Judges generally do not issue public statements and traditionally keep their opinions to themselves. But we can be sure that there is widespread dismay in their ranks as the Prime Minister and President double down on their refusal to suspend the Chief Justice, Salesi Temo.
For the first time in Fijian judicial history, a chief justice at the pinnacle of the judiciary has been the subject of a scathing finding by a Supreme Court Commission of Inquiry – the local version of a royal commission in Australia and New Zealand.
It is unambiguous and has shredded Salesi Temo’s reputation. The precise details of the possible criminal charges he faces is contained in Chapter 7 of the COI Report that has been withheld from the public in Fiji. But here it is and it leaves absolutely no doubt that Justice Temo’s position is untenable and he must go.
For a Chief Justice to be accused of obstructing or perverting the course of justice, of abusing his office and lying under oath means, to most right-minded people, that person is unfit to lead the judiciary. But not to the Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, and the President, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu.
They are simply refusing to bow to demands that Salesi Temo be stood aside and a tribunal of judges appointed to try him for misbehaviour under the terms of the Constitution, quite apart from what criminal charges he might eventually face. So the judiciary in Fiji continues to be led by someone who has been cast by a Supreme Court Inquiry as a law-breaker – a crook.
The problem for the Prime Minister and the President – not to mention Salesi Temo himself – is that what remains of an opposition in Fiji has lost confidence in the Chief Justice and wants him out. This includes the formal Opposition Leader, Inia Seruiratu, and prominent opposition figure Premila Kumar, who have both issued public statements highly critical of Salesi Temo. (see below)
In the chronic hubris at the top over the Coalition coming to power two-and-a half-years ago by the much touted “power of one”, the Prime Minister and President are conveniently forgetting that the Opposition – in its previous incarnation as FijiFirst – won more votes at the 2022 election than any other party. On the basis of that mandate, it is entirely reasonable for Seruiratu and Kumar to argue that they speak for the majority of Fijians up until the time another election is held.
So we now have those arguably representing most Fijians saying that Salesi Temo must go. Not that it means a jot to Sitiveni Rabuka and Naiqama Lalabalavu in the “winner takes all” system of governance that prevails in the country. They are backing Salesi Temo to remain at the head of the judiciary despite the gravity of the findings against him and the rest of us can go jump.
Yet the most compelling reason Temo must go isn’t a political numbers game or what the Opposition thinks. It is because he is now damaging public confidence in the judiciary as a whole and consequently undermining one of the main pillars on which Fijian democracy is built – the rule of law.
Seriously, Fiji. How can anyone take the judicial system seriously and respect the rule of law when the Chief Justice stands accused of such grave crimes as obstructing or perverting the course of justice, perjury (lying under oath) and abuse of office? Answer: We can’t.
With every day Salesi Temo stays in the job, the credibility of the judiciary is being eroded. And any judge knows it. Because when serious allegations are being aired about the Chief Justice – the head of the judiciary and of the Judicial Services Commission – their own collective reputations are being impugned. The institution itself is being damaged as the Prime Minister and President try desperately to prop up their man. And it cannot go on.
Politically, the Coalition also cannot afford to go into a new parliamentary session with the issue of Salesi Temo’s tenure unresolved. It has suddenly given the Opposition a potent political weapon on top of the adverse COI findings against government ministers such as Manoa Kamikamica and Biman Prasad. And Inia Seruiratu, Premila Kumar and the others know it is a principled crusade that they can beat the Coalition with all the way to election day.
In addition, we now have the Joan of Arc of the Malimali affair – Francis Puleiwai – writing to the Prime Minister calling for Salesi Temo removal. So this is now an unstoppable force that the Prime Minister and President ignore at their peril. Temo must go and everyone but the two top men and their supporters know it.
GD – can we please request that you name and photo ID all the judges – as you have stated, this will expose their conscience and maybe they will bow down to justice, which we need to serve.
It is for Salesi Temo to do the right thing and resign or for the President, on the advice of the Prime Minister, to suspend him under Section 111 (3) of the Constitution. It is not for me to “name and shame” individual judges who are blameless and deserve to be supported.
This is not about bringing the judiciary as a whole into disrepute but calling for the removal of one judge who has, and is, bringing it into disrepute. And on the say-so of a legally constituted judicial inquiry.
Read 5th July article in Fiji Times of former AG Mr Leungs interview that clears everything regarding electoral commissions letter that complaints against Ms Malimali was frivolous since Pulewai was acting in bad faith to get Malimali charged as since she did not got selected as FICAC Commissioner by JSC.
The letter came from Doctor Atu Bain from electoral commission who is a reputable former senator and qualified lawyer herself.
The COI has specifically rejected that Francis Puleiwai was motivated by resentment that Barbara Malimali got the job of Commissioner and not her. The FICAC investigation into Malimali began BEFORE the job came up.
As for Atu Bain, she has some serious questions to answer about what influence she placed on Graham Leung to secure Malimali the job. FICAC had every right to raid the Electoral Commission offices, just as it has the legal right to raid any premises in Fiji. So the points you make are rejected.
I humbly suggest that you also stop taking any notice of what you read in the Fiji Times. It is corrupt, routinely manipulates the facts – as we have just seen again in its stories on Manoa Kamikamica- and the Motibhai Patels of Ba deserve to be stripped of the title because of that corruption when there is a change of government.
The Mohibhai Patels have demonstrated that they are not fit and proper persons to be entrusted with the nation’s traditional newspaper of record since 1869. They should go back to selling Rolexes and make way for a proper media proprietor committed to independent journalism free from political and commercial influence who respects the right of the Fijian people to unbiased, fair reporting and quality analysis based on fact.
Leung doesn’t get to decide what’s frivolous considering he already showed bias when he attacked Puleiwai in his official capacity.
Malimali recommends Leung for Supervisor of Elections. Leung objects to complaints against Malimali.
JSC didn’t perform its due diligence and got caught with its pants down. There were more capable people purely based on merit who deserved the position at FICAC.
Speaking of bad faith, lying on your Stat Dec doesn’t count?
Atu Bain belongs to same ‘Kila Vata’ group as Malimali et al.
That Graham Leung allowed himself to be suborned by her proves that the PM was correct in dismissing him.
Very conveniently Graham Leung has come out now trying to cover his ass knowing that worst is yet to come. The saying “all that glitters is not gold” is befitting for this imbecile. This so called experienced lawyer is nothing but a morally and ethically corrupt incompetent buffoon. He has failed everywhere he took public office. Try as he might he will never be as good and intelligent as ASK.
And since when are we taking Leung and Atu’s word as Gospel truth?
All those behind Malimali’s appointment had some sort of association and vested interest.
What you fail to digest and perhaps comprehend is the fact that if there is a pending case where the inbred Malimali is being investigated then the right thing to do is hold her appointment.
As it has already been said…WHY THE RUSH? in appointing her. And now it’s obvious why – because you have all these coalition cockroaches who didn’t want their dirty laundry out in the public. And Malimali who is been laundered well and truly by many, was handpicked to ensure all their dirt were swept under the carpet.
Leung, Malimali and the other chimpanzees can go a drink grog in the tiri tiri because they ain’t ever holding any public office again.
It’s time to EXTERMINATE these cockroaches for good.
The clarion calls cannot be stronger and louder.
As Premila Kumar says, for the former AG to now classify his signing off as ‘hardly a ringing endorsement’ is such a dereliction of duty and cannot set a worse precedent. Heads and Supervisors in all walks of life, signing off so many things every hour of the day as part of their work cannot be held accountable? This seems a sick joke.
Unfortunately, notwithstanding the volume of serious opinion about the credence of the top judiciary brass, thanks to the current coalition and its so called leadership, these people seem to have become thick-skinned and emboldened. They are being sheltered and are merely following the examples set by the current leaders.
Is there hope?
I have personally come to the conclusion that Sitiveni Rabuka does not have the character , integrity or moral courage to lead the nation.
His acceptance of bad behaviour by his members of cabinet and tolerance of unacceptable processes and practices as well as his silence and slowness to respond to the perceived if not real risks by individuals appointed by him and his government, are evidence of a tone and culture that he has set and accepted as the standard of his government .
I am ashamed and deeply troubled about the state of affairs in Fiji and the entitlement that appears to be carried by those entrusted to public office without accountability .
The constant referrals to past government or regimes as an excuse or benchmark for their own strategies and decision making is a sorry excuse to say the least.
We want less talk and more tangible solutions
We want accountability and honesty
We want accountability and respecters of processes, procedures and laws.
We want less of the blame game and more ownership.
Time has indeed revealed the truth of the calibre, character and creed of this coalition.
It has been a government riddled with character flaws, scams, corruption and collusion. For them to dare ask for another term to deliver results is the biggest insult to the Fijian people .
Pack up and get ready to ship out You are not worthy of another day in office. The respectable thing is to stand down and call a snap election but that is done by people with virtues and true public interest at heart , it would be too rich to ask this of this lot .. so we will respect the democratic rule of law and await to vote you out. .
May God bless Fiji and all Fijians as we navigate the very morally dark times we find our leaders and nation in .
May the God of vengeance strike down everyone who dares to be treacherous towards the innocent .
I think for the PM and the President, all decisions are driven by childlike simplistic thinking. On this issue, it goes along the lines of keep CJ in as long as we need to change the constitution and regress Fiji. Once this is achieved, we can be “seen to do the right thing” and have him charged.
They only cut loose the corrupt once they’ve served their purpose. Otherwise, there’d be no one left from the Coalition.
The third-rate President, the third-rate PM and the third-rate CJ are a perfect fit for a Third World, third-rate country.
Sorry to digress but another close pal of the Sweets, IWA International Women Assoc or Agency keeps criticising CWM hospital. Doesnt this gal have other ‘international women’s’ level agendas to focus on? For Pete’s sakes, tell us something about how you’re supporting Fijian women in the MSME space, not duplicating areas already covered by other NGOs. Otherwise, rename your org to CWM Cleaners or something.
Is she aiming for a seat in 2026 doing this? Do better for women in the country than cleaning toilets and scrubbing walls. There’s a ministry paid by taxpayers to do that. Probably wants to be the next Min for Health. Certainly not international, definitely not national, looking very much focused on one ugly building that needed to be replaced 40 years ago.
She’s doing the work that Biman failed to perform. While Temo gets to place a tender for a luxurious SUV, she is helping Fijians. She can shout till her lungs give up and she should. We will hear her and support her.
Every dirty toilet, every broken window or door is a reflection of the power hungry politicians who don’t give a f*** about Fijians.
Complaining about someone who is trying their very best to make CWM better. That’s a new level of low I didn’t know existed. Only in Fiji.
lol @ CWM Cleaners 😇 😂🤣 harsh comment but true. Do better IWA, move to other ‘international women’ level thingys. Oca mai na rogoca tiko na CWM, get over it already!
Judy Compain in her brave and tireless work for the women and children of Fiji is head and shoulders above the Kalavos, Kutus, Kerekere, Kila vata Kolis in Kalavatas, who are running the country to hell.
Regardless of how much pressure we apply, nothing will change until the kleptocracy gang get the outcome they want from the ASK case and the constitution case.
Imrana Jalal and other ladies had called Temo not fit for the post. Those ladies were absolutely correct. The JSC under his leadership has been riddled with screw ups.
Now he has inserted himself to preside over the Khaiyum and Saneem case but can’t sort out Pryde’s matter?
There is a cabal of senior lawyers and political figures working against the general well-being of Fiji. They’ll bring Fiji to its knees before giving up power.
Reply of the month !
GD the reply by Fijian Observer to another scathing article by yourself has definitely got to win the Reply of the Month, week, or article.
We all can’t wait to vote the mongrels out, lock, stock & barrel. Next year is not soon enough, even if pigs fly in Fiji !
Appreciate your tireless effort.
If you look across the political landscape in Fiji or at those that hold the higher offices, like that of the president or the current chief justice, they all have extra baggage so to them it is business as usual.
They have lived their lives in corruption through the years and are hard core criminals so they don’t care.Looking at the age of everyone in power ,they will not live for long and looks like the president will be the first to go thus these men don’t have any shame in themselves and they don’t care about the oath they took when they took office.
Rabuka as usual is getting kickbacks (Rolex watch)and is the same snake everyone knows him to be. Most of these so called leaders were never true to their words they keep changing their colour just to play with the minds of the mob and they continue the race card to get into power.
The people of Fiji don’t look too far and are easily brainwashed and these iTaukei leaders know it, so nothing will change with Fiji and its system as corruption is a way of life ,they live with corruption top to bottom day in day out. Fiji has fallen way below other pacific countries when it comes to law and order and the people are feeling the impact with tourism on a decline as Fiji is no longer a destination of choice.
The system is screwed. Nothing will change. Sending former PMs and others to jail or prosecuting them deters the youth from aspiring to participate in such positions, to perform their civic duty and aspire to become leaders. Now this will become the same for judges as people lose confidence in the legal system. Fiji is cursed and doomed
Very smart Rambo. Get your lap dog Puleiwai to lodge a complaint against Temo, have a public humiliation campaign against Temo and then state the obvious by firing him. Claim you had no choice and keep face with your supporters – nagin at his best.
Ask Manoa how this works. Rambo appoints his church colleague to investigate his own people, Ashton- Lewis does the report, Rambo tries to show his people that he is protecting Manoa and his cronies, claims public outcry forces his hand for transparency, releases report, fires half of Manoa’s cronies, gets his illegally appointed family member at FICAC to investigate Manoa and destroys his closest nemesis. Career – Boom.
I would be worried Pavan Kundan Singh, George Speight, Lynda, Aseri and of course, Biman who is already telling his inner circle that he is not standing for the elections next year and is moving to New Zealand.
Incredibly we have a full bench of judges prepared to kowtow to hereditary and brazen buccaneers in power. Just as the Fiji Law Society or at least its leaders. And most the nation face slaps to mark each increasingly intolerable trodding down of justice, fair play and each and every tenet of democracy.
Rambo rambles on and will continue to do so as long as we have a majority of people of all persuasions tying in politics and leadership on racial, familial and vanua ties.
Suva’s streets are getting filled with iTaukei on drugs and homeless metres from the police HQ and the rural poor are treated with brutal neglect as long as they remain captive racially marked voters for the Itaukei elite and their sycophants.
All three have overstayed their welcome. Let us see then if they will have ringside seats for the upcoming installation of that infamous abductee, who is part of the privileged few (including the “three”) above the law and securely protected by one of the “three”.
Prime Minister Rabuka’s visit to Australia has portrayed an overly optimistic view of Fiji’s internal situation. His remarks gave the impression that Fiji is thriving and playing a leading role in the Pacific — an assessment that does not align with the realities on the ground.
It was also disappointing that during his appearance at the National Press Club in Canberra, questions focused predominantly on regional geopolitics, with little to no attention paid to pressing domestic issues in Fiji.
Notably absent were questions about the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report, which has raised serious allegations involving the Chief Justice, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), FICAC, and senior Cabinet Ministers.
Given that Australia provides significant budget support and grants to Fiji, it is both reasonable and necessary for Australian journalists — and the public — to scrutinize how taxpayer funds are being utilized. Transparency and accountability are essential, particularly when there are concerns about the potential misuse of public resources, including an oversized ministerial lineup and frequent overseas travel.
Australia may need to reconsider how aid to Fiji is structured and monitored, especially when the judiciary is not independent, highly compromised, and a broken governance.
The silence from Prime Minister Rabuka and President Ratu Naiqama in the wake of the COI findings, particularly regarding the serious claims involving Justice Temo, is troubling.
The recent formal complaint from Frances Puleiwai adds urgency to the need for decisive action. At a minimum, Justice Temo should be recused from ongoing cases until these allegations are fully investigated.
There is a growing perception that institutions such as the Judiciary, ODPP, and FICAC require urgent reform to restore public confidence. Those facing allegations must not be allowed to continue handling sensitive legal matters where conflicts of interest may arise.
Fiji’s democratic trajectory is at risk. The leadership provided by the current Coalition government — Prime Minister Rabuka, Deputy Prime Ministers Biman Prasad, and Viliame Gavoka — has not inspired the level of accountability and reform that many Fijians had hoped for. Meanwhile, the media’s muted role only adds to the concerns around democratic decline.
Finally, Prime Minister Rabuka’s public justification of his 1987 coup — suggesting it was necessary and a defining moment in his leadership — was not only arrogant, and inappropriate but also concerning. Such statements warrant serious reflection, especially from Australia and other development partners invested in good governance and regional stability.
Such statements warrant serious reflection, especially from Australia and other development partners invested in good governance and regional stability. end quote
‘We can’t interfere in Feejee’s domestic issues.’ China. China. China. China.
‘We can’t interfere in Feejee’s domestic issues.’ Jaina Jaina Jaina.
Fiji is corrupt with an openly racist government openly stating intentions to bring back an overtly racist constitution?
China China China.
Mr Davis, the Motibhais Patel have lost the Rolex franchise, as they have lost their marbles with one sided stories in the Fiji Times.
I said that they should “go back to selling Rolexes”, having used the watches to buy influence with Sitiveni Rabuka, among others, and keep their grubby hands off the Fiji Times.