So the leader of the 2000 rebellion who stormed the parliament and held the then prime minister, Mahendra Chaudhry, and other MPs hostage for 56 days is a free man, again walking the streets of Suva.
So is Shane Stevens, the leader of the 2000 mutiny in the RFMF in which three loyalist soldiers were murdered in cold blood.
And in a further outrage, the fugitive and crook, Mahendra “Mac” Patel – the Fiji Times owner and newly-anointed columnist – is pardoned after escaping justice and living in luxury in Sydney for the past decade. Pardoned when he hasn’t even faced trial and absconded on bail.
Welcome to the new Fiji. Where treasonists , murderers and the corrupt prosper under a government that promised change for the better but has delivered worse. Much worse.
Yes, he’s back! 1987, 2000, 2024. And the revolution for iTaukei supremacy enters a new phase.
They say he’s changed. But if you believe that, you believe in Santa Claus. As the old saying goes, those who ignore the lessons of history are doomed to repeat it.
24 years on, Frank Bainimarama is behind bars and the man whose rebellion he ended – and who only just escaped the noose – walks free. Which axiomatically increases the threat of a new era of thuggery, terror and intimidation for Fiji’s minorities.
George Speight is not an old man in the twilight of his life but the same swaggering, fit, charismatic figure he was in 2000. And with the same lust for power and wealth and the same prejudice against “Indians”.
He is still convinced that what he did in 2000 was right and will be at the forefront of the iTaukei establishment as soon as he can, not as a follower but a leader. And that is a terrifying prospect for the nation, given his record.
Click on this link for the RFMF’s own account of what happened in 2000.
Yet little Jone Kalouniwai is prepared to forgive and forget the murder of loyalist soldiers and the usurping of democracy.
He is a grovelling masi polo and classic jelly back – someone devoid of the courage needed to fulfil his constitutional duty to protect the wellbeing of Fiji and all Fijians.
Here’s the proof – saluting the man who began the whole sorry cycle of treachery and racism 37 years ago. And who arrogantly regards one vote on the floor of the parliament as a legitimate mandate to complete his mission.
All over Fiji, ordinary people of all backgrounds are apprehensive and a renewed sense of fear has gripped the minorities. Because it begins again.
The same forces that produced the chaos of 2000 are being unleashed and without anyone like Bainimarama with the authority and determination to control them.
George Speight’s patron and fellow jailbird – the Qaranivalu and instigator of the 2000 mutiny, Ratu Inoke Takiveikata, has already said that the Great Council of Chiefs should have power over the parliament. So anyone who thinks these are quaint, irrelevant figures from Fiji’s past who will disappear quietly into the background of national life is deluding themselves.
They have unfinished business and are intent on completing it. And having been behind bars for the best part of a quarter of a century, they remain not only iTaukei fanatics but are seething with resentment and intent on revenge.
“Truth and reconciliation” is a smokescreen only for the most gullible. And little Jone is among the most gullible of all.
UPDATE FRI AM:
So where IS Johnny? In Hawaii, according to the Fiji Sun. Nice.
And guess what, Fiji. Over at the Fiji Times, there’s no mention of the pardon for Mac Patel, the newspaper’s “Chairman Emeritus” who now has a Saturday weekly column.
They’re trying to play it all down. A newspaper as corrupt as its owner.
And how’s this for corruption, Fiji? Barbara Malimali refers the FICAC investigation into her conduct as Chair of the Electoral Commission to her old friend, Nancy Tikoisuva, over at the ODPP. No prizes for guessing where that’s going to end up.
Fiji really has become a sick joke. And for anyone who wants to live under the rule of law with properly functioning institutions that inspire confidence, it’s seriously time to go. If you can find a country that will have you, I personally think you will genuinely be better off.
If you are a member of the minorities, your children have no future in Fiji as equal citizens. And if you have money to invest, you can no longer be confident that investment is safe.
It grieves me to say all of this because my objective in these columns has always been to maintain confidence in one nation in which everyone belongs. But unless you’re iTaukei, you don’t belong anymore.
You are “vulagi” – a visitor – and in these people’s eyes, you always will be. And you are better off genuinely belonging somewhere else, where the institutions haven’t been corrupted and your children have security, equal opportunity and the prospect of a better life.
2024. A year when 1987 and 2000 came full circle. And the dream at Independence of a thriving multiracial Fiji was lost.
Where do I begin. There is an endless list of BS, lies, dishonesty, corruption, nepotism, looting of public coffers, cover ups, and appointing people based on sinister political motives as opposed to an merit and liat goes on and on. Isn’t it funny how many who advocated for these clowns and were cheering when they were voted into power are now crying. They were warned about these clowns, their history and track records were all there for everyone to see, yet because of personal agendas, personal hatred against the previous administration people rallied behind these current jokers who have made a circus of Fiji.
No point in dishing out your views now when the damage is done. Forget about 2026. These guys are going to change the constitution into a racist one sided nationalist itaukei favored one where getting into power for kaindia and others would be impossible. The stage is being set for a total dominance. Everything is being lined up. With Speight now out, it’s only a matter of time when nationalist racists will run riot. From politics to public service, from acquiring freehold land and converting them into native land, from scaling of marks in the education system to scholarships for the elite and favored few, etc etc etc.
The signs were there..the historical records were also there.
Now just sit and watch this BS for the next several decades. Because those of you who voted for this change have truly f##ked us all. May God have mercy on your sorry ass souls for putting us in this situation.
George has done the crime and served his time unlike the other cowards hiding behind the immunity decree -including Snake 1 who claimed Divine intervention at his cassava patch in QEB and was told by the archangel Gabriel to coup fellow-Fijian Timoci Bavadra in 1987. And his followers believed him crying out ‘Ameni Jisu’. They were obviously all praying to the wrong God.
As for Snake 2, the guy has deep insecurity problems stemming mainly from his lack of a formal education – he failed the Fiji Junior exam and joined the Navy. He is best remembered for enriching himself and his family and for that famous cassava patch dash where he soiled himself in the process. Both snakes should be locked up.
Just make a new account on Facebook GD, use another email and the ban won’t count nor does it transfer.
‘George has done the crime and served his time ….’
Pardon me for saying – me thinks your cranium is soiled.
Think. He was lucky not be hanged -his xfather-in-law saved him by cutting him some slack to commute death sentence.
This is not about the criminials. It is about the violent acts of CRIMES and the untold suffering of the left-behind victims of crime who are VICTIMS too, the survivors-next of kin, friends, close relatives, professional colleagues, et al.
Heinous, violent, murderous (pre-planned!) CRIMES cannot be mitigated by the mere passage of time.
See if you can sieve those thoughts thru the soiled porous brain, and make sense of it (if at all). Its difficult to not use the C- word in responding to numbnuts like you.
WHO has this – who.int/violence-info/homicide:
Beyond its direct impact, homicide has serious negative effects on the lives of surviving family members, particularly children. Psychological effects include anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, aggression, guilt and a heightened sense of vulnerability. Socio-occupational effects include problems in school and at work. Homicide may also lead families to incur expenses they can ill afford, such as funeral costs and lawyer fees. If the victim was a breadwinner, families may no longer be able to cope financially. Homicide can generate a sense of insecurity in society, and when high rates occur in countries with weak, inefficient and corrupt criminal justice systems, can contribute to undermining social and economic development. end
Notice rape is not mentioned by this contributor because too many military-types belittle victims and actively engage in victim blaming. Too many natives laugh at others’ suffering. No empathy, no compassion, no mercy. Just fake prayers and fake apologies.
Then pardon, reward, feast, garland, kana vata magiti, and hero-worship violent criminals.
These bastards got lucky to be still alive. Not so the people they killed. Your hero should be dead-hanged no less, if not for his xfather-in-law saving him by cutting him some slack to commute the death sentence.
These man-animal and his vile cohorts were pardoned for treasonous crimes twice. Sadly, his dead victims cannot benefit from the privileges of second and third chances. Let that sink in.
Who and what will prevent these violent criminals from visiting the survivors, co- survivors, the rape victims, the tortured from the pardoned to go taunt them, or simply to reappear in their lives – causing much distress, the horrors of re-living those unspeakable trauma of crimes against the loved ones? Who will stop them?
After 2000, the death sentence was abolished to protect the violent criminals thugs from death.
And now, lali drum roll, we have bonking turtles, same-shirted fat asses, and the extreme racist grinning justice idiot who helped free these bastards, calling to reinstate the death penalty. They must be smoking weed.
The irony of the native thought process is beyond any Greek tragedy.
Not all are unhappy with “The Change”. There are people who voted for the change of administration in 2022 who are now even more happy.
And they are enjoying the opportunities now and in future to sink Fiji even deeper into the Pacific Ocean in the Northern Mariana trench where it can never be salvaged.
*Challenger Deep – the deepest (and darkest) known point on Earth’s seabed in the Fed States of Micronesia. Toso Viti toso..you can do it!
As the real Rev Thomas Baker and a certain Rev Davis would believe, 2 Corinthians 5.17. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, behold he is anew”. Blessed day my brothers hahahaha. This is the new Fidji, loving, Christian and Fijian. I love it.
Baton of future PM passed on to G Speight…he has the essential qualification: Has team leadership abilities, strategic planning and execution of management takeover!
Looking forward to GS telling the whole truth at the TRC – ha ha. Sashi Kiran must be over the moon with her TRC. It will be the most healong process in the history of Fiji!!!!
I think all the perpetrators must be laughing at all the idiots in Fiji. All the perpetrators from 1987 to now.
Is that “healing” or “headlong”?
Both!!!
Woohooo time to celebrate because a bunch of big imbeciles have been pardoned and released – Fiji style. They are the Nelson Mandelas of Fiji who have been incarcerated for a political offence for a very long time. Now it is their turn to rule just like Mandela. They are freedom fighters as we all know. All the problems of Fiji will now be solved – just like it did in South Africa – at least that was the perception. God is with them, if you do not already know. This is the best news for Fiji since Mahendra Chaudhary was ousted. Time to be exuberant. I will not be surprised if there is dancing in the streets. There certainly will be a big welcome from the GCC. You never know they may make GS their Chairman to honour him. The Minister for Justice, the Speaker of the House and the PM and such must be thrilled.
Dont be silly. George Speight will never become Chairman of GCC.
His grandfather is a kai valagi (or palagi lit. ‘from a far land.’..i.e. a foreigner and thus a vulagi).
Speight was just the face of the coup with his backers getting away scot-free. I had always thought that he would be freed and propped up to lead a new political party. I’ll just have to wait and see if that will come to fruition because there is no way that he was freed to live the rest of his life as a recluse. Either that or he’ll be on the first flight out of Fiji, almost surely never to return.
This was always on the cards Fiji. We just didn’t know when. Rabuka true to his total lack of integrity and morals, has done what FB didn’t do.
Anarchy is on its way. And yes GD, for those who can leave Fiji may as well do so while everything is still intact and there is a level of sanity. Don’t delay!
Because Frank Bainimarama was the real coupster. Mahendra was released after 55 or 56 days. He could have been reinstated, but no, Bai wanted to be PM but then President wouldn’t allow it so he removed Rt Mara to effect it. But true to form he chickened out and allowed Qarase to be PM. But it was a thorn on his side which materialized in 2006. Bai kept him in to keep him quiet and put Qarase in to do the same. Now the real coupster is in jail and the frontman is pardoned.
And a pardon for Mac Patel the fugitive from justice and Fiji Times owner? Did the Mercy Commission decide that he had “served his time” in his home in Australia all these years when he escaped Fiji? This one was slid in there, perhaps hoping the GS and SS pardons would hog the attention. Longtime associate of Rabuka with questions going way back about the 1987 coup.
Waiting for the big ceremony by the President at Government House.
With yellow ribbons, balloons, hymns and prayers. Tears. Prayers and tears. The guest list will include other earlier pardoned glitterati.
Emotional teary words from tellytubby. Much contrite quivering, handsjakes all around, and a big ka kana at tax payers expense to end the charade.
Who are the people who make up the Mercy Commission – anyone?
I am sure they are all independent people with a lot of integrity and transparency as is the hallmark of this government. I am sure it is a diverse lot from all different backgrounds.
Interesting that the RFMF Commander gave advice about the appointment of Vosarogo as AG but he remains silent on the release of murderers and hostage takers. But that was all a long time ago anyway and this is the new Fiji we are now on, I guess.
Gee, it’s really laughable how predictable, corrupted and illegal the events in Fiji are under the new regime…..not laughable though for the locals who can’t get away.. those are the ones to think of…. Isa o Viti…
How can mac patel get a pardon? He was not convicted for the offence that he was charged with when he applied for bail variation and took off to Australia and never to return. Well now he will return because he has been ‘pardoned’ for a crime he did not get convicted for!
The President can only pardon one who has been convicted.
This is a Greek tragedy. We have escalated ourselves to become a basket case.
By the way where is Graham Leung – the opportunist, Jalal who benefitted from her husband nicking from AFL and she herself is an opportunist, Shamima who only is interested in Palestine and West Papua, Richard- i love money and attention – and Wylie Wonker.
We are now down a path that would be almost improbable to rescue the country from.
It needs a real revolution.
The then RFMF, JVB and his sideman ASK weren’t able to fully carry out the governance revolution, they were too naive in thinking that after the implementation of the 2013 Constitution everything will fall into place over a period of time because everyone will follow the Constitution and the law.
The obviously didn’t factor in that there are too many unpatriotic people.
Some of these people think that money will continue to flow in and worse case scenario money will fall from the sky because they go to church on Sunday (but lie and steal and backstab from Monday)
And they think that the tourists will continue to come even though law and order has gone berserk, biman putting up vat and duty is contributing to us outpricing ourselves compared to other destinations like Bali, Phukhet.
In the meantime CFL, Fiji Times, Mai TV, FBC and Fiji TV will continue with their masi polo and paint a rosy picture of the government…
And it goes on and on…
Moce Fiji.
Isa.
Kaila!
Someone tell Shamima that the statistics on violence against women and girls will only get higher in this lawless country.
She can start with her vigils and wear her orange tshirt whole week.
This is the change she advocate for and said this was the best government ever.
GB you are also to be blamed because you advocated for change via your platform to remove Bainimarama govt during last election. So whatever is happening now you should be partly responsible also allowing thuggerish govt into power. You have been removed from fb so you are not able to reach most people now with your postings..
That is true. I certainly regret having supported the traitors at the NFP in bringing these bastards to power. For that I apologise. Though in relation to Facebook, I don’t miss that for one moment. We may not have quantity here but we have quality and you can see that from the comments. This place is not for Facebook yobs but a better and more articulate class of person. And I am perfectly happy with that.
Having said that, I think it may be time for me to move on. I am considering suspending postings given the events of recent days. It is like flogging a dead horse and has increasingly become an exercise in futility. I will announce my decision on this in due course.
mada
GD- this is the time to step up, hold your head high for all your Patriotic deeds in leading the charge via pen against this deplorable and racist group of thugs ruling Fiji.
When the Going gets tough, The tough gets going,this is the moment to shift your gear one level up, not quit, Never forget – GD, there are too many people in Fiji and abroad whom you represent and advocate for- so while the battle has been won by this Corrupt Coalition, the War is certainly not lost, never, ever, give up Graham. And yes, like you many others are regretting voting this coalition into power . you have expressed regret and a genuine one at that, you have shown that by leading the charge with your pen , keep Soldering on Mr GD.
I agree it’s time to move on and enjoy whatever is left of all of our lives.
Fiji will survive be it a basket case in the next 20 years or a thriving economy or something in between.
Rabuka has been a disappointment,spineless and on a nationalist agenda.
We all wasting our time in trying to analyze, argue and degrade each other.
I have stopped reading Grubsheet( no disrespect) as it seems that all we do is bark and go through a fruitless exercise which has no real impact on the ground in Fiji
Just enjoy life and let the people of Fiji figure this out as they deserve the Government they get.
One thing I will say Graham is that I do disagree with your view that RFMF commander should intervene as per the constitution, this provision in the constitution is wrong as the military should never have a say in civilian rule, its not their job. how would you feel if this same provision was in the Australian constitution.?
So the world is in chaos and Fiji is no exception , Trump says he will pardon all the January 6th people that have gone to jail , so there you go . I don’t have an option on Speight’s pardon as I don’t know if after serving 24 years in prison he has served his time or he should always be behind bars, yet Rabuka, Frank, Aiyaz and all others have immunity under the constitution.
We have disagreed on many issues but I do agree to call it a day , move on and let all the idiots in Fiji figure it out for themselves.
Moce mada, may read your posting here and there if you still continue but not commenting anymore.
Vinaka for your writings and best wishes to you Graham.
Stay Rajiv. Heel. Sit. Be cool. Don’t run away with ball when the going gets tough.
Oh noooo…dont you dare leave us in here with these people. Hang in there! It is about to get very interesting now. Let us hear what they have to say. And I am sure they have quite a bit. As the kids say, ” sh*t is about to hit the fan!” So grab some popcorn and come back and watch the movie. We would love to hear your review
Yes totally agree its going to get worse from hereon and these bastards have no shame and dignity left. Fiji spineless media is not reporting on the daily violation of law by this govt and we are pleased to be getting good reporting from you but its all futile because they won’t listen.Best thing is for people to leave asap as they still have the chance before its too late.
“Best thing is for people to leave asap”. So you want 900,000 people to leave? Are you silly, stupid or just plain oblivious? Or all of the above?
It is my sincere advice to non-iTaukei who want equality of opportunity for their children and that advice isn’t given lightly. Because the record shows that I have done everything possible to work for one nation in which everyone belongs, including a six year period in Suva assisting the FijiFirst government with that agenda.
If you think the population is still 900,000, I think you might be in for a surprise. I have already reported senior sources in government saying the post-election exodus has reached 130,000. So as the Americans say, “do the math”.
As a prominent government minister has put it: “The country is being depopulated”. And the blame for that rests squarely with the Coalition – its racist policies, assault on the rule of law and terminal state of chaos. People have given up hope.
900,000 – 130,000 already left = 770,000.
770,000 – 144,000 of the chosen = 626,000
Only 626,000 have to leave.
As we know Fiji is the centre of the Judeo Christian world and all 144k saved at the END will be in Fiji.
144,000 saved at the ‘Rapture’ is gibberish spouted by the JW cult. Lol
The biggest lie this government has successfully placate is that they are in control and are free from the past entrapments of the past duopoly. In fact, the jury is still out for the true depth of despair we might be in during its current tenure. I have very little hope and wont be surprised if the people through distrust would want to uncouple all facets of orderly interactions through its agency through all and any possible means. Time for outside the box lasting solutions that must render. We must never give up in our quest to collective understanding of the nature and scope of this dysfunctional behemoth.
The pen is mightier than the sword. Keep holding those bastards to account. That snake fooled many of us but there will come a day of reckoning. Yes don’t you dare leave us GD where else do we get what is really happening there
The unique opportunity that Fiji has, as with the PICs in self determination, has been misguidedly interpreted and grossly waged by the very parties tasked with it, the itaukei leadership and the lotu (especially the Methodist church). And for this negligence of dishonouring the vulagi, who are equals as the itaukei before god, it is the common man the itaukei who suffers, silently, it is karma. The drugs, incest, nepotism, teenage pregnancies, poverty, wastefulness and gluttony, the outcome. As for the vulagi, they will ‘forge’ onwards and outward, they will live, work, and they will proposer in god’s world – Jeremiah 35:6-7.
Totally understand your take GD on the dead horse, but if you shut shop and watched on then? We would have very little truthful insight, plus the coverage, and a whole lot of the opposite. So hang in there mate, a lot of the population knows about GS but are reluctant to voice or participate as they think that Rambo and Bimbo would save Fiji. I’m certain that the thought train is definitely turning. Good job GD and keep up the good fight!!!
Can’t change history but can certainly plot a better way forward.
All of this is another distraction created by the big snake. There will be ongong distractions created endlessly to hide the real issues which the government has no solutions to.
There will be more distractions in weeks and months. The people will jump on the bandwagon, totally oblivious to what is really happening.
But one thing is important, all of Fiji’s problems are now solved with all the pardons, just like the election of this government solved all of Fiji’s problems and just like th TRC will solve Fiji’s problems. Look to me like Fiji’s problems will be solved over and over again!!!
…..and to prove to the general public that releasing SPEIGHT is not an ethnonationalist stunt to appease RABUKA and his racist elite supporters, the PRESIDENT will be pardoning FRANK BAINIMARAMA next.
That ain’t gonna happen.
Because no one would like to shoot his own leg.
@Unsilent Minority. Dream on. These racists do not have the integrity and foresight to honour god (as God has demonstrated to the world in choosing their elders), and to chart their journey onwards.
I think when the RFMF Commander returns he will hold some more reconciliation and forgiveness and traditional ceremonies, with fancy names, within the RFMF. Some more tears will be shed and then he will openly join the government and its agenda – just like the President.
That is the traditional iTaukei way – the best way in the world. Vakaviti and stab the minorities in the back and Sashi Kiran will always be there to apologise on behalf of the minority for being in the minority.
What is more, just wait for all the apologies to GS for his incarceration. The lead apologists will be the GCC who will roll out the red carpet and and I do not know how many traditional apology ceremonies with fancy names are yet to occur which we have never heard of. There will be endless apologies and GS may even do a national tour. I am looking forward to what the Speaker of the House has to say and do.
Personally it would be best if GS effs off to where he came from because he is a useless c*nt who will blow a lot of hot air. We already have people who are blowing a lot of hot air.
There is no structured opposition in Fijian politics any more, and the likelihood of one being there, able to form the next credible government is low.
For those thinking that Speight will tell the “truth” he will not. He has not done so all these years so why will he do it now
This release gives him to opportunity to pursue greater rewards, so why rock the boat when you can climb abroad it and benefit from the officers perks
Dont hold your breath, there will be nothing that blows the lid on anything
Fiji is already facing a massive exodus of her people, irrelevant of ethnicity
Thanks to the digital age, people know the opportunities abroad, and no one should blame them for pursing their dreams regardless of the political situation. Yes there is an escalation on people wanting to leave, and that will continue
The real issue of poverty, decaying infrastructure, sub standard or inaccessible health care, questionable education standards, increased drug issues, spike in HIV, world record in NCD will all be fixed by tourism, remittances and climate funding.
So start writing:
Dear Santa,
………….
So many people of all races must have thought let’s leave 1987, 2000 and 2006 behind. Let’s build a better future for everyone. Children born from 1987 onwards have known nothing but hatred, racism and pain. As things were sort of moving on, in came the 1987 despot once again. It seems he is beyond evil and doesn’t even fear God. Yesterday’s news must have shocked a lot of people. It was like another mini coup. To me personally it hurts physically. I can’t seem to function. You see I have experienced everything horrible from 1987.
Aa haa
Many would have had sleepless night after his release .
Speight should reveal who were his masters and who pulled out in the last minute.
He will be making some money surely, plus he can sell his story.
Remember how the kaicolos were cheering him in Parliament after his interviews with TV stations.
“I ask everyone to remain calm,I am the leader as from today”
Kaila,kaila,kaila.
Good thing he has served almost 24 years in prison for what he did.
Bad thing is many who were part of the 2000 plan are still loose.
Releasing him is nothing new.
It was coming.
One can empathize with Graham – in the matter of trying to flog a dead horse to life…or the utter seemingly Fatalistic nature of events. A Definition:
Believing that people cannot change the way events will happen and that events, especially bad ones, cannot be avoided.
(Fijians??) They have an almost fatalistic belief that ordinary people can’t change anything.
We need “ordinary” Fijians to step up for what is good to overcome tyranny.
Events in Fiji are like a parent going through a situation of a child old or young destroying their life by being addicted to drugs like methamphetamine – seems like you just can’t do anything to save them. It is utter despair and frustration to say the least.
The self-destruction in Fiji will likely not be checked by conventional means…unfortunately correction by the gun is too often the only tool. Is it the only tool now?
What is the equivalence of drones, pagers and walkie talkies in the fight against the current lot of self serving leaders, when conventional means of trying to save the country seems to be like flogging a dead horse.
Take a break – re-strategise GD. And the cavalry please mount OUR horses – the battle is OURS….not Someone else’s battle that ends up with Nobody doing it.
Waiting for comments either here on TV or local newspapers from Rajiv and Pramesh Sharma, Biman, Richard, Inia, Leonora, Sashi, Pio. And many others.
The release of scumbags Speight and Stevens proves that suspicions that Rabuka was a key figure behind the 2000 coup and mutiny has been proven right.
Rabuka held a series of meeting at the FAP office before the coup to plan it.
GD, your work is not in vain. Those who voted NFP thought that NFP would hold Rambo to account, but they didn’t. It doesn’t mean getting discouraged permanently. 2026 is on the horizon.
GD, you’re doing great. Remember the saying, “Persistence breaks the resistance?”
You’re a gold-standard journalist, and we rely on your analysis. Don’t stop your good work because things are not going the way they should but things will change in 2026. Many of us who made mistakes in 2022 will not repeat in 2026. Other parties such as FLP and Unity Fiji are going at a snail’s pace but they advocating equality, anti-corruption, rule of law and good governance.
People are getting out of their blindfolds and racism is not the way to go but many still believe that there is strength in diversity.
I think the fantasy is to gather the old delusional folk, change the constitution to release native land so it can be sold, so Fiji can be a rich country like Singapore. No concept of the level of governance and time it takes to build up such a country. No concept of the damage of overdevelopment. No concept of what Fiji would lose long term in regards to culture, ecosystem and even sovereignty with the likes of China sniffing around. All pie in the sky ideas, and all about $$$ and getting it quickly.
This is exactly what the native Fijians wanted.
GD
Please stay with us, keep free speech alive, do not abandon us.
If you can, take a break.
I suggest China, you will experience nothing like it on earth.
It a place that will blow your mind in so far as infrastructure, but also in social development as you will find people as friendly as Fijians, very polite and helpful and an absolutely safe destination. No pick pockets of New York, car jacking of Miami or stabbing in London.
Politics and political representative systems around the world offer a range, in a place like China, you may very well have the experience to contemplate this and give thought to what may work for Fiji, because the present system, as I have been giving vent to in your blog, and you have been so fair to allow, is a total disaster.
When will this register with the elite?
At some point, we will reach a point of “critical mass”, and for Fiji it was heading towards a million people, good, but alas, we are heading the wrong direction, down!, very bad, a horrendous situation.
Nobody to hire lawyers, nobody to buy goods, nobody to pay rent, nobody to pay debts, no tax income, nobody to pay for an army!
No investors, foreign or local. How many hotel rooms have been added to the stock in the North?
Taveuni with an economy, population stable around 17,000,
Lau, no economy, from 17,000 down to 5,000.
Brain drain from out of rural areas to urban, now from Fiji out to the world.
Hey, here is a thought. If George has been given a “full pardon” , and can participate in politics, then maybe he is the man. He has a backbone, more than the Commander and PM, and he talks straight, not like the snake, unless of course he joins PAP, in which case he will be falling into the snake pit.
Hey, George can revive the FFP, they need do with a strong leader.
China? You’ve gotta be joking, Ian. I’ve been to China multiple times in the past, once on the set of John Woo’s epic movie Red Cliff and another time on the way to another country you would love – North Korea. But I’m now too lamu to even go to yum cha in Sydney after what I’ve been saying about the Chinese Communist Party.
As for George Speight as leader. Be careful what you wish for. Maybe he and Lynda can become an item. Now there’s a power couple. The Tasi Pori Coupster and the Minister for Bonking and Weed. Just what Fiji needs.
GD. In regards to North Korea.
I believe, if there were zero sanctions on NK these past 70 ( seventy years), a peace treaty and the almighty buck , the world would have seen that regime fall by now. It does not do for the MIC to not have enemies, but, meanwhile
Fiji voted against UN General Assembly resolution for Israel to get out of Palestinian Territories over next 12 months.
How come NFP agrees to this ? I suppose they are ok with the extermination of the Amalek.
Here is a thought, offer Israelite’s 200,000 visas, they are family, make up for all our lost ones. That would be a zinger, no need to wait for 2050, all be done by 2030.
So, those being freed have had no obligation to first talk to Shashi, nor have they been given conditional pardons, one where they are to never engage in politics.
Oki doki, George for Prime Minister everyone.
Hey , we were in the same class back in 1968,69. He might give me job of AG. Qualification : Bush Lawyer.
I gotta find some gang around a tanoa, sa head spine right now.
GD don’t stop writing as things would be way worse if there was no check.
At least now the check is they could end up here
You’ve broken serious stories especially around the tax holiday. You’ve been threatened. Others cant do what you do. You are keeping corruption in check.
Questions for PM :
On what justification was George Speight released?
What are the conditions of his pardon?
Will he be monitored ?
Are there measure in place to restrict his ability to instigate any civil unrest?
Can this government do anything that will actually benefit the ordinary people of Fiji?
Amazing! Pardon those who committed Treason and Murder and at the same time pardon a fugitive from justice yet to be tried! Only in Fiji!
I am glad to no longer be in Fiji. The decline under the Coup maker is disheartening and will, with actions like this, continue.
To those who will continue to have your future destroyed because you are not iTaukei my advice is leave! It will not get any better, the racism will increase and you will be abused more.
I see a bleak future for even the iTaukei as the country slides further towards being considered a failed state. Those in power now along with the GCC will continue to plunder the country and then the old men will retire with their wealth and the country will be bankrupt.
GD we kinda were thinking along the same lines. Its not worth pursuing. Frankly this sheet of yours, useful as it is, is not getting to the masses. And it’s the masses that mainstream media is feeding bullshit to including through their Facebook pages, and it’s on Facebook that the masses get their information from. It is on Facebook where they have their chats. And it’s on Facebook where those in power propagate their bullshit.
So your write ups, good as they are, are going to the same people and not the masses.
So how the hell do we influence the masses?
That is the question.
On the one hand if these people stay in power until the next elections, they will rig it. Do people seriously think that the next elections will be free and fair and everyone will be, from a practical perspective, given equal opportunity to vote?
If Qarase cheated in the 2006 elections (read the 2006 EU election report), what do you think these vultures will do?
All this talk about let’s see these people out until 2026 and we will vote them out is naive.
This country needs a reset and the only way it will happen is if there is going to be a outright shit fight amongst the different power pockets within the itaukei political set up.
That is the only way.
That is the only way there will be a real and actual level playing field.
Then you start from a clean sheet.
It will be ugly.
And we think that is what Voreqe was trying to stop in 2000, the outright shit fight. The shit fight kind of happened but it just scrapped the surface. Voreqe probably did the right thing but if he was very forward looking and not shirt term compassionate, he should have let it happen. The matter would have been finished then.
All the vulagis are irrelevant in this.
We can already see the different power groupings within the government and those around them.
Some of us journalists know what is happening but we are bullied into not covering any of that stuff. We are forced to write or have our stories changed to paint a rosy picture.
People like Vijay Narayan, Fred Wesley and Stanley Simpson and Fleix Chaudry are just some of the people in the media leading this charge.No ethics. All sold out. All no vision.
If we had an independent media then this change from the people or the big shit fight could have happened sooner.
But now we have to crawl to that moment and let’s hope that by the time we get that moment the country doesn’t get completely decimated.
GD I wonder how this will affect the power hierarchy in PAP. With Rambo announcing his candidacy for the 2026 elections, what does George Speights release do to his chances in the election. On the assumption that GS joins PAP, does Manoa fall down the food chain?
It will be interesting to see what he does. Obviously, GS has the vote of the ethno nationalists and sadly since the coalition came into power, there are more of them.
Will GS join an existing party or form his own new party or whether he joins politics at all!
Please don’t stop Graham, without your voice we will all be left in the dark, and they will have won. Keep up the investigative journalism- you have young people in fiji who will be finding you an inspiration to do the same.
I’ve criticized you more than once in these columns, with enough sting for you to respond…but,please don’t pull the pin…. what else is there in the way of informed commentary re those damned islands so close to our hearts?
I don’t see why he shouldn’t be released. Not because it is the right thing to do but because law in this country applies to few and not to others. This man, though known for other corrupt practices, is the same as Bainimarama and Rabuka and all the other army bred criminals of Fiji.
Fiji needs a clean slate of leaders and all in government today must leave. Vacate the place for new leadership.
Not sure how old you were in 2000 to see what this person did to parliamentarians and to Fiji. Likewise, what CRW did at the army camp. Some of us have relatives who died for no reason whatsoever as the result of these uprisings.
I also have a close relative who was in the CRW who followed orders supporting the mutineers and got jailed for 7 years.
There is a reason they were incarcerated with those sentences.
And this is by a judicial system before Bainimarama and Khaiyum. So you cannot say it wasnt impartial.
And they didnt go to jail for corruption. One went in for treason and another for mutiny
They playing smokescreen announcements like TRC, drug related death penalty, Hibiscus, someone dreaming at the job, review of a review.
Behind that smokescreen are worrying statistics of poverty, release of Speight, FICAC shafted so they can safeguard their interests.
GD, you have been able to stay focused and to the bigger issues. Thank you
GD
You are the voice of the voiceless….
Long time back I saw an interview of Ratu Mara after I guess 2000 coup on ABC Australia. He said there were 3 men on the boat with him telling him to resign. Rabuka, Bainimarama. I don’t remember the 3rd one.
The host asked him did you ask for help? Ratu Mara said “ ask help from whom?? The very people who are suppose to protect me are there in the boat asking me to resign “. I guess the 3 red was also from army.
Just wanted to add .That interview needs to be shown again on social media so people of Fiji can know better what happened then.
Isikia Savua. Lt Col. Former police commissioner, UN diplomat.
People remember well TV footage of him standing hilltop by Lilac/Lalla’s store as thugs were looting clothes by the rack, and get this– loading whole racks on to a POLICE Toyota pick-up.
Memories fade, so pardon me, the recollection is president Mara identifying just the senile adulterer and Savua being present on the navy boat anchored in the middle of Suva harbor.
SLR and Savua were paddled out to the boat to request a meeting. Mara repeated the same incident in another OZ TV interview on Tobou island later.
JVB asked Mara separately (?) earlier to hand over executive authority fearing for Mara’s safety, to temporarily take charge for further loss property, safety and security of Fiji. JVB wanted to end the violent stalemate asap by negotiating with the hostage takers.
We forget JVB was the reluctant power broker. He did not want to take power per se and rule as PM.
Exhibit A: Enter the “foreign flower” himself, LQ.
From RNZ
The late Fiji statesman, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, has revealed in a previously unreleased television interview, he never knew why he was removed from his presidency during the May 2000 coup.
Ratu Mara made the comment in an interview with Fiji TV after the coup.
He says there had been rumours that George Speight’s rebels would come to Government House and ‘get him’.
He then called his son in the army, and was assured that there was a security detail of 80 troops ready to come to Government House.
Ratu Mara says the next thing he knew was that his official secretary, Joe Brown, was telling him to evacuate to a navy ship in the harbour.
Ratu Mara said he did not know whether Mr Browne was acting for somebody or was even loyal to him.
On the navy boat, he was told that a dinghy with dynamite was sailing around it.
Ratu Mara said a day later, the army commander, the then Police Commissioner, Col Isikia Savua and some others came on board and asked him to step aside.
He said if the military and the police were against him, there would have been no one with him if he had resisted.
We make it to the news in NZ
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/talanoa/fiji-coup-leader-george-speight-granted-presidential-pardon/B433P4NEZBGL3ODOHDKGH7PXL4/?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=nzh_fb&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR27ztHkvAlAAIzgI5gOAMhPN0FOdjBAQXaZNA6N-ZvmxfsTsuVzG91m2YE_aem_a6EipSLb7KPzg6y8774V-A#Echobox=1726807963
So the advice from the vulagi sage to all the saffron robed pandits and dhoti wearing dalits, is to clear the country while you can.
If you dont believe in Fiji anymore then just bugger off.
What else can we say?
Vili – Didn’t all the sailors get evacuated off the grounded and listing navy ship Puamau in Fulaga. Did they all not “believe” in the Puamau anymore. Why blame anyone for putting on a life preserver (jacket) and heading for the life rafts to safety. The captain to blame for wrecking the boat.
And if you can’t understand the analogy then here’s a novel thought…you leave and let the place be better for everyone else. (Under the use it or lose it land policy ) They will most certainly make the place flourish without your coming in the middle of the night and cutting the tree of life that is planted by one and destroyed by another.
All these people are getting let out of the big house (with more to follow) is in readiness for 2026.
In the event the “wrong” side wins.
Exactly what I was thinking. More of these and just wait for prison outbreaks. Mark my words. Terror and chaos .