Much of the legal profession is in shock at the Bill introduced in the parliament on Wednesday night by the Attorney General, Graham Leung, to alter the 2013 Constitution. It isn’t just the shoddy drafting, including a numbering mistake in the margin. The entire document is illegal. That’s right, folks. Unlawful. Why? Because it takes the supreme law and cherrypicks the bits that Graham Leung and the government don’t like to remove them without any legal basis.
So while the rest of us are shocked that the AG would put a red line through the constitutional requirement for a referendum of all voters that achieves 75 per cent approval before it can be changed – plus reducing the threshold in the parliament from three quarters to two thirds – the lawyers Grubsheet has consulted say it simply cannot be done lawfully.
The Constitution is the nation’s supreme law and stands in its entirety. Put simply, the law is the law. All of it. And it can only be changed through the mechanism it prescribes for change – at least 75 per cent of parliament AND 75 per cent of all voters. So get set for the mother of all legal battles as Mr McGoo goes head-to-head (bald) with that principle and tries to push through his changes.
There’s already talk of an overseas King’s Counsel being brought in again to tell the AG and his pals on the Judicial Services Commission – notably its head, the rogue Chief Justice, Salesi Temo – that they don’t know their own law and it simply can’t be done. But of course, just as it has done with Professor Philip Joseph‘s advice that Barbara Malimali can be suspended, we already know that the JSC will simply take no notice.
Justice Temo is there precisely for such an eventuality. And if all this ends up in the courts, the CJ’s job will be to knock back any appeal or application for judicial review. Yes, folks, it’s a stitch-up in Sitiveni Rabuka‘s Fiji and the bases have been covered to push these changes through. Though it’s not going to be without a fight.
Here’s what Mr Magoo has done with the supreme law – unilaterally and without any regard for the law itself to put a red line through the provisions he doesn’t like.
See, Fiji? Simple. Wouldn’t we all like to get a piece of legislation we don’t like and put a red line through it? Welcome to the new Fiji, where if a law – even the supreme law – gets in the way of the government achieving its wishes, it simply takes a red pen to it and it’s gone.
But it doesn’t make it right. And the lawyers Grubsheet has spoken to in the past 24 hours say the Opposition’s Faiyaz Koya – a lawyer himself – is dead right in the objections he raised in the parliament after the Bill was tabled.
The Fiji Times picks up the story a day late this morning and puts it on its front page.
So all this has a long way to go and much depends on whether the government can continue to get the numbers in the parliament to reach the 75 per cent threshold needed for change. (They need to meet this first before a bill passes to reduce the threshold to 67 per cent and give them open slather to change any clause in the Constitution at will on the floor of the House).
Sitiveni Rabuka and Mr Magoo thought they had their 75 per cent with the defection of the four members of the Group of 16 who voted with the government to pass the first stage of the Bill. But that support isn’t necessarily solid. Since their identities have been revealed, they have incurred a wave of vilification and abuse – labelled in the Indo-Fijian community as naga ( snakes) and dogla (traitors)
Here’s the text of a personal message sent to Rinesh Sharma by Victor Lal of Fijileaks, who suffered along with thousands of Indo-Fijians at the hands of Sitiveni Rabuka in 1987. Lal, like Grubsheet, fears the constitutional changes will lead to the abolition of the common and equal citizenry and the common identity (Fijian), and herald the end of all kinds of other protection for Fiji’s minorities.
“Rinesh, we have fought all our lives to protect our people. Go and join that other dogla (traitor), Biman, and sell our people to Rabuka and the ethno-nationalists”.
Reviving memories of the nightmare for Indo-Fijians of Rabuka’s coups of 1987, Victor Lal flails the Gaggle of Four on his website, casting them as naga, snakes, dancing to the tune of Sitiveni Rabuka.
And the backlash against the Gaggle of Four is biting, according to today’s Fiji Times front page.
So will the four “naga” proceed to vote with the government through all the stages of the Bill and bring it into law? Or what passes for the law under the “new Order”?
We shall see whether they have the resilience to withstand the wave of anger and vilification against them from their own people. But already there are signs from Rinesh Sharma that the backlash is biting. In today’s Fiji Sun, there’s defensiveness but also a great deal of back-peddling.
So keep up the pressure, Fiji. Because if the Gaggle of Four naga and dogla can be persuaded or shamed into not backing this Bill in the remaining stages before it is passed, the government will not get its 75 per cent vote in the parliament and it will be back to the drawing boards for Mr Magoo.
Graham Leung is breaking the law in plain sight. He acknowledges that it stipulates the 75 per cent requirement for both parliament and a public referendum. But then just rewrites it anyway, getting rid of the referendum altogether to achieve what he describes as ” a more feasible approach”.
It is complete nonsense and a massive con-job on the Fijian people – a fairground-style sleight of hand by a man who knows what the law says but alters it to suit his purposes. The personification of a shyster and a complete disgrace.
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You have to admit that there’s a striking resemblance between the famous cartoon character and our follicly-challenged AG. Do you think that they may perchance be related?
Rinesh Sharma needs to grow up, stop being a cry baby about being abandoned by his party, and show some balls. At times like this he needs to show leadership. His people look to him to lead, not follow.
Where are his high moral principles? Where is the Winston Churchill that lies within him, “we will fight on the beaches?” No, none of that with this joker. He and his three nagas should just resign and go back to their miserable lives away from politics.
One can only hope that the four doglas/gaddars/naagas realise the error of their ways and retract their support. Unfortunately, it will not be so.
These twats have given up their moral, ethical and political “virginity” to an uneven three legged coalition government run by pedophiles, sex maniacs, wife bashers, rapists, adulterers and thieves. And for what? Money, false promises of power and other seedy delights. Its like trusting a child will be safe if she is left alone with the current President of Fiji, who by the way, looks like his balls have dropped given his current appearance health woes. Karma is a b*tch and we can only hope the pain and suffering he inflicted on the child he assaulted will be doubled on him when his end is near.
Hopefully the Indo-Fijian community remember these rejects and embarassments of their parents and cast them out at the next elections. On the other hand, the government is perfectly normal and doing what its always done. Normal in the sense that it will ignore the law and common decency, and simply override the constitutional requirements to make any amendments to the provisions.
Koya is quite correct and the government is fully aware of the legal requirements around constitutional amendments. You are quite right that they have strategically placed all their chess pieces to counter any legal challenges.
From another angle, this assault on the constitution is in its most basic definition, a coup d’etat, because this very act by the incredibly stupid and panty-waste of an AG has essentially kicked the constiutional provisions out of the door.
Does this not mean the military now needs to step in, restore order and ensure the constitution is protected? But no. Alas, we have hoped for too much from our g-string Comm. RFMF who is busy in his high heels, eyelash extensions, prancing around, kissing everyone and giving second chances.
It is incredibly disappointing to see the RFMF today is devoid of individuals who believe in law and order, the protection of the constitution, the people of Fiji and keeping the government in check. I suppose when you have people in the ranks who simply bow their heads and say “yes sir” without questioning the logic of the decisions, the country is bound to go to the dogs.
@ Fjord Sailor
The Army should stay out of politics. This is a new era where the politicians should fix weaknesses in the political system, not the military.
The threshold for amending the Constitution is unrealistic. The people did not agree to that threshold. The slimy reptiles who drafted it in a smoky back room in Suva did not consult them.
The Army will not defend this Constitution so don’t waste your time calling for them to do so. They will, however, consider joining the people in a revolution to throw it out if this parliamentary attempt to do so, fails.
Moce Jo
So, by this token, the military is still expected to stand aside when the constitution is amended to disadvantage other ethnic groups and trample on their rights?
What happens when the same constitution is amended to completely neutralise the military to simply be little drummer boys and girls who only appear during the Hibiscus parade?
Lets face it, the police are little kids in pre-school, wearing soiled diapers. They have no planning or containtment capabilities for any major civilian unrest, nor are they considered “armed forces.” I get Tudravu has come in wielding his big stick and eloquent speeches, but neither will work when you have a team which doesn’t have the resources to defend the constitution or the country.
The military has a clear role to play in the safeguarding of the constitution. The very constitution which is being trampled today clearly articulates the role of the military and expectations around the protection of the constitution.
The very politicians that the Fijians have voted in under the false belief they had ended FFP’s run are today violating the constitution they were appointed under and now trying to change to suit their own nefarious agenda.
Do you still think your politicians can be trusted to act in good faith and for the people?
@ Fjotd Sailor
Clearly the options are either military rule or civilian democratic rule.
Both come with costs.
Make up your mind which one you want.
Rinesh and 3 other mp should see how indo fijians treat baimaan . If they vote and the constitution is amended it won’t harm any indo fijians because they know how to live their lives. And for these 4 mp who came to parliament on frank baniamarams votes only they will suffer during 2026 GE like baimaan will do. Let them support the current government and get free rides for another 1 year. But come the election, they will be history .
We will judge these traitors by their actions not rhetoric. The four have already demonstrated they can be bought off cheaply and no amount of justification on their part will cut it until such time they actually vote down these illegal, immoral and self-serving moves.
Of course like the Indo-Fijian NFP MPs led by the Baiman, these former FFP suckers can bury their heads in the sand or cut off their noses to spite their faces.
We the people will make the final verdict unless the snake abetted by the Magoo decides to take that away from us, using their current numbers in Parliament, which always remains a possibility under the slithering agenda.
Just wondering when the new constitution comes into being, what will be the law around native land?
Currently only a madman will invest into native land. The rules and regulations don’t even exist and with the new constitution on the horizon, native leaseholders should expect a daily visit to their property with demands for cash, crop or cow just as it happened in the past.
If people have an ounce of brain, do not invest in native land in Fiji.
GD. things are really getting out of hand. Just this morning Jone Usamate rightly pointed out that Rabuka earlier this week in parliament had said that the economy is in trouble and painted a very bleak picture of the fijian economic situation for the public. This was reported by fbc and fiji times.
Usamate said this was totally in contradiction to the rosy picture of the economy painted by finance minister biman Prasad in recent times. Manoa stood up on a point of order saying he had just spoken to the fbc ceo and that Tarun patel had admitted that the fbc story was wrongly reported!!.
Usamate the useless poofter then just sat down like a scared child. And guess what???there’s no parliamentary hansard report available for 2025 yet!!. So if MPs want to recall something from earlier in the week through hansard …they can’t!!.
Also a couple days ago Alvick Maharaj pointed out how the state owned broadcaster had reported Biman saying in a public forum last week that tax on suki is being considered by the government. But this week ( after much public backlash) biman said in parliament that taxi on suki will not happen even though other entities had asked him to do it!!!. Alvick asked who was telling the truth and who was lying…either biman or FBC!! No answer from biman or anyone else in govt. And Alvick then did a Usamate…didn’t push this further and sat down like a scared child.
Of course the just as scared and masi polo media didn’t pick up any of this and refused to inform the fijian public about these ongoing lies and blatant contradictions and about how the whole parliamentary system has now broken down with no hansard reports to refer to. Never in the history of the fijian parliament have we had this situation. We are well and truly a banana republic now. You can lie in parliament even if there is proof against you and make sure the hansard isn’t printed and make direct calls to the ceo of news outlets to make them lie about actual stories reported by some hardworking journalists who still have the guts to report the truth.
But does anyone have the guts to fight the lies? The useless opposition MPs certainly don’t have the guts to do so. They Army as well have a poofter party together with the useless fijian media.
At least these 4 MPs shows lots of courage, balls & guts to vote for the 1st process because:
1. the 2013 constitution was illegal in the first place – only Aiyaz Khaiyum the real cobra snake and FranK bainimarama imposed it to the people of Fiji for their benefits;
2. the real constitution that the people took part in was that of Professor Ghai, which was burned by the two snakes
3. this 2013 constitution must go because it never include the peoples views let alone the people of Fiji living aboard
– May be the process is not right (will need a KC) for legal opinion, the 4 MPs shows the support for the people, we need a constitution create by the people for the people and not by the dictators, and treasonous for themselves
– we must remove the immunity clause of the 2013 and 1997 constitution and insert it with death penalty or life imprisonment for 100 years for anyone or group of thugs or people or institutions for that matter that commits treason.
– lets abide by the LAW of the LAND and if do not like any government lets vote them out in the next GE
-WE WANT A GOVERNMENT THAT STAND FOR THE LAW & ORDER and protects the rights and freedom of everyone, whether you are an indigenous person or an ordinary Fijian citizen
– WE NEED HONEST LEADERS who declare their true asset values etc. to the EC …God Bless Fiji
Ulucoci, more than 70 % people of Fiji participated in the 2014 & 2018 elections under the 2013 constitution. So by participation indirectly in voting the elections they have endorsed the 2013 constitution.
The elections would not be possible if there is no constitution.
Sodelpa under Ro Teimumu before the 2014 elections pushed for a boycott but changed their minds as there a likelihood there will be a lot of people who will be voting
So they changed the minds and Sodelpa under Ro Teimumu participated in the 2014 & 2018 elections. Indirectly endorsing the 2013 constitution by their participation.
Matanigasau pasted everywhere by this government.
Do these people in the government that is a whore house now realise what they are doing!
Does it ever occur to them that we have daughters and sons looking up at these bitches and bastards forever apologising.
Tabuya presents her Matanigasau. Another drop kick effort to normalise harm.
The 4 are either completely naive to think that the ethno-nationalist PAP will not amend the common identity and equal citizenry clauses in the Constitution, or they have been bought off. Of course there are parts of the Constitution that would serve the country better by being amended eg. the electoral system, the role of the military, and the immunity clauses. But none of that is worth losing common identity and equal citizenry. Should they vote in favour of the amendment they will forever be remembered as the great betrayers and they can forget about a political future.
Follicly challenged AG – that’s a Pultizer winner right there.
Hilarious!!!
Hi GD. Any news about Charan’s civil lawsuit. Looks like he betrayed his own blood relatives.
Just imagine what he could do to Fijians who dont mean anything to him.
I am not really interested in this case. Charan “Make mine Blue label” is a complete waste of space. Lots of chest beating about the sugar industry and look what’s happened? Nothing. I hope they take him for millions.
Well GD and his lawyers. All of you might need to buy some new reading glasses. Stop using the ones from Kmart mate.
Salesi Temo is no different to Banimarama’s enabler Anthony Gates. Gates ruled against the case against the coup and on appeal only to be overturned by the full Supreme Court. He knew full well that by then, executive power will be entrenched. The people of Fiji remember this Mr Gates and his good friend Nazhat. Soon and very soon they will both see the fun.
Despite all your hoopla Mr Davis, the CONstitution will be changed and there is nothing you or Kaiyum can do about it.
What say you about the VC at USP? No article written about Radrodro’s statement on how Pal resigned last year?
I haven’t said anything because Pal Ahluwalia has NOT resigned. It is merely wishful thinking on “Brutal Bad Boy” Aseri’s part.
Mr Magoo, but I’d like to call him the Coalition PIMP – a more suitable title, is trying to circumvent the legal process. He and his legal drafting “experts” have demonstrated their incompetence. This so called “experienced” lawyer has proven that he is neither competent nor capable of holding the AGs portfolio.
Regardless of what poeple say, Aiyaz was one of the most intelligent AGs Fiji ever had. He left behind a Constitution which is almost impossible to amend. It’s a testament to his commitment to give Fiji and all Fijians a document which gives us all equality.
In the words of the hard core racist nationalist and Bible bashing itaukeis and Rabuka: God spoke to Aiyaz directly and told him to leave behind this Constitution. 😁
Betrayal Knows No Forgiveness: Indo-Fijian Politicians at a Crossroads
Mr. Magoo’s Bill to Change the Constitution is unlawful. Even if the Coalition can get the Numbers, it marks a critical juncture in Fiji’s political landscape. It underscores urgent concerns about constitutional integrity and the disturbing role of certain Indo-Fijian politicians who appear to support policies that have historically marginalized and oppressed their own community.
To the so-called group of four and others blindly aiding this betrayal— wake up! Do you fully comprehend the gravity of your actions? History will not absolve you, nor will the people whose trust you are so callously discarding.
The Indo-Fijian community has endured generations of hardship— terrorized, looted, bullied, stripped of their homes and homeland. A deliberate, systematic effort has long sought to erase their existence in Fiji. And yet, in the face of this grim history, some Indo-Fijian leaders now stand in servitude to those who perpetuate these injustices. This is not just political opportunism— it is a moral failure of the highest order.
History is unkind to those who betray their own. Leaders who trade their people’s dignity for personal or political gain are remembered not as visionaries but as villains. The Indo-Fijian community rightfully views such politicians as chamchas—sycophants of a brutal regime, complicit in their own people’s suffering.
The time to rethink your allegiance is now. Aligning with oppression not only severs the trust of those you claim to represent, but it also stains your legacy and that of your descendants. You still have a choice—to stand with your people, to defend justice, to uphold the principles of fairness and equality.
For those who refuse to change course, know this: betrayal carves two graves—one for your people, and one for your own soul.
I would like to know what other legal experts in Fiji have to say about the AG’s statement. Where are Richard Naidu, Jon Apted, Imrana Jalal, Wylie Clarke et al?
Why have they gone into hiding?
Perhaps they do not want to contradict their pal, Everett.
These people have really shown their colours.
Shame on them.