Labour succeeded in socialist policies

The coup crisis in Fiji was partly because the Labour government was succeeding in its socialist policies, says academic Satendra Prasad.

Prasad says previous governments have not been “social types.”

"They have not been distributing the fruits of growth," he said.

"The Peoples Coalition emphasis was on ordinary citizens of the country. The policies cut through ordinary Fijian population."

He said the leaders of people behind the May 19 action would be the elite indigenous group who wanted policies designed for the elite, where as The Peoples Coalition targeted the ordinary working class.

Prasad says poverty is very evenly spread in Fiji.

"Sections of both communities are marginalised, not only Fijian.

In the public service 30 per cent are from other communities.

"On the 1997 constitution, he said it was a world model for accommodation, protection and entrenchment for indigenous rights.

"I can't see what else you can do. Constitutionally not much more can be done," he said.

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