The RFMF Commander, Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai, has long been raising eyebrows for the quality of some of his speeches, which are often laced with received “management speak” and lack the directness that is normally characteristic of military leaders.
His recent public utterances about “leadership” have left many people shaking their heads wondering what on earth he is trying to say. Yet there is a directness about his latest public statement that will raise far more eyebrows than his usual anodyne musings . Because he is clearly intent on rewriting history to serve his own purposes.
Today’s Fiji Sun has in-depth coverage of the RFMF Commander’s latest “love-in” as he tried yesterday – a quarter of a century later – to bury some of the divisions that linger from the mutiny at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks on November 2, 2000.
No-one really minds Jone Kalouniwai’s blind faith in the truth and reconciliation process that has become a central plank of the Coalition’s political program. Indeed he and the Assistant Minister for Women and Children, Sashi Kiran, have become the principal advocates for truth and reconciliation when harder heads are extremely doubtful about the process. Why? Because few people tell the truth in Fiji even at the best of times, let alone about their involvement in criminal activities for which they may have not been brought to justice.
This applies especially to the shadowy figures behind the various coups and uprisings of the past four decades. Does anyone seriously expect Sitiveni Rabuka to tell the truth about precisely who was behind the 1987 coup? Or about his own participation in the mutiny in the RFMF in 2000, for which he was tried twice and acquitted but clearly still has some serious questions to answer?
Can we really expect some of the chiefly families allegedly involved in the coups to tearfully confess their misdeeds in group hugs of the kind that the RFMF Commander seems to think will pave the way for national unity? Whatever our scepticism that any of this will happen, no-one really objects to Jone Kalouniwai trying if he thinks it will benefit those in his own ranks. But yesterday he went way too far.
Incredibly, the RFMF Commander not only staged a tear and hug-laden “welcome back” ceremony at the Camp for the rebels who in 2000, murdered three loyal soldiers in cold blood. He pronounced that as far as the RFMF is concerned, they will no longer be called rebels. Oh really? So what the hell were they, Jone?
Here’s the Commander’s comments that will have a great many current and former members of the RFMF – most notably Frank Bainimarama – choking with rage on their breakfast madrai. Because it was Bainimarama who the rebels were principally trying to kill.
Get that, Fiji? The mutineers “carried a burden” that the RFMF Commander is lifting? The “drawback no longer exists for them now”?
WTF? What about the “drawback” for the three loyalist soldiers they murdered? The “drawback” for their grieving families? Not to mention their four fellow mutineers who were beaten to death in the aftermath of the firefight, from which Frank Bainimarama barely escaped with his life?
Listen up, Jone. These guys were rebels then, they are rebels now and they will always be rebels. Their place in history as rebels is guaranteed and will not be erased by your woolly-headed, woke and totally inappropriate unilateral re-designation.
You really have to wonder about this guy. Who the hell does he think he is taking it upon himself to absolve merciless killers? Of course they are crying and apologising now. You are offering them a fast-track to salvation. The restoration of their reputations and respectability. Of being welcome back at the camp, where the bullet holes from the shots they fired at their comrades are still there in the walls of the RFMF HQ.
You are not God, Jone. You are not even a human being with judgment. By whose authority do you absolve traitors and murderers, lifting the “drawback” of their conduct and welcoming them back into the fold with your customary tears and hugs?
Forgive them personally if you like. That is your choice. But to do so on behalf of the RFMF and by implication, the nation, is not in your gift to dispense. And you need to get a grip or stand aside for someone with better judgment and a lot more commonsense.
Good ‘ol Jone. Even the leader of the 2000 rebellion, George Speight, and the leader of the mutiny at the QEB, Shane Stevens, are “forgiven” and are welcome at the Camp on Saturday.
Jesus wept. It is an absolute outrage.
And of course, it doesn’t matter how bad things get under the new order, don’t expect Jone to invoke Section 131.
To be fair to some of the families of those murdered, they appear to have come to terms with the Commander’s attempts at reconciliation. Or is it that they feel they have no choice?
And, of course, the good ‘ol Fiji Sun is firmly on board. Always the preferred newspaper of the RFMF, with exclusive access to yesterday’s events at the Camp. There is nothing in the Fiji Times.
Sorry eh? The formal apology that perennially gets iTaukei off the hook. Even for treason and murder.
Can the Comm. RFMF share his stash of weed with the rest of us, because he’s obviously got the really good stuff if he actually believes in this garbage he’s been espousing lately.
Never before have I seen the head of any country’s military go around weeping and carrying on like this. Military leaders don’t go around forgiving mutineers or terrorists who have held their institutions or countries to ransom.
The military is supposed to be the firmest pillar of rules and democracy, ensuring the constitution is protected and followed by those in power.
Kalouniwai is an Uncle Tom and is woefully unfit for his job. Yet this government loves him because they have tamed him with an increased budget, and there is also the apparent increase in Kalouniwai’s salary and perks.
Just when you believe this bloke can’t stoop any lower, he surprises you buy doing it and lifting his bum even higher into full view for everyone as if to say “take your best shot and I’ll just take it without any complaints.”
It is called “ glorified cop out “
It is the itaukei way of using the religion or bible verses of forgiveness as a tool to expel themselves of accountability in the real world. Do a crime, ask for forgiveness, do anything that is not right with the norms of society, than ask for forgiveness.
Two things itaukei have mastered, blame everyone else for their problems and asking for forgiveness after they have benefited from their decisions.
Absolutely! And the more they are forgiven, the more they keep up the self-interest driven “mistakes” and never develop any self-responsibility or maturity. This circularity keeps them stuck in a very young developmental stage, rather than accountable adulthood. Then the whole nation never develops into a mature nation. Doomed to developing or even third world country.
Everything here has been done in the special “Fiji Way” – the right way. The iTaukei know how to do things the proper way. They are the best Christians in the world. They know and understand more about the message of Jesus and forgiveness than anyone else anywhere. They can now teach the missionaries a few things about Jesus and about God. God has a special place just for them. Just ask them.
And then they will go and do it again. The limuri is not far away. Just wait and watch.
Incidentally, not a vulagi in sight in all of this healing process over the last few months. I guess the vulagi did not suffer as much and I guess they are practicing the wrong religions and most importantly they would not understand the special iTaukei way of doing these things. They are only temporary residents anyway.
Once George Speight and Shane Stevens have been forgiven and welcome back at QEB, they will be ready to be appointed to some important positions for the sacrifices they have made for the progress of the iTaukei. Isa Fiji.
You know what the worst thing is. The Force Training Grounds (FTG) is also where the Nasinu Corrections Centre is – and where Frank is serving time. They could’ve done this fk all ceremony in QEB which is where the rebels marched in but FTG? That’s sick. Jone is fkn sick. He is not naive. He is playing politics. He definitely has political aspirations.
Show me that eskimos use refrigerators in their igloo and I will believe Tele Tubby Jone and Snake Rabuka. Fijians are also known for a couple of other things; they are the most straight faced liars. They are too weak to stand up strong and shame everyone else to tell the truth. False tears, false hugs, false kere veivosoti. And we, the rest of the non itaukei like the dumbos we are, hug and cry and think that all is well.
However, on a positive note, the current educated crop of i taukei are slowly but surely getting out of that rut. Good on them I say. These are the leaders that can take Fiji forward. Oh, and not to forget, Biman has very quickly adapted.
The way the RFMF leadership conducted itself by crying and hugging has made it an international laughing contest. The RFMF are a bunch of whimps led by the biggest whimp of all time. What a shame and disgrace. Kill your own and after some hugs and kisses you are now the hero of the forces. BULL AND HORSE CRAP!!!!! Bunch of poofies.
So cringe-worthy we are lost for words
A good analysis on Commander, GD. Imagine if there is a president like Naiqama, what will happen.
On the eve of the election of the President, it is important to analyze a few perspectives.
Rabuka’s nomination of Naiqama for presidency has all the markings of a calculated, stage managed move, one that is now exposed by Rabuka’s sudden switch in allegiance from the current President to Naiqama – a man with a deeply controversial past.
In the October session, rather than proceed with the planned presidential election, Naiqama postponed it, citing vague Coalition dissatisfaction with the nominee. This stalling tactic, it seems, bought him time to maneuver behind the scenes, aiming to secure his own nomination by exploiting divisions within the Coalition. Rabuka’s shift, while justified as an audit concen related to the current President, appears to nothing more than a smokescreen, pressuring incumbent out to make way for Naiqama.
Why in a nation of equal citizenry should a chiefly title matter more than competence or integrity? While a commoner or distinguished Indo-Fijian is not considered?
The 2013 constitution bars discrimination based on race, status, or religion – yet the government’s actions repeatedly contradict this, reinforcing racial and chiefly hierarchy.
Thursday’s Presidential election will test MPs’ integrity, particularly in the Coalition, G-16, and G-9 blocs. How will they vote?
It will test MPs, exposing those who will blindly support Rabuka’s handpicked choice despite Naiqama’s disturbing record. Even PAP members rumored to be dissatisfied with Rabuka’s leadership must decide if they have the courage to defy him now.
What will be Biman’s stance – very little is expected from him to differ. SODELPA has been making some noise to nominate their candidate, but can they do it?
Now, the Leader of Opposition from the G-16 bloc, who is on a ministerial salary, has remained quiet on the very important issue of Naiqama’s nomination and indeed on many other issues of national interest. He is a weak leader as his performance is not visible compared to Chaudhary and Narube, who are not even MPs. Inia has been traveling a lot with the Speaker, and that could be the reason for his silence. He will also, I understand, put forward his nominee, and we hope he has done enough lobbying with MPs.
And what of Aliki Bia, the MP who recently suffered from Naiqama’s own heavy handedness in Parliament. Will he, too, cave to this manipulation, as he belongs to the G-9 bloc that blindly supports Rabuka? His vote will speak volumes about whether he and others have the principles to reject this obvious power play – or if they will simply fall in line, abandoning the ethics and conscious they claim to uphold.
Interesting times ahead. With Rabuka, Temo, Malimali, Rabuku, Jone, highly likely Naiqama as President, lame media and Biman’s lack of direction on the economy, more suffering for the common people is certain.
That’s the way it should be
Military shouldn’t have any say in politics and running of any government.
Once they start interfering in affairs of government,than we have mischievous people coming on board to create instability and plan coups etc.
Learn from past
They can suggest ideas though.
Wait for next elections and decide if current government stays or voted out .
True and honest democracy is way for any nation.
Military is not the answer
Koloniwai is doing well
He needs to control his men and have stability in camp no matter who is in power.
Not surprisingly, you have missed the point altogether. It is about excusing the inexcusable and forgiving the unforgivable. And the Commander sullying his duty to stand up for the loyal and the innocent who were murdered in 2000, not fete those who killed them.
Never mind whatever the commander does, that does not change anything at all. Rebels will remain forever in our hearts as they did it willingly to kill and that is just unfortunate 💔 it is brought to you rather going for it. I will not ever forgive them.
Boohoohoo GD. Kalouniwai is a modern soldier. You’re out of date with the times and with everything Fijian. So sit down and shut up and stop being a cry baby. Leave the crying to Bai and Kai.
We were praying so loudly in Nasinu so the main rebel Bai could hear us. Bai is a pussy and threw the CRW boys under the bus in 2000. He should have been shot dead as there is no place for cowards in any army.
Oh nice. One of the stormtroopers of the New Order. Total scum.
Thanks for proving my point that these traitors will never be genuinely contrite and should never be welcomed back.
There’s no truth in your prayers in Nasinu if you’re still angry and condemning Bainimarama. What’s the use of that forgiveness and reconciliation at FTG when you’re still bitter about the former PM. You could have asked the Commissioner of Prisons to visit the former PM in Nasinu and ask for forgiveness as well. Everything done yesterday was superficial and a waste of time and military resources.