As members of parliament prepare to vote on a new president tomorrow, they have the fate of the nation in their hands and the solemn task of defining the kind of Fiji they and their fellow citizens who put them there will bequeath to our young people.
Our Head of State ought to embody the qualities and values that every decent and law-abiding Fijian aspires to and holds dear. He or she (though we have yet to have a woman in the role of president) is Fiji’s face to the world, as well as to ourselves. It is the president who undertakes state visits abroad, not the prime minister. And it is the president to whom foreign diplomats present their letters of credential when they are sent to Fiji.
The president is also commander-in-chief of the RFMF and ought to be an example of impeccable integrity to every Fijian serving in the disciplined forces. Among his official duties is to open each session of the parliament. And our presidents routinely journey to various parts of the country to engage with the Fijian people of every political persuasion, whether it is to open a hospital, present school prizes or be present in sympathy and solidarity with those who have been struck by disaster.
The president must be above politics. And he or she must have an impeccable record of championing the cause of all Fijians irrespective of ethnicity and religion. The head of state must not be a divisive figure in any way. Because anyone with a record of division cannot possibly perform the role of unifying the nation, which is a president’s most important task of all.
He or she must never be chosen on the basis that it is “their turn” – that because they belong to a particular confederacy or province, they are chosen not as individuals but because of their status or affiliation with a particular part of Fiji. That in itself is inherently divisive because it raises the perception that a head of state favours their own province or own people when their sacred duty is to represent the nation as a whole. And it is a sacred duty because they swear on the bible (“So help me God!”) to do so.
The 2013 Constitution stipulates that a president must have had a distinguished career. But in sharp contrast to the requirement for those in judicial office, it says nothing about integrity, only that no-one can have been convicted of “any offence under any law” for the previous six years. This is a big failing in the Constitution. It should be axiomatic that for anyone to be “distinguished”, they should have no record of wrongdoing at all. Because it stands to reason that no-one can set an example for the nation from the pinnacle of the state if they have fallen foul of the law.
Which leads me to Grubsheet’s open letter to every Member of Parliament as they prepare to vote on a president tomorrow. As things stand 24 hours out, only Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, the Tui Cakau and current Speaker of the Parliament, has been nominated. And by the Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, for whom the Tui Cakau is his chief.
Pray God that other candidates emerge in the meantime. There is speculation that the Opposition leader, Inia Seruiratu, may propose one and further speculation that SODELPA might put forward its own candidate. Yet as things stand at the time of writing, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu is it. And he must not be allowed to become president, for the reasons I outline to every MP.
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Dear Member of Parliament,
You face a solemn task tomorrow (Thursday) of electing our next head of state and I beseech you to choose someone worthy of the great role of representing every Fijian.
As you do so, I ask you to recall the great men of the past who have been presidents and governors-general of Independent Fiji and became so not only elected by the parliament but by popular acclaim. Ratu Sir George Cakobau, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, Ratu Josefa Iloilo, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau and Major General Jioji Konrote.
All these men had distinguished themselves in one way or another in national life and were clear role models for the Fijian people. They had unquestionable mana and commanded respect as a matter of course. They were not divisive figures who provoked controversy and certainly did not have criminal records.
Yet for the first time, with Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, you are faced with choosing someone who definitely has a criminal record. That in itself ought to disqualify him from contention at a time when Fiji is facing unprecedented lawlessness. And it is a sad commentary on national life that such a person would even be considered for the highest office in the land.
1/ In 2005, Ratu Naiqama was sent to prison for eight months for his role in the 2000 George Speight rebellion. He served just 11 days of the eight month sentence before being released on a compulsory supervision order. That conviction stands and if elected president, he would be the first head of state in Fijian history to have seen the inside of a jail cell.
2/ Ratu Naiqama was accused in the wake of the events of 2000 of ordering the burning of a cane farm at Seaqaqa, Labasa, belonging to the former president and the nation’s founding prime minister, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. The allegation of instigating arson was made by Ratu Mara’s daughter and wife of a subsequent president, Adi Koila Nailatikau.
3/ In 2015, Ratu Naiqama was suspended from the parliament for two years for an outrageous smear against a predecessor as speaker, the distinguished Dr Jiko Luveni. In comments recorded by CFL-Fiji Village, Ratu Naiqama told a public gathering that Dr Luveni was “vutusona” – a derogatory reference to anal sex – and “cavuka” – retarded or mentally challenged.
4/ A month ago, as Speaker of the Parliament, Ratu Naiqama made racially derogatory remarks about the MP, Aliki Bia, questioning his place in Fiji as a citizen of Melanesian descent. It prompted calls from the NGO Coalition and the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre for Ratu Naiqama’s resignation.
5/ There are persistent reports in the vanua that Ratu Naiqama defiled and impregnated a 15 year old girl in his home village of Somosomo in Taveuni. Some reports have it that it was the disabled daughter of a caretaker in the Tui Cakau’s household. This clearly warrants a criminal investigation and serious questions arise as to why this has not already happened.
It is inconceivable that any of the great men of the past who were at the pinnacle of the state would have been guilty of even one of these proven offences ( clauses 1-4) or the grave allegation contained in clause 5. And yet the Prime Minister has put forward Ratu Naiqama’s name – his own chief – for you to vote him into the highest office in the land.
From across the decades, the spirits of these great former leaders and those who are still with us join all right-thinking Fijians in appealing to you to reject Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu when you vote tomorrow on our next president.
Fiji is clearly at a crossroads in which there is a clear choice to go down the path of immorality and lawlessness or send an unambiguous message to the nation that their elected representatives are taking a stand for the maintenance of proper standards of conduct. And to choose a head of state worthy of the title and worthy of representing the nation and being the embodiment of our values.
Please vote wisely tomorrow. We need as a nation to keep the excellence in “His Excellency” or all of our other role models in society will be degraded just when we need them most.
The Fijian people who stand for the rule of law and for the highest standards of conduct from our leaders look to you to resist the Prime Minister and his flawed and unacceptable candidate and to install someone of impeccable integrity and character in the presidency, not a convicted criminal, racist, misogynist and alleged arsonist and child abuser.
Vinaka vakalevu.
NOTE TO MY READERS:
Please do what you can to circulate this widely and especially to members of parliament.
A good analysis on Commander, GD. Imagine if there is a president like Naiqama, what will happen.
On the eve of the election of the President, it is important to analyze a few perspectives.
Rabuka’s nomination of Naiqama for presidency has all the markings of a calculated, stage managed move, one that is now exposed by Rabuka’s sudden switch in allegiance from the current President to Naiqama – a man with a deeply controversial past.
In the October session, rather than proceed with the planned presidential election, Naiqama postponed it, citing vague Coalition dissatisfaction with the nominee. This stalling tactic, it seems, bought him time to maneuver behind the scenes, aiming to secure his own nomination by exploiting divisions within the Coalition. Rabuka’s shift, while justified as an audit concen related to the current President, appears to nothing more than a smokescreen, pressuring incumbent out to make way for Naiqama.
Why in a nation of equal citizenry should a chiefly title matter more than competence or integrity? While a commoner or distinguished Indo-Fijian is not considered?
The 2013 constitution bars discrimination based on race, status, or religion – yet the government’s actions repeatedly contradict this, reinforcing racial and chiefly hierarchy.
Thursday’s Presidential election will test MPs’ integrity, particularly in the Coalition, G-16, and G-9 blocs. How will they vote?
It will test MPs, exposing those who will blindly support Rabuka’s handpicked choice despite Naiqama’s disturbing record. Even PAP members rumored to be dissatisfied with Rabuka’s leadership must decide if they have the courage to defy him now.
What will be Biman’s stance – very little is expected from him to differ. SODELPA has been making some noise to nominate their candidate, but can they do it?
Now, the Leader of Opposition from the G-16 bloc, who is on a ministerial salary, has remained quiet on the very important issue of Naiqama’s nomination and indeed on many other issues of national interest. He is a weak leader as his performance is not visible compared to Chaudhary and Narube, who are not even MPs. Inia has been traveling a lot with the Speaker, and that could be the reason for his silence. He will also, I understand, put forward his nominee, and we hope he has done enough lobbying with MPs.
And what of Aliki Bia, the MP who recently suffered from Naiqama’s own heavy handedness in Parliament. Will he, too, cave to this manipulation, as he belongs to the G-9 bloc that blindly supports Rabuka? His vote will speak volumes about whether he and others have the principles to reject this obvious power play – or if they will simply fall in line, abandoning the ethics and conscious they claim to uphold.
Interesting times ahead. With Rabuka, Temo, Malimali, Rabuku, Jone, highly likely Naiqama as President, lame media and Biman’s lack of direction on the economy, more suffering for the common people is certain.
Thanks to Victor Lal we now know Graham Leung was not qualified to be appointed the Attorney General as he was not qualified to be a candidate for election to Parliament in accordance with Section 96(3)(c)(ii) of the Constitution. This is a mandatory provision and an order must be obtained for his appointment to be held unlawful and ultra vires. He was NOT ordinarily resident in Fiji for 2 years before PM Rabaku nominated him. Legal advice given by him is now also subject to judicial review and setting aside. What a wanker Graham!
What a wanker the PM is!
And second wanker Leung!
You guys are yuck, says my 13 year old son as he read this.
I have just had a high level legal opinion that Victor Lal is wrong about this. The relevant phrase is “ordinarily resident” in Fiji. Even if Graham Leung was performing a contract outside Fiji, if he was “ordinarily resident” – ie. normally lived in Fiji and especially if he owned a house or apartment – he qualifies.
Incidentally, the unofficial test of residency in Australia is where you keep your dog. Did Leung take his dog to Rarotonga? Probably not. And even if he didn’t have one, my advice is that legally, this isn’t going to fly.
NFP has its head so far up the PAP that is all but a confirmation that he’ll be president.
What Chiefly Legacy we in Cakaudrove choose our children to reminisce on, now and in the future??
Fiji may be going to the dogs because no “Biblical Nathan”, “Vanua – Sau Turaga” or” Mata ni vanua” dare rises up and pointedly confront the sins, nepotism, favouritism , corruption and worse still ,“ vei beci vakaturaga “ of some our leaders over the decades!
Over the years, us the younger generations, itaukei especially, have stood by and watch in awe and at times embarrassingly witness dumbfounded by some of our Vanua Leaders, Church leaders and Political Leaders blatantly hogs on to overlording dictatorial authority, as if God Himself condones their egocentric endeavours!
Where are the chiefly counsellors, “Qase ni vuvale or Matua “who are normally at the disposal of Chiefs to sought advice from in Vanua and National matters? Even in the Church Governances some Leaders do not submit to checking systems but believe they have the luxury to make unilateral decisions without restraint or vetting, ducking under warped theological interpretation for any one dare “touch God’s anointed” should anyone question operational or financial matters.
Probably this warped theological interpretation has sadly found its way into some political circle and Vanua governance.
With all due respect, was the Fiji Prime Minister given the best advice by the People Alliance Caucasus and the PAP Council with regards to the goodwill and demonstration of good faith that should have been afforded to the incumbent President to be offered a second and last term? Thence after, with due respect, the best candidate they could quantify best suited for the office of the President?
Has the Turaga bale na Tui Caáu sought counsel from the Traditional King maker and advisors in this matter?
With all due respect, may I conclude by sharing in 1993 I was assigned with a few other Radio Fiji staff in a project in the old capital Levuka. My boss, late Adi Kainona Ganilau Gauna and her Sister-in-law Bernadette Ganilau were part of our group. I vividly remember that early evening when the passing of Raýalai my great Chief, His Excellency the President Sir Ratu Penaina Ganialau reached us in our Hotel. Our Indo-Fijian Engineer, a Christian Pastor, huddle us together for prayer of comfort amongst quiet sobbing from nearly all of us.
I believe many of us in the Vanua of Cakaudrove then, at our High Chief’s passing, and even today, reminisce at the sweet and ever revered unprecedented legacy that my Turaga Bale na Tui Cakau has archived, that…..late Ratu Sir Penaina Kanatabatu Ganilau GCMG KCVO KBE DSO ED, Turaga bale na Tui Cakau, the last Governor General and first President of Fiji
That is enough honourable legacy for Cakaudrove to be grateful for and proud of and will stand the test of time as may never be surpassed.
I agree, Semi, about Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau. A great man.
I will never forget my shock at being present in Suva in the immediate aftermath of the 1987 coup and witnessing the then Tui Cakau being booed publicly by Rabuka’s supporters outside the Civic Centre.
In many ways, it marked the end of Viti Makawa in my own mind – a high chief and governor-general who was representative of the Queen, our then head of state, being jeered by ordinary people in the thrall of the “Snake” – his own subject and coup leader.
In so many ways, it has been downhill ever since. And now 37 years later, we stand poised for Sitiveni Rabuka to give us a convicted criminal as head of state. Ratu Penaia must be spinning in his grave.
Graham, Sir, Both Cakaudroven Hon PM and Hon Speaker , no doubt were fully aware of the high bench mark set by the late Tui Cakau and President Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau.
Sadly, now, should the Speaker be elevated to be President, both will be guilty of intentionally lowering the bench mark , and soil that revered Ratu Sir Ganilau legacy!!
They both should have woken up when the Tui Cakau lost the 2022 elections in his contested constituency.
Both of them should do the honourable thing and resign from their mighty offices, return to my people in Cakaudrove who right now majority live in poverty, in the villages of in shambles, low Agriculture productivity, low economic activities, as we Cakaudroven stand bitting our finger nails while mega Hotels, Manufacturers, Produce buyers and mega super market are built around our people.
Is that the legacy Hon PM and Hom Speaker resolve to be pinned to their names till Kingdom come??
Everything about Rabuka is rotten and far from honest and respect.
Same goes for the Speaker of the House now ready to become President.
How could these men think all is fine by the country. They openly are abusing their power and oath. It is appalling what is in Victor Lal’s post today about AG.
These men are the epitomy of swines. They have no respect for self and this country.
Thank you GD and Victor Lal for your work. Corruption has to be given light.
All it needs is a forensic DNA test comparison for the purported grandchild and Naiqama Lalabalavu to reveal the truth of an evil man’s paedophile criminal sex act.
But it is doubtful a positive result would stop the presidential inauguration in Fiji with Rabuka at the helm.
So he allegedly violated the rights and dignity of a 15 year old disabled child.
This would be abuse of the highest order.
Where art thou Shamima and crew?
I am disgusted by every woman leader in this country. What can we do to band together and raise a voice outside of parliament or somewhere tomorrow?
This ar$ho/€ should never become president
Full stop !
Whoever is behind his nomination is another ar$ho/€
We fijians have become a laughing stock.
Rerevaka ni kalou mei caqe na ratu kaisi
True to form….birds of the same feather:
Tabuya endorses Ratu Naiqama
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/tabuya-endorses-ratu-naiqama/