Fiji's vice president says the attitude of most indigenous Fijians that their interests can only be protected by Fijian political control of the country needs to be changed.
Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi has told the annual convention of the Fiji Law Society that this feeling of wanting political control for protection is deeply felt and shared by most indigenous Fijians.
Ratu Joni says neither the constitution nor the rule of law is sufficient for their purposes because they could be impugned by whoever was in power.
He says unless this attitude is engaged and reshaped, both the Constitution and the rule of law will forever be hostage to the exploitation of emotions.
Ratu Joni says it is only when all the people believe that the Constitution and the rule of law protect all of Fiji's people and their rights, can these guarantors of rights be assured.
The vice president has warned that the alternative to the rule of law is anarchy or chaos.
