The massive backlash against Lynda Tabuya on social media over her bungled attempt to remove Alexandra Forwood and others from Facebook has prompted the Information Minister to try to deflect the onslaught by highlighting the importance of her other portfolio – climate change.
Apropros of nothing, the Minister for Disinformation, Bonking and Weed has issued a statement saying that “Fiji cannot afford to be absent” from the latest COP summit in Turkey in November and the “Pre-COP” gathering that will precede it in Fiji. Who said the country ought to be absent? As far as Grubsheet can ascertain, no-one.
Of course, Fiji cannot afford to be absent, not least for having presided over COP23 nine years ago. Yet it is equally important that we must not be represented by Lynda Tabuya. Why? Because her scandalous conduct – of which the blow-back from conspiring to ban government critics from Facebook is just the latest – presents a clear and present danger to the nation’s ability to have its case for decisive climate action taken seriously.
These meetings will be weeks away from the election that will decide the fate of Sitiveni Rabuka‘s government. And Lynda Tabuya sees them as a springboard to establishing her own claim to leadership by using the global exposure her participation would bring as a means to increase her personal vote.
You can see it now. Dressed to the nines with her familiar “look at me, look at me” coquettish demeanour, the Minister will strive to be the centre of attention. But she will demean the importance of Fiji’s message to the world about the need for urgent climate action because it will be all about her. Let’s face it. The record tells us that she simply can’t help herself.
Months out from the meetings, Lynda Tabuya’s attendance at COP31 is already attracting public jibes on social media that she is stressing the importance of her being there as a means to enrich herself with per diems – the lucrative travel allowances she is fond of accumulating on her multiple trips abroad.
She attracted national attention after a trip to South Australia last November when she claimed travel allowances from the government despite her Fijian hosts going public to reveal that they had paid for all of her accommodation and food. This double-dipping is illegal and Tabuya should have been investigated and prosecuted. Yet such is her hold on the mainstream media in Fiji that it wasn’t even publicised except on Facebook and Grubsheet.
I know from personal experience – having attended two COP summits and associated Pre-COPs – that the level of hospitality by national delegations is such that it is rare for ministers especially to incur any personal expenses at all. Yet we already know from the existing comments on social media that public attention won’t be on whether Lynda Tabuya is an effective advocate for climate action but how much she will be pocketing in per diems.
Then there will be all the attention – much of it bound to be negative – on her personal demeanour, dress and conduct. This will invariably include speculation about a repeat of the events in Room 233 of Melbourne’s Windsor Hotel in August 2024 – the “weed”, Jack Daniels and brutal rogering by Aseri Radrodro that was officially designated a “sex and illicit drug scandal” by no less than the Prime Minister himself when he removed her as deputy leader of the People’s Alliance.
God forbid that any of this should come to the attention of the global media. Yet that is a distinct risk that has the potential for Fiji to come to world attention for all the wrong reasons – not our clamour for climate action and the means to build resilience but the lurid conduct of our Minister for Climate Change. It simply must not be allowed to happen.
So here’s an appeal to the Prime Minister to keep Lynda Tabuya away from COP. Who can he send in her place? It doesn’t have to be a minister. It could be someone designated as Fiji’s special envoy for climate change who is an expert on the subject and already commands respect in global forums – both prerequisites Lynda Tabuya simply doesn’t meet.
By far the best person would be Luke Daunivalu – the outstanding international diplomat who was chief negotiator when Fiji chaired COP23 in Bonn in 2017. He is across all the issues – including the vital subject of climate resilience funding. And unlike Lynda Tabuya, he has close contacts in the UN system and other governments, having been Fiji’s permanent UN representative in Geneva, and close regional contacts having been a highly successful high commissioner in Canberra.
Daunivalu is personable, low-key and highly respected in global forums and UN member governments. And if the Prime Minister feels he really needs a cabinet minister there, he should send the former climate change minister, Mosese Bulitavu, to sit by Daunivalu’s side. Together they would make an effective duo and most importantly, are bereft of controversy and scandal, with the ability to unite all political parties and all Fijians behind the climate fight.
It is utterly perverse that given the existential threat posed to Fiji by climate change, that Lynda Tabuya should be leading that fight and it simply isn’t acceptable to any right-minded Fijian.
If you want to have any chance of winning the coming election, Prime Minister, do NOT put her at the head of Fiji’s COP team. She is a gross liability, not least because you personally found her guilty of a “sex and illicit drug scandal” and stripped her of the deputy leadership of the PAP, only to bring her back to lead the fight for the nation’s very survival.
And then there is that video – the one she made when she was co-chairing the government’s Anti-porn Task Force. Is that to be handed around at COP? In the way of these things, there’s a distinct possibility that it might. And it just isn’t worth the risk.
Your favourite pet isn’t even any good as Information Minister. The first rule of effective communications in government is not to elevate your opponents. But what has happened? Alex Forwood is now back on Facebook and being cast as a national hero. And all thanks to Lynda Tabuya.
In classic fashion after the debacle of trying to silence free speech, Tabuya is trying to shift the debate to her role as climate warrior. It must not be allowed to work.
Derision on Facebook and we are still four months away from the Pre-COP in Nadi.
When it comes to expenses fraud, after all, Lynda Tabuya has form…
And finally, just a fraction of the backlash on Facebook in support of Alex Forwood and flailing the Minister for Disinformation, Bonking and Weed.
If you can’t see how damaging this is to your position, Prime Minister, you are doomed.
Pray God that includes Lynda Tabuya’s head on a plate.
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WARNING TO READERS:
The following is obviously AI generated and a fake. But amusing nonetheless.
More serious are the implications for the government of this readily available technology as the political atmosphere heats up.
Tabuya and her Online Safety Commission – headed by her nephew – will be apoplectic.
Alex Fwd
Alexander Fwd
Alexander the Great
Alexander the Superwoman
If anyone didn’t know who she is – now everyone knows! Thank you collision implosion govt Information Minister for making Alex known ” far and wide, for evermore. For Fiji. Ever Fiji.
And may her sword quash the harlot with many heads who has eaten aeroplanes, eaten free chow and claimed un-incurred expenses. Leave no expense spared Alex and Viti in dealing to this monster with the colourful horn rims around her eyes.
Climate change – Change of Collision Govt.
All investments for Tabuya is justified to her and her only.
It is her investment for the future. And that of her husband or ex husband or now current husband.
The scammer couple need to be winning at all costs.
The taxpayers will pay for it.
Fijians are such fools Graham.
All they see is fancy cars and clothes and they are sold to this woman for a pittance.
Lynda Tabuya and her husband left behind a trail of financial destruction in the United States where they defrauded ordinary people of their life savings. Fiji is such a shameless country that Lynda has become a minister in government. This is possible in a shameless government. FICAC should closely scrutinize Lynda and her husband’s business, Pacific Building Solutions.
Why are they getting all the major government contracts? Does it have to do with Lynda’s position in government? That’s a legitimate question. Given their past dubious business record, are they employing some underhand tactics? Is Rabuka also in on the deal? Is he turning a blind eye because of the Rolex watch he received from them?
We know that Lynda is in politics to make money because the first thing she did was to move a bill to increase MP salaries and and get duty-free cars. A greedy, lying, conniving and pretentious woman who conned voters. We must ensure that she never gets into Parliament again. She’s pathetic and useless. All she’s concerned about is to use a position for her own advantage.
Well, Minister for Brutal Sex does like to turn the temperature up whenever she can, though this is the opposite aim of beating climate change.
GD
You really don’t like her huh? Did she personally affect you? Did it affect one of your loved ones?
Yes, some of her actions are downright questionable but to receive continuous hate time and again is not fair. You keep bring her past multiple times.
Fijians really like dragging and name shaming people publicly now with social media. Do you all win an award for doing it? All you who are perfect and have no fault, throw the first stone.
She is a daughter, mother, grandmother and has families just like the rest of us. Yes, she has been dragged and shamed publicly and has to live with it for the rest of her life but, really? You find satisfaction in doing it repetitively? Don’t you all have daughters/granddaughters? God forbid but how would you feel if they were caught up in a similar scandal?
It’s about time we moved on and stop attacking her personally by bringing her “leaked scandal” past into the spotlight every time. She is as much of a victim here and constantly using it as leverage to get your point across makes you less of a man. I am sure this is not the kind of man you`d want your daughters and granddaughter to look up to.
It has nothing to do with liking her or not liking her. Her conduct across a broad front demonstrates that she is unfit for public office of any kind. And she must never become prime minister or Fiji will become a full-blown kleptocracy.
If she is willing to fiddle her expenses now, she will steal from the state on an industrial scale if she gains more power to do so.
In the absence of proper scrutiny in the Fijian mainstream media, I have a duty to chronicle her multiple scandals in the public interest. And I will continue to do so.
She has not been dragged and shamed publicly – she has reaped what she has sown.
Could not have happened to a more deserving person.
Looks like you are either a feminist or completely out of touch so much is your blind adulation of this skank.
I don’t mind scrutinizing her professional conducts and her lack of awareness holding such a position in a public office but to continuously shame her multiple times over a leaked sex scandal, which was initially meant for private use, is not the level any decent man should stoop to. Regardless of your profession there are young women looking up at you. Nothing to do with feminism. As a man, knowing she is as much of a victim in this scandal and continuing to use it as leverage is not reporting rather is a form of weaponized shaming. Why is it only her and not so much of Radroro who equally deserves the same level of scrutiny over the scandal?
Are you joking? “A leaked scandal initially meant for private use”? The events in Room 233 involved self admissions of drug taking as well as extra marital sex”, along with the lies which followed?
Lynda Tabuya was found guilty by the PAP under the Prime Minister’s signature of a “sex and illicit drug scandal” that had brought the party into grave disrepute and was removed as deputy leader only to be reappointed at a later date.
Where is the police investigation into her drug use, something that would happen in the case of any other citizen? Where is the investigation into her double dipping on expenses? There isn’t any.
Portraying her as a victim – as you have done here – is outrageous. She is a perpetrator of wrongdoing and illegal conduct, not a victim. And I will be intensifying my campaign against her, not backing off.
Oh, and when it comes to Radrodro, watch this space.
“a victim in this scandal”??
Oh ok I understand, the brutality of it all !!
I have sat beside her on a domestic flight.
Her outfit was more becoming a street walker rather than someone on her way to Nadi for a government conference.
Is that is not a trollop than I do not know what is.
I will not add more to this as you are obviously one of her fans.
She is a disgusting example for the Fijian people. She is a disgrace to women and lies repeatedly. That she is paid by the taxpayers to continue to fleece the people shows how stupid people are!
The Chinese connection also has to be investigated. So far we knew that she funneled Chinese money to the Kadavu rugby club which is a vote buying tactic.
Never mind there is no mortuary in Kadavu and dead babies have to be kept in an Esky, and the people can’t say their final goodbyes to a loved one because they have to be buried before their body starts decaying. This is the pathetic state of affairs on her island while she’s gallivanting all over the world, collecting per diems, dressing like a model and making empty speeches. She even tried to play down the lift problem at CWM. What a shallow, self serving and hypocritical woman.
When in opposition she posed as the champion of the common people. As soon as she got in government, we saw her true colors. Besides no performance, she is trying to shut down freedom of speech because she can’t take the heat. She needs to get out of the kitchen. If he doesn’t on her own accord, the voters should do the job.
Daunivalu can’t represent Fiji in such matters; the simple reason being that he actually works and knows what he’s talking about.
Fiji’s iTaukei racist government only sends people who will stuff themselves with free food, claim heavy per diems, smuggle contraband and drugs into other countries under the guise of diplomatic immunity and then engage in wall breaking sexual shenanigans with other Fijian ministers which the Fijian taxpayer will pay for.
Tabuya is only in Turkey for her own sordid pleasures which include dental work by the famed dentists in Turkey. There is also a rumour that she will also be visiting some reknown plastic surgeons there who have promised they have the power to lift some of her sagging bits.
Coming back more to the seriousness of the situation, Fiji has not produced an iota of evidence to show what it intends to do with the money it is shamelessly begging for. No documentation has been put forward showing the breakdown of the funds and no promises of accountability have been given.
It is obvious the useless Fijian government has prepared its national budget solely relying on the money it is able to beg, borrow or steal from other countries as it cannot stand on its own financial merits. Fiji’s total public external debt has reached an estimated 10 billion and still growing. Does the economy have the means to meet the repayments or, is it simply borrowing money from other areas to meet the repayments?
Now that Israel has opened an embassy in Suva, I am sure the Israeli Foreign Minister came bearing a lot of gifts. All foreign diplomats and government ministers always come bearing gifts for the open mouthed outstretched hands of the Fiji government ministers and the PM and President. The Fiji government in never embarrassed about this begging. In fact they are proud to be beggars. And the people of Fiji love it that their government is good at begging.
It is reported that the Israeli government will assist agriculture and the like. In return, Fijians should give them the traditional medicines, which I am told is the best in the world. Let me qualify that, Fijians believe their traditional medicines are the best in the world.
Perhaps in future, the Israelis can teach Fijians how to commit genocide and get away with it. It could happen in Fiji.
Funny (not really, amusing, maybe) how you become the champion of free speech when you’re wronged, after being part of the machine that did exactly the same thing when Bainimarama and Khaiyum were in power. You’re worse than Lynda. You need another three vonu’s.
Yes, I’m worse than Lynda. More horny, more dope-addled, more deluded. Whatever you say.
Whatever their shortcomings, Bainimarama and Khaiyum were a golden age compared with these jokers.
Dou Yadravi Iko
Your iTaukei is clearly evident to us.
You are oblivious because you are blind with ingrained prejudice. It is not a choice you made, it is just the way it is in Fiji.
Well, news just in is that the Environment Ministry has rejected the Vuda waste-to-energy plant. Let’s give credit where it’s due. Honorable PM Rabuka and Honorable Minister Tabuya have done the right thing. Skeptics claim they are acting to save their political careers but that’s a supposition, not a fact. That’s the court of public opinion. It won’t hold in court of law. The fact is that no incinerator in Vuda, full stop. Digest that GD and be more fair and honest in your analysis, which is rather biased and personalised. Relax mada. Maybe put the whiskey aside for a moment.
FACT: The sole dedicated article in these columns on the Vuda-Saweni proposal was written by Richard Thomson, not me.
https://www.grubsheet.com.au/a-burning-issue-lights-up-fiji-guest-writer-richard-thomson-on-the-proposed-controversial-waste-disposal-facility-at-saweni/
The project was a dumb idea in the first place so if it is genuinely axed, I couldn’t be more pleased.
But if it is, it will be because it was electoral poison, not because of an intellectual shift on the part of the PM and his woeful Environment Minister, who’d expressed support for the idea.
The whole episode has been enough to drive anyone to drink.