Like many Fijians, I am still struggling to come to terms with why on earth the Assistant Minister for Women and Children would pose with a misogynist who compared a female predecessor as speaker of the parliament to anal sex and called her retarded and stands accused of defiling and impregnating a 15 year old girl.
Sashi Kiran has followed her leader, Biman Prasad, in suspending all judgment by joining the Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, in foisting Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu on the nation as head of state when even the most gormless Fijian knows it is an outrage and just plain wrong.
It wasn’t as if there was a groundswell of public opinion calling for the installation of the Tui Cakau as president. As Paul Manson points out on Facebook, Ratu Naiqama’s stocks with the Fijian people have been in free-fall in the decade since he contested the first election after the return to parliamentary rule in 2014.
In 2014, Ratu Naiqama received 6,668 votes. By 2018 – four years later – he was down to 2,165 votes. And then in 2022, he managed to scrape together a pathetic 652 votes. So in ten years, the Tui Cakau succeeded in reducing his vote to a tenth of what it was in 2014. Two years later on those numbers, he should be well and truly dead and buried politically. Yet instead he is at the pinnacle of the state. Dracula. The man who will need a stake to be driven through his heart to be consigned to history.
So why has the NFP been so keen to back the Prime Minister’s choice of his own chief as president? It isn’t because NFP voters have been belting down the door of the Party’s headquarters demanding that he be made head of state. On the contrary, the backlash against this appointment is unprecedented.
Social media is ablaze and the NFP is burning political capital by the hour. Even the most inexperienced political advisor could have told the Party that backing the PM’s choice would be an unmitigated disaster in terms of its own support, and especially when NFP voters are already raging about its failure to stand up for the minorities by allowing its Coalition partners to refer to them as “vulagi” – visitors in their own country.
There are two possible explanations:
1/ The NFP and Biman Prasad know they have lost all leverage with the Prime Minister since the so called “Gang of Nine” former FijiFirst MPs announced that they were backing Rabuka. One peep of disapproval from them at the PM’s choice of Ratu Naiqama and the temptation would have been for Rabuka to cut them loose. So they have sucked up to him for their own survival? Did Biman do a deal with the PM that the FICAC charge against him would disappear altogether if he backed his candidate for president?
2/ Assuming Biman Prasad and the PM are still tight, this was a decision by both of them to install Naiqama Lalabalavu in the presidency so that he can rule in their favour in any dispute about the outcome of the 2026 election. The political atmosphere in the country is now so poisonous that anything can happen in two year’s time. Are they putting their man in the “White House” in the anticipation of a stitch-up if there’s a disputed election?
Why else would Miss Trick or Treat – who is meant to protect women and children – be so eager to pose on the front pages smiling broadly with a man who has treated women with such contempt and allegedly impregnated a 15-year old girl? Not to mention his criminal conviction for his part in the 2000 rebellion and a history of blatant racism.
So is it duress or trying to gain an advantage? You be the judge, Fiji. But either way, there’s not a skerrick of principle involved. Talk about a horror show at Halloween!
What the incoming president said about the late Dr Jiko Luveni – the then speaker of the parliament – nine years ago in 2015. It triggered his suspension from the “august house” for two years.
Does Sashi Kiran endorse this kind of misogyny as Assistant Minister for Women and Children? As well as Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu’s racially-derogative comments about Aliki Bia just a month ago that prompted the NGO Coalition and the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre to call for his resignation as Speaker?
What Shamima Ali and the FWCC said less than a month ago (October 6) about Ratu Naiqama’s fitness for high office. Sashi Kiran – as Assistant Minister for Women and Children – clearly disagrees. At best, she is out of step with the rest of the women’s movement. At worst, she has sold her soul to the tevoro, along with her equally pathetic NFP colleagues.
A “breakdown of the moral fabric” led by the likes of you, you hypocrite! Utterly breathtaking. From secular “saint” to a woman on the same path to moral bankruptcy as your senior minister – the Queen of Tarts and Minister for Bonking and Weed.
NOTE:
Grubsheet is turning into a pumpkin for the weekend. I am off to New Zealand and won’t be posting while I’m away unless one of the ghouls of Fijian politics drops dead.
A blessed weekend to all.
That Paul Manson dude, I understand resides in USA and is a fictious character. He was an avid supporter of Rabuka, circle of friends included Malani, Vilikesa Naduku, Raju and others instrumental in spreading false news on Fiji First Government. THEY all finally realised that Rabuka will not help them achieve whatever dreams they had. Biman had no choice. Support Lalabalavu or get charged by FICAC. Guess what, 2026 elections, results will be definitely RIGGED.
A “fictitious character”? He looks pretty real to be. But I guess in Halloween week, anything is possible. 🙂
GD
We couldn’t locate any Paul Manson in Registrar of births database in Fiji. I have a fair idea of who Paul Manson is, definitely a person of interest on the former Governments Most Wanted list and posting from overseas, operating as a blogger on various forums. Even Coalition Government wouldn’t know his true ID
Fictitious Character – I think what Sanjay means is that “Paul Manson” is a Non de Plume – not the writers real name, but a real person obviously wanting to remain anonymous.
The only reason Lalabalavu’s total number of votes decreased in 2018 and 2022 was due to the fact that his party and campaign staff put his son, Antonio Lalabalavu to the iTaukei voters in the Cakaudrove Province exclusively. Naiqama was there for 2014 thus his high number.
Rt Naiqama was left to pick up any Cakaudrove voters in the Suva urban areas in 2018 and 2022 which was very competitive, thus his low numbers in both election years.
So the rural, less informed and less educated voters would still support anyone by a chiefly title and goes by the name of Lalabalavu. Whereas in the urban areas, the more informed and more educated voters of Cakaudrove could already see his bullshit and shortcomings.
Naiqama knew his time was up, so he went for the highest office of the land with the right political environment with no shame and knew that this would be his exit strategy from active politics.
For NFP, Biman knew that to save himself from going to prison is to support Naiqama, period. So he threw his principles (like he already has many times) out the door.
It is a shame and massive scourge on the chiefs of Fiji when a paedo such as Naiqama is rewarded for his crooked and scandalous behaviour by becoming President. He has single-handedly trashed the BS GCC and other chiefly institutions in the country. Rabuka is a liar!
#notmypresident #notmyprimeminister
I cant wait to see him in a military uniform that they dress the Presidents in.
Imagine the leader of the rebels that took over a military base in Labasa and imprisoned soldiers there, now wearing the uniform of their Commander in Chief as well as being the Chancellor of the Most Exalted Order of Fiji !
If the recipients of that Most Exalted Order had any sense of morality and ethics, they should hand back their gongs.
The good life as an MP is showing on Chubby Cheeks Sashi. Hopefully it all comes to grinding halt in 2026. Baimaam has rotted NFP. Actions like NFP’s arse licking statement of support and ball kissing pictures like these show that NFP is beyond saving. A shadow of the political force that it once was. It’s one thing to support Naiqama but quite another to flaunt it on the front page of the national newspaper, under the guise of reconciliation, when the true intention is to advance your political career at any cost. Baimaan the Bastard has not only rotted NFP but the party’s MPs as well. The MPs are all selfish and greedy liars who hoodwinked voters. Baimaan is certainly the worst political leader in the history of the country and voters can’t wait to give him the proverbial kick in the arse in the next election, but hopefully he goes even before that.
This tamarind lady went sigi drigi around the village trees her entire life. She obviously has never been exposed to the outside world and she is looking at everything wide eyed. And never had the perks or salary she is getting now. In fact all the parliamentary gang have come from broke back mountains. What was Aliki doing before. None of them have any scruples. In next elections anyone entering government should show several years of bank balance apart from community service, references, educational backgrounds, criminal charges, family, medical history. Phew. I wonder if anything will work in fiji now. But we have Beiman there with all of about and still is a gangsta.
Rabuka says today’s event will hold great meaning for those affected by past events, including those who played a role in them.
“It’s an internal one between the Commander and all ranks and the families of those that might have been affected and it will be a great get-together for all those victims and those that have been blamed for the mutiny and the victims of the mutiny.”
Good day GD, sorry to spoil your pumpkin adventure; update from FBC website.
Another crying session by a bunch of poofies, wring hands, say sorry, wipe the luka from their faces, taki, eat , go to the small house, and then start their Liu muri all over again.
You not missing out on much mate.
Have a good one 👍🏽
It is a very sad state of affairs, we have so many honourable chiefs and other citizens who have contributed greatly to Fiji’s development, done great things in their areas, provinces yet we chose someone like this to hold the highest office in our beloved Fiji.
The current coalition government lost course a while ago.
Baimaan is a creature of circumstance, he has taken a great liking to be inside a racist father of coups’ sulu, he loves playing Rabuka’s trumpet, will be inside Rambos sulu playing the trumpet for another 2 years, then hopefully justice. Shame on you Baimaan and shame on NFP.
For someone who was so critical of the FFP, Sashi-the-crocodile-tears-Kiran has no qualms or self dignity left.
Sashi should ask herself in the mirror how she would have felt if Naiqama had thrust himself on her daughter or her sister. Given her current attitude, one can assume she would probably have stood by watching and smiling, or perhaps, joined in the action herself.
She’s a disgrace to women and a disgrace as a minister. Her actions will be remembered and she will be held to account for this one day.
We will remember what you have done Sashi and how you have betrayed your voters to side with a pedophile.
#Not my president. We all should hang our head in shame to have this person as Head of State, a divisive figure who is supposed to be a symbol of unity of the state. Pls hide your passports as you stand in line in shame as we request other border agencies of other countries to let us pass in the name of the president of Fiji. Imagine them.asking about our character for entering and we having a president of questionable character.
We need a #notmypresident campign.launched on fb.
Aunty Sashi ji
Did it ever occur to woman like you what it is like to be sexually assaulted by a man in high power and face no consequences?
It’s ok Aunty ji. You are all made from the same keth (garden) of corruption.
You have finally lost all the respect from girls.
Time to start packing up and buggering off. We have had enough of you all.
Big magiti and lasulasu reconciliation happened at QEB barracks today.
There was no mention of families of those CRW soldiers who were tortured to death .
Orders to kill them was given by Bai and he was invited for reconciliation is a joke.
When will justice be served to those families.
All the lasulasu going on with use of tax payers fund.
Reconciliation is a NO !NO! in a modern society.
Take all those perpetrators to court.
That’s where truth and justice is served
Not marching,saluting with flowers and sharing magiti.
Yes. I have been branded all sorts of things…but that is not important…what us important is the fact that the RFMF Reconciliation process has so far forgotten about the families of the 5 CRW soldiers who were murdered by orders of Franky.
It makes no sense for the RFMF to ignore the NOKs of these men murdereded by the PLO
The rebels (though we are now obliged by the RFMF not to use that description ) were beaten to death in the fury of the moment. They had killed three loyalist soldiers and had tried to kill the Commander. And frankly it would not have been in the least bit surprising had he had them shot. Yes, summarily executed on the spot.
In the context of putting down a mutiny by lethal force in any military the world over, that would been perfectly acceptable. And you want to lionise them? I’m sorry but I don’t think they deserve any consideration at all. And neither do any of their leaders like Shane Stevens and the Qaranivalu.
Do you honestly think they are genuinely sorry for what they did and the innocent lives they took? They’re sorry that their attempt to take over the military and seize control of the country didn’t work. But you can bet that’s the extent of their regret. Some things are unforgivable and this is one of them.
My reading of the situation is the likes of Biman and Sashi do not want to ruffle any feathers during this term of parliament. If a new political party comes into fruition they may decide to throw their weight behind that party, possibly putting Rabuka into opposition. If that dose not occur Birman may well decide to retire from politics and dabble in other things at home or abroad. I cannot see Rabuka’s coalition remaining intact after the next election.
Rabuka’s penultimate comment – “I bear the blame” – reported in the papers, is revealing. Is this an admission, at long last, on who was behind the mutiny and the tragic aftermath.
So all these taxpayer funded so called ‘reconciliation’ activities are designed to somehow cushion our own PM’s primary roles in all the events from 1987. First, he facilitates the pardoning of his chosen perpetrators and, with their support, who included people in the highest positions in the land, tries to vilify himself.
Of course he is guaranteed the blind faith of Biman and his NFP cohorts who in their misguided opinion feel they are speaking for any section of the Fijian community. It is all to safeguard their positions.
Another example of taking Fijians for a ride and assume they will be bought by these petty political gamesmanship.
We will be voting with our feet come 2026. Make as much as you can before then!
And what’s the deal with “Teddy Roosevelt?” You know..”walk softly, carry a big stick…..!” Or is it the Prophet, Moses?
If Rabuka was really bearing the blame, why does he see himself fit to be PM and even run again?
Would anybody really think it was just to
If his motive became PM was to do some good after all the bad then why did he not shoot down the pay rise?
They knew going into this they would have to act swiftly and all we saw day in and day out were photo ops, cake cuttings, ribbons etc and very little long hours of work visible. Now it’s too late. They didn’t roll up their sleeves and now the country is riddle with drugs and crime and children are not in school.
The first thing they should have done was get a new police force. How is this not obvious?
Serious boot camp and integrity vetting. Everyone else out. They have police that are not intelligent enough to do handle the most basic arrests. They need training. So many times they don’t show up, don’t even have transport. I have personally had to give them rides to my own crime scene. Yet Suva is filled with vehicles. Please explain.
They knew drugs were on the rise and did nothing urgently and let it become a much bigger problem.
They knew the roads were dangerous and did very little. How many have perished. There are people driving that have never learnt to drive.
They know the hospitals were falling apart yet can’t even do the basics.
They knew people were leaving in droves but did nothing to get jobs.
They knew the morale of people was low yet refused to discipline bad leaders which causes anger and frustration and a sense of hopelessness.
To allow bad behaviour from the leaders is just appalling and obviously was going to result in bad society.
Proof of wrong thinking is to keep Malimali then do an enquiry later after she had been hired. Any intelligent person would not have hired her. Backwards thinking.
How about keeping Rodrodro and Tabuya.
Now a new Pedo president.
He takes the blame but further takes the nation into the abyss. Step down and get out of politics if truly sorry.