The Public Service Commission (PSC) has launched an investigation into alleged racist comments made on social media by the Permanent Secretary for iTaukei Affairs, Jone Navakamocea.
The remarks in question have sparked widespread condemnation, including from Dialogue Fiji Executive Director Nilesh Lal, who labelled them as “deeply racist” and “inflammatory.”
Lal told fijivillage the post baselessly accused Indo-Fijians of a global domination agenda, dismissed their historical suffering, and portrayed them as a threat to indigenous Fijians.
“It is shocking that a person who peddles such hate and racially charged conspiracy theories holds one of the highest public service roles in the country,” Lal said.
“In any functioning liberal democracy — be it Australia, New Zealand, the UK, or Canada — this would be unthinkable.”
He added that public servants are expected to serve all citizens equally and not promote division in a multiethnic society like Fiji. Lal warned that appointing individuals with such views undermines national unity and poses a serious threat to social cohesion.
Mai TV journalist Stanley Ian Simpson also weighed in, calling the investigation “a necessary step.” In a Facebook post, Simpson wrote:
“Our leaders and senior officials need to understand that words have consequences… We should use words that unite and deescalate, especially in a country like ours with its history of ethnic tension.”
Simpson recalled similar sentiments being used to justify actions during the 2000 coup and warned against a return to the divisive rhetoric of Fiji’s troubled past.
“Yes the iTaukei community also have structural challenges to overcome but blaming another community is the same old politics that takes attention away from the real work that needs to be done and allow leaders to justify their incompetence and inadequacies.”
When approached for comment by fijivillage, Navakamocea declined to respond and would not confirm whether the controversial post was his.
Responding to fijivillage News, PSC Chair Luke Rokovada said the Commission does not condone such statements and will be communicating with Navakamocea to verify the authenticity of the posts in question.
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