Manoa “I’ll work harder if you pay me more” Kamikamica – the putative prime minister-in- waiting – has given an extraordinary interview to Radio New Zealand in which he acknowledges that Fiji “is in a mess” but blames it all on the Bainimarama “dictatorship’.
Never mind that the Coalition has been in government for almost 28 months and is in a semi-permanent state of dysfunction. The nation’s problems are all the fault of 16 years of Frank and Aiyaz. And that “dictatorship” includes the eight years in which FijiFirst won a democratic mandate by a landslide in 2014, won again in 2018 and just missed out in 2022 by one vote on the floor of the parliament having secured the largest number of votes in that election too. Some dictatorship.
It is an astonishing claim by the man who regards himself as Sitiveni Rabuka‘s successor – a scandalous transference of responsibility for the parlous state of the nation that again points to Kamikamica’s unfitness to lead.
Incredibly, after two years and four months in office, the Deputy Prime Minister is still blaming his predecessors for the country being “in a mess”. We don’t expect him to acknowledge that much of the mess is the Coalition’s fault. That would be expecting a level of honesty and self-awareness that simply doesn’t exist. But could the finger-pointing be any more shameless?
Look at Kamikamica himself. Here is a man who knows the parlous state of the nation’s finances and its burgeoning debt yet supported the unconscionable pay rises for MPs last year on the basis that if he was paid more, he would work harder. (See below). It is typical of the entire attitude of the Coalition – wallowing in the spoils of office and blaming everyone else but themselves for the “mess”.
Mr Sweetness promises that we are going to see improvements “this year and certainly next”. Well he would say that, wouldn’t he? Because the months are ticking down to the Coalition’s unavoidable rendezvous with destiny at the hands of the Fijian people in the 2026 election. And time is fast running out.
Are they still going to be blaming the “dictatorship” in the election lead-up? Still blaming Frank Bainimarama and Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum when even the most intellectually-challenged Fijian voter knows that they achieved a level of service delivery the Coalition can only dream of achieving?
As reports reach Grubsheet that Kamikamica’s fellow Deputy Prime Minister, Biman Prasad – who also has his finger chronically pointed at FijiFirst for the “mess” – is positioning himself to be vice chancellor of USP in the expectation of an election defeat for the NFP, Manoa Kamikamica addresses the question of succession in the People’s Alliance.
It’s the classic tactic of impatient wannabes the world over. Sitiveni Rabuka is best placed to lead and “will continue for as long as he wants the job”. That part is right because Kamikamica has as much chance of delivering the mass vote for the PAP next year as he had at the last election. None. But “the Coalition is behind Rabuka 100 per cent?”
Really? After all the flip-flopping over Lynda Tabuya and Siti’s gold Rolex? How is that helping to shore up the Coalition’s position to tackle the “mess” and persuade the Fijian people that the finger pointers shouldn’t get a middle finger flashed at them?
Kamikamica has the audacity to say that “unifying the country is a priority” days after flagging the return of the provisions of the 1997 Constitution and ending the common and equal citizenry and the common identity. How is that going to unify the country, pray tell?
Fiji is in a mess alright. A fundamental failure of leadership that isn’t ever going to be fixed by switching the deckchairs on the Titanic and putting Manoa “I’ll work harder if you pay me more” in charge.
Kamikamica talks about a “heightened level of execution” of service delivery in the election lead-up. What we need more is a heightened level of execution of the finger-pointers when the people finally get their say.
Remember this, Fiji?
“We deserve a pay rise because it will make us work harder”.
Well remember it when the election comes around.
Oh, yes. You deserve a pay rise. We all think that.
Enough of all coup leaders and their affiliates. Fiji is done with that.
What’s worse is there are 10 more parties seeking full registration for elections. We are doomed if votes split all over the place. Bai stands no chance and Kai is no longer trusted. So who will Fijian First stand as their leader now?
Don’t lose hope on FijiFirst.
Ketan Lal is their potential leader. He has all the credentials they need.
Except mass appeal with the iTaukei. A big problem.
A timely analysis.
Your passing reference to Biman Prasad’s ambition to be USP Vice-Chancellor is interesting.
Everyone knows how Biman was the not so shadowy character who used Pal Ahullwalia to initiate the vendetta against Rajesh Chandra, basically to take his revenge for not being considered for senior management position. Moreover, he knew Rajesh Chandra had information on BCP, during his time as an academic and President of AUSPS. Some of these if aired publicly is dynamite, even more potent then his escapade from FICAC clutches with the help of the corrupt Malimali and a section of the judiciary and his well known other digressions.
The rest is of course history as USP, once a cherished and reputable institution, has been reduced to an entity plagued by corruption, cronyism and nepotism with teaching, research and scholarship hugely compromised. It is a divided institution with the staff and students divided into pro and anti Pal factions, with the latter watching their backs all the time. Most staff are just there to earn a salary, which has rocketed under Pal, and as many observers have said is hardly what an academic institution, let alone a regional one, should be all about.
It will be interesting if Biman Prasad is deemed appropriate choice to return to USP in any capacity, let alone as Vice Chancellor and President.
Men and more men. Just doing their things like lining their pockets while more people live in poverty. They don’t care.
There is not a single admired person in Fiji’s politics anymore who can say I took an oath and tried my best. Not a single one. Years of corruption and incompetence shows. QVS, RKS, and whatever ars graduates running the country like a village tuck shop.
After twenty-seven months in government, Kamkamacia’s admission that Fiji is in a mess is a glaring understatement. He must also hold Biman accountable, as both he and Rabuka share the blame for this disarray.
Instead of continuously blaming the previous government for their lack of direction and inefficiency, it’s time to admit that, under Rabuka’s leadership, they have failed.
The evidence of mismanagement is impossible to ignore: rampant wastage, a total lack of coherent policies, and an utter failure to prioritize the country’s needs. The only thing keeping Fiji afloat are the policies, initiatives, and projects left behind by the FijiFirst government. The coalition government has made no meaningful contribution to the well-being of ordinary Fijians.
Instead, they are more focused on lining their own pockets while neglecting the poor and vulnerable. They serve their own interests, not the people’s.
Manoa’s game…we hold the gold Rolex but the thief is my neighbor.
The screen behind which the coalition government was hiding its shady behavior and transactions is rapidly being removed and burnt exposing each one of them for who they are. Not an ounce of difference between coalition and FijiFirst. If anything this current government is even worse with corruption hitting all time high in every walk of life in Fiji.
Biman is so out of his depth with economics that he can’t even see the suffering of the common Fijians brought about by his failed policies.
Rabuka is so out of touch with the people who voted for him that he has the audacity to wear a 150,000 watch while common Fijians beg for a 50 cents pay rise.
I am no fan of Bainimarama but that man had genuine compassion for poor Fijians. He was hated by the elite itaukei but he did everything to ensure the poor were fairly treated and showed compassion in every disater and in times when the common people needed him.
Rabuka is a disaster. A monster who eats only to fill his big stomach. He is no messiah to the poor and those dumb enough to trust him….good luck. Keep voting for him and see Fiji become like a failed African state.
How ironic that Manoa “I’ll work harder if you pay me more” Kamikamica praises Rabuka the very man who created the coup culture and was a dictator during his first tilt at running the country.
Like governments the world over, he blames the previous government for the mess, none of being theirs! In their first two years what have they done for the people of Fiji? Nothing!
They have however presided over:
The most significant increase in Parliamentary salaries ever;
Have a Cabinet greater in number than countries like Australia;
Increased the number of Civil Servants when the population of the country has declined;
In the last 2 budgets the estimated cost of Government operations has increased by $635,029- million or 24.4% whilst at the same time estimated capital expenditure increased by $38,795 million or 3.3% ; and
The lack of any increase in Capital Expenditure to even meet inflation send Government backwards.
The above shows why the Government is in a mess. They cannot manage themselves let alone the economy.
Let the people speak in the election and I hope they got their fruits with the Coalition government and their eyes are open now
On a lighter note out of 10 parties who have reserved names, two are just like the village bakery (SOAP) and (OUR). Now if they were to form a coalition wouldn’t it be hilarious.
And Kamikamica should just stop talking. He got his pay rise. Now walk the talk. Work harder. No one forced any of these Ministas to get into politics. Stop blaming others.
Rolex Rabuka will be a shoo in at the next election. The people of Fiji want a person who has a history of achievement, a raft of shiny medals (don’t know for what, but that does not matter), is all for iTaukei rights, is a fake Christian, who is now not sure if he is an Israelite, is a first class liar and a first rate donkey, is corrupt to the core, has done f/all for anyone in 38 yrs, seeks glory at every opportunity, loves to receive charity from friendly neighbours as if it was an entitlement, because that’s his culture and tradition.
All the right qualifications to be reelected.
Well that is what happened in the last election.
Blaming the Fiji First Government will not absolve the Coalition government of its failures. Halfway through their term, they still have no clue how to effectively run a government, let alone prioritize the nation’s development and economic growth.
The Coalition’s primary focus? Changing the very constitution that gave them the privilege of holding office in the first place. Such blatant ingratitude from a group of self-serving politicians! They swear an oath to uphold and protect the constitution, yet they are quick to call for its revision.
The failures of this government are squarely on the shoulders of its leaders: PM Rabuka, Finance Minister Biman, and Minister for Trade Kamkamica, who seem more intent on clinging to power than actually serving the people of Fiji.
Instead of continuously blaming the FijiFirst Government, can they finally step up and fulfill the mandate they were given? At least the FijiFirst Government’s policies and strategies have kept them relevant, even if the Coalition tries to take credit for them. The people are not blind— they can’t be fooled any longer.
Manoa has said he does not want to make the same mistake as his father in mounting a leadership challenge.
So forget about him.
Find another suitable candidate to challenge Rambo.
Looking at the lineup for next year’s elections, I think we’re better off putting up with these two for another 4 yrs.
Fijian First Party? More like Family First II.
Led by one Mary “Imelda” Bainimarama, one can only imagine the shitstorm that is going to bring.
1 Family members back in the limelight.
2 More overseas shopping trips with newly
pardoned hubby
3 Convicted murderer brother back as
Commisioner or Minister.
4 Convicted son back from Australia .
Nah…probably better off with the lesser of two evils.
It looks as though Khaiyum, Fiji’s Jeff Foxworth, got himself a new dummy.
Graham, don’t forget, it’s ‘Rolex Rabuka’, not Siti or Sitiveni. The shallowness of this man must be emphasized and re-emphasized.
I wholeheartedly endorse the constitutional change being mooted. We are not Fijians because rightfully we’re now happily going to be called ITAUKEI because the indigenous are not fussed about everyone using this name. They have a heartbreak when citizens are called Fijians. I’m sure out of their good Christian hearts they’ll embrace the use of ITAUKEI as a national name acceptable to all Fiji citizens .
That’s it I will vote for Graham Leung come next elections .
The PM said he had no money and sold bottles to make a living. Interesting that the same man within 20 months buys a $150,000 watch. You got this Fiji. A PM worth celebrating while the people in the village cannot even afford a $1.50 box of tea leaves. You got this. Make sure to have a bigger salusalu and cake for him next time he visits the koro.
I have been watching how FijiVillage turns off all the comments on the page as soon as they post news about the Coalition.They also hide and delete comments.
So much for their useless media freedom campaign.
I think what many like Manoa term as dictatorship is decisive leadership in pursuance of political stability for FijiFirst. Now the mess Fiji is in, is generated by lack of decisive leadership. The application of 14 parties to contest elections indicates the dissatisfaction in government, and people are boldly inspired that they can do better than the current administration. That was not the case at the last election – where existing parties combined to try and dethrone Fiji First.