MAI TV, by Ilaitia Ravuwai: The Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma wants nightclubs to close by 11pm and most businesses to shut on Sundays, arguing that stronger family time and religious observance could help address some of Fiji’s social problems.
Speaking at a public consultation on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 at Suva’s Civic Centre, Church president Reverend Dr Semisi Turagavou urged the Coalition Government to consider the proposals as it seeks public support for the proposed constitutional changes.
Dr Turagavou questioned why Fiji continued to face challenges including drug-related cases, high HIV/AIDS rates and domestic violence, saying the country needed to seriously reconsider its social priorities.
He said nightclub closing hours had previously extended to 5am before being reduced to 1am, and the Church was now proposing an 11pm cut-off.
“We should think about this seriously – fathers, mothers and children need to spend a lot more time together in the homes,” he said.
“A cut-off time – to let our people go home, and spend more time with their families.”
The Church is also calling on the Government to restrict Sunday operations to essential services, with other businesses closing to allow families more time together and enable religious observance.
Dr Turagavou pointed to Samoa and Tonga, where Sunday trading restrictions are practised, saying Fiji could consider similar measures while taking into account its multi-ethnic society.
He said the proposals went beyond declaring Fiji a Christian State in the Constitution’s preamble, arguing that putting Christian principles into practice could help address the country’s social challenges.
“This is to just acknowledge God,” he said.
The proposals add a religious and social dimension to the ongoing debate over the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026, which has drawn submissions from members of the public and organisations during the parliamentary consultation process.
Prophetic Link:
“I have been much burdened in regard to movements that are now in progress for the enforcement of Sunday observance. It has been shown to me that Satan has been working earnestly to carry out his designs to restrict religious liberty. Plans of serious import to the people of God are advancing in an underhand manner among the clergymen of various denominations, and the object of this secret maneuvering is to win popular favor for the enforcement of Sunday sacredness. If the people can be led to favor a Sunday law, then the clergy intend to exert their united influence to obtain a religious amendment to the Constitution, and compel the nation to keep Sunday.” Review and Herald, December 24, 1889.
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