What cost Frank Bainimarama the 2022 election was his tin ear – his refusal, along with his sidekick Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, to listen to public discontent about their conduct and press on as if public opinion didn’t matter. And precisely the same thing is happening with Sitiveni Rabuka as the coming election approaches.
There has been uproar about the leaked documents first published by Grubsheet on the shocking extravagance of the President and Rabuka’s chief, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, as he prepares to take an entourage of personal servants to the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York in three week’s time. But does the Prime Minister care? Not one bit.
Sitiveni Rabuka thinks it is normal for his chief to want to take his butler and domestic staff across the world at a cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars when he will be staying in five star hotel suites that already provide a bevy of servants for their distinguished guests.
Except that Ratu Naiqama isn’t distinguished. He is a convicted treasonist who has served jail time and an accused paedophile who allegedly impregnated a 15 year old girl with “special needs” – the daughter of one of his retainers in Taveuni.
For that crime, the President has never been brought to justice. But guess what, Fiji? The Tui Cakau has not only been foisted upon us as our Head of State, he lives like a maharaja of old on your taxes – kow-towed to and indulged with every conceivable luxury when half the nation lives in poverty.
Sitiveni Rabuka says “so what?”. That’s what Naiqama Lalabalavu is entitled to. With the additional lie that it is the un-elected, figurehead President who should be Fiji’s face to the world at the UN when the annual General Assembly gathering is normally the forum for heads of government – executive presidents and prime ministers. I know because I have been to it several times, not only as Frank Bainimarama’s speechwriter but as a working journalist covering the event.
This is the contempt the Snake is showing for the Fijian people five months out from the election – a point-blank refusal to acknowledge the obvious. That with the national debt soaring past $11-billion dollars and ordinary Fijians struggling to put food on the table (or mat), it is simply unconscionable. To suck up to his chief, the Prime Minister is willing to defy public opinion and excuse the inexcusable. Justify the unjustifiable.
Voters know what they have to do, just as they knew what to do when Frank Bainimarama stopped listening. Throw the bastard out. And send Rabuka and the Paedophile President back to Cakaudrove, where their blighted subjects have no choice but to grovel in the dirt in the face of their appalling insensitivity and self-entitlement.
For those of you who might have missed our previous story…
How can any of this be justified? Easily, according to another self-entitled creep, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sakiasi Ditoka.
So listen up, Saki. Does “striking a balance between controlling expenditure and ensuring Fiji’s representatives are properly equipped” justify the President taking his butler and another servant on top of his wife, doctor and usual retinue?
You know the answer to that but you’re simply too far up these pigs to say anything other than excuse the inexcusable yourself.
Shame on you. And them.
UPDATE SUNDAY AM:
Of course, you will read nothing about this or anything of moment in the Fiji Times, whose front page today is even more bizarre than usual.
Not a single story of substance and the following puff piece on the Hibiscus Festival that really takes the keke.
Journalism Fiji style.
As for my own journey to inner peace, forget it.
The Constitutional Review Commission reports tomorrow with racial equality and national identity on the line, the biggest El Niño in a generation poses an existential threat to Fiji as the annual cyclone season approaches and a range of other major challenges loom – all capable of affecting the lives and livelihoods of ordinary Fijians.
Yet the nation’s traditional newspaper of record buries its head in the sand – truly a paper for ostriches and one big journalistic fail.
One of our beliefs in Hinduism is “KARMA”. Karma is an ancient Sanskrit word that means “action” or “deed,” and it refers to the universal law of cause and effect.
Both the PDF President and Rabuka are about to face the wrath of the universal law, a slow painful journey while bedridden. That’s how it’s supposed to work and we shall all be a witness to that testament.
Hahaha belt tightening PAP and Rolex Rabuka style. We tighten our belts, they spend the savings, hahaha.
Listen up Fiji, Rabuka’s first loyalty as prime minister is to his chief, not to the citizens of Fiji. He’s a meek and obedient servant of his chief. He does not have the balls to stand up to his chief.
The sooner we realize this reality the better because then we can lower our expectations of this failed Prime Minister, who is a curse upon this land and the people of Fiji. This man has betrayed his oath of office. If the people of Fiji don’t kick him out in the next election, then they will get what they deserve for voting in a traitor to the nation.
The voters must also send Lynda Tabuya, Sakiasi Ditoka and the dishonorable Vosarogo packing as well and they’re all acting against the indigenous people. Do not trust thrice disbarred Vosarogo with your native land and resources, and never forget that the first thing Lynda Tabuya did who was move for salary increases for parliamentarians while criticizing it as an opposition MP.
What a lying hypocrite. These people are nothing but blood suckers, Fiji, let’s show them our wrath and teach them a lesson.
The voters must also send Lynda Tabuya, Sakiasi Ditoka, and the dishonorable Vosarogo packing as well and they’re all acting against the indigenous people. Do not trust thrice disbarred Vosarogo….<
Not going to happen. The electorate is arseclowns voting for the circus.
The porn queen is revered in litrlw niu silundi. Lin-duh is an emotionally deficient biatch who is validation-obsessed, narcissistic porn and weed queen and first class clown who has repeatedly time and again shown she is psychologically unable to conceive of a situation that does not revolve around herself. Standing center stage grinning like the idiot she is.
Combined with ditoka and the thieving lawyer, they form a formidable three-some who could write a blueprint on racial vilification and division.
The arseclown electorate laps it up, too dumb to know, let alone try another way.
Older politicians – led by sona rolex snake, the pedo president, may be set in their ways, and only know the old politics of race and division, hate and bigotry that poison the people's ability to discern sensibly come election season.
Younger politicians are supposed to do better. Each generation should bring new ideas, 21st century dont count on this trio of preening clowns for perspectives and better leadership. I am not saying you cannot criticise.
In fact this entire debacle of this government prosecutes criticism of responsible critique based on evidence, policy and performance –only using investigative, prosecutorial, and judicial arms of state machinery to bludgeon those that dare to publicly call them out.
These bastards fail to and refuse to acknowledge that Fiji belongs to all of us. No political party owns any race, community, or group of people.
Right now, Fiji needs young leaders brave enough to build a country where no citizen is taught to see another as the enemy.
The horizon is murkier than ever.
I’m guessing the staff in the high class hotels over there would baulk at the request to change the pedo presidents incontinence diapers, so he has to take someone to do it!
Trump has one too. She’s called Natalie.
I think when you are a high chief, you are entitled to abuse underage children.
You are entitled to be exempt from any prosecution.
In fact you are entitled to get a promotion after such escapades.
I am not sayng this, just ask the PM and ask the President and the President’s wife. I suspect many in government and the vast majority of iTaukei would agree. Why else hasn’t anything been done about this? Unless someone got another explanation?
In 2025 the heads of a number of governments such as Russia, China and India amongst others did not attend.
Putin sent his foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, Xi Jinping sent his Premier Li Qiang and Modi sent S Jaishankar.
The theme of this year’s meeting is “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
Inia Seruiratu has previously emphasised that Fiji’s Constitution is explicit on the role of the President, stating that the office is ceremonial and must operate strictly on the advice and recommendations of constitutionally mandated bodies.
The choice of Naiqama to attend is highly questionable. If PM Rabuka can’t go and add to his considerable earnings from all the per diems he would have claimed, then the Foreign Affairs Minister should go minus all the trappings of accompanying butler, housegirl etc.
I wonder what the taxpayers of Australia/NZ who supplement Fiji’s operating budget think of this Naiqama extravagance. After all, less than a year ago, the President’s trip overseas which included visits to the US, England, Ireland, the Vatican City and the United Arab Emirates cost the Fijian taxpayer over $200,000.
There are much better uses of taxpayer monies than indulging the President.
>I wonder what the taxpayers of Australia/NZ who supplement Fiji’s operating budget think of this Naiqama extravagance.<
Nothing. In fact, this is exactly why "aid" is given: to completely corrupt and control the Pacific government. Fiji dare not think independent of OZ/NZ neo-colonialist interests.
Has Fiji EVER voted for its own self-interest? Fiji is scared sh1tless in all international fora to formulate and create an independent foreign policy against OZ/NZ/AUKUS.
AUKUS/NZ/OZ tell, order, Pacifika nations to stay the hell away from China for no good will come of it.
All the while, the three acronyms form close trade, commercial, and economic bonds with the giant Dragon economy.
"When measuring Gross Domestic Product by Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), Statista projects China's economy to reach $44.3 trillion in 2026, making it the largest in the world by this metric (ahead of the U.S. at $32.4 trillion)." -source: Statistica.
Pasifika nations fear building direct independent relations with China lest the neo-colonialists cut off the drip-drip for survival spending entirely for expenditures.
Budgetary support. Life line. Wholly dependent for exactly such an extravagance.
A sulu vakatga, gregarious meaningless idiotic smiles, free beers, with itaukei lingo like vuvale thrown in for good measure are all swallowed hook, line, and sinker.
See how itaukei puffs its collective chests with pride. Cultural misappropriation be damned.
You hear it all over Fiji that some in government are out of touch while the rhetorics by ministers can be to blame and attack.
Gavoka tells public stay in your lane if they express concern over Fiji Airlines.
Or
Tabuya blames overcrowded and likely below-the-poverty-line settlements for not managing their rubbish properly and plans to fine people who can’t afford fines thus creating further obstacles.Has she tried helping first ? How about she pay a visit , don some gumboots and help them clean up together.
I read she said the settlement should clean up their waterway but there’s a hazardous sewage leak , is the Minister providing safety gear to do so ? Then re- consult on how they can manage this better .
Or
Large sums spent on legal action pursuing pay back .
Or
Outer island ship crisis leading to fuel and supply shortages , pretty sure I read the President suggested the Island should look at getting its own boat but government is meant to mange public transportation generally .
When I read hospital equipment is broken or hear blood test require a boat trip to another town or another villages is out of water I know the Suva bubble is been a big part of the problem.
Well resources communities are better equipped to manage their obstacles but the bigger issues are reliant on government .
Your old pal Charlie has also penned something on this linking the right-winged political alliances of the past. He however labels the 2006 coup as ‘arguably the most devastating’. Age has truly taken a toll on Charlie’s memory and looks like he’s forgotten the sheer decimation of Fiji in 1987 and 2000. The unilateral decision, without a proper referendum, to make Fiji a republic is possibly the worst in Fiji’s history that has removed direct access to the UK.
At the same time Charters labels Qarase as Fiji’s most technocratic PM, the equivalence of labeling Biman as the most qualified Finance Minister. Fijian Homer has again forgotten that both Rabuka and Qarase brought Fiji on the brink of financial collapse, including debt default. Qarase time debt with EXIM India for a major failure of a sugar industry revival, is still being paid by the Fijian taxpayers.
Indeed beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, and it appears that history definitely lies in the eyes of the narrator. Glad that social media provides the fact-checking, else Charlie would’ve been dominating the Fiji Times columns with his garbage!!
“My old pal”? Gimme a break. Homer inhabits a universe all of his own, with his opinions matching his dress sense. As in woeful.
It’s what happens when an outsider’s ideas about Fiji are formed around the dinner table of Mere Samisoni. Too late to be helped.
When will this citizen journalist write about the number 1 issue of bad governance being the tax holiday?
I do not understand why Fiji journalists are not looking at something that is against all of us?
Not sure what it is you’re trying to insinuate or claim but I can only assume it’s not very sensible.
A tax holiday is not a new thing in any case. It is practiced globally and is an incentive to ensure continuation of much needed investment in a sector of the economy without which the country would be much worse off.
There are two sides to the economic spin off theory, and basically the Majority of either are easily understood if you have ever bothered to sit though a 101 Macro/micro economics class. If not I will do my best to explain it in simpler terms.
Fiji water was granted a tax holiday at the very beginning of it’s startup in Fiji. At that stage in 1996 the Rabuka government extended the local business arm a “tax holiday” This is not a practice reserved for friends of the government, it is a sensible business decision with all parties standing to gain in a long term relationship. In addition to this Fiji water were legally entitled to transfer pricing practices which are used in businesses the world over to ensure costs are minimized. “Arms length” as you would like to have it, local subsidiary and parent company aside, it is not really reflective of the “market”.
FFWD to 2010 when the tax holiday was no longer in effect, the government examined ways in which Fiji water could be legally milked as it not only wanted to curry favor with the public on its “democratic crusade” but saw Fiji water as the perfect cash cow to extort and manipulate. They subsequently ended the tax break and implemented a water tax rate (approx’ 20c/liter) which, if I understand correctly, Fiji water still pays today, on every liter extracted from the source.
After the last election the tax holiday was re-implemented . This is neither a back hand deal nor is it illegal tax avoidance in any case. It is simply a sensible and legal way of minimizing your business tax obligation. The carry rate of transfer pricing operates in much the same way. Global enterprises like Fiji water are not bound to operate indefinitely. They are highly successful, well run global businesses who operate off tight margins in the bigger picture. If Fiji doesn’t retain this type of ongoing investment the owners will not hesitate to shut up shop in favor of a different location elsewhere in the planet with the same potential for upside. This was clearly evident when they closed shop for the period that they did.
While competition is healthy , it would be totally illogical to bring the standard of an International operator to it’s knees merely as an attempt to bring local competitors to their feet.
This brings me to the second spin off effect which is poorly understood by those lacking global marketing insights.
Fiji Water put Fiji on the map. The owners were very smart people who leveraged their network and catapulted the “Fiji” brand into the top tier echelons of hospitality, stardom etc… Could the same be said for Aqua water and these other local brands? NOPE. If Fiji water were to calculate a value of goodwill for the amount of publicity and positive exposure that the brand has garnered Internationally it would exceed 7 digits! It is this very same value that Lawyers understand when extending clients a foot in the door of a market where all parties are winners, long term.
Sure we all like to see competition and the little guy having a few wins but for crying out aloud, be REALISTIC within the context of local v global. Do you want to be a little broke backwater of the world living in harmony or an International heavy weight hitter when it comes to IP cred’?
Stop complaining. These companies provide a lot of support to the local economy through a myriad of channels. Fiji is better off with Fiji water than without. I’m sure all would agree.
Garbage from Richard Naidu on behalf of his rich client. Absolute rubbish.
This argument relies on assertions, not evidence. No one disputes that tax holidays can be legitimate investment tools. The real question is whether granting a mature, highly profitable multinational another tax holiday delivers more public benefit than the tax revenue forgone. That requires evidence, not assumptions.
The claim that Fiji Water operates on “tight margins” is also unsupported. Fiji Water is a premium global brand with strong pricing power, not a struggling startup. If the company truly faced razor-thin margins, it would not have remained profitable while paying Fiji’s Water Resource Tax for years.
Invoking transfer pricing doesn’t strengthen the argument either. Transfer pricing is legal only when it complies with the arm’s-length principle. Around the world, it is one of the most scrutinized mechanisms because it can be used to shift profits out of high-tax jurisdictions. Legality depends on the facts, not on simply calling it “normal.”
The “Fiji Water put Fiji on the map” claim is marketing rhetoric, not an economic analysis. Brand exposure has value, but governments still have to ask whether that value justifies foregone tax revenue. There is no evidence presented that the promotional benefits exceed the fiscal cost.
Finally, the suggestion that Fiji must keep offering tax concessions or the company will leave is a false dilemma. Fiji Water’s unique aquifer is in Fiji so it cannot simply relocate that natural resource elsewhere. Investment incentives should be based on measurable public returns, transparency, and equal treatment, not fear of corporate exit.
I wrote that and no, my name is not Richard.
You mis read most of what I mentioned earlier. Big business doesn’t invest unless it suits big business. FJ can’t have the water and drink it too… They either take a sip or the client takes a rain check on that investment FACT
As for missing out on tax revenue.. 20 cents per liter is better than most oil companies get at the pump. Water extraction tax is better than corporate tax revenue, in case you didn’t notice, so best take it and shut up!
Your transfer pricing theory is stale. In fact that whole model will evolve to suit big business in future and is already happening . Fact is the law around transfer pricing is outdated and fails to address the needs of globalized business. Fiji Water could legitimately justify its transfer price based on local cost structures, currency values, and business realities. At best the arms length theory is subjective and arbitrary. Just ask Richard and / or a tax law expert. The OECD itself has acknowledged that the arm’s length principle is “complex, costly, and uncertain.” So go figure…
As for my comment about Fiji water shutting shop. I meant they would have little hesitation replicating the Fiji model in another country with a whole different set of IP secured water rights… A filter is just good marketing NOT necessarily a reality!
You’re shifting the goalposts. No one disputes that businesses invest for profit, that’s exactly why Fiji can negotiate harder terms. “Take it or leave it” isn’t an economic law; it’s a bargaining claim that needs evidence. Fiji Water hasn’t chosen to leave despite its threats. It’s not going anywhere. It’s not leaving all the riches behind. No way!
Your “20 cents per litre is better than corporate tax” argument is a false choice. Fiji can collect extraction royalties and corporate tax. One doesn’t replace the other.
On transfer pricing, yes, the OECD admits the arm’s-length principle is imperfect, complex, and costly. But “imperfect” doesn’t mean “anything goes.” It’s still the international standard used to challenge artificial profit shifting.
Finally, the idea Fiji Water could simply recreate the Fiji brand elsewhere ignores reality. The brand is built on Fiji’s geographic identity, established permits, infrastructure, and reputation. Moving countries means rebuilding all of that from scratch, not just installing another filter. That’s a business risk, not a trivial relocation. As I said, Fiji Water is staying put!
There is no independent market for Fiji Water’s specific product in Fiji—it’s all exported.
There are no comparable companies doing exactly what Fiji Water does in the same environment. The filter you mentioned earlier is testament to this.
The “market” is entirely internal to the corporate group, making any external comparison inherently speculative. Fiji water sells water from one arm of it’s business to another. The transaction thereafter bears no relevance to the arms length transaction principle. Even so, the costs of a bottle of water in the overseas market must reflect currency exchange and a multitude of other external factors (branding,marketing etc..) which would deem the price to be reasonable in those markets.
To your point about taxing FW both on a per liter extraction basis in addition to corporate tax …totally absurd and unreasonable and would be laughed out the door by everyone including FIRCA
That’s precisely why the legal case against FW failed !
I am sure sections of the Fiji society are now celebrating the new image under Rabuka, Fiji for ‘Fijians’, meaning i Taukeis. As indigenous people, they have the entitlement and right to ‘enjoy’ everything the country offers through the sweat and tax from ALL citizens in the business, manufacturing, farming and other sectors.
Be it through an almost exclusive team the President goes with to the UN, a new line up of the Hibiscus contestants who Gavoka claims revives the 70 year legacy, appointments to top positions in Government and statutory bodies and representing Fiji at international and regional meetings. The image is glaring.
This is the new face of Fiji, folks.
The only option for the ‘vulagis’ is to accept this cynical drama and continue to seek ways to move out to countries which will recognise your skills and contributions and accept you as a true part of the new society, where you will have freedom, rights and respect.
An old adage comes to mind. “You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.”
This collision government is trying vigorously to get the narrative of entitlement for the Pedo President. This is far from the truth . The only motto now for some in the Government is spend lavishly while you have the time.
Some of us who put them there are realising our mistake. You all will be gone at the next polls. You can not fool us all the time.
But the fact is, Fijians ARE fools. They have been fools for the last 40 years. Why else would they elect a dickhead some 40 years later. And they will do it again. Fijians are a lost cause. The problem is, they do not know they are fools. They are totally unaware. It’s like you don’t know what you don’t know. There are many on this forum.
I was surprised to hear that 7 Indo-Fijian ladies did not get selected to contest the Hibiscus Festival. According to the committee, they were not good enough. But it’s a good thing as well. To go there and be as good or better and have your hearts broken. And the line up of judges would never have allowed them to win. As for the Prez, he is slowly going the way of that other chief who passed away sometime ago. Painful passing awaits.
Don’t you drongos get it? Haven’t you noticed yet that every time buka the baku has a biff with his chief the pedo pres he butters him up by rewarding him with a jaunt around the world.
Baku cant afford to sour his relationship with the pedo president. As it is pedo is pissed off with rabuka about a whole lot of things for quite some time.
Things are so bad economically in good old Fiji that for the first time the President’s residence and office vehicles don’t have fuel on tap from the good old tank up at govt house. The chaotic coalition govt has told Pedos office that they have to use fuel cards like everyone else. And this has got pedo pissed.
But most of all Pedo has been steadily getting pissed off with his dog from Drakeniwai because he has got him in a lot of trouble by his illogical and crazy legal advice that is making Pedo look like a stupid commoner.
So every time Pedo is made to look extremely stupid by Baku…Baku just rummages around for some fast dwindling taxpayer dollars and sends Pedo off on an all expensees paid merry jaunt to diffuse the tension.
The shameless bastard that Pedo is knows the slithering tactics of the snake…but when did you know of any chief and his wife saying no to free food and drinks with 5 star accommodation and first class air travel?
But the public you ask? Who gives a f**k about them…they are just to be used and abused…especially the silly blind supporters of the itaukei elite.
Seems like most of you are living in denial. Let’s set the record straight. No amount of anything will suffice for the real FIJIANS unless a few key issues are addressed. So shut up , listen up and stop the miserable monotony.
Something along the lines of the following will need to happen to improve things so that good governance can prevail.
The GCC MUST be recognized in the constitution no why, if or but! This will satisfy I Taukei demand for cultural legitimacy and respect for traditional authority. It shouldn’t impose its self but it must be recognized. Why else do you think they are muscling in on the ranks and imposing themselves across the spectrum today. It’s because the poked 2013 constitution watered down any ounce of value in anything valuable (and that doesn’t just go for Itaukei ) FACT!
The GCC cannot and must not have any type of veto over parliamentary process. This will address the oppositions “democratic” concerns (whatever that means) and keeps ultimate political authority with the puppets of the day.
GCC powers should be clearly defined by thorough legal process. They must be accountable and subject to checks and balances, preventing arbitrary exercise of authority.
This middle path hopefully honors tradition while safeguarding modern democratic principles and multi ethnic equality.
We all know most of the land tenure already favors Itaukei. Acknowledge these existing protections without granting new economic control . This will reduce fears of corruption.
Sorry guys but the sad truth is FIJIANS want to be recognized as FIJIANS and rightly so.. Could you ever imagine the Maori ever allowing New Zealanders to be called Tangata whenua? Never in a lifetime of perpetuity!
Fijians were referenced as themselves before anyone came to those islands. Respect it, grant them sanctity of their identity and get over it!!
“Fijians want to be recognised as Fijians”. They want to appropriate an English word that describes people from these islands and have it for themselves. Not only to be iTaukei – the equivalent of the Maori tangata whenua – but Fijians and the rest of us can be Fiji Islanders or vulagi, visitors in our own country.
It’s as if the Maoris in NZ were to say: “We want the exclusive right to use the word New Zealander and the rest of you can be something else”. That’s the logical conclusion of what you have just enunciated here.
As for the GCC, you can have it. While other societies like the British are jettisoning hereditary privilege, the iTaukei want it retained. They want people who owe their positions to an accident of birth to not only have a higher status in the nation than anyone else but to entrench that privilege in the supreme law.
As we’re seeing now with Naiqama Lalabalavu, it is a pathway to excess. And to lawlessness. We have two ratus currently on trial for the murder of an Indo-Fijian in Sigatoka and another one has just been convicted of the murder of Leli Darling. Maybe if the chiefs were setting an example of rectitude instead of their chronic self-entitlement the rest of us might be more impressed.
What about the “sanctity of the identity” of non indigenous Fijians? The right to equality and to use the English word for their nation of birth? One third of the population is being dispossessed by the remaining two thirds and have to leave to have the right to equality in societies that don’t insist on the tyranny of the majority – to be Australians, Americans, Canadians etc without question.
Unless you think “Fijians” living in those countries would be happy to be told “you’re not an Australian etc”. You might have been born here but you don’t belong. The point is that non-indigenous Fijians have rights too. And, yes, “get over it”.
Not quite..
Would anyone accept that the name given to them by their parents on account of their ancestors be subject to change several generations down the line because it suits the mood of the moment? NOPE!
Aboriginies were never reference as “Australians” at inception by the explorers. Maori weren’t called New Zealanders either. If you would like to engage in semantics then suit yourself…
When the English language arrived in Fiji and applied the name “Fijian” to the indigenous people, it didn’t ask for permission. But once that name was given, it stuck. For well over a century—across colonial records, missionary texts, land deeds, and everyday speech—the word “Fijian” was exclusively tied to the iTaukei.
Multiple generations of indigenous Fijians were born, lived, and died identifying as “Fijian” in the English language. That word became interwoven with their chiefly titles, their clan histories, their land rights, and their treaty agreements with the British Crown. It was their English name.
To have a government, 50 or 100 years later, say, “Actually, we’re going to make that word mean everyone now is like telling a grown adult that their birth name now belongs to the whole neighborhood, and they have to accept a new nickname for clarity. That is not evolving democracy that is taking away an “identity” that was deeply ingrained and legally binding for generations.
Lets face it. Whether we like it or not, English is the common language.
If Fiji conducts its official business, its constitution, and its legal system in English, then the English word for the native people must retain its original, exclusive meaning. Otherwise, you create a bizarre linguistic paradox:
The iTaukei are forced to use a foreign word (iTaukei) to identify themselves in English documents,
While the English word that was theirs (“Fijian”) gets handed over to a broader, civic group.
That is not unity; that is reassignment and its a total injustice. If the government insists on English as the lingua franca, then they should respect the historical English nomenclature. The iTaukei were “Fijians” in English first, last, and always—until a recent political decision arbitrarily overrode that.
The 2013 Constitution is currently treated as moral authority on the matter, simply because it is the current law. But laws are not always fair. That very same 2013 change was a top-down political maneuver (under the Bainimarama government) designed to build a unified “Fijian” national identity, often at the direct expense of indigenous symbolic heritage. It was a forced renaming and an unfair one at that!
By the measure of historical continuity, emotional identity, linguistic fairness, and the very analogy of a birth name I am correct…
The word “Fijian” was given to the iTaukei at the onset of English contact. They have carried it for generations. It is their English name. And no government, no matter how well-intentioned, has the moral right to strip that exclusive ownership away from them just to make a political point about “multiculturalism” or “national unity.” True unity would have been finding a new, inclusive English word for all citizens (Fiji islanders), rather than appropriating and diluting the indigenous people’s historic name.
Thank you for pushing me to see the context properly. You were right to call me out.
I repeat.The iTaukei do not own an English word that isn’t part of their language. Fijian belongs to everyone who comes from Fiji just as the term Australian applies to everyone who comes from Australia.
It is not for the iTaukei to own or to share, as some people have suggested, simply because it is not theirs to share.
The notion of a native race in the South Seas purloining a term the English gave to describe their islands doesn’t fly simply in terms of logic. Next you’ll be wanting to purloin the word London to replace Lodoni and insisting that London is yours.
So for the record, consider yourself linguistically dispossessed.
Wrong again. When was the last time you had a conversation with a person who had to correct you mid sentence by saying…”No I live in Australia but I’m ….” Most people only use the title for formal reference (fill out a form) but it has become progressively front loaded by the political fraternity as an easy way to appease the masses.
Nobody stated that anyone owns the word “Fijian” . Is there a Fijian language? Last time I checked there was. Do people say I speak “I Taukei” or do they speak Fijian? Do Indians speak Hindi or Indian? Try telling an Indian that they speak Indian! Do European Fijians speak Fijian ? By your reckoning they should collectively adopt Fijian as a language if they want to be “Fijian” . Let’s not half ass the issue. You can also re draft that constitution in Fijian too and everybody must dress as a Fijian. Looks like you have a lot to roll out if you want to evolve the interpretation entirely. Can’t eat the cake without having it. Equally so, can’t have all the cake and eat it without sharing it…well you can actually but horse before cart stuff…get my drift! You live in the Fiji Islands and collectively the people that live there are islanders so therefore they are all Fiji islanders and that is the most correct way to address them without standing on anyone’s toes in the process. If you want a constitution that addresses the time scale and all within it and you want to evolve with the times then don’t use existing words that have previous allocation by way of reference. You contradict yourself by saying Itaukei don’t own a word but people that come from Fiji do. Wrong again. Nobody owns a word full stop. I have already explained this in my earlier note.
If we generalize the population then we can input this as one data set…..and that’s the end game here. It was all decided long ago that society would eventually become nothing more than a few digits in an Ai sphere…zero identity, zero culture, zero people..
I hope, that in 100 years from now someone can zip down the coral coast highway and still see preserved cultural norms! I hope that NEVER gets eroded into a cryptographic token.
Correction. The term was never conceived to describe the islands. That would be the Fiji Islands, not Fijian islands.
Fiji water is not Fijian water and the collective group of people are not Fijians but Fiji islanders.
You are clearly not a linguist. And the word “dispossessed” is not really appropriate for this context..
Dumdum Frank was happy to use all tools at his disposal to ensure peace even if it meant destroying the very backbone of his own identity. He was only ever a lame front and all his co horts were in unison.
If the country fails to recognize its indigenous population in the most comprehensively appropriate manner then you will end up where you all started..staring down a barrel..locked..loaded and ready to go..So what’s it going to be? Put up with it in a civil way and do the leg work that addresses the issue or head for the pit? Small price to pay to appease a stubborn lot, in my humble opinion but you seem to enjoy the debate more than the practical reality!
As for your comment about the Brits jettisoning hereditary privilege…They are down right eroding everything and anything “British“ full stop! Look at the state of it…
If you clean the slate by imposing so called “democratic virtue” (a total farce in 2026) you also stand to deprive society of the qualities that identify it in the world.
Kaciolo is sufficient for that is what most of us are and that is what differentiates us – no piece of paper can change that
To digress but only slightly since all roads to Fiji’s demise are linked to the People’s Alliance, National Federation Party and SODELPA collusion government.
Here’s another example of Fiji drowning in a corruption. Read about the highly questionable and suspicious purchase by FDB, all in the taxpayers expense.
Bastard Baiman’s fingerprints are on it through his board appointment of the dodgy Damend Goundar and that sleaze-ball pussygrabber Pramesh Chand, who masi polo his way to positions and board appointments.
He’s a close friend of Manoa Kamikamica, who is a close friend of Baiman, who share a common enemy in Rabuka. All of Baiman’s appointments are designed to benefit him and his cronies. Such as the bastard Richard Naidu, who acted like he was a paragon of good governance and democracy.
But as chairman of the fiscal review committee, he engineered the infamous seven year tax holiday for his Munro Leys client Fiji Water while socking ordinary citizens with a 15% VAT. The network is quite clear, but don’t ask our Prime Minister, who will tell you, ‘I wasn’t aware.’
Rolex Rabaku is clearly the most unaware Prime Minister Fiji’s history. We have a f**king clown and airhead for Prime Minister! We are suddenly progressing as a country, ha ha ha.
From a concern citizen of Fiji
FIJI DEVELOPMENT BANK HAS BOUGHT TANOA HOTELS PROPERTY AT VOTUALEVU ROUNDABOUT, NADI KNOWN AS TANOA APARTMENTS.
THIS HAS BEEN BOUGHT AT A EXAGGERATED PRICE OF OVER $ 25 MILLION.
How much money did Damen Goundar Chairman of FDB Board who was nominated by Biman Prasad and his long time mate Pramesh Sharma who is the advisor of Tanoa Group make?
Can the CEO of FDB Mr Filimone Waqabaca, and COO Mr Bimal Sudhakar let the public know more on this deal with Tanoa Group.
FICAC need to act on this matter as FDB is a government owned bank which is supported and guaranteed by the government.
ITS SEEMS FDB ONCE AGAIN IS BECOMING ANOTHER NBF AND FAILURE BY PM AND HIS GROUP.
If FDB supporting the real needy SMEs or trying to get into failed investments.
Can FDB board confirm the valuation of the property at Votualevu Roubdabout that they bought from Tanoa Group.
most going concern real estate is valued according to the success of the business. If YP had a list of lucrative clients on his books then the FDB is within its rights to secure that cashflow. The valuation methodology is not something I would expect the average accountant to understand..Clearly they exercised due diligence in the process or else there would be no reason for such an acquisition. If he numbers add up then its financially feasible..so the saying goes
Try to gain perspective before you mouth off on a tangent…My point exactly
Apart from being a pedo President who sexually abused an underage special needs child, I have been told he killed someone in a car accident at a wharf as well. Is that true?
Lynda Tabuya, Manoa Kamikamica and Biman Prasad made a good investment of taxpayer money in MaiTv and cultivating Stanley Simpson who portrays himself as Fiji’s media freedom champion and all knowing father of journalism in Fiji. I get this impression from his many social media pictures with Lynda, Manoa and Biman, and his public statements on the media.
I remember that Stanley shed tears of joy when the media act was repealed. It was crocodile tears. Look at MaiTVs coverage of the Presidential junket to the UN meeting. An almost word to word reproduction of the government media release. I’m not a journalist or journalism expert so I check with ChatGPT and it said, “Government press releases are propaganda; journalism is scrutiny.”
Is this the standard of journalism under Fiji Media Association President, Stanley Simpson. He has been totally corrupted by a corrupt government. This is how of taxpayer money is being used. Looks like a lazy journalism to me. No interviews done with opposition and no pushback at all.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has defended the size and level of official support provided to His Excellency the President, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, and his entourage for the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in New York, saying Fiji must balance responsible spending with the dignity of the country’s highest office.
Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Sakiasi Ditoka said the President, as Fiji’s Head of State, holds the highest office in the country and should be provided with arrangements that appropriately reflect the responsibilities of that position when representing Fiji internationally.
The clarification follows a leaked letter from Acting Official Secretary Rukalisi Dileqe Vecena to the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs outlining the President’s delegation for the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
The delegation is scheduled to depart Fiji on September 20, 2026, and depart San Francisco for Fiji on September 30.
The delegation includes President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, Fiji’s First Lady Emily Wise Lalabalavu, Aide-De-Camp Matayavusa Lea, Team Leader Mitieli Drisco, Butler Jesoni Tagicakiverata, Close Protection Officer Adi Maova Nukuruilagi, Executive Assistant Rosalini Cavu, physician Dr Marica Mataika and staff member Salome Vukibora.”
The Pres could take as his own presidential aircraft a Fiji Airways A350. Then Fiji (the Sovereign nation as the Minister calls it) would be seen mixing it up with all the big heads of state in NY with their equivalent of Air Force One.
We have to show it to them on the world stage that we are somebody. And do it with opulence and dignity – just put it on the AMEX card, like everything else. That’s the credit card, not the Visa Debit card!