The Methodist Church has criticised the abolition of the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC), saying national consultation should have been held before it was abolished.
The Church’s general secretary Reverend Tevita Nawadra made the comment after Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama announced a new body would be appointed to replace it.
Mr Nawadra said it was a sad day for those of iTaukei heritage to see a national institution abolished in such a manner.
A former British governor, Sir Arthur Gordon, set up the Council of Chiefs -as it was known then – in the 1870s to represent the interests of indigenous Fijians in colonial Fiji. “For more than 100 years, its power was unassailable. In fact, it would have been inconceivable just a few years ago that the GCC could have possibly been challenged by anyone, let alone disbanded, such was its power and influence in modern Fiji”, said Graham Davis on his Blog Grubsheet
Source
- The Fiji Times
- Image: Custom and Culture
