The Fijian mainstream media may have largely lost interest in where the Prime Minister got his $150,000 “plus” solid gold Rolex but not the overseas media, judging from the latest report on Radio New Zealand, which has been leading its Pacific coverage with it.
The latest story has the Deputy Prime Minister, Manoa Kamikamica, denying reports by Grubsheet last week – from three sources whose identities must obviously remain confidential – that Kamikamica himself was telling people in the People’s Alliance that Lynda Tabuya was the source of the watch.
“Mr Sweetness” is certainly not sweet on Grubsheet, launching a scathing attack on me for allegedly getting the story wrong. But then he would say that, wouldn’t he, if it is true that he was exploiting the Prime Minister’s embarrassment for his own political purposes with a whispering campaign among his colleagues. Or maybe they are white-anting him as payback for his white-anting of the Prime Minister since before the last election?
Kamikamica’s personal attack on Grubsheet is to be expected. But why is is also saying that he “has nothing but total respect for Lynda Tabuya and her husband”. What’s Rob Semaan got to do with it? And shouldn’t that be “ex-husband”? Hasn’t Lynda Tabuya told the Elections Office and FICAC that she has been divorced from Semaan since 2016″?
Why has the Deputy Prime Minister chosen Radio New Zealand to try to quash any notion that 1/ Lynda Tabuya was the source of the watch and 2/ that he was the source of the rumour that she was? Obviously, the story has caused him a great deal angst behind the scenes in Fiji.
Grubsheet readers are observant enough to know that I didn’t report the Lynda connection as absolute fact and pinned it very much on my informants. Yet there’s a line from Shakespeare’s Hamlet that comes to mind amid Kamikamica’s anxiety to set the record straight. “The lady (make that, man) doth protest too much, methinks”.
Manoa undoubtedly thinks he has landed a solid punch on Grubsheet’s jaw. Yet all the following story does is keep the gold Rolex story very much alive when the Coalition desperately wants it to go away. And for that, Kamikamica will not be thanked.
No, Samisoni. The Prime Minister needs to answer where he got the gold Rolex from in the first place instead of hiding behind the nonsense that he has a “right to remain silent”.
He does not. And you people need some basic tuition in crisis management. Because this lead story on Radio NZ has not only kept the issue alive in the regional media but has elevated the person who is causing you all the grief – little ol’ me.
E dua na lega levu and all self-inflicted.
UPDATE MONDAY AM
And while the supine Fijian mainstream media has given up asking how “Rolex Rambo” got his bauble, questions are still being asked in the letters columns of the local papers. This from Monday’s Fiji Sun:
The Fijian media doesn’t think so, Rajend. Though at least RNZ is keeping the story alive in the rest of the Pacific, where Rolex Rambo’s image is taking a hell of a battering.
We await the defamation trial with more than usual interest. Because through the process of disclosure, that’s when we will finally find out where the watch came from.
Ha, ha, “worrrdd to the bratha” in the tone of a gangster slang🙌😄…. Elevation from those “elevated” in high places is great, take a bow, GD..their sulus are aflutter with anxiety and they’re talking their way into idiocy 🤣🤣!!! Isa tagane vinaka Dina o iko GD, emeni👌👍
Mr Sweetness should now answer why he thinks Mr Semaan should be thanked or questioned. Isn’t Mr Semaan benefiting from government contracts while he has scammed hundreds of people in USA! Why is this guy still given government funds? Where is the integrity that should be practiced by the commerce commission in Fiji. Does Fiji have a department that scrutinises government procurement?
Even if Grubsheet got the story wrong the blame lies with Rolex Rabuka.
Instead of clarifying the F…head said I choose to exercise my right to not comment on the matter. So much for the transparency and accountability that was promised.
By the way, Rolex Rabuka has a nice ring to it, so let’s all use it.
Rolex Rabuka needs to sack his entire media and political advisory team. Especially whoever advised him to exercise his right to not respond to queries about the Rolex watch, especially if it was not gifted. It was the dumbest thing to do. For a Prime Minister to say I choose not to comment on such matter is the height of stupidity,. You are not a celebrity Rolex Rabuka. You are the Prime Minister of this country. The taxpayers are paying your salary and you owe them an answer you entitled buffoon.
Agreed that Rolex Rabuka is a nice and appropriate name that should follow this idiot right to his political grave. Let’s continue using that name.
Remember GD Manoa Kamikamica does not like Rabuka just like his late father. These Kamikamicas are not fans of coup perpetrators since they are educated and know the consequences of coups.
Manoa Kamikamica is forever trying to discredit the Prime Minister to fulfil his ambition to become PM. He will do to SLR what his father did to SLR.
That is so true. Been part of coalition 4 legged govt, plans are to throw away SLR and AG Leung. I’m working with MK to secure my AG POST once again.
GD
Frankly, I am surprised that the opposition members so far haven’t tabled a question in Parliament, because Rolex Rabuka is no ordinary citizen, he is the holder of the highest public office in Fiji and in the interest of transparency, accountability and down right good governance, he has a duty to come clean and clear this “Rolex” shenanigan asap.
#rolexrambo
So Rob Semaan’s porn actress must have influenced the GCC to give him the construction contract. This actress is like the one from Epstein’s island ..lol
I heard round 2 of the video is in circulation. Toso Viti.
OK – No Nepotism Under Rambo. Set.