

Journalism must fundamentally change in the Pacific to cope with the challenges. Just as much as it needs to reach across an increasingly globalised world, it needs to strike a renewed bond with its own communities—trust, par-ticipation, engagement and empower-ment are essential.

Fiji is a critical testing ground for ef-forts to “renew trust” in the lead up to the September 17 election.

n Professor David Robie is director of New Zealand’s Pacific Media Centre at AUT University and is a former head of journalism at the University of the South Pacific in Suva. His new book Don’t Spoil My Beautiful Face: Media, Mayhem and Human Rights in the Pacific (Little Island Press) was published in Auckland on April 24.

Sign of the times ... A child at a nuclear-free and independent Pacific rally in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

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by JONi MADRAiWiWiby JONi MADRAiWiWi

Special to Repúblika

CHIEFS IN POLITICS

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The issue of chiefs participating in politics has become a matter of intense debate in recent times.

It has featured again with the Roko Tui Dreketi, Ro Teimumu Kepa, leading the Social Liberal Democratic Party (SO-DELPA) in the forthcoming September general election. The current orthodoxy is that chiefs do not belong in the politi-cal arena because it is partisan and con-tentious, thus bringing the traditional system into disrepute by undermining the mana or gravitas of chiefs. Suffice it to say if it applies to the Roko Tui Dreke-ti, it is relevant to the Prime Minister as well as he has some chiefly status.

What is revealing about contempo-rary views is their recent vintage. For much of the pre-contact and colonial periods as well as the first three decades after independence, the place of chiefs in both Taukei and Fijian political life was assumed. They were the natural

leaders of their communities and the British colonial administration under Sir Arthur Gordon instituted indirect rule here, before Lord Lugard intro-duced it as High Commissioner of the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria in 1903. Ratu George Cakobau, Vunivalu of Bau later first local Governor-Gen-eral of Fiji, made a prescient comment on the eve of the country’s first general election and self-government in 1966 that politics as the Taukei had known it (i.e. with chiefly dominance) had gone and the country was in unchartered wa-ters.

By the 1960s the phenomenon of chiefs being the dominant force in Fi-jian politics was more apparent than

real, kept alive by the leadership of the four Gone Turaga Bale (i.e. high chiefs viz Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, Ratu Sir Edward Cakobau, Ratu Sir George Ca-kobau and Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau) who dwelt at the apex of the pyramid. In reality, the rest of the structure was populated by the educated and profes-sional classes (Taukei and non-Taukei alike) who had mastered the knowl-edge-based learning necessary for a modernising economy. As many of the chiefs were unable to deal in the same coin their influence, as had occurred elsewhere, correspondingly diminished.

Bavadra and Rabuka represented seminal influences in the transition to a more populist type of politics from the eastern chiefly form of leadership rein-forced during colonial times. The latter was exemplified by the early Roko Tui (provincial governors), continued by Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna and bequeathed to

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n Joni Madraiwiwi is a traditional leader, lawyer and a former Vice President of Fiji (2005-6).

Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara and the other protégés Ratu Sir Lala mentored. The May 1987 coup was a defining moment. In ostensibly executing it on behalf of the Taukei and their chiefs, Rabuka paved the way for the military to emerge as a force in its own right at enormous cost to democracy, the rule of law and the chiefly system itself. Unlike earlier Taukei dissidents like Navosavakadua and Apolosi R Nawai, Bavadra and Ra-buka after him, indubitably transformed the Taukei imagination by signalling the advent of Taukei commoner leader-ship. It was a powerful and potent mes-sage, not lost on the Taukei themselves. The emergence of non-chiefly author-ity figures altered the terms of the dis-course about the place of chiefs in poli-tics. Unconstrained by the protocols of ‘vakaturaga’ (gentlemanly conduct and etiquette) as non-chiefly Taukei partici-pation increased, a distinction began to be drawn about politics as the domain of sometimes robust and even fierce de-bate unbecoming people of chiefly rank.

From the time of our ancestors, the exercise of political power was central to chiefly authority. The advent of democ-racy and a more representative fran-chise has, over time, fuelled the notion that chiefs ought to be removed from political activity and assume a more culturally-oriented role. However, if one accepts chiefs are community lead-ers, then their participation in political life is a natural progression from that vantage point. In any case, the demar-cation between the vanua and politics is fluid and often dependant on determin-ing nuances together with finessing the detail and grey area which lies between them. Furthermore, political interven-tion is a way of remaining relevant, as it is in this arena that decisions of na-tional and community import are taken. It may not be the choice of everyone of chiefly lineage. However, it is an indi-vidual choice to which chiefs and non-chiefs alike are entitled.

The assertion that chiefs should not get involved in politics appears to be rooted in the idea that chiefs are syn-onymous with their vanua. It is too sim-plistic and does neither chiefs nor the vanua justice. The concept of the vanua, like the lotu, is an expansive one. The vanua includes the chiefs, but it is the

people, their traditions, customs, folk-lore, knowledge, land and resources as well. A chief is a custodian of the vanua but he or she is not the vanua. What is crucial in this discussion is having a clear understanding of boundaries: ap-preciating that as a politician one has loyalties to a particular set of principles and objectives; whereas as a chief he/she embraces all those within his/her vanua irrespective who or what they are. Enlarging and extending these frontiers strengthens the vanua as it does the lotu.

In the last few weeks various chiefs of different vanua have pledged the sup-port of their vanua for various political parties. I do not believe it is their place to do so, notwithstanding the seniority and status of some of them. No disre-spect is intended, but the integrity and wellbeing of the vanua depends on it remaining at a distance from all politi-cal parties. The era when the mantra of Taukei political hegemony predicated on a precarious unity engendered by fear of Indo-Fijian domination is long gone. If the vanua is to retain its mean-ing and significance for the Taukei it must be inclusive and embrace all its constituents irrespective of political affiliation. It calls for an enlightened self-interest that recognises the Taukei’s ability to differentiate between the im-mediacy of political imperatives and the continuity of relationships embedded in connectedness.

A chief or head of a vanua may sup-port a particular political party or become a candidate for a political party. However, if one recognises the principle of free-dom of choice and conscience, the people within a vanua must be allowed to exer-cise that right freely and without undue influence. Whether or not they choose to support their own chief if he or she is run-ning for office, is their individual choice to do so. I was struck by a comment made by an elderly woman from Rewa quoted in the Fiji Sun recently. While paying defer-ence to the Roko Tui Dreketi as her Gone Marama Bale, the woman nevertheless stated she would support the Prime Min-ister. The Taukei are more than capable of navigating that divide but secure passage would be facilitated by progressive lead-ership that is respectful of individual au-tonomy and difference.

Ultimately, the legitimacy of and sup-port for chiefs rest, as with politicians, on acceptance by the community and the electorate respectively. Chiefs enter the political scene accepting the political risks and challenges as is. They cannot assert their prerogatives because there are none in that environment. The argu-ment for continuing the involvement of chiefs in politics is about representing a particular perspective that still resonates among a broad segment of the Fijian population. A vision which encompasses the common good, mutual respect, reci-procity and the importance of social ties. It is also about affirming the significance the Taukei as indigenous people accord their chiefs. Politics provides a means by which chiefs can contribute to national unity and greater social cohesion by leav-ening the tendency to partisanship with ‘vakaturaga’ i.e. promoting engagement, dialogue and goodwill across the par-liamentary chamber, levels of local and provincial government, within the com-munity and to Fijian society more gener-ally.

The dissonance over chiefly partici-pation in politics is as interesting as it is reflective of changing attitudes among Taukei themselves to the role their chiefs should play in the Taukei community and Fijian society as a whole. As the authority and legitimacy of chiefs rests increasing-ly on popular support, those views can-not be ignored or dismissed. However, there is a need to look beyond the super-ficial sound bite for more thoughtful and considered reflection. It must be a pro-cess that is informed by an appreciation of the context in which issues of identity, belonging and nation-building are wo-ven into this present discourse. For those of chiefly rank, they enter the fray not merely as individuals but as members of a class who are supposed to represent ‘community’ in all the wholesomeness that term connotes. If the electorate is to be more receptive to chiefly participation in politics, both in the present and for the future, chiefs have to demonstrate a sin-gular gentility, compassion and largeness of purpose which elevates public debate and enriches the national discourse. R


The journalist who led from the front

TRiBUTE

LAiSA TAGA

in the early 1970s, a young sprinter named Laisa Taga won three con-secutive national secondary schools

titles on the athletics track. “I try to be first in everything,” says Laisa Taga, sit-ting in the office of Islands Business International, where she is now editor of its news and business magazines. “I think there is an element of my sprint-ing days that has permeated my life.”

Getting the scoop – or dishing out the scoop – has been the central theme of Taga’s career, though she claims it was never in her mind to be a journal-ist. The eldest in a family of five siblings, she planned on following in her father’s footsteps and becoming a teacher.

Taga was at the University of the South Pacific in Suva when she began a part-time job with the (original) Fiji Sun, a feisty daily that in those days was locked in a head-to-head circula-tion battle with The Fiji Times. She fell in love with journalism. She graduated to the fulltime staff as a journalist and teaching was forgotten.

But then she married. The demand-ing hours of a daily newspaper journal-ist began to take their toll. Her then husband did not like having a wife who was out chasing stories at night instead of home being a housewife. The pres-sure led to Taga moving to a Monday to Friday job at the Ministry of Informa-tion.

Her talent was obvious and she won a scholarship to study journalism in Australia. Her marriage did not survive her determination to get her degree. She came home with her degree – and as a solo mother.

Taga was studying in Sydney when she heard the reports that there had been a coup in Fiji, led by an army colo-nel, Sitiveni Rabuka. One of her assign-ments was to look at how foreign jour-nalists reported on the coup.

She recalls: “I was talking to people back home so I knew what was going on. But these journalists were writing as though there had been a coup in Af-rica. In this assignment it came out that any journalist who had a passport at the time of the coup was sent to Fiji. They had no background on Fiji, were staying in a tourist’s hotel and getting their in-formation from taxi drivers...”

The truth is an important concept for Laisa Taga. Upon returning home from Australia she returned to the Min-istry of Information for the post-coup interim government. Rabuka was a min-ister in this government.

This was not the first time Taga and Rabuka’s paths had crossed paths: Ra-buka had been her team captain dur-ing the 1974 Commonwealth Games in New Zealand, where both represented Fiji in athletics. Though they had been friends, they “fell out” during her time

at the Ministry of Information.She says: “I had come into it with

this perception that they couldn’t afford to keep quiet. They had to talk. They had to open up. But I was fighting gov-ernment. That’s how they saw me – as a fighter.”

Taga had been put in charge of de-veloping the news service of a new tele-vision service, Fiji’s first. Programming was being supplied by Television New Zealand and the nightly news produced by the Ministry of Information.

At one point the former teammates met up during an interview. Rabuka asked Taga why she was writing about everything that was happening in gov-ernment, and not keeping a lid on cer-tain things.

“He told me to try and tone down my reports. I looked at him and I said, ‘Fine, but my work is to cover everything, to tell the people what is happening.’ I had to inform the people and educate them at the same time. That’s how I saw my job.”

Taga was doing things the govern-ment didn’t feel were ... appropriate. She spent one-year working with the power of images, at the news helm of the first television station in Fiji. But with the return to elected government approach-ing, the pressure grew as ministers in the interim government prepared to face the electorate. After airing a report

Taga was the group editor-in-chief at Islands Business International for 16 years when she passed away on 4 April 2014 from cancer. She had insisted on working until she could no longer do. The following is a profile written in March 2000 and published by the then PINA Nius Online. It captures the essence of what Taga’s life was.


which quoted comments critical of the government’s performance, she arrived at work to find she had been reassigned – away from television.

“I was told to ‘go and governmen-talise yourself ’ and was sent back to headquarters,” says Taga, laughing. She admits that she was probably too out-spoken for government, but did not want to be reassigned and sit in an of-fice.

What was the government’s loss was the Daily Post’s gain. Taga returned to the private sector as managing editor of the Daily Post, the first woman to edit a daily paper in Fiji.

“I was very happy we got her – she is one of the best journalists around,” says Dan Bolea, founding publisher of the Daily Post. “I knew her ability. She was the first woman editor of a daily in Fiji, and it really required the journalists and the profession time to adjust. There was some resistance – understandable when a woman becomes a boss of a paper – our board was very conservative and there was a problem there. But I kept pushing for it – on ability she beats any journalists hands down.”

“When I was offered the job, I said I didn’t think I’d be able to be the editor,” says Taga, displaying a common sense of modesty found in women in the me-dia in Fiji. “I think when I started at the Post, the other reporters were trying to weigh me out. They had been reporters while I was still in school.”

Her contacts within government served her well. Often, when the news team didn’t have a headline Taga would pick up the phone and get a front-page story. Taga believes that one of the rea-sons she persevered in journalism was due to her contacts.

“If you really want to know what’s going on in Suva, or in Fiji – ask Laisa,” says Bolea. “Something that is a rumor, Laisa can get to the actual story very fast. She works harder than any man in the newsroom. We used to beat the Fiji Times hands down, every day, always because of her sources. We got the real scoops.”

While running the Daily Post, Taga made a concerted effort to address women’s issues. She concedes that in a rush to meet deadlines, journalists are often just interested in getting the story

out. In Fiji, most reporters are Jacks and Jills of all trades and not specialists. And women editors, once in the power posi-tions, sometimes forget about address-ing women’s issues.

“I think we’ve taken a step forward, but it has taken us this long to address women’s issues. We have to make the effort because women’s issues are na-tional issues,” she says.

Taga believes that traditional cul-tures in Fiji play a part in the lack of women, and women’s issues, in the media. Traditionally woman’s place has been in the home, cooking the food and caring for the children. Taga says she was fortunate that she could have it all – a son, now 18 years old (in March 2000), and a career – because of the support of her family.

“When I started, I was patronised a lot. I had a lot to prove ... that I was bet-ter than men,” says Taga. When I was at the ministry I had to work doubly hard because I was a woman with a degree.” She says this as a matter of fact, not as a complaint.

Alongside two other journalists, Taga started the training programme at the (now defunct) Fiji Journalism Insti-tute and continues to be a regular trainer for the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) and the UNESCO/PINA Pac-trainer project. Through the efforts of PINA, she went to New Zealand to the New Zealand Broadcasting School on a UNESCO fellowship to study how to teach television journalism – and to one of America’s leading journalism schools to see how lecturers there taught jour-nalism.

From the Daily Post, Taga accept-ed an offer to join the region’s biggest magazine publishing company, Islands Business International. She is in charge of its news and business magazines.

In Taga’s view, the future for women in the Pacific is bright. “We are taking the cue, setting the pace,” says Taga of women in power positions in the Pa-cific. “I hope there will be a lot more women because I think we have a lot of things to offer. We are willing to share our experiences.”

A journalist’s journalist ... Laisa Taga in happier days as editor-in-chief at Islands business.

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J R WHITE & CO LTDE-mail: [email protected] 10 QBE Centre Ph: 3302325Shop 16 Harbour Centre Ph: 3306499Lautoka111 Vitogo Parade, Ph: 6660045

Cultural stimulus for the curious mindsalonRepúblika

Karmen comescalling

STAGE

Cultural stimulus for the curious mindsalonRepúblika

J R WHITE & CO LTDE-mail: [email protected] 10 QBE Centre Ph: 3302325Shop 16 Harbour Centre Ph: 3306499Lautoka111 Vitogo Parade, Ph: 6660045

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MAiN CAST MEMBERSKarmen Ateca RavuvuIosefo Peni Vadei Miakaela Molly Powers-ToraEskamillo Ulaiasi TuikoroSunia Filipe VuliErami Jolame DelanaMarica Paulini bautaniSeini Lusi bale Music adapted and conducted by Igelese EteDirected by Larry Thomas


Acting up ... Ateca Ravuvu gave a passionate and exciting performance in the title role in Karmen.

The lure of KarmenKarmen is based on the French opera

Carmen by Georges Bizet and was first premiered at the Opéra-Comique in Paris in March 1875. The libretto was written by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halevy. The story of Carmen however goes back to 1845 when it was first ap-peared as a novella by the writer Proper Merimee.

Merimee in turn, had been inspired by a poem called The Gypsies by one of the great Russian writers Alexander Pushkin. But it was Merimee’s travel through Spain that he heard the story of the Gypsy girl and how she was killed by her lover after she had betrayed him.

Carmen was not without controversy when it was first staged. Bizet had been pressured to alter the ending of the op-era as it was deemed inappropriate and as the Opéra-Comique was regarded as a family-friendly theatre it was felt that families would be shocked to see a debauched opera on stage. There were also disapprovals from the manage-ment of the theatre on the storyline of Carmen. While the librettists agreed to make changes Bizet refused. The music which was slightly Spanish was greatly resisted. Finally, and with much tension in the process, the first performance of

Carmen took place on 3 March 1875. It was also the same day that Bizet was awarded France’s highest recognition, the Legion of Honour.

The reviews of the opera were mixed. Some critics described it as im-moral and low. There were others how-ever who praised the opera for its inno-vation. The show struggled to remain open and after 48 performances it was closed. Bizet himself declared that the opera was a flop. The saddest part of it all was that Bizet died a few months af-ter the show opened, after the thirtieth performance in fact. He never lived to see the huge success his opera had and continues to enjoy.

Why this opera remains a classic is that it has never dated. While it was first written over 100 years ago its themes are universal and still appropriate today as it was then. Carmen was ahead of its time and subjects of morality were not for public display. Today, the issues in the opera are much more widely accept-ed and no one blinks an eye.

Transporting Carmen from Seville to Suva was not as difficult as imag-ined. The challenge however lay in the adaptation and music. The opera itself which runs close to three hours would

obviously needed to be reduced to half that time. It was decided to maintain the central and popular arias but the recitatives would go. This would instead be replaced by dialogue.

Igelese Ete reworded some of the arias to be more relevant and appropri-ate to Fiji. The popular Torreador was replaced with Go Fiji Go with the tune remaining the same. Apart from the Habanera which is in French, the rest of the songs were in English.

The original setting for Carmen is Seville in Spain. The version of the op-era that was performed was set some-where in Suva, in a seaside bar and at the National Stadium. The story spans the period of about a year.

In 2009 Ete and Thomas first adapt-ed Carmen as Domo ni Karmen with Isabelle Dina as the producer. Isabelle brought the idea to Igelese and Larry and seeing that a lot of work was done in the adaptation, it was decided to re-stage the production with a somewhat, ‘new look’ and new cast, although there are few who couldn’t resist the urge to be in the show again and it is great to have them back in the show. It was also decided to simply call it Karmen.

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| salon

FJFW 2014

FASHION

Get your stilettos ready, fashionis-tas!! Fiji Fashion Week is upon us.

The highlight of most social calendars, Fiji Fashion Week is in its seventh year and is scheduled for 29-31 May at the country’s revived iconic establishment, The Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva.

Three days and three shows will showcase a mix of Pacific and Interna-tional Designers. They will exhibit their designs in one or more of the five cat-egories which are the children’s show, student designer, resort couture, emerg-ing and established designers show.

Models: Mykaela Powell, Marie Fall and Blue de la Mare Dresses by: Hefrani by Aisea Konrote (Brown Dresses) and Tadra Knight (White Dress) Stylist: Fiji Fashion Week (David) Photographers and assistants: Bau, Bradly Mow, Clement Kumar, Riashil, Jack and Zac Beresford Hair and makeup: First Impressions - Hair and Makeup (Niveh and Marilyn) Location: Villa Takali, Loloma Beach, Pacific Harbour.

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Fiji Fashion Week’s resort couture show will be staged on 29 May at the Grand

Pacific Hotel in Suva. Models: Blue de la Mare, Jack

Tawatatau, Marie Fall and Mykaela Powell. Photographed by: Fotofu-

sion Photography Outfits: Kaftans by Elaine Taylor (Aladdin’s Cave)

and Pucci Shorts by Andrew Powell.Hair and makeup: First Impres-

sions-Hair and Makeup Styled by: Fiji Fashion Week

Location: Villa Takali, Loloma Beach, Pacific

Harbour.


by DEMAYBLE PASONi

Fashion shows are about glitz and glamour and are always fun to at-

tend. Most people that attend fashion shows dress to impress, which I love to do when the occasion arises. But it isn’t easy picking what to wear to each night of the fashion show and trust me, it can be a headache.

In my opinion, you don’t have to channel Lady Gaga to attend such events. You want to look effortless so think:n It should fit your budget (the main

thing).You don’t need to spend a lot of money on an outfit you’ll wear on a minimum of two occasions. There’s al-ways dressing up something you already

got with gorgeous shoes and jewellery or you dare I say it, thrift shops which I consider the Aladdin’s Cave to anything vintage and stylish. n It should be more glamorous than

what you normally wear. Think what you normally wear but elevated.n Needs to be fashionable. My fel-

low fashionistas, please take into ac-count that you need to choose some-thing that is stylish and unique. Just because something is old, it does not make it vintage couture so think before you dress.n It should suit your style. You can

always experiment with styles but it’s al-ways safer to choose something that you feel comfortable in and suits your per-sonality, size, and complexion because

it accentuates your features. n It needs to be funky and don’t be

too boring in your choices of clothing, especially in the colours you choose. Try wearing something that suits you that is bright and loud with big prints.n Shoes. It’s all about looking your

best and on occasion, the saying “beauty is pain” can be associated with the type of shoes in fashion. If you cannot han-dle the pain of six-inch heels then wear four-inch heels or very stylish flats, that way it won’t look like you are stumbling when walking and your feet wouldn’t need a massage afterwards.

I don’t claim to know all about fash-ion and style, I’m just sharing what I have learnt throughout my life.

It’s all up to you now.

Secrets to pull off your fashionista lookC

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Models: Angeline Furivai, Sophia Brack and Marie Falls Photographed by: Fotofu-

sion Photography Styled by: Fiji Fashion Week Loca-

tion: Grand Pacific Hotel.

On 23 May, Suva’s Grand Pacific Hotel celebrates 100 years since it first opened. The newly refurbished GPH will be from this year the new home of Fiji Fashion Week. This photo by pays tribute to the colonial heritage of the GPH’s hey days. Angeline’s blue dress and Sophia’s brown dress were bought at the Balmein Market in Sydney and Marie’s pink dress is owned by Teresa Apted. All dresses are from the 1950s.



| salon

Ten vie for pageant spotMiss World hopefuls ...Vasiti Radekedeke, Shayal Esther Kumar, Asena Weleilakeba, bulou Rokotuiwai, Kelera Rokovereni, Teresia Weeks, Liku Gucake, Christina Sharndil, Charlene Tafuna’i and Salanieta Koro. Hair by Jade beauty Salon and make-up by Salon 21.

MISS WORLD FIJI

Ten young women have been se-lected to compete for the chance to

represent Fiji at the Miss World event in London in Novmeber.

Miss World Fiji’s director/organiser Truman Bradley said he was satisfied with the selection and was confident that the girl crowned as Miss World Fiji could very well win Miss World.

The final competition for Miss World Fiji will be held at the Pearl South Pacific Resort on 26 July for the second year in a row.

“This is a golden opportunity to im-press upon the world that Fiji is well qualified to host the Miss World event so we are going all out to make the Miss World Fiji unforgettable,” said Pearl South Pacific Resort’s genera manager Natalie Marletta.

Fiji’s national director for Miss World and chief judge of the selection committee said that choosing the top 10 was a real challenge.

“We are fortunate to have a country with so many beautiful girls, so the ones chosen really had to stand out. Natalie, and Aisea Konrote, the other two judg-

es, were unanimous on those selected,” said Blake.

Those selected are: n Shayal Esther Kumarn Liku Gucaken Charlene Tafunain Bulou Rokotuiwain Salanieta Koron Christina Sharndil n Vasiti Radrekedreken Kelera Rokoverenin Teresia Weeksn Asena WeleilakebaFor the next two months the girls

will be schooled in presentation and appearance “as if they were running for Miss World,” said Blake.

“In fact the girls will be learning much of the same disciplines that Miss World contestants from around the world will undergo.”

In addition to the schooling, the girls will participate in a number of yet to be announced events, many of these associated with sponsorships.

n MISS WORLD FIJI VIA PACIFIC REACH

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Hopes high ... Reigning Miss World Fiji Caireen Erbsleben, the country’s representative to the Miss World event held in bali last year.

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www.crowsnestresortfiji.com

Situated metres from the beautiful beach on Sunset Strip in Sigatoka, the resort offers sweeping sea views all around. The resort has spacious villas named and decorated in tribute to the ships that shaped Fiji’s history. Crow’s Nest offers a variety of accommodation, including self-contained rooms. The seagoing theme extends to the pool, a binnacle and brass-bedecked museum of bluewater relics from Fiji’s old whalers and sailors.

Tel: 650 0230 Fax: 652 0354 Email: [email protected]


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50 | Repúblika | republikamagazine.com May 2014

Pushing the boundaries

R

n Kalafi Moala is publisher and managing director of the Taimi Media Network in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. He is the vice-chairman of the Pasifika Media Association. A version of this article was first published on pacificpolitics.com.

by KALAFi MOALA

Lord Ma’afu, Tonga’s Minister of Lands, Environment, Climate Change, and Natural Resources

was in New York recently at the United Nations headquarters to present a full submission from Tonga which has been granted continental shelf status of 60 nautical miles beyond its current 200 mile Exclusive Economic Zone (eez).

A partial submission was made on 11 May 2009 to the Commission on the Lim-its of the Continental Shelf (unclcs), in accordance with Article 76, paragraph 8, of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

In accordance with the Rules of Pro-cedures of the Commission, information containing the executive summary of the submission, all charts and coordinates were circulated to all the member states of the United Nations, as well as states that are party to the Convention.

Tonga was claiming 60 nautical miles in addition to its eez on its western bor-der. But this was mapped as moving into the area of the Louisville Ridge, south of the Kermadec Trench, which is New Zealand’s continental shelf, one of earth’s deepest oceanic trenches (10,047 me-tres).

The New Zealand ambassador to the un wrote a letter of support for Tonga’s continental shelf partial submission saying that it did not impinge on New Zealand’s outer limits of the continental shelf.

On the eastern border, Tonga was claiming the Lau Basin that bordered Fiji’s April 2009 partial submission to the UN claiming its continental shelf status.

Lord Ma’afu could not be more suit-ed to this task, not only because of his extensive knowledge about continental shelf issues, but even for the reasons of history and nostalgia, as memories are recalled about his legendary relative, Chief ‘Enele Ma’afu, who ruled the Lau group of islands until Fiji was ceded to Great Britain in 1874.

Chief Ma’afu, cousin of King George Tupou I, was initially sent over to Fiji to bring order to ‘unruly Tongans’ who were

living in Fiji. But Chief Ma’afu not only brought order to the Tongans in the Lau Group — he also set up a governance sys-tem in which he presided as Tui Lau or King of Lau.

On the submission on the outer limits of the continental shelf of the Kingdom of Tonga to the United Nations Conven-tion on the Law of the Sea in 2009, the following reference to an ancient claim by the founder of modern Tonga, King George Tupou I was quoted: “The King-dom of Tonga is proud to have the lon-gest continuous legal claim of historic title to maritime domain in the world.”

But the issue requiring territorial clarification between Fiji and Tonga is of geopolitical significance for in 2005, Fiji made a submission to the International Seabed Authority denouncing Tonga’s royal proclamation over the Minerva reefs, north and south, by Taufa’ahau Tupou IV in 1972.

Tonga took this as an affront, because it showed political inconsistency with Fiji recognising the royal proclamation in 1972, and again in September at the South Pacific Forum held in Suva. The Tongan military has safeguarded the beacons on these underwater reefs for 42 years until now.

Even though there has been very little public reporting on Fiji’s 2005 non-rec-ognition of Tonga’s claim to the Minerva reefs, Teleki Tokelau and Teleki Tonga, tensions between the two countries flared in 2011.

The beacons on the Minerva reefs (north and south) manned by His Maj-esty’s Armed Services (hmas) were re-moved and the structures damaged, al-legedly by the Fiji Navy.

His Majesty’s Armed Services were instructed to replace the beacons on Teleki Tokelau and Teleki Tonga, which they did. They also increased their patrol of the area, making the Tongan military presence felt.

But why is Fiji suddenly so interested in the Minerva reefs, making territorial claims that counter its initial recogni-tion of Tonga’s claims to the reefs? What would be of great importance to Fiji to create a dispute with its closest friend

and ally in the region?Obviously the subsequent geopoliti-

cal issue, which Tonga’s full submission on the outer limits of its continental shelf raises, which is the relationship to deep sea mineral exploration and exploi-tation. In 2012, Tonga was the second developing country after Nauru to be approved by the International Seabed Authority the right to state sponsorship of deep-sea mining companies in inter-national waters.

A Canadian company Nautilus Min-eral Limited formed a subsidiary in Ton-ga called Tonga Offshore Mining Lim-ited, which was given a 15-year contract by the International Seabed Authority to explore for poly-metallic nodules in the Northern Pacific Ocean.

Tonga is the sponsoring state, and with its full submission on the country’s continental shelf gaining UN approval, what this does is consolidate Tonga’s right to sponsor deep-sea mining in the international waters outside its econom-ic exclusive zone.

This will probably ignite border dis-putes in the highly contested Lau Basin between Tonga and Fiji over rights to sponsor deep-sea mining. This is why territorial clarification over the sover-eignty of the Minerva reefs is integral to determining which country, Tonga or Fiji, will have greater geopolitical power and authority in the Lau Basin.

But why are the Minerva reefs, north and south, important to Tonga as sover-eign territory? Both reefs are under wa-ter. The beacons require maintenance and because the area is contested by Fiji, it requires the Tongan military to pa-trol, survey and secure the area. This is a costly exercise, which Tonga can hardly afford.

But emotional attachment would have topped the list as the answer to why the reefs are important to Tonga. As King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV claimed, Tongans have been fishing in the area since time immemorial.

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