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.
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.
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.
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 .