The Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has called for greater partnership in the achievement of a just and fair society.
Commodore Bainimarama was speaking at the presidential dinner of the 26th Executive Meeting of Regional Islamic Da’Wah Council of South East Asia and the Pacific (RISEAP) held at the Natadola Intercontinental Golf and Spa on Monday night.
He said the Government was focused on building strong state institutions through good governance.
“Building such a society requires first of all participation of all its citizens, it requires honesty, candour, and transparency,” the Prime Minister said.
“It requires laws that are equally applicable to all and when applied are justly applied. Having a just and fair society is not only the job of Governments.
Prime Minister Commodore Bainimarama & Attorney General Mr Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum with executive members of RISEAP
“It is also the role of all citizens, business houses and organisations such as yours. Individual organisations must function and act in a fair and transparent manner.
“For example, as I have seen many times nepotism and clientalism become the norm in many NGOs. This must not be allowed to happen.”
Commodore Bainimarama said justice should be also exercised through allowing everyone access to basic needs.
He urged RISEAP to help Fiji in allowing this access.
“Today in the world and I am sure it is the same in your respective countries, the lack of access to basic needs such as food, water and housing are causing not only social problems but it also lends to political unrest and prejudices,” the Prime Minister said.
“It provides fertile ground for the fundamentalists to recruit the underprivileged.”