Fiji to remove Union Jack from flag: PM
4 Feb 2015 1:12 AM GMT
A one-time coup leader who was elected last September in Fiji’s first elections in eight years, Bainimarama said the flag had served the country well since independence in 1970 but was now outdated. “We need to replace the symbols on our existing flag that are out of date and no longer relevant, including some anchored to our colonial past,” he said.
“The new flag should reflect Fiji’s position in the world today as a modern and truly independent nation state.” Fiji’s flag is light blue with the Union Jack in the top left corner. It also features a shield with the cross of St George and a British lion, along with sugar cane, bananas, a palm tree and a dove of peace. “What does this have to do with us?” Bainimarama asked, saying the images were “honoured symbols of our past, but not our future”. He said a national competition to design a new flag would be held, with the aim of hoisting it on October 11 this year, the 45th anniversary of independence.
“We must all have an open mind about the final result, but it should be symbolic of the unity of the nation and instantly recognisable the world over as uniquely and proudly Fijian,” he said.
Bainimarama scrapped Queen’s Birthday holiday in 2012 and also removed Elizabeth’s head from country’s currency when he still ruled by military decree.
“The new flag should reflect Fiji’s position in the world today as a modern and truly independent nation state.” Fiji’s flag is light blue with the Union Jack in the top left corner. It also features a shield with the cross of St George and a British lion, along with sugar cane, bananas, a palm tree and a dove of peace. “What does this have to do with us?” Bainimarama asked, saying the images were “honoured symbols of our past, but not our future”. He said a national competition to design a new flag would be held, with the aim of hoisting it on October 11 this year, the 45th anniversary of independence.
“We must all have an open mind about the final result, but it should be symbolic of the unity of the nation and instantly recognisable the world over as uniquely and proudly Fijian,” he said.
Bainimarama scrapped Queen’s Birthday holiday in 2012 and also removed Elizabeth’s head from country’s currency when he still ruled by military decree.
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