Former Vice-President, Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi has revealed in New Zealand that some Fijians want to penalise the Indo-Fijian community for their perceived support of the current Interim Government.

Speaking at the Annual Pacific Foundation lecture in Wellington last night, Ratu Joni said such emotions were counterproductive and there must be a conscious effort by Fiji's future leaders to adopt a "no victors, no vanquished" policy.

New Zealand Herald quoted the former Vice President as saying that there is a worrying sentiment among some Fijians of penalizing the Indo-Fijian community when the country wants to return to democratic rule.

However he maintains there is no place for this kind of feelings, just as there was no cause for the triumphalism amongst Fijians that emerged after the 1987 and 2000 coups.

Ratu Joni said leadership would place a heavy responsibility on those who assumed power, calling on the leaders to initiate a process of reconciliation and engagement.

He said the previous SDL government had not been inclusive enough. He said this has left many wounded and fostering feelings in the Indo-Fijian and other communities.

Meanwhile, Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi also revealed that the stated aim of the interim regime to remove the present electoral system was welcome because there was little argument it had reinforced ethnic patterns of voting.

He has been quoted as saying that concerns of some Fijians about changing the system were mistaken. He added there would instead be a need to protect minorities who must have a guaranteed voice in Parliament as the Fijian population is now enjoying an absolute majority due to the drop in the Indo-Fijian population.