Manoa Kamikamica has again shown his unfitness for national leadership with an extraordinary display of hypocrisy and lack of understanding about (what ought to be) the independence of our institutions of state from the executive government.
At the same time as he crows that intimidation and threats against FICAC won’t be tolerated, he admits that he personally went to FICAC and raised his own case with the former deputy commissioner, Francis Puleiwai, who has since been driven into exile in Australia by a government that makes as big a speciality of intimidation as its predecessor.
Imagine. You’re an iTaukei woman who is in charge of the Fiji INDEPENDENT Commission Against Corruption. You are obliged by law to investigate any case referred to you of alleged official wrongdoing. And you have before you a complaint relating to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade which you and your staff are examining in the usual manner. No fear. No favour.
Suddenly big Manoa pulls up in his official car at FICAC’s headquarters with an appointment to see you, ostensibly about “some significant cases he is working on”. Yet he soon turns the conversation to the case you are examining against him for alleged abuse of office – the details of which haven’t been made public.
Behind the disarming grin, Manoa Kamikamica is asking you why he is in the firing line. We don’t know precisely what the Deputy Prime Minister said. But Francis Puleiwai has indicated in an interview from Australia that she regarded it as intimidation. And if she says she felt intimidated, we are entitled to take her at her word.
Manoa Kamikamica sugar coats the entire episode. Yet when you read the extracts from both dailies this morning of the Deputy Prime Minister’s account of what happened, far from being reassuring, even his sugar-coated version is disturbing enough.
FICAC is the independent corruption watchdog. No minister who is under investigation should be going anywhere near the place, let alone initiating a conversation with its deputy commissioner at a meeting that was supposedly about other matters. If Kamikamica had anything to say to Francis Puleiwai, he should have put it in writing and preferably through his lawyers. But to do so in person in her office was highly inappropriate and in breach of all proper convention.
Kamikamica says the Attorney General, Graham Leung, told him it was “OK”. Rubbish. Any senior public official would have been uncomfortable put in the same position as Puleiwai, let alone someone weighing up the possibility of laying charges against the big man in the checked suit in front of her.
Manoa Kamikamica has again shown himself to be bereft of judgment. He supported the Coalition’s controversial emoluments increases by saying it would make MPs work harder. He has supported the death penalty for drug traffickers against a tide of opposition from other ministers, the churches and human rights groups. And now he brings his oleaginous, grinning presence to defending the indefensible in relation to his conduct at FICAC.
Kamikamica’s sanctimonious protestation that he and the rest of the Coalition aren’t into intimidation and threats like their FijiFirst predecessors just makes it worse. And his comment about being “personally disappointed” that Francis Puleiwai doesn’t feel safe enough to return to Fiji simply adds insult to injury. He knows full well that she faces being charged with abuse of office for detaining Barbara Malimali and has a “stop departure” order that was imposed on her just after she got away.
Kamikamica was way out of order raising his own case at a meeting at FICAC ostensibly about other matters. We don’t know precisely what happened in the room that has led Francis Puleiwai to claim that she felt intimidated. But those who head our independent institutions of state must be able to do their jobs without fear or favour and in the case of the corruption watchdog, without having the hulking Deputy Prime Minister turning up at the door demanding details of his own case.
Of course, none of this matters now because Manoa Kamikamica and the rest of the Coalition have installed one of their own in the form of Barbara Malimali to make sure all these ministerial cases go away. Malimali has so far blocked the charge that Francis Puleiwai was about to lay against Biman Prasad and has cleared her close friend, Lynda Tabuya, when there were patently no grounds to do so (see previous article). And we can be sure that Manoa Kamikamica and his other cabinet colleagues are next.
What the Prime Minister himself has described as the “rotten” process in this affair has shocked the Fijian people. Because the truth is that the Coalition is not only just as bad as FijiFirst in manipulating our institutions of state for its own purposes but even worse.
Manoa Kamikamica, like Biman Prasad, maintains the pretence that we are in a new era of transparency and accountability and the bad old days are behind us. Yet when he feels free to go to the big office at FICAC and raise his own case with the corruption watchdog, they have actually gone to a new level of gravity.
With my own knowledge of government under FijiFirst , any minister doing the same thing would have been inconceivable. As the Constitution stipulates, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, as attorney general, had regular briefings from Rashmi Aslam – the then head of FICAC – but no-one else. And if any other minister had even tried to discuss a case under investigation, let alone their own, they would have undoubtedly been sacked.
Manoa Kamikamica – who is not the attorney general and has no constitutional right to consult the head of FICAC – has totally crossed the line. And while the days of expecting him to be disciplined are gone, he could at least spare us the fake sincerity, double standards and hollow expressions of concern for Francis Puleiwai, who knows exactly what would happen were she to return to Fiji.
UPDATE THURS PM:
A strong statement from Savenaca Narube‘s Unity Party on the events at FICAC. And yet another example of just how much the Prime Minister and his government have lost the confidence of the people.
Justice seeker says
Asking about cases on yourself is interference. They are wrong in what they think is the law. It would be obvious that Malimali has given them the wrong advice and was in contact with them. Section 13, 14 and 15 only applies when they are charged, arrested and detained. Oh wow what a mess.
Law couped says
The Fiji Times takes a whole page out for Kamikaze! A whole page with a big photo!
And this smiley bear thinks he can go and discuss whatever case he likes.
Does this government know about law and order?
This confirms what Frances was saying about interference and it is coming out one at a time.
They have couped Fiji’s legal systems and the rights to safety for all Fijians. This is lawlessness.
Such a dumb idea says
So he appeared at the FICAC to ask about himself.
That there is called interfering, you nut head.
This guy goes around the world saying that Fiji is ready for investors. The investors though are holding back big time given they have no faith in the country right now. That mostly includes a very shaky legal system and recognition of the law.
Colluding as a Coalition says
I do feel for Francis. This woman has endured a lot and no wonder she is gone. It is intimidating to have their leaders in hierarchy and the Malimali put her under constant pressure.
Unacceptable behaviour by all means.
They have lost my vote long time ago.
Never again.
Procurement thieves says
I would like to remind Kamikamica since he is all about investments into Fiji that he should look into Semaan’s position to secure government and donor contracts as a failed and bankrupt businessman. The guy continues to scam the system by now saying he is Fiji born. (See Fijileaks yesterday)
I hope the donors are reading this as there can be further investigations on Semaan as a known scammer from USA.
These are considered to be a worry under any proper procurement procedures. What due diligences are in place. Airports Fiji just awarded Semaan a $8.6 million contract. Did they check his background?
Donors take note. We are exposing this.
Fiji Government take note.
Humoty Dumpty says
Manoa Kamikaze’s inability to see wrong in his approaching Francis Pulewai to ask about a complaint lodged against him with FICAC is the action of a desperate and ambitious man.
The Prime Minister should stand his deputy down immediately until the FICAC Inwuiry is done.
Bankruptcy Lynda Tabuya and Rob Semaan says
Did Lynda Tabuya ( Lynda Semaan) and Robert Semaan declare their bankruptcy in St Louis in 2008 to be able to run for office and OR be in business in Fiji?
Lynda Semaan is part of the chapter 11 Bankruptcy filed in St Louis under the company name Go Fig. Did she disclose this? Look up articles Go Fig Robert and Lynda Semaan.
What are the requirements to run for office in Fiji? I see a handbook stating that bankruptcy can disqualify you. I would like to know if she disclosed this. Can anyone weigh in on this?
Birds of a feather says
And whether Tabuya stays married or not she must declare these as part of the electoral act requirements in Fiji and in any country. She is a failed business director leaving her shareholders at a loss of over USD50 million.
Robert has to do this too even in Fiji.
Fiji, how are scammers able to run in your elections and procure government and donor contracts? What immunity are these leaders carrying? What role models have we in place in this country?
This is worrying and one that will potentially make waves soon.
Anonymous says
There is no limit to the height of hypocrisy displayed by these so called leaders. A vast majority of the population are facing lots of problems just to get by on a daily basis. The ministers on the other hand are trying to get ahead of everyone else by any corrupt means possible. They talk about democracy yet have no respect for the very institutions that makes a democracy work. The judiciary the media law enforcement all seem compromised…
Shady, very shady! says
According to the St Louis Journal, Rob Semaan had 3 businesses shut down while he was at the helm right after opening. I don’t know if this includes his video piracy company that was sued, or if that’s another one. Why is it so hard for some to do business in Fiji but someone like this with failed businesses gets to do business. Did they look into all the business he was a part of? Give these constants to good companies who have a track record of success!
In regards to going to report intimidation, there is nowhere to go. You really think the police will do anything? All are corrupt. There have been many cases of robbery or urgent matters where they don’t even show up. You think they are going to deal with this?
Due in distrust says
I would like Victor Lal at Fijileaks to have this information and expose these people.
Robert and Lynda Samaan are big time failed runaways. She took off claiming pregnancy as an excuse. Fiji must never trust a woman who scams others and uses her unborn child to run away from her investors. This is the calibre of this woman’s true leadership. Just like what she has been doing with the youth at PAP, her village, women’s rugby, children who are assaulted, and the list goes on. Habibi’s line of failed ventures shows he cannot be trusted as a contractor anywhere.
Hard working Fijians are done by everyday because of these scammers arriving from other countries have been getting government and donor contracts. Also the GCC contract. The chiefs are so blessed to have a scammer build their fale.
Utterly distrustful and disturbing people.
Dinauca says
Why most of our government officials starting from the president to Kamikamica are all fat.
Only me says
Let them eat cake. We will eat noodles and tin tuna.
Never prouder says
I think that an essential characteristic to be a member of this government is that you must be a big dickhead. And it qualifies you even more if you are a proud big dickhead.
How many such people are in this government – starting from the top?
Fools in charge says
Why was Kamikamica at Ficac discussing the other so called significant cases anyway?
That in itself was out of line I presume. Was it just a pretext to be poking his nose into his own casefile?
Again another minister out of his depth in his professional capacity. One wonders how they obtain all the accolades in their CV or previous work history.
This DPM is on public record expressing his position that Fiji Airways should not have laid off ANY staff during the 2020 pandemic…a company should have internal reserves to be able to keep all the staff….his speech was repeated on more than one public meeting. One of those was at an offshore Overseas investment into Fiji campaign.
Does he not know that almost without exception , airlines thoughout the world only kept a skeleton staff during the pandemic – there were massive layoffs in the industry. No airline company could have kept all their staff on, when planes were grounded.
Where is Kamikamica’s commercial or even basic business understanding when he holds views like this.
Especially at an event to attract investors to Fiji. Implies that foreign investors in the hotel industry would be expected to keep all their staff on should they have to shut down indefinitely, should the country or world have to deal with another pandemic like event or ongoing natural disaster.
Kamikaze – not fit for the job .
Manumanu says
Fiji Police need to investigate Manoa kickback for allegedly arranging FNPF funds to be invested with his former employer in excess of 50 million dollars. His known bank accounts are in PNG and Tonga.
Fjord Sailor says
Kamikamica Jnr… The apple has indeed fallen far from the tree.
Interference by Manoa says
Busted Manoa.
You only admitted you were there as others saw you there.
You had no business interfering.
You then tried to turn it on Francis by saying she should report it.
You did wrong. NOT HER.
Nfp voter says
Has the coalition made any 1 single appointment based on merit and allowed that person to work independently according to the law….i can count a big fat 0.
We wanted change, we got a circus full of clowns.
NO qualifications required says
True let us see their applications for the jobs, educational background, appropriate degrees and character vetting.
Anything questionable in the past should disqualify.
Seems that the only qualification is willingness to defraud and protect fellow fraudsters. The message is that if you are honest and good, you have no chance. Look at the messages on social media about Francis running off and not facing things. Her fellow citizens are barbaric in their comments and show no sympathy.
To see how fellow citizens turn on her because she is not in Fiji, showing no sympathy for a mother. You think they will go against a Minister or the Deputy PM if you complain? I have noticed how when anyone seemingly goes against the Coalition then the hyenas come out and circle the innocent.
Why would anyone want to get involved with fiji when you can’t get justice.
Happy mongoose says
Circling the hyenas are the vultures, baboons, monkeys, and maggots.
While the coalition have brain farts after brain farts. Astounding.
Proud Third World country says
The incompetence and third rate behaviour by the MPs is a characteristic of any Third World country. Even the Speaker of the House is a third rater. This man, one of the highest chiefs in Fiji, was soundly rejected by his own people at the last election. In the election before, he won by the skin of his teeth, he was the last one who got in on a vote count basis. He has now come into parliament through the back door. He behaves as if he were an elected official and says some of the most ridculous things in parliament. His opinions are shyte but apparently he thinks he has the god-given gift to make those opinions in parliament. His job is to maintain order in the house. I do not believe he has the right to give personal opinions on matters. But the parliamentarians and the people of Fiji have not questioned this. He makes his rules as he goes instead of following long established protocols. Maybe because he is iTaukei and a chief, he believes he is allowed to make rules as he goes. More likely he has no idea what the role of the Speaker is. The whole thing is a complete farce. We do not wish to know what his opinion on any matter is. That is not his role.
Maybe the behaviour and conduct of MPs are all interconnected and stems from those in the highest offices who are all incompetent and are legends in their own mind.
Agent Vinod says
I might be missing something here, but how is FICAC involved in the 4 ton meth case? Isn’t that under the CID jurisdiction? The guy got off on a 9 month suspended sentence, for crying out loud. Might have been safer with a custodial sentence. Something very sinister seems to be going on here.
V4Vendetta says
So Manoa made an admission – thought he would come clean only because he knows his name will eventually come up as one of those who were interfering in FICAC investigations. And apparently he had obtained legal advice from the AG saying there was nothing wrong in asking FICAC on a complaint against him.
Based on this admission the AG is now also implicated. It confirms that the AG was actively involved with the others and was actively interfering with FICAC investigations.
The whole legal and justice system is f#$ked.
The Commission of Inquiry will just be a show. Incompetent and highly corrupt so called legal professionals will all want a hand in drafting the TOR or be actively involved in it behind the curtain. They all have a vested interest and will do whatever it takes to be safe and continue to milk the country.
With the clowns running the show, the clowns haven’t become Kings of the castle…they have made the castle a Circus.
Merry Go Round crew says
If by any chance Richard is writing the ToR for the inquiry then we know it will be 100% compromised
AChand says
Agree absolutely. The proposed Commission of Enquiry is just a show, designed as a diversion. Rabuka neither has the ability nor the conviction to carry it through. Did you see the deviousness on the face of Graham Leung as he was asked about this outside Parliament. All the lies and sidesteps of the current mob are startling and if anyone has even the slightest of hope, think twice and let us not continue to be treated with the usual contempt.
Maybe some of the journalists should front up to the Fijian High Commission during the proposed talanoa as part of his visit to Canberra next week. I am sure that will be sufficient to hide his grin and answer some straight questions regarding his alleged intimidation of Puleiwai.
Did you notice how Biman Prasad is trying to elevate his credential to lead the COP29 delegation. The guy is absolutely clueless about the climate change issue and has never ever been to a COP. He is clearly on another planet trying to justify that his presence will make a difference to the GOF getting more climate finance. Neither he nor GOF get it. The process of harnessing more climate finance has been ongoing for years and is part of the agenda at many important forums where countries make coordinated forceful demands. At the recent UN Climate Summit, Fiji’s voice was nowhere to be heard. Compare this to the loud calls from FSM, Nauru, Tonga, Samoa, Tuvalu, Vanuatu etc.
And Charan Singh is now looking for consultants to develop a Strategic Plan for FSC. These Strategic Plan circus is reaching epidemic proportions. So Biman Prasad’s NDPs are inadequate and the new SPs will be the answer to all FSC’s awes. Clearly, his recent appointees like Bhan Singh, Nitya Reddy, Binesh Kumar and Raj Singh are not quite up to the mark.
Oilei Viti.
Weak PM says
Grow a pair
Au Kaya says
Quite like the idea of Lynda and Rob being investigated further. Oh dear, I forgot her mate Barbie is in charge. Damn this system!!
Scribe says
verb
in·tim·i·date | \ in-ˈti-mə-ˌdāt \
intimidated; intimidating
Definition
transitive verb
: to make timid or fearful : frighten
especially : to compel or deter by or as if by threats
//tried to intimidate a witness
Only me says
Speaking of 3rd world Fiji. It begins tonight. No water for suva and nausori till Sunday or even early Monday. In this century we a small island nation that should have been an example to others has crumbled to a point of no return. Thank you 1987and 2000. Thank you to the army for churning out people who have led from that time. They shall not be called leaders.
Graham Davis says
Yes, it is beyond tragic. A certain irony that Fiji Water will benefit the most in sales. A tax free holiday for them and a holiday at the taps for the people of the Suva-Nausori corridor.
My sympathy to all affected.
Rabuka caught lying says
Rabuka tells FBC,
He says Pulewai and her family are safe in Fiji.
1. So why is stop departure order in place?
2. Why don’t you use your authority and leadership to stand Mali2 down pending outcome of investigations against her?
3. Why are you telling the public who is actually drawing up the TOR of commission?
Rabuka, you are lying. Tell the truth for once at least.
Credibility&Trust says
The perception is rapidly growing that this independent institution is devolving into what some are now calling a ‘False Integrity Commission Advocating Corruption.’ This alarming trend directly threatens its credibility. If we lose that, the institution becomes increasingly susceptible to exploitation and manipulation. Trust in its integrity is essential, and without it, the institution cannot fulfill its purpose.
Recent media reports reflect a significant decline in the institution’s standing. I earnestly urge the relevant authorities to take immediate, committed action to safeguard its independence. It must be protected from those who seek to exploit it for personal or political gain.
Public trust must be restored. This institution was established to serve the people—fairly, without fear or favor. We must act swiftly to rebuild that trust before any remaining semblance of credibility, both for the institution and the nation, is lost. Currently, it appears to be serving the interests of a few, rather than the many.
O Lord, may our leaders have a flash of divine epiphany!
PAP-NFP-SODELPA Coalition- Shittiest Government in Fiji’s History says
To digress, drawing attention to the Speaker’s utterly despicable and derogatory comments against Fiji’s Melanesian community. The PM even tried to defend it. It removes any doubts, if there ever was, that this is indeed the shittiest government in Fiji’s history. They make the FijiFirst government term look like Fiji’s golden years – that’s how bad they are. Hope you can write about this in your usual powerful and impactful manner, GD. Enough is enough. The whole bang lot need to go.
https://www.fijivillage.com/news/-Concerns-raised-on-comments-made-by-Speaker-to-Opposition-MP-about-Melanesian-community-x548rf/
Daniel Richards says
We understand from social media news that Barbara Malimali visited Parliament and, at the break, was seen shaking hands with the Ministers.
What does this indicate, and what is Barbara trying to prove? Is she portraying that the government is okay with her FICAC Commissioner?
Manoa Kamakamica admitted that he went to meet Puleiwai on the pretext of discussing “other matters” and then ends up discussing his own case. He doesn’t think it is intimidating. What is it then?
Barbara Malimali shamelessly visits Parliament meets the PM and shakes hands with ministers. She should have stepped aside by now since PM has announced that a Commission of Inquiry will be appointed to investigate her appointment.
Where is Fiji heading to?