Sunlight is the best disinfectant, goes an old saying. And as Fiji descends into a dark new era of corruption with the Coalition’s naked attack on FICAC by installing one of its stooges as Commissioner, it is time to shine a more powerful light on the darkest recesses of government – our offices of state including the criminal justice system, the police, military and our public enterprises.
Today, we are issuing an appeal to people working in the civil service, the offices of state and publicly owned enterprises to join a clandestine group of elite whistleblowers feeding Grubsheet information that we can publish in the national interest as part of a campaign to restore integrity to our democracy.
You will be part of a secret band of individuals dedicated to open and transparent governance that is fighting for the very soul of our nation against those who are cynically putting personal and political interests before those of the Fijian people.
Our inspiration will be Francis Puleiwai – the departed deputy commissioner of FICAC who chose to resign on Thursday rather than accept that she would have to work for someone in the form of Barbara Malimali who was being foisted on her when Malimali was being investigated by FICAC for alleged abuse of office as Chair of the Electoral Commission.
Here at Grubsheet, we are determined not to allow Francis Puleiwai’s sacrifice for the greater good to be in vain. So we are encouraging Fijians of like mind to join a secret crusade to expose wrongdoing in every corner of the civil service, the offices of state and publicly owned enterprises.
You can send information to me directly here at Grubsheet either in the comments section or by email to grubsheetfeedback@gmail.com. All comments are vetted before they are published so they are not being posted directly and your identity is protected. But whichever way you choose to contact me, I promise that your identity will be protected.
Do NOT send information from your work computer, which is being monitored by “Big Brother/ Big Sista” and makes it almost certain that you will be caught. Send it from your personal desktop, laptop or smart phone and it will be treated in the strictest confidence. We are especially interested in primary source documents such as those we have published that establish Barbara Malimali’s direct political interference in the Elections Office ( see previous posting).
Nothing will be attributed. I am bound as a journalist of half a century’s standing to protect my sources and renew a solemn promise here to do so. I am also outside Fiji and beyond the reach of the local authorities to extract my sources from me. So there is no risk of your identity ever being revealed.
Let’s do it for Francis and everyone who cares about the integrity and transparency of governance in Fiji. We are at a crossroads in which a government that promised better standards before the last election has betrayed us and is worse than its predecessor.
In the absence of any resolve on the part of the RFMF and the President to bring these people to account and the implosion of FijiFirst as an effective opposition, we are largely on our own in drawing a line in the sand. But a clandestine network of informants to shine a light on the inner workings of the Coalition and its stormtroopers can help keep the bastards honest.
Let us salute and celebrate the spirit of Francis Puleiwai, who made a brave stand for principle when she refused to accept a FICAC suspect as her boss. In choosing to resign in the face of the outlaw and bully who is Acting Chief Justice rather than betray her principles, Francis has set an inspirational example of sacrifice and patriotism, putting her country before herself.
You too can join this crusade by exposing the inner workings of a government that has shown itself unfit to represent the Fijian people. The days of removing them at gunpoint may be over but every Fijian can make the same choice as Francis Puleiwai and take a stand for principle. It is not sedition, treason or disloyalty but an act of patriotism to expose wrongdoing and bring those responsible to public attention.
So let’s go, Fiji. Get those messages and emails coming. Let’s do it for Francis and every other right-thinking Fijian and in the hope that democracy and good governance will prevail over greed, selfishness and corruption.
It is an obscenity that one third of the population is living in poverty while our elected representatives and their sponsors and lackeys enrich themselves either on the public purse or as beneficiaries of government decisions. Let’s expose them for what they are so they are shamed and eventually driven from public life. And as soon as possible.
Vinaka.
Your mission as stated here also demands that you undertake great responsibility. Good luck.
Yes, I am acutely aware of that responsibility. Vinaka for your best wishes.
Looks like Pita and his kind like to live under a corrupt government and a bunch of incompetent imbeciles. As long as they are iTaukei all is fine. Unfortunately that is the thinking of many in Fiji, it is ok if we are ruled by God-fearing crooks as long as they are not vulagi.
Surprised you took it that way. I took it as an admonition not to be irresponsible and peddle gossip or untruths and to separate the wheat from the inevitable chaff. And he is absolutely right.
I haven’t done this lightly. But desperate times call for desperate measures. And people power can make all the difference when our elected representatives betray us.
The fact is, this whole saga is about race and racism and iTaukei dominance.
If there were no vulagi in the country, what do you think would be happening right now and who would there be to blame. If it was not about racism, the whole FICAC saga would not be happening. There would be no arrogance is all a direct result of racism.
The iTaukei are now eating their own babies. Having got rid of the “vulagi” from these positions, it is now iTaukei on iTaukei. And individual iTaukei are advancing their own positions and those of their kai vata.
Strangely enough, I’m told that Francis Puleiwai is actually related to Salesi Temo. If this is true, then it makes her act of defiance in her meeting with him all the more extraordinary.
Yes,you took it exactly as I meant it,Graham.Thank you. Some of your commenters,though,as above,can get things wrong….very wrong assumptions about me. I don’t fit your box. And maybe that’s the trouble with racial profiling in general? India too has a massive problem of sectarian hatred,everywhere does…. and also some courageous YouTube commentary
in India,trying to counter the fascist tendencies of the government. “Deshbakt” is one of a number that I’ve listened to. I’m old enough to remember lots of casual racism in the fiji of the 1970s, at the time it seemed to be worse as dir3cted towards indigenous fijians by” Indians”,but in retrospect the “Indians” were copping it from everywhere, from kaivalagi too.
The current government has more corruption, nepotism, outlaw Legal practioners, HIV AIDS and drug problem in just 2years than FFP had in 16 years. The difference is clear.
Don’t worry, GD shall protect the identity of whistleblowers.
You are doing what needs to be done Graham and for that many are grateful. What many iTaukei are starting to realize is that promoting one race over all others in the end will just disadvantage the iTaukei more than they EVER have been. Their arrogance is in what they don’t know and will be their undoing. It is only looking outside of their insular beings to what vulagi have to offer in their knowledge and survival skills within the democratic and global context that can save Fiji. I sincerely hope that this call to arms is headed and appreciate all you do for Fiji immensely.
To date, I have never come across Grubsheet reveal or betray any of his sources. I might add, if any informants are scared of sending emails to GD through their Gmail account, they should consider creating a new Gmail account.
Like GD said, big NO NO from work emails
Good on you Graham
Despite some differences of opinion on China, I thank you for your outstanding work on Fiji.
The leader of the opposition in Fiji is impotent. Fiji Times is a lickspittle for the Rabuka crew. Even the Fiji Sun goes quiet.
You are a decent honourable man and a good son of Fiji
God Bless You.
The groveling lick spittle and imbecile Pramesh Sharma sucking up to Coalition government in the hope of some position coming his way,
He talks about ‘restore confidence in the Judicial Services Commission and the Constitutional Officer’s Commission regain their credibility’.
But not a peep from this self styled commentator about the unconstitutional appointment of John Rabuka. It deserves a piece of its own on GrubSheet, Graham. What a self serving piece of shit! Read for yourself:
“It is remarkable that the current Supervisor of Elections, Ms. Ana Mataiciwa, has referred politicians, including the President of Fiji, to Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) based on any allegations made against them. This approach contrasts sharply with that of her predecessor, Mr. Saneem Mohammed, who at least allowed for due process by extending natural justice. Under Mr. Mohammed, politicians and candidates had the opportunity to address breaches or respond to allegations before any actions were taken.
Ms. Mataiciwa’s actions raise concerns that she may be undermining her role by collaborating with former Deputy FICAC Commissioner, Ms. Frances Pulewai, potentially to discredit the Fiji Government. The rapid leakage of sensitive information from both institutions—internal memos, confidential letters, and allegations—onto social media almost immediately after their creation is troubling and suggests a lack of due process.
To restore confidence in both the Fiji Electoral Office (FEO) and FICAC, the Judicial Services Commission and the Constitutional Officer’s Commission must take decisive action. They need to ensure that these institutions regain their credibility.
The new FICAC Commissioner, Ms. Barbara Malimali, should use her first thirty days in office to thoroughly review all ongoing investigations, seek independent advice, and only proceed with charges when she is fully convinced that legal breaches have occurred. FICAC should focus on serious, complex cases involving substantial sums of money, rather than minor misdemeanors, which should be managed by the Police.
Today’s print media has reported on 17 prominent individuals, raising the risk of defamation claims against both the Supervisor of Elections and FICAC if the allegations are baseless or improperly motivated.
To restore the FEO’s credibility, the Constitutional Officer’s Commission should consider appointing a knowledgeable and respected figure, such as former Chief Justice and retired High Court Judge Mr. Daniel Fatiaki, as Ms. Malimali’s successor.
Ms. Malimali also needs to address her own situation by reporting her illegal detention to the Fiji Police and pursuing charges. Additionally, to avoid any conflicts of interest, she should transfer the investigation file concerning her to the Fiji Police. FICAC should prioritize major cases involving significant financial abuses over smaller infractions that can be addressed by the Police.
Restoring credibility in both the FEO and FICAC is crucial, and significant reforms are needed to achieve this.
Happy Hibiscus; careful of the flying roofs!
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka
AG Graham Leung
Minister for Justice – Hon Siromi Turaga
Where did this appear? I am banned from Facebook and haven’t seen it in the mainstream media. Can you please screenshot it and send it to the email above?
Pramesh Sharma has no idea of the principle of independence in the offices of state. But this is conclusive proof of a shameless assault on that independence orchestrated by the government and its gormless cheer leaders like Sharma.
He has been doing a great deal of arse-licking ever since the election win but as far as I know, still hasn’t got a government sinecure. Seems even they don’t trust him.
This is a man who was publicly encouraging Richard Naidu to sue me in the NSW courts last November, crowing that I was about to get my comeuppance. Ten months later, nothing. A Coalition yap dog of no consequence.
Pramesh Sharma likes to portray himself as a guardian of Fiji and a statesman.
The gullible are taken in [Vinaka bosso] but his posts on FB are just plain Hubris (pride) and shameless self promotion.
There is a reason corporate people in Suva (even some people close to him) refer to him as the “snake in the grass”.
A repugnant, sleazy person. Just ask all the young ladies who have had the unfortunate experience of working with him.
Its best we ignore what this irrelevant want to be person has to say.
This is great GD. your site and Fiji leaks are the only place to get actual news and updates about Fiji. The “free press” in Fiji is a total flop. Controlled by elite interests.
Fiji tax payers need to know about how decisions have been taken and we need to know about how conflicts of interest are handled at heart of government as Biman seems to be at the center of the scandal and he’s been giving out lollies.
People in Fiscal Review committee should provide information in their interest – we tax payers and Fiji public should have answers.
Make this a press release and send it out to local and regional media.
Concerned by loss of independence in corruption-fighting body, Fijian launches crowd-sourced corruption reporting program
16 pages in the FTimes Saturday paper for the “Fiji Focus” government newsletter/propaganda rag. Wonder how much that cost? And was it also in the FSun?
To the members of Fiscal Review Committee, Fiji tax payers need more information and in the name of good governance and in the spirit of transparency please inform us:
1. Did you know of conflicts of interest before you recommended tax holiday?
2. Who advised raising VAT to punish poor most?
3. What internal way to you make sure conflicts of interest are disclosed?
The collision government needs to be held to account.
A big shoutout and vinaka vaka levu to you for taking this initiative. You have done, and continue to do so much for Fiji.
Blessed Sunday to you.
When will the people of Fiji rise up Themselves!
In my local Fiji circles no one does anything, other than talk if at all.
It is left to someone else to do something for the benefactors – whether it is in everyday life or national matters like a accountability and good governance.
Stand up, be counted in making a positive difference, blow the whistle, challenge bad leadership, be bold – not just a lukewarm spectator in the game in which we all are impacted!
At the same time acknowledge the efforts of those patriots (like GD), while in “exile” outside Fiji.
Pita on peter: rising up is easier said than done. In short:
1. Still need a permit
2. Permit denied, end off
3. Sectional native interests object
3a. Joined by Bible trumpets from several dozen other demoniations
4. Pio will cite national security threat
5. Military will weigh in
6. Unless you are ngo “reclaiming” the night. Tho women still can’t walk alone at night.
7. Methodist church will weigh in
7a. The lost tribe will blow their horn
8. Counter protesters will be organized quickly (without permit)- with thugs bused in from the hills
9. Joined by standby thugs from vagrants, wheelbarrow ‘boys,’ market ‘vemdors’all ready to take the liberty of stealing, burning and looting, assault, rape
10. The police will protect the counter protesters and burning and looting. Been there, seen that.
You see where any ‘rising up’ means?
Emancipation has to happen in the mind first. Then in private discussions. In physical social gatherings (talanoa). Then on wider social media. The battlefields / frontlines have changed. The fingers on the keyboard reveal what’s in the minds / hearts.
But yes a visible presence in large numbers on the streets or parks would be a strong show of dissent. Or a workers union strike.
Thank you GD.
A much needed advocacy and safety accorded to the whistleblowers is kind of you.
For those who don’t know GD, he is well trusted with information and holds integrity to practice. As long as you email from your private email you should be fine.
It is time we do our duty to save our nation. The government isn’t so we have to.
Thank you GD, good on ya mate. Let’s hope that your inspiration and enthusiasm will flow over to the locals and there will be enough noise to move this sad and sorry bunch off into political oblivion. Let’s be focused and objective in getting to the very bottom root of this corruption that is destroying this nation. Rabuka and PAP must not be entitled, nor encouraged to continue. They have had their chance, so no more apologies and crocodile tears. NFP and its dodgy leader has to be in the same boat. Emotions aside, let’s get this very important and critical project completed.
Great Initiative GD,
Support you 100%
You should also consider running in the GE 2026
Blessed day.
Yes GD or others like him to please consider contesting in the next election, whenever it may be – sooner or in the normal time frame.
Such Non resident Fiji citizens should be aware of the minimum term of being resident in Fiji to meet candidate eligibility requirements.