The Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has highlighted at the Tailevu Provincial Council meeting that one of the major weaknesses amongst the Indigenous Fijians, is that they never have the guts to speak openly.
Commodore Bainimarama said this is part and parcel of the Fijian traditional hierarchy that has led to people being trapped in it, and those in leadership take advantage of the fact that they can never be questioned, because of the respect that is given to them.
He added that this is one of the main reasons why there is an increase in corruption, thefts, consumption of marijuana and indecent assault, because we cannot tell someone openly that what he is doing is wrong.
He said people prefer to speak behind their backs.
Bainimarama said this is witnessed in village meetings, Bose ni Tikina's and Provincial Council meetings, where people cannot speak openly on what changes they think should be carried out.
The Prime Minister said this is the protocol in the Fijian traditional hierarchy, and this is one of the areas that the Government is working on to see that changes are made, so people can voice their grievances, if need be, openly.
