Kamal Iyer’s Claim Sparks a Heated Clash at Fiji Constitution Hearing

A claim about political involvement in Fiji’s constitutional review consultations set off a heated exchange, with National Federation Party General Secretary Kamal Iyer defending his account against demands for evidence and a retraction. During a hearing on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, Iyer said most Indo-Fijians who had made submissions to the Constitution Review Commission were NFP members or supporters. He maintained that party branches had encouraged people to take part and that many submitters had consulted the NFP before presenting their views. The claim was challenged by Acting Committee Chair Viliame Gavoka, who said there was no evidence to establish how many people who made submissions supported the party. Opposition MP Alvick Maharaj also disputed Iyer’s assertion, arguing that submitters had not identified themselves as NFP members or supporters and that no figures substantiated the claim. Maharaj called for Iyer to withdraw it. The discussion followed concerns raised by committee member Siromi Turaga about limited participation by members of the Indo-Fijian community in consultations around the country. Turaga said invitations had been made in some areas, including parts of the Northern Division, but people had not attended. Iyer said NFP members in places including Nadi, Ba, Rakiraki and Nawaicoba had taken part after consulting the party. He also argued that the number of submissions reflected the NFP’s level of support among Indo-Fijian voters in the last general election. Attorney General Sevuloni Valenitabua pointed out that the attendance records did not ask submitters to state their political affiliation. As a result, he said, the committee and review commission could not use those lists to verify how many were NFP members. Iyer stood by his claim, saying the party had its own knowledge of people who sought its guidance, while Maharaj continued to press him to retract it.