The assumption that the removal of Frank Bainimarama from being able to contest next year’s election means the inevitable triumph of Sitiveni Rabuka has been turned on its head with speculation that Ratu Tevita Mara – the newly-installed high chief of Lau – is destined to enter the political fray and take up the mantle of his father – the nation’s giant founding prime minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.
The accompanying photo is of the Tui Nayau – the title Ratu Tevita inherited from his father – with the multi-millionaire who is his principal political backer, Vadivelu (Wella) Pillay – the former deputy chair of the Fiji Development Bank and self-styled entrepreneur who has built his fortune on construction equipment rentals, logging, trucking and now barges servicing the scattered islands of the Lau Group.
Just as Ratu Mara senior had his financial backer a generation ago in the form of Hari Punja – then Fiji’s richest man and still thriving more than four decades later – Wella Pillay is willing to put his money behind Ratu Tevita as the sole person, at least for now, capable of gaining a mass vote under the d’Hondt electoral system to knock Sitiveni Rabuka off his perch.
And doubtless many more of the business elite will be coming forward if the Tui Nayau can convince the nation that he can resurrect the glory days of his father’s era, when Fiji was described by the then Pope as “the way the world should be” and Ratu Sir Kamisese strode the region and the world as an acknowledged statesman and the nation enjoyed stability, prosperity and global respect.
There is no love lost between Ratu Tevita Mara and Sitiveni Rabuka, who was a notable absentee at Mara’s installation as Tui Nayau in Tubou village, Lakeba ( where Grubsheet spent his first years) back in July.
Mara the son reportedy flies into a rage whenever the Prime Minister suggests that his adored father was a principal instigator of Rabuka’s 1987 coup, or gave his tacit assent for it, despite persistent allegations that it was to keep Ratu Sir Kamisese in power after he was defeated in the election of the same year by the late Dr Timoci Bavadra at the head of a resurgent Labour Party.
In Sitiveni Rabuka’s farcical appearance at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearing last week – in which he obscenely talked abut the negative impact on his own family of his monstrous act of treason when hundreds of thousands of people genuinely suffered at his hands – the Prime Minister studiously avoided mentioning Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. In fact, he studiously avoided mentioning anyone at all who may have instigated the coup or encouraged him to act despite media speculation that he would do so.
Seriously? The entire nation now knows that Rabuka has no intention of telling the full truth abut the events of 1987 and the entire Truth and Reconciliation process is an expensive farce – underlined by the fact that its chair, Dr Marcus Brand, resigned as the Prime Minister was about to give evidence. Dr Brand gave the customary “personal reasons” for doing so – elderly family members back in Europe.
But they were elderly when he took up the job back in January and rumours have emerged that Brand was growing increasingly disillusioned with the supposed truth and reconciliation process, which was already turning into a whitewash before the Prime Minister got up at the “Truth Commission” and told a pack of lies. Or at the very least, didn’t tell the full truth.
(Go to Victor Lal‘s Fijileaks to read the full extent of those lies, including Rabuka again casting 1987 as a reaction against fears of “Indian” domination without mentioning that he removed an iTaukei prime minister in the form of Timoci Bavadra and many Fijians, especially in the West, have never forgiven him)
Ratu Tevita Mara has never given a public account of his own feelings about 1987 and the alleged role of his father. Nor has he given a detailed account of his own role in Frank Bainimarama’s coup of 2006, during which he was enough of a Bainimarama henchman to have been obliged recently – along with his fellow former RFMF officer, Pita Driti – to issue a formal traditional apology to the victims of his human rights abuses.
Nor has Ratu Tevita given a full public explanation for having fled to Tonga when he and Driti plotted against Frank Bainimarama and Driti went to jail but Mara lived out the Bainimarama years in padded exile at the court of his relative, the then King of Tonga, who sent a naval patrol boat that violated Fijian waters to rescue him and gave him a job at the royal palace in Nuku’alofa and the ability to wait out the term of his tormentor.
It was the return of Sitiveni Rabuka that enabled Ratu Tevita to return to Fiji and escape the clutches of the now exiled substantive DPP, Christopher Pryde, who intended to arrest Mara for the outstanding charges against him and for being a fugitive who had breached his bail.
Some are convinced that this is the primary reason Christopher Pryde was removed – not for talking to Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum or alleged expenses fraud – but for preventing Mara from returning unmolested to be installed as the Tui Nayau, which duly happened with Pryde out of the way in a blatant travesty of the rule of law that would not have been afforded to any other citizen.
All of which means that Ratu Tevita has some explaining to do when he enters the political fray. But Fiji, being what it is, is a place where memories are notoriously short. We are dealing here with realpolitik – politics based on practical rather than moral or legal considerations. Ratu Tevita is now back in Fiji and installed as the High Chief of Lau in the sandals of his illustrious father and set to enter mainstream politics with a view not only to bite the hand that has fed him but take Rabuka out altogether.
The Tui Nayau has made it known privately that he has been shocked at the state of Fiji since he returned from his 13 year exile in Tonga and even that Frank Bainimarama was a better leader, at least in terms of delivering basic services and promoting national unity. One Grubsheet source quotes him as having said that the Coalition has failed to produce even one notable achievement and that the nation is headed for disaster if Rabuka wins next year’s election or the one that must be held before February 2027.
So with the ample backing of Wella Pillay and whichever other donors emerge as Mara’s momentum builds, the Tui Nayau is actively taking soundings on whether he should stand himself and in what form. And that’s where this saga gets really interesting in terms of the options available to the man who now carries the flame of his illustrious father, which alone gives him a tremendous political advantage among Fijians of all backgrounds, just as it once did for Ratu Sir Kamisese himself.
Tapping into nostalgia for the Mara era is a given. But Ratu Tevita has two difficult choices to make.
SCENARIO ONE:
Start a new political party with the backing of Wella Pillay and others and rise to national power with the support of the people of Lau, not only in the islands themselves, but the Lauan diaspora in Fiji and the rest of the world. Many of these are high achievers – as one Grubsheet source puts it – “The Indians of the iTaukei”, who have had to fight to make something of themselves and their isolated islands against the natural advantages of land mass and connectivity enjoyed by mainlanders.
As Tui Nayau and their high chief, Ratu Tevita can expect the overwhelming endorsement of Lauans in Fiji and abroad for a tilt at the national leadership. But because of his family connections, that support goes much wider.
His aunt (the sister of his late mother, Ro Lady Lala Mara) is none other than Ro Teimumu Kepa – the Roko Tui Dreteki, high chief of Rewa and head of the Burebasaga Confederacy, one of Fiji’s three. So Ro Teimumu is capable of marshaling her own considerable forces in the vanua behind her nephew in the east and south of the country.
And there’s yet another advantage in Ratu Tevita’s mother having been a chief in the west before she married Ratu Sir Kamisese for the partnership that kept them both at the top of politics and the vanua in Fiji for the best part of half a century.
And all this on top of Ratu Tevita’s undoubted ability to attract support from his former colleagues in the military plus the minorities of all political persuasions who remember his father’s years in power with a great deal of nostalgia, even affection, whatever Ratu Sir Kamisese’s shortcomings.
SCENARIO TWO:
It’s no surprise given this vast potential to tap into that nostalgia and the chronic dysfunction and chaos of the Coalition government under Rabuka Mark 2, that another possibility looms to put Ratu Tevita firmly on the road to national leadership and of beating Sitiveni Rabuka for the job of prime minister in 2026-27.
Grubsheet understand that the Tui Naya (Mara) is being urged by the Roko Tui Dreketi ( his aunt, Ro Teimumu Kepi) to make a determined play, with her patronage, to secure her old job as leader of SODELPA – one of the three components of the current Coalition.
That job is currently held by Aseri Radrodro – the Education Minister, “brutal” bonker of Lynda Tabuya in Room 233 and the man who almost beat his ex-wife, Sitiveni Rabuka’s daughter, to death in a domestic violence incident for which Radrodro was never brought to justice.
As Ro Teimumu evidently sees it, Radrodro is totally unfit for high office, despite his support base among the hardcore indigenous supremacists from Naitasiri, who are also his patrons in the GCC and government. And she wants Radrodro gone and her nephew, Ratu Tevita, installed in his place as SODELPA leader to take it into the next election.
For all the reasons we outlined in Scenario One, this would transform SODELPA’s prospects and even give it the political grunt to surpass the People’s Alliance as the natural home of iTaukei voters plus, potentially, members of the minorities who are already perplexed by the lack of a credible choice given their betrayal at the hands of the Coalition.
It may be that Indo-Fijians and others will never vote for SODELPA given the extremists in its ranks but they are more likely to do so if Ratu Tevita – with the backing of Ro Teimumu Kepa – holds out the prospects of a return to Mara the Elder’s blueprint of a multiracial Fiji and a sense of belonging for all.
There is still obviously a long way to go, both in this campaign and to the election whenever it is called. But the Mara name is a political brand that definitely means something in Fiji. Maybe a great deal.
Because it also includes some other big Mara names such as Adi Koila Nailatikau – the former MP who was held hostage by the George Speight gang in the parliament in 2000 and her even more illustrious husband – the former president, soldier, diplomat and friend to many non-Taukei, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau. Plus the ever lovely other Mara daughter, Adi Litia, and even a British aristocrat in the form of her husband, Harry Dugdale, the son of a baronet. Top drawer all round.
Grubsheet opined when Ratu Tevita was installed as Tui Nayau that it was perhaps time for Lau and its high chief to be”great again”. Can Lau be great again? Can Ratu Tevita carry his father’s torch into national leadership? Can Fiji as a whole be great again?
As I say, we have a long way to go. But this is all a tantalising vision for any of us who have lost hope for a better future – a genuinely competitive election next time to remove the liar and “Snake” who promised much but has squandered so much more. And to start rebuilding the vision we all had at Independence 55 years ago of a thriving, multiracial Fiji, again holding its head high in the world.
That in itself ensures that a Mara candidacy next year will be welcomed by a great many Fijians and that if Ratu Tevita can build a credible, multiracial team, he will enjoy a great deal of political goodwill. Because the nation’s degeneracy under the Coalition simply cannot go on.
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Who is Wella Pillay? For a start, once a favourite of Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum – who put him on the board of the Fiji Development Bank – and who donated tens of thousands of dollars to FijiFirst.
Which in itself tells us of the potential of a Tevita Mara campaign for prime minister to attract a much broader constituency than just the iTaukei.
Here’s Wella Pillay’s CV extracted from an annual report of the Fiji Development Bank. He has reportedly since diversified into the barge business, assisting Ratu Tevita to tackle the dire shipping shortfall in Lau.
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What we said about Ratu Tevita when he was installed as Tui Nayau.
And the official reasons Dr Marcus Brand has given for abandoning his post as Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Reports since of more pigs flying over Suva.
( UPDATED WEDNESDAY) There are fresh rumours that Dr Brand was having trouble being paid and that some administrative charges he wanted were rejected. All of which again points to the Truth and Reconciliation process being merely window dressing, with no genuine resolve to make it work.
It is now rudderless on the eve of Election Year, when it was meant to be a cornerstone of the Coalition’s campaign for re-election.
NOTE TO READERS:
My apologies that this doesn’t carry the usual number of illustrations.
I am surviving on cortisone injections and painkillers pending potential surgery in the new year and on doctor’s orders, will only be writing commentary on the big stories for the moment.
This is one of them, as I’m sure you’ll agree.
Vinaka.
POSTSCRIPT:
Finally a flashback to the Grubsheet archives back in 2011. I don’t know about you but to me, it feels like an eternity ago.
Glad you are back Graham, even spasmodically. Take it easy and get well soon. Good job that you are getting medical treatment over there. Reports lately of sewage closing some of the operating theatres at CWM in Suva. Whilst the members of parliament travel the world in luxury.
Unconscionable.
Finally you’ve given us some hope, Graham!
Wishing you a speedy recovery 🌺
The potential for Ratu Tevita Mara, the newly installed high chief of Lau to enter the political arena of Fiji would, I think, terrify Rabuka and his followers. Including the FijiFirst traitors who took the 30 pieces of silver and joined the most incompetent government that Fiji has had since Independence.
The question is does it happen through the creation of a new political party or the takeover by Mara of the lackluster SOLDEPA? I would suggest he create a new party, as SODELPA in my opinion are a spent force and too aligned with Rabuka. As for the remnants of FijiFirst they don’t have a viable leader for an election under the d’Hondt voting system.
But he must move quickly to create a party if that is his intent. Why? there is less than a year to when the next election is to happen and I don’t believe that Rabuka will wait till the death to call the election!
I will make a prediction that Rabuka will call an election in June 2026 as this will allow him to dictate the election timetable. It shortens the period for new parties to be formed, and he could avoid having to bring down a budget prior to the election. And in doing so not expose the debt of government.
I agree – a complete reset and fresh start is in order!
Great analysis Graham. And to Commonman for your last contribution, sa dina. Through these columns and the comments we gain much insight, thank you.
Commonman, agreed Rabuka is using the commission for grandstanding. We know him well now, and his performance was as expected. Agreed on the immunity clauses and interesting to note your observation about the negative reaction.
A hopeful sign Fiji is moving on from the coup years. In the big scheme of things, at least Rabuka and Bainimarama have engaged in the democratic process, there was a peaceful transition of power after an election, and now we have moves for a new government to actually do something.
Looking back, my reading of 1987 is that although there was a general feeling in the years leading up to the coups that Fijian elites in particular would not accept Indian dominated government, in the end Rabuka acted on his own, tapping into these sentiments and exaggerating them. With the help of extremists and criminals he stirred up trouble to justify it. He was the man of the moment in his own head, pulling out an unwelcome genie from a bag of tricks he’d learnt in India researching coups. He’s lucky Ratu Penaia Ganilau decided against having him and his group put down by force.
Much attention has focused on Rabuka’s assertion that while playing golf with Ratu Mara prior to the coup, when he raised the option of taking action, Ratu Mara said nothing – presumably more interested in whacking a ball – and Rabuka took this silence as consent. The commission would need to hear from the former PM and Fiji’s elder statesman’s for his side of that story. We do know that later he vehemently rejected any suggestion he did not do enough to stop it, that he had failed to intervene when allegedly he was informed something was brewing at the camp.
Yes, the prevailing narrative remains it was Rabuka the opportunist. A great shame of it was that as he basked in the limelight of media attention, foreign powers came to like him as finally there was someone in power in Fiji they could talk to. By comparison Ratu Mara was aloof. Highly educated and sophisticated, he was in every way superior to those seeking his confidences. By the time Bainimarama came along maybe they had realised the error and the considerable damage the coup treachery and corruption had done to Fiji. But they went too far the other way in completely shunning Bainimarama.
So how would Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara navigate this complex legacy and his own baggage as he contemplates rescuing Fiji from its current predicament, adrift as it is in the doldrums? One suggestion is that he acknowledge his legacy with humility (not making a big deal of the dynasty thing), and focus more on what people are looking for: someone to strengthen the economy, the institutions, infrastructure, health, education and rule of law. Someone to provide fairness on a level playing field, to root out corruption and offer families the opportunity to improve their lives.
The Tui Nayau needs to be up front about his past blemishes, but having been open and accessible, not allow the narrative to dwell on the past. Most politicians have baggage and compared to others, the errors of the logs in the yard in Vanua Levu, the treatment of the democracy activists for which he has already atoned, and his flight to Tonga are relatively minor compared to Rabuka’s record of treachery, high treason and corruption.
Anyway, Fijians today are more interested a vision for the country and on what to do to get things fixed and moving again.
In this Ratu Tevita Mara will have to recognise that politics is all about alliances and being proactive the narrative and not allowing it to be controlled by others so that he just becomes reactive. A good speechwriter is essential.
He starts with Rabuka in an awkward position, leading an unpopular and inept government. Without opposition in the Vanua he may yet be returned to power, but with Ratu Mara on the scene Rabuka would have to be careful about what he says.
After all this is Fiji, home of high seismic activity, where the constant grinding, colliding and pulling apart of these plates generates significant energy, earthquakes and tsunamis (Wikipedia ;-). Kadavu, Suva and Cakaudrove are particularly vulnerable to seismic shocks (most people is Fiji would be happy if Suva just disappeared beneath the waves) and likewise Rabuka’s PAP may already have had the ground move from underneath them with this talk about new alliances.
The business elites who have done very well will now be wondering which horse to back, as are the minorities. Stitch up an alliance with Burebasaga (political observers will know how that could be done) and with new forces emerging in the West, we have a real contest for the Cakaudrove/Kadavu/Tailevu and Naitasiri gang. There will be strong support for a viable alternative from a broad spectrum of voters and business interests.
Most important, people really want to hear about new players will address corruption in all its forms. Fiji may be moving on from the coups, but it must also rid itself of its reputation of untrustworthiness in business dealings, of favouritism, rampant conflicts of interest, and the corruption of institutions and the rule of law. There was always said to be money to be made in coup land, but this needs to be cleaned up with a more even playing field.
Meantime, fix the hospitals, the schools and the roads. Sort out the economy, the cops, the rule of law, the drugs, the sugary drinks and unhealthy habits.
Not too hard.
Much proactive comment, in short a total reset is required.
Ideally, a government with a 20 year plan that will see it through, not a change at every election.
An illiberal democracy – a la Singapore.
Four years between elections, especially to maintain accountability. Electorates often give okay governments a second term if they believe they are on the right track. So eight years is plenty of time to get the job done, ensure the succession and the legacy. Frank and Aiyaz failed to read that memo and paid the price.
Agree in principle, but the norm has not worked in Fiji (since about 1987), besides there is no accountability at any level, top down, the standing committees are toothless, the Auditor General much the same, no one gets stood down, reprimanded or anything else!
Whenever Frank went on tour around the Country, he would screw every ministerial budget, but a hero of the day.Someone would ask, please Mr PM we have no water here, or the road is no good, and Frank would stand up, point to his crew and say fix it! Never mind the existing plans, aware of all the problems country wide. Frank had no idea what it cost to redirect equipment & crew, what the hell, do it!
Fiji needs ‘help’, not handouts, some kinda magic potion or medicine to change the mentality !
Yes, military training has its benefits, but it’s not enough to run a country. Some say only a person who has successfully run a business should be eligible for the top job. I take the point, but don’t agree. Leaders can come from all walks of life. More important is that they listen well, make timely decisions and have an excellent team around them.
In that team we need some serious brainpower from across the spectrum and a healthy distance between them and the interest groups – especially party donors. This was the basis of Lee Kuan Yew’s success, where he was surrounded by the best and brightest in service solely to the country. They did pretty much the one job for their whole career, having been recruited early before they were swayed one way or the other.
It’s also often said we just need to find a LKY for Fiji, but the settings are very different. Fiji’s a South Pacific country with a largely communal population in limbo, no Singapore.
Given all the circumstances, I guess GD is worrying about Fiji and applying some realpolitik on what might work; therefore looking at a Ratu Tevita Mara as an option. Who knows, maybe he has other things to do. If he is interested then in addition to his lack of senior level experience and blemished history, he’ll need to negotiate the old perception of Lau v the rest and that ‘it’s our turn now’ mentality that caused trouble. He’ll also need to create an appropriate role for the GCC under Parliament and the people to whom he will owe first allegiance.
Whether it’s him or someone else able to draw sufficient votes under the d’Hondt big man electoral system, we can only hope a broadly representative team forms around around them. Business leaders are meanwhile best advised to resist the temptation to get too heavily involved. Perhaps there should be a rule a company can only donate to a number of parties, not just one. Also, raising income through tax on goods rather than income is problematic as it doesn’t build engagement, maturity or responsibility. Having wage earners pay income tax helps them become more engaged and invested in how governments perform as they spend their money.
It is safe to say Fiji will never be like Singapore.
A level playing field, meritocracy, equal citizenry, equal housing, equal justice, equal rights, equal policing, and equal opportunities all require the people to buy into those ideals across the board.
Fiji will never have anywhere near that level of sustained commitment, leave alone any buy-in.
Not when the majority of Fiji are forever falsely aggrieved over land rights, sea rights, air rights, sand and river rights, good will payments, royal payments, constant sevusevu disguised as appeasement, extortion, and greed.
Wot when the majority remain totally dependent on remittance and government handouts, drugs, and violent home invasions for income while simply refusing to put in the hard yards themselves.
Living off others’ hard work, rampant use and sale of illicit drugs, rampant HIV, rampant teenage pregnancy, and rampant pedophile crimes altogether do not aid nor equate to development progress.
Singapore has zero tolerance for racism and societal strife. Zero tolerance for violent crimes, sexual crimes, and home invasions. They have severe penalties for drug use and sale. A near zero for corruption, again, with harsh consequences if caught.
The state offers very little in the way of freebies, but it has a world-class universal health system.
Everyone earns their keep and is proudly committed to the country, where patriotism is a shared and proud responsibility.
Visit Singapore during major faith-based events to see how the country works together to celebrate together.
Diwali, Ramadan, Christmas, and the Chinese New Year are but a few examples of all Singaporeans demonstrating harmony and tolerant multicultralism.
Culture and religion have their place. Separate from national life with a secular government and governance.
Respect for the rule of law is paramount, not optional. Hard work is normal. The rule of law is second nature.
Here we have kilavata, kaivata, kerekere, butako, and mataganisau.
Couldn’t agree more. I interviewed Lee Kuan Yew for a long-format television story on Singapore’s 25th anniversary of independence, by which time he had transformed essentially a swamp into a thriving nation state. The most impressive leader I ever met.
It is tragic to think that he and Ratu Mara senior were at Oxford together and both started out leading nations with roughly the same GDP. But Singapore leapt ahead largely because of zero tolerance for racial hatred and corruption and Fiji has been sunk by both. Plus a basic work ethic and commitment to national unity that puts Fijians to shame.
Here we have kilavata, kaivata, kerekere, butako, liumuri, backstab lasaituba vata, born again on Sunday and mataganisau.
Unlike our leaders, Lee Kwan Yew did not practise any religion.
He embraced neither kilavata nor kaivata (or kalavata) but just DUAVATA (unity).
Through DUAVATA of Buddhists, Muslims, Christians etc., he transformed Singapore (smaller than Vanua Levu and without natural resources, relying only on its human resources) from swamps to an economic powerhouse.
Always an entertaining read, Mr Davis, but your crystal ball’s gone a bit foggy on this one. Two small corrections, since facts still matter: Christopher Pryde wasn’t sitting around plotting any arrest — his office cleared Ratu Tevita’s case way back in 2018, and that was formally conveyed by Minister Tikoduadua when Ratu Tevita returned in 2023. So much for the “waiting game.” I sent you proof of that clearance on Messenger, after you were harping on about the same ‘not cleared’ claim in your Facebook Grubsheet story two years ago.
And as for political ambitions — please. The Chief has far more serious interests than politics right now: vili niu, fishing, and getting real work done in his province. Maybe give the politics a rest and let this Lauan Chief finish his cast before the next headline bites?
Gina, you don’t know what you’re talking about. The arrest warrant was only withdrawn until Roko Ului returned to the country. Once he was back in Fiji, he was liable for a new arrest warrant being issued, just as it would be for any citizen, including fugitives such as Rajendra Chaudhry and Aman Ravindra Singh.
Why would Pryde tell Pio Tikoduadua that Roko Ului was cleared when he was required by law to bring him to justice, having breached his bail conditions and having fled the country illegally?
I believe you have simply made this up, just as you have made up your claim that “the Chief” is not interested in politics. What I have reported is from multiple sources and is accurate. Clearly an attempt by you to muddy the waters on both counts.
Meanwhile at the Sheraton:
“ Tomorrow is the day! The Prime Minister’s International Business Awards 2025 is set to take place at the Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort.
Over 700 attendees are expected at Fiji’s premier business event, which will recognize enterprises across all sectors that have demonstrated excellence in ‘Navigating Global Winds: Resilience, Innovation, and Sustainable Growth’ following the submission of over 200 applications.
Organized by Investment Fiji, the event will showcase the extraordinary achievements of businesses that continue to grow in recognition and importance on the global business stage despite challenging times.
The evening will be officiated by the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Civil Service and Public Enterprises, Hon. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, leading a spectacular ceremony celebrating the driving force behind Fiji’s resilient economy.”
Once again the PM goose stepped this prestigious event. He couldn’t make it so got MP Manoa to replace him. But why someone under investigation and not the Finance & Trade Minister, Esrom? The PM was at Boystown Savusavu instead of Denarau. Talk about priorities!
Same story in 1995 when the late Minister Berenado Vunibobo stood in as chief guest at the awards night in Suva, because the PM was reportedly in Vanua Levu the whole weekend for other commitments. Sunday Times the next day had a photo of the PM golfing in Vatuwaqa the previous afternoon.
So our PM is a habitual liar (and lay preacher too)! No wonder Fiji is cursed.
What does it say about our democracy when election outcomes no longer reflect the will of the people but rather the support of the richest men in Fiji, like Hari Punja and Wella Pillai? This reality is deeply troubling and raises serious concerns about the health of our democratic system.
Over FijiFirst’s 14 years in power, the party extracted millions, if not billions, from the wealthy elite. Notably, individuals like Wella Pillai and Hari Punja became significant participants in this system. Fiji Leaks exposed an extensive list of donors, revealing the entangled network of money that fuels political power, a reality well known in our communities. What is particularly alarming is the seeming inaction of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) against those who played a role in FSC imitating this money vacuuming operation. Doubts now exist about whether political donations and financial influence are corrupting the integrity of our elections and governance.
Tevita Mara, still young and new to politics, should be cautious. Following the advice of his aunt, given her waning electoral support and controversies such as the questionable Fiji Airways charter to the Holy Land, may not be the wisest path. Instead, emerging leaders must recognize the fragility of our democracy when it is dominated by money and patronage rather than a genuine public mandate.
To protect the voice of the people, governments must restrict or heavily tax political donations. This is essential to prevent money power from overriding the democratic process, where the highest bidder determines election outcomes, not the people. Without such reforms, democracy risks being reduced to a transaction where the influence of the wealthy outshines the will of the majority.
Our democracy is too precious to be sold to the highest bidder. It demands transparency, accountability, and safeguards against the corrosive influence of money in politics to restore faith in our institutions and ensure leadership truly reflects the people’s choice.
Ratu Tevita Mara as PM, ASK as AG.
Very workable.
And, so say all of us.
No coup then hopefully.
The flying pigs over Suva have descended on these columns. In your dreams. 🙂
GD, stranger things have happened.
Such as…………you smiling at my dream.
I am not too excited about Mara. And it has become worrisome that he is backed by a business elite. We all know how that works.
Plus Mara is still part of the clique of elite village idiots, the GCC, and the military just neutered itself with the traditional apology to the village idiots.
The future is even bleaker !
The Tui Lau will lose a significant percentage of support from voters with the frontline backing of Wella Pillay. We had Ajay Amrit for Rabuka, now the ambassador to Australia expanding Gujerati business. Mara certainly has lost our respect with the company he keeps!
Keep positive GD, we are all rooting for you.
So we are considering going from one treasonist to another?
One gave himself immunity to avoid accountability for his actions, the other absconded the country to avoid being charged.
Both should be charged for crimes against humanity.
What Ratu Mara did is not much different from what Aseri Radrodro did, yet we say one if not fit to be PM while the other is?
We are really scraping the bottom of the barrel here with choices of leaders we have.
Can someone convince CommonMan to stand for elections.
I do not know where all this hype about Ratu Tevita is coming from.
What has the man ever done? He has no charisma, no achievements, nothing to show except his title and most importantly, he has no idea. Can the man even talk? He is like Andrew Windsor-Mountbatten, riding on the coattails of his mother and father (who I do not have a very high regard of either).
What is this bullshit in Fiji about chiefs who can bring about change. Has the GCC brought about any benefits in the last 100 years? The highest chiefs were rejected at the last election – Ro Temumu and Ratu Naiqama were rejected and that village idiot the Vunivalu – well he was a waste of space at SODELPA, wasn’t he? So now we all are talking about another runaway village idiot who will save the country from the snake – please!
How can anyone in the Great Council of Village Idiots ever do anything for Fiji?
How can people continue to have no judgement whatsoever and all imagination?
One thing I do not understand is that the electoral system limits donations to $10k and I am not sure about donations from companies – so how can Wella Pillay bankroll anything?
whoa there big boy!
It is disrespectful to idiots associate them with us.
The rightful name is Great Council of Coconuts.
Don’t want to see ex military or military man to rule Fiji.
Bunch of shi@ts.
No brainers and when they start talking command from rich civilians,you guess.
Fiji needs true,honest,qualified and a humble leader with a clean slate.
Tevita was part of 2006 coup and part of traffic management hiring.
Rest is history.
Lakeba is a nice place to retire.
Beautiful beaches,fruits and vegetables, lots of crabs,pigs and goats are freely roaming with fish swimming to shore.
Stay there my boy and concentrate in education of Lau’s next generation.
A humble leader with a clean slate.
The Word puts it succintly as “not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing … without blemish”.
A civilian leader is to be as close as possible to these attributes.
Yet, another military person! So to be Fiji’s political leader, one must have served at Delainabua? Where are the competent Taukei civilians with integrity? Anyway, his chances are not bad.
While army life, discipline (and indiscipline) etc. cannot be taken out of a soldier’s heart, the least that Roko Ului (and Driti) could do is to remove that dreadful green and red tie from their wardrobes.
Agree with views about Mr Mara. There is nothing that will attract voters who are now more aware of how Chiefs and their backers work. This man could not afford to renovate his village hall. The RFMf had to send personnel to do that at taxpayer expenses. Businesses donated towards the chow.
He did a runner to Tonga. Should have stayed and faced the law. No, we dont need Chiefs or anyone from the military in the next elections. They thrive on the taxpayers and ordinary itaukei for their luxurious lives. Some have families living abroad including the PM and GCC chair. They drive around in fancy cars whilst others struggle. Once in a while they incite their own people against the vulagis so that they can continue to control.
Whilst their bellies are full to hell with anything called progress. See what they have done to the country. So no, this man is not fit to be the next PM or whatever.
Btw did anyone see 2 old codgers at the launch (new fjd notes)by RBF. They could barely stand without their walking sticks even though the President has come back from a tour that most of us can only dream of.
Yet another remnant of the coup culture club and a meglomaniac with a thin skin to boot. He is no democracy advocate. Exactly when the country needs to break away from the military connections and the goon squad.
Each and every human rights abuser from delainabua believe saying sorry absolves them of all crimes and even have you believe none of the vandalism, property damage, arson, rapes, beatings, home robberies, farm robberies, and terrorism – Muaniveni, Waibau, Raralevu, Baulevu, Tailevu, et al – never happened.
Roko Ului and all his ilk including the wasteful worthless gcc would have us believe that the mere passage of time erases all the crimes against humanity perpetuated and led by ethno-nationalist Snake extraordinaire Rabuka and directed at one particular ethnicity. Loco ului was very much in the thick of things in 1987, 2000, and 2006. The resulting violence and terrorism memories remain, and the scars run deep. If the ethno-nationalists like to think all is forgotten, not so fast.
The velavela pillays, hardware, duty-free, luxury goods, jewelers, and supermarkets magnates of Fiji are not blind to these facts.
Sadly, they only choose to recognize and worship the color of money and indulge in humoring the next big shot, as it were.
Ask PAP, SOLDEPA, NFP, the Alliance party, and by extension, the entire Mara clan -all has long lived off the profits of cheap labor of the poor workers through business profits.
IT providers, accounting companies, law firms, hotel investors/developers/ operators, manufacturers, all profit handsomely from the artificially depressed local wage and labor market in cohorts with fat cat unionists’ stuck in the 1960s mindset.
As far as in native Fijian politics, businesses know well they have willing partners to continue on their merry way, throwing scraps to the political class wholly dependent on free money. No amount of free money is enough for Fijian politicians.
Those who might think this to be off the mark need look no further than the traitors who’ve sold their asses and the voter they were elected to serve in exchange for the proverbial 30 pieces. Their ass was all they had left to sell, for they are soulless bastards all. Baiman, Agni, Sachida, with the rest of them all ministers and assistant ministers. Corrupt does not even begin to describe these lowlifes.
No class, no ethics, no soul, no concept of integrity, no conscience, no shame, no values, all with no consequences. Just keep their snouts glued to the public trough at taxpayers’ expense. Nauseating.
Enter this human rights abuser, broke, naamu, criminal high chief. And the crowd roars and clamors for glory as drowning people clutching at the single strand of floating paragrass.
Yet again, the electorate is being encouraged to put all their eggs in one basket. See previous examples – baiman, leung, the snake, and the entire shambolic overspending coalition as examples of misplaced trust.
The Fijian electorate is a well-informed, clear thinking, independent, and clever lot. If things do not work as planned or expected, they collectively simply rinse and repeat. As long as ethno-nationalism, hate, racism, and bigotry remain front and center.
Keep the vulagi out of government, civil service, and diplomatic services but take their money in abundance. Business is business. Win, win for all except the forever duped electorate. We never learn.
Rock ului is no different. Clueless. No experience. Never put in an honest day’s work. Lived on public purse all his life, and lately at the benevolence of a feudal, backward looking, navel gazing monarchy.
The rock will owe the feudal kingdom big time, and the obvious conflict of interest will mean Fiji’s interests will be second.
At any rate, if he ever makes government (unlikely) he will be controlled by his puppet master$ here to ensure their price gauging, low wage, foreign labor, and low taxes continue to be the order of the day.
Besides, Vadivelu is not sticking his finger in the pie for the fun of it, for the ului does not suffer fools gladly. Investors will want investments to pay back handsomely.
One side is known for not shying away from walking on fire and knows well that the other side will have his goon squad at the ready as always.
We’ll see. To shamelessly plagiarize Wesley Rat’s Butt, interesting times.
Or as the Fijian maxim goes, neither side will want to hear wela wela wela!
Pathar
You nailed it, big time
One of the true and best summaries of Fijian elites and business people.
Their children lived on their daddy’s freebies.
Poor Fijians remain poor till today.
RT Mara set up wages in 70s as 50 cents an hour or 5 dollars a day.
GD, no one is talking about the elephant in the room…….the hatred that exists.
Just 2 days ago, RBF launched a new set of banknotes.
Have you seen the online vitriol about the new 50 dollar note?
Make all schools multiracial I say. It may take 2 or 3 generations but it will go a long way towards sorting that hatred.
Most of the online vitriol is coming from those who have come out of the coconut school system.
Yes, they don’t like the image on the $50 bill of an Indian woman Girmitya. Tough.
Good on the RBF for doing it.
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/president-unveils-fijis-new-banknotes-highlights-features-reflecting-national-identity/
How wonderful to see finally a degree if national recognition/acknowledgement represented by an image honoring the Indo-Fijians history and heritage, the blood, sweat, tears, and hard labor towards the development of our beloved Fiji.
A piece of advice to all who don’t like what the $50 denomination design represents: throw away your $50 notes!
Put up or shut up. Simple.
Despite iTaukei Affairs Minister Vasu’s firm stance against racism in Fiji as publicised in the Sun following the RBF launch, let us trust and hope that Governor’s job is not on the line.
Arif may lose his job over that one.
Rumour has it that Baimaan was already gunning for him.
Getting back to the $50 note – would have been more authentic if 1st generation girmitya was depicted rather rather than 1 of the tiktok generation methinks
Those persons ( The likes of the mentioned Punja, Wella Pillay or other Mega Rich) who want to buy political parties and/ political influence with their dollars – go and buy a football team if you want to engage in power games. Leave your influence and corruption by money out of national governance.
Should name his party treasonous Tongan united party.
All the new $50 notes which the iTaukei and the haters come across they should give away to the vulagi or to the needy. I was going to suggest that they burn these new $50 notes but that is illegal. But donating is the best thing they can legally do. Do not give it to the church please. Give it to mosques and temples and to the Blind Society, Red Cross, Old Peoples Homes, Hospitals, the disabled and the like. Do not give it to the church please or these notes may bring the devil to your church.