Editorial comment – When the masses matter

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Police officers guard a checkpoint. Picture: JOVESA NAISUA/FILE

It’s difficult not to be drawn into the issue of the Draft Police Bill 2020, and the scenarios that have panned out over the past few days.

In fact, the onus now shifts firmly to the powers that be to ensure there is enough awareness created about the venues for consultation sessions.

This is where the public will have an opportunity to have a say in the transition of this proposed Bill.

From the numerous letters we have received to the editor, it seems concern is on some of the wordings, some of the powers that will be shifted to the police, and some of the action that will be endorsed moving forward.

At this time, it is encouraging to note the many opinions now offered in the public domain.

Let’s face it, this is the time to voice your concern.

Ultimately though, the onus will be on the powers that be, to either embrace the different opinions and take appropriate action or use them as a sort of leverage, or as a guideline, or just cast them aside.

Clearly, the draft proposals are causing concern.

Let’s be part of the transition and participate in the consultation process.

Whether people believe the proposed legislation has the hallmarks of a police state or not, we should be actively involved in how it shapes up in the future.

Right now is when we need the masses to be aware, not only of the consultation venues, but also of the proposed legislation, the concerns that have been raised by various sections of the community, and possible consequences.

We need to be familiarising ourselves with this draft proposal.

As a letter writer raises today, the existing 1965 Fiji Police Act obviously needs a wholesale review with a view to a repeal. Surely it has played its part well since the colonial days.

But given the changes in society, in trends, in how we do things, there has to be appropriate action taken to embrace these changes moving forward.

That’s where a draft proposal must come in. We accept that change is inevitable.

However, change has to be accommodated and accepted.

Change must also take into account real concerns raised.

For what it’s worth right now, there seems to be a major concern.

This must be acknowledged and action taken to accommodate them in the consultation part of the process.

The consultation part of this process clearly is a critical element of the proposed legislation.

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