One of the great things about Grubsheet having been kicked off Facebook courtesy of Lynda Tabuya and reactivating our website has been the torrent of thoughtful comments from our readers about the state of the nation. And it is pretty grim all round, with a deep sense of disillusionment being expressed by many people about a lack of national leadership and direction.
One our latest comments by “Randy” is worth highlighting (see below) not only for his stark assessment of the economic state of the nation under the Coalition government but that, like other readers, he is asking what has happened to some of the faces that were once ubiquitous in the national debate but have quietly disappeared.
The first name he cites is that of lawyer Richard Naidu, who was once so prominent that the Fiji Times put him on its front page with its Editor-in-Chief, Fred Wesley, for the 150th anniversary of the paper. Naidu wasn’t only the Fiji Times lawyer, charged with keeping the paper out of trouble, but was a regular columnist. What has happened to him?
It has been months since Richard Naidu wrote a column for the Times. Why not? It can’t be because he is worried about a conflict of interest in writing political commentary and being a prominent member of the NFP. After the Coalition government was formed, he wrote several articles on various subjects but now? Total silence.
Is it because of the criticism he has faced for having recommended – as Chair of the government’s Fiscal Review Committee – a tax holiday for the owners of Fiji Water, a company that has been a client of his law firm, Munro Leys? Is it because Richard Naidu is on a list of people being investigated by the CID for alleged activities as part of the Indo-Fijian resistance campaign in 1987? Or is he simply dying of shame because the Coalition government is such a disaster – an embarrassment to any thinking person who looked forward to a new era of proper governance, transparency and accountability yet has witnessed not only more of the same but worse, Including a direct assault on the rule of law with its illegal appointments of John Rabuku and Alipate Qetaki?
“Randy” and a whole lot of other Fijians – Grubsheet included – look forward to hearing from Richard Naidu about why he is suddenly missing in action when he once used the Fiji Times as a platform to contribute to the national debate. And please, Richard, not another legal letter threatening to sue Grubsheet for raising questions that are normal for any public figure in a democracy. And a public figure is what the Chair of the Fiscal Review Committee is, with a legitimate expectation by the public that someone in such an important position is accountable.
Another Fiji Times columnist missing in action is Professor Waden Narsey, who was also once ubiquitous and an important part of the national debate. He too is suddenly absent from the columns of the Fiji Times – joining Richard Naidu on the Mary Celeste * of journalism. What has happened to him?
The estimable Professor made a well publicised visit to Fiji in which he launched three books and met all the “right” people, went to Nadi Airport and was never seen again. Fred Wesley has evidently stopped using him, though iTaukei translations of some of his older work have been appearing in Nai Lalakai.
Yet it’s not just the biggest two newspaper commentators who are missing in action. The FijiFirst opposition is also notable for leaving the field of battle at a time when Fiji needs an effective opposition more than ever.
Where is Inia Seruiratu, the FijiFirst Parliamentary leader? He should be on the front foot every day calling the Coalition to account. God knows there is plenty to criticise. But the party with the biggest number of seats in the parliament is strangely silent. What on earth is going on?
When challenged, Inia Seruiratu is evidently telling people that he is constrained because Frank Bainimarama and Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum are still controlling the Party from outside the parliament, which they left soon after their narrow defeat on Christmas Eve, 2022. If this is indeed the case, then the Fijian people should be extremely concerned. Because it is a travesty of democracy for events in the citadel of democracy – the parliament – to be controlled by individuals who are not elected MPs.
The general lack of input from the opposition – aside from the odd statement – is alarming, and especially when the Coalition government is making such a hash of things. Yet even more alarming are rumours that Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum is not only still controlling events in FijiFirst but wants Inia Seruiratu replaced by his long-time devotee and protégé, Faiyaz Koya.
Can this possibly be true? Has Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum forgotten that he and Frank Bainimarama had to quickly reverse Faiyaz Koya’s appointment as Attorney General in 2014 because there was allegedly an issue relating to the management of his affairs as a lawyer? Has he forgotten that Faiyaz Koya failed to make the cut as an MP after the 2018 election and was only appointed after Ashneel Sudhakar was forced to resign over an alleged incident of sexual harassment? And has he forgotten Faiyaz Koya’s astonishing lack of judgment in launching the Nadi café owned by the notorious Justin Ho, who is now once again before the courts charged with drug trafficking?
If Faiyaz Koya is the answer to Fiji’s many challenges, then we are clearly asking the wrong question. Seriously, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum must have had a brain transplant along with his other recent “surgical procedures” in Singapore. Or does “Wonder Boy” still think the Fijian people are so stupid that they would vote for an ageing roué simply because he would be the marionette of the “most brilliant man in Fiji” and be keeping Aiyaz’s seat warm for an eventual comeback in the parliament?
It seems incredible that with all his challenges – physical and legal – that the former long-time number two in the Bainimarama government would still think he can eventually be prime minister. But that’s what happens when you have a sense of destiny, however misguided. And when your supporters like the New Zealand media mini-csar and Walesi founder, Robert Khan, have told you that “Allah has chosen you to lead”.
The nation’s tragedy right now is that there is madness on both sides of politics and some of our best commentators like Richard Naidu and Waden Narsey have left the field of play. I don’t know about you, Fiji, but Grubsheet is in a state of despair and so, on the evidence, are many of my readers like “Randy”. Bereft of hope. Bereft of a plausible way forward.
Whatever your personal beliefs this Sunday, may your God go with you, (as the Irish comedian, Dave Allen, used to say). Try to have a blessed Sunday. Because the way things are, God help us.
Also we don’t hear of Sashi Singh of SSTP. They seem to block anyone critical of NFP or any Indo-fijian in government.
They were very influential pre election providing a platform to NFP/ PAP affiliates to maim and tarnish the image of FFP.
Having achieved its sole purpose of overturning the previous government, they are now so mum about all the ineptitude and controversies in the coalition.
One wonders if a plum judiciary job awaits him for his endeavours.
To be fair to Sashi Singh, he has been off the air because he has been unable to secure enough Coalition or opposition guests to produce a regular program.
Having fallen over themselves to be on his show before the election, most Coalition ministers are avoiding scrutiny of any kind.
I am banned from Facebook so I don’t have access to his announcements. But that was certainly the situation when we last spoke.
Hi Sheik
Please allow me to correct your assertion regarding SSTP.
SSTP was not born to “maim and tarnish” the image of FFP.
The program sent several (and I mean several) invitations to the FFP including Mr Bainimarama and Mr Khaiyum. FFP failed to even acknowledge receipt of the invitations let alone respond to them.
Mr Sashi Singh, on the program, shared the above with the viewers on several occasions.
Hope this clarifies your perception of SSTP.
And SSTP has not died! It will be back.
The most stupid decision in Fiji economic history is to give a tax holiday to its most successful company.
A company that:
– trades on the name “Fiji”
– extracts an indigenous product from under Fiji soil
– creates plastic to put this product in
– that transports this product out of Fiji by trucks and in shipping containers
The only reason to give tax holiday is if your country is so rich it does not need any tax from this successful company. Fiji marketing that everyone is “bulanaires” must be true.
Or is there another reason why tax holiday is given. I have also read VAT has gone up affecting the poorest the most.
Fiji only survives and its people only make ends meet by sending foreign remittances but all of us who send money back want and expect Fiji government to do its part and tax companies that extract Fiji resources fairly and properly. Holiday and Tax are not two words that should be used in any order in Fiji.
Reverse this stupid decision and stop selling out the country.
How the conflict of interest was managed by Richard Naidu, the Coalition Government as he was heading the Fiscal Review Committee, and the Munro Leys firm will become quite a story in few years time.
Biggest tax holiday for a company in Fiji that he was representing.
What’s smells fishy is exactly that. It is fishy.
The big problem with mucking around with public funds and in this case potentially costing the State millions is that the funds can be clawed back by those responsible.
If there really was something fishy about the way this happened do those responsible have the means to repay the State and Fiji tax payers?
The bill could be huge and so those responsible should try to mitigate the loss and get lobbying to reverse the decision to lose tax $$$ now and not wait. If the decision is reversed now – good chance everyone will say it was a brain fade and forget about it. But if it continues a figure will be put on the cost to Fiji state and people. Potentially years of lost revenue will be known and if someone or people really did something wrong (which we don’t know) then they could be fiscally responsible. The State and taxes have long memories and no limitations on going after responsible parties.
Not so sure Anon. First nobody knows anything was actually wrong and second who is going to investigate this? The focus should be on asking government to change mind and ensure everyone pays tax fair n square. As a business owner I want the same tax for all as it is only fair. Nobody talks of giving local businesses tax holidays!!!!?
I have a question. If a Fiji First MP states that he lives in New Zealand, can he really be an MP?
Dear Graham, l feel troubled when l read some of your bitter and regurgitated opinions about the state of the nation. As you know, l won’t comment on politics but it would be nice once in a while if you got out of the other side of your bed and reported on some positive spins that will improve the economy instead of sensationalising stories for more “followers” and “Likes”
In my 30plus years in the Fiji construction industry l have never seen so many genuine major projects in the pipeline, this includes major quality hotel brands and foreign investors like we have never seen. From what l know we are talking about values of projects equivalent to the annual GDP and more. This is massive for future grow, stability of the economy and the people of Fiji
These investors must have measured the risk and feel confident in the future of those investments and their returns. The construction and tourism industries look bright for the future but we need make it appealing for our skilled workers to stay home in a potential growth period and train staff to provide quality service.
Stability is what is required, just saying..!!
You mean the Gujirati mahajans are building themselves something significant?
Hmmmn. History certainly doesn’t teach us history in Fiji. Wait, you will know soon how and why all that is happening fast under Rabuka.
Construction veterans have other side to this story already.
How about those days under FFP ?Whenever natural disasters (flooding etc) occurred, first on the scene were Anish Chand from Fiji Times along with Sashi Kiran, Biman, Shamima Ali FWCC Lynda Tabuya and others.
They all went bla bla bla then vanished.
The crusaders have magically disappeared.
Shamima Ali – what can one say about her? She has always been such a disappointment.
Remember her line on the low crime rate all of a sudden after the Coalition was announced.
That didn’t age too well.
One needs a stronger Jack Daniels to discuss how this woman has absolutely ruined many things good in this country. She balls every man as a “perpetrator”. But she will keep her mouth firmly shut about her friend man abusers.
Better that she is kept in the closet today.
“Some people complain that since the election, nothing’s changed. I certainly know better.” Richard Naidu, 9.9.2023
Can Naidu elaborate on what is better now?
We certainly have seen it all even after voting for NFP.
It is a repeat of all things madness, poor governance, nepotism, racial discrimination, racism, and all that many went through before.
There was a lot of respect for this humanitarian leader. That has disappeared already. People don’t find him trustworthy and respectable anymore. The Fiji Water saga added to this.
He can keep writing for Fred. They can start with giving rise to media’s death discussions because their freedom is truly a thing of the past.
Never again voting for Biman and following anything Naidu has to say. NFP will be gone next elections.
All useless men who are so called leaders.
Hogging spaces and having no lasting leadership influence in Fiji anymore.
Fiji needs a new, clean, dynamic, youthful, and free of all coup leaders party. A gender balanced team taking this country forward.
Fijians have had a gutful.
This lot are puke material.
Not even worthy of consideration to be anything and anyone anymore.
In the next 2 years there is a need for good people to stand up. A new slate has to be laid. Clean of all past leaders and stupid influencers.
Democracy is what Fiji needs with a clean government.
Your comments about Naidu are spot on. He has belatedy realised that he was courting the wrong gang. As for Narsey, I think the Fiji Times won’t print his contributions the same way they wont print my letters but the Fiji Sun would do.
Graham,
Many of us only read Grubsheet now. Fiji Times has become a socialist agenda newspaper.
You continue to speak the hard truth that no media in Fiji does.
And it is absolutely a blessing that you are here and not on Facebook as majority of the comments here are well worth the read and reflection. For once, educated Fijians can comment and critique without the insane and illiterate majority we have in Fiji now who are also mostly racist. Or those who have not really bothered to learn history and politics well.
Thank you.
Despair? The one unforgivable sin? Never!
If it’s to be a descent into madness, take all you’ve got and throw gasoline(petrol) all over it and create such a bonfire and drag them all down with you!
It’s better to burn out than to fade away! – The Kurgan
One thing I wish to say about Fiji is that our beloved country has not been served by ethical, professional and diligent leaders who seek office not to serve their own interest but to serve the interest of the people and make Fiji corrupt free. Everyone who has gone into politics and those on the sidelines and affiliated with the various parties are in it for themselves, their families and affiliates. Fiji cannot be recycling old leaders and advisors. Fiji needs young vibrant men and women to go into politics to serve and not to be served. There has never been one single true politician I have heard of in Fiji who is in the game to makes life better for others. This is why Fiji remains behind, a divided nation which doesn’t know where to go and it will remain forever the same. I have met young people in Sydney who have left Fiji recently for a better future who have brilliant ideas and CVs and detest all forms of corruption but they are not able to get a fair go. This is Fiji’s loss and the gain for others.
Bula, good to see you again!!