As the Coalition government drifts towards the rocks of next year’s election, the Fiji Sun does us all a service today by identifying the 35 crew members of Sitiveni Rabuka‘s ship of state – his vastly expanded ministry – amid clear signs that leaks have sprouted in the vessel and some of the crew are rebelling.
Over at the Fiji Times, the SODELPA leader, Aseri Radrodro, breaks ranks to complain that the addition of seven new ministers and assistant ministers from the Group of Nine former FijiFirst MPs breaches the Coalition agreement that brought the Rabuka government to power. So the Prime Minister’s hopes of a boost of confidence in his leadership with the revised ministry already lies in tatters.
Radrodro’s comments represent a clear challenge to Rabuka’s authority. How will he react? Doubtless as he reacts to everything. Desperately hoping it will go away. But here is the party that delivered him government as part of the celebrated “three-legged stool” saying publicly that it doesn’t like a bunch of outsiders being brought aboard as extra crew members.
How is that going to bring stability to government? It isn’t. Is this the first signs of a showdown in which the Prime Minister cuts SODELPA loose now that he has the extra numbers and doesn’t need the third leg of his stool? It is entirely possible. And if that happens, why not go further and cut loose the second leg – the NFP?
That too is entirely possible. Why? Because politics is a numbers game and Sitiveni Rabuka now has the numbers to go it alone with his new buddies in the G9 – and especially his old military colleagues Viliame Naupoto and Ioane Naivalurua. Genuine soldiers to add lustre to “Coup Five” – Rabuka’s constitutional takeover – and help bring his 38-year campaign for indigenous supremacy to fruition.
Is he in the mood to take a lecture from Aseri Radrodro – the preening Minister for Education and Lynda Tabuya‘s “brutal” toy boy who once beat the Prime Minister’s daughter – Radrodro’s former wife – to within an inch of her life? We shall see.
But by speaking out publicly, Aseri Radrodro is inviting a whacking himself. And anything is possible in the current febrile atmosphere in which public sentiment has turned on the government. On the ship of fools as the election approaches, we can be sure that it’s going to be every man (because they are mostly men) for himself.
The full complement of the ship of fools, courtesy of the Fiji Sun.
23 full ministers and 12 assistant ministers. And still the State totters.
And, of course, with all those extra ministers, we’re going to need extra permanent secretaries. Millions piled on millions in extra spending.
Over at the Fiji Sun, the main story is another of Siromi Turaga‘s failures – the lack of progress in the investigation into the “glitch” on Election Night 2022.
It triggers another pungent editorial by Naisa Koroi...
Yep. Time is definitely running out. Tick, tick, tick.
POSTSCRIPT:
Pravda’s pundit of choice, Professor Steven Ratuva, warns that if the Coalition doesn’t get its sh*t together, certain “unpopular” politicians could be back.
“Unpopular”? Frank and Aiyaz were more popular than this lot having collectively secured more votes than anyone else in 2022. And amid the current chaos, many people – even those who weren’t big fans – are starting to feel at least a tinge of nostalgia for the days of FijiFirst.
Whatever its failings, there was at least discipline, stability and a level of service delivery that has vanished in the “New Order”. Er, make that New Disorder.
At least Aseri has the balls to speak up on this ambush by Rabuka.
Where’s Biman??
Aseri shouldn’t even be a voice since he balled Lynda Tabuya in Room 233.
Baiman has not commented on the additional funds needed to pay for the additional Ministers and their staff.
What a disgrace that person is.
Before the 2022 election he was huffing and puffing about fiscal responsibilities but now he is hypocrite.
Seeing his face on the news pisses me off and not forgetting his Sexual harassment case against the Japanese wife of a lecturer conveniently swept under the carpet.
Where are the PAP Assistant Ministers who have been overlooked for Ministerial portfolios like Sakiusa Tubuna, Vocea, or Esrom Immanuel who are well qualified and experienced leaders who remain Assistant Ministers ? Where is Alipate and Taito the two remaining G9 members not given any portfolios?
Why are these people not speaking up ? Cava Dou Lamu ?
As for Aseri wanting to challenge Rabuka; that man laughed at you when you and your kids caught his daughter in bed with another men resulting in you and your sons beating the adulterous couple up 🤣. Sobo accept it Aseri Rabuka views you with disdain! The orphan village boy from Serea is no match for his family Rabuka says !
The so-called, mute leader of NFP lurks behind the udders of the system, milking it dry for personal gain—a tragic embodiment of failed leadership. His tenure has been marked by the erosion of the very ideals the NFP once stood for, leaving behind a legacy of shamelessness, moral decay, and unapologetic sycophancy. His actions have meticulously paved the way for the party’s total disintegration, betraying both its principles and its people. As the political fox sharpens its claws, one can only brace for the next wave of calculated manoeuvres that will likely cement the party’s total demise at the next elections leaving a bitter legacy of lost potential. Wake up NFP, learn from Sodelpa!
Hopeless, hopeless, hopeless
This lot can’t even agree how to arrange the deck chairs on the Titanic.
NFP have compromised themselves on the tax holiday so don’t expect a squeak from the mouse.
The coalition agreement is now null and void then?
Do we really have a new government in place as a 4th partner without agreement?
People of Fiji are now worried about this lack of transparency.
This is brutal.
Fiji please take note.
Do not vote these self serving parties and mostly men back ever. We need a coup free leadership.
Radrodro is a nobody now.
Soon it will be Biman as well.
Then, with sheer luck the G9 might remove themselves too.
Who knows. Rabuka might just be couped upon! This is the politics that these men play for their own benefit.
How many students are enrolled at UCs Pacific Studies under Ratuva?
This guy is another example of a look at me pacific leadership.
No one cares about Ratuva in NZ.
Irrelevant.
Who gives a flying stick about that Ratuva guy says…no wonder people don’t trust Fiji news anymore.
Grubsheet is the main source for critical analysis of the shyteshow we are seeing.
One might wonder if the pacific studies this fella teaches includes the history of blackbirding and the indentured slaves’ contributions to Fiji.
They all got played by the Queen of Tarts GD.
This woman has been instrumental in throwing everyone a bait through a salary rise. They fell for it and now she must be smiling. FFP is gone. Sodelpa and NFP are next. She remains, to some extent.
The power of one brutal woman in leadership.
Observers knew that Lynda was going to break this government and it has come to nearly that.
The Coalition agreement is no longer in place if Sodelpa wasn’t consulted.
This is now another example of poor leadership by Rabuka.
Biman, where are you now?
“The Coalition agreement is no longer in place if Sodelpa wasn’t consulted…..”
Nah. Like the snake said ‘it is my (insert pejorative) prerogative.
Baiman is a sucker.
He reminds me the story about a guy in a pub with a lion. The guy makes the lion open the lion’s mouth wide, and then he puts his-you know, his thing in the lions mouth. Kryst!
He then says I’ll pay $1000.00 to anyone who can do that. Silence in the pub. The guy says ‘I challenge anyone, come on.’
The silence was broken by Beeman in the back who yelled ‘I’ll do it!’
‘Well come then, step up. $1000.00.’
Beeman’s friends said ‘dont do it b
Beeman are you crazy!’
Approaching the lion fella, Beeman says: ‘Sir I’ll do it for a thousand dollars but I can’t open my mouth as wide as the lion!!’
GD. Am I missing something here? Pio is minister for veteran affairs…then who is minister for defence? No one else is listed as such.🤣
And so Pio has been stripped off almost all his ministries, except defence, cos he offered to stand aside pending an investigation into yet another coalition scandal, this time in immigration. Rabaku then complains he has too much work to do cos he is too old and senile. That then gives him the excuse to dish out Pios and other ministries to the ex FF whores in their mini gay sulus.
All this happens before the completion of the investigation into the immigration scandal. So whilst Pio wanted to show Fiji he is good boy and a man of integrity and waited for the completion of the investigation…he one fine day gets shafted by the devil yet again. Of course pio and nfp would be pissed off with baku…but Biman, two faced pio and the other useless nfp MPs simply have no spine.
Sure they’ll be discussing the great Rabaku liumuri of this week as they swipe grog at the nfp HQ in Tamavua with their grog doped strategist Kamal Ayyer…but they’ll do f**k all about it. Meanwhile among the widespread liumuri, the mystery deepens as to who really is the minister of defense in charge of the biggest poofter in Fiji…jone kalouniwai.
Isa, so Sodelpa is sacrificed already.
Meanwhile, Blinky Bill is trying to manage the tatters that Tourism Fiji is in now.
Oh dear! What a mess.
The Elections Office is an independent body. It doesn’t have to be directed to be able to investigate; The office can investigate the glitch on its own. It seems that the Supervisor of Elections is still a puppet on strings waiting to be pulled in whichever direction. But it seems that it isn’t government who is pulling Mataiciwa’s strings.
The Elections office is not mandated to start an independent audit/investigations on themselves. It sets for itself a dangerous precedent if it does so, because any future SOE can always cover up their own possible muck ups, if any, of any future elections “glitches”. Hence the need for an independent body to do the necessary audit and table an independent report of their findings. We have Ana Mataiciwa to thank for pushing for an audit of the so called glitch and try to get some findings that can help improve the credibility of future elections.
It is only right that her line Minister – Minister for Justice – initiates the investigation and engage the necessary parties to ensure any semblance of credibility of any report that is to come out of this audit. MoJ is not doing its job and rightfully is being called out for it!
How does it work?
This is the 4th party to the coalition now?
Or not?
Seems like Radrodro Begum doesn’t know. Does Biman Devi know?
Does Jone Kumari at RFMF know?
They all them to be lost so we might as well be a big looney with their surnames. Just so they get the gist that we feel so f**ken out of place by this all.
Thank you Grubsheet for bringing detailed analysis of Fijian politics. I hope Fijians are reading these articles and understand how politicians are fooling them.
It is about time now that the Fijians, especially the young voters, form their own political party and prepare to contest in the general elections that will happen anytime next year.
Iowane Naivalurua wore a balaclava and walked into Parliament on May 14 1987 and held a gun to unarmed MPs in the greatest stick up job in history.
For years he was secretary of the Military Council, the backbone behind Frank Bainimarama and Khaiyum’s 16-year reign.
Now Rabuka has given him a big fat salary and put him in charge of Police.
The million dollar question is, is he still secretary of the Military Council dictating terms to government?
Yes, there has never been an announcement that Naivalurua is no longer secretary of the military council, if the council is indeed still operating.
Can someone from the RFMF enlighten us all about what is happening? The fact that Naivalrura and Naupoto – a former RFMF Commander – are now in the government is, as you say, highly significant. But what does it mean?
Has Rabuka been forced to accept these RFMF luminaries in exchange for assurances that the common and equal citizen and common identity provisions of the Constitution remain? Because certainly when Frank still had influence at the Camp, these were central to the RFMF’s agenda.
It is all as clear as mud. And if these people are genuine about democracy, there ought to be transparency and the Fijian people have a right to know.
Pio will know for sure, but is in no mood to be saying anything after in Rabuka’s weird game of musical chairs he has suddenly found when the music stops that he is the fool standing with only one-third of a chair left.
I bet Pio is ruing his decision to return to Fiji from military college in Oz after Frank and Aiyaz’s soft coup. He would have been far better off staying back in Oz.
Pio is happy with his still $200,000 pay plus the perks of power – top of the range SUV, free phone/internet, free laptop, duty free car import, free everything.
Most of all, the “investigation/inquiry” into corrupt activities seems to under the rug-if in fact it started to begin with.
So its all good in the hood.
During an event at Sigatoka, as COMPOL, two police officers, one was tasked with carrying the Mrs handbags
Aseri is still the father of 5 of Rabuka’s grandkids and this is what he gets for being too passive and allowing his groin to get the better of him with Lynda!
His past of being a women basher where his previous wife withdrew the charges against Aseri in the Nasinu Court because she knew she was going to be exposed for her adultery would have been forgiven with time and truth had he not committed another stupid mistake with Lynda that just shows men like him who grow up with no father figure in their lives will always be needy; weak and desire validation all the time !
Sad Aseri but you’ve bent over and allowed your ex father in law to root you from behind many times over. This time your voice is just a pathetic little cry!
Brutal indeed .
Whichever way you twist the rubric cube of power in Fiji, the RFMF squares will be there, and how they line up in relation to the others is the puzzle.
Let’s not forget it was the Military Council who cautioned Frank Bainimarama after the second election to reign in Aiyaz Saiyed Khaiyum. Since then it’s key members have entered Parliament, but when those two left them high and dry, it’s not surprising they reviewed their allegiances.
Their presence in Parliament and now as ministers bolstering a shaky coalition under Rabuka on okay terms with the military, indicates two things:
First, RFMF leadership recognize that coups are not good for Fiji and democracy – messy though it clearly is – should be given a chance.
Second, in recognition of this, the Military Council had the courage of their convictions to throw their hats in the political circus ring.
Rather than castigate them as fools and only in it for money and privilege, perhaps give them some credit for providing a bridge between authoritarian and democratic rule.
“First, RFMF leadership recognize that coups are not good for Fiji and democracy – messy though it clearly is – should be given a chance.”
Only if the vulagi don’t win prime ministership. Otherwise, coup is very good, because ‘no other way.’ RFMF can’t coup the grandfather of coups and the military is just as racist.
×××…as fools and only in it for money and privilege, perhaps give them some credit for providing a bridge between authoritarian and democratic rule….×××
Nah. They are only in for the greed of money, power, and privilege. Prostitution cannot and must not be praised.
Not sure when authoritarian rule you mention might have been in Fiji but a best guess would be you’re referring to 1700s and 1987 and 2000-2005.
Hold on to your tits ladies and gentlemen. They’re out to suck them dry.
As I said in an earlier comment it was just a matter of time before the Gang of 9 would accept the 30 pieces of silver and join the shambles called the Fiji Government. And in doing so demonstrate how easily it is to corrupt some politicians in Fiji.
How long will NFP and SODELPA survive? I’ll give them 3 maybe 6 months before they are removed from Ministerial positions! They are no longer needed!
The question now is which political parties will exist by the next election and who will be standing as candidates?
I don’t see Fiji First being resurrected so the 16 former members need to either form a new party or move to one of the existing.
The NFP and SODELPA have by their participation in the current Government and their spineless attitude to the excesses will be abandoned by their supporters in my view. They have gone along with the PAP madness and will pay for doing so.
Those parties left have 18 months do get their act together and put up an alternate Government. Why 18 months? Because I believe Rabuka will go early to catch the opposition off guard and to avoid having to bring down a (debt risen) budget.
Aseri, as leader of SODELPA should then grow some balls and terminate agreement if he thinks it has been violated. Oh wait, he doesn’t have the balls haha. Looks like an early death for SODELPA, might be able to get Lynda and Aseri’s karua to fund them for the next election but it will be a brutal campaign.
As I spent some time considering what Rabuka did by appointing extra ministers to government, 2 things stand out about the thought process of this liar of a PM. He’s either,
1. Too good
OR
2. He’s too stupid.
My personal opinion is the latter.
He’s shown his true colours in that he is in for his own good. I know this from having spent a brief time listening to his recollection of how he was treated prior to 2000. This conversation was in his living room when he resided in Cunningham back in 2003. Obviously the hurt of whatever he felt had happened to him after his political defeat back then has not healed.
So Fiji, be aware of this man!
His track record of wreaking havoc during his time with the 3 political parties he has been involved in, SVT, SODELPA, and now PAP, is very clear. Do not be fooled by his religious references to the Bible and his so called confession of previous wrong doings. I don’t believe that he has changed his vision and ethnic cleansing agenda of 1987 for the itaukei, and the vulagi.
What he did in 1987 was a massive facade for what was really going on at the time with the then Alliance government and other interested parties. Only time will tell when he fronts the TRC in the future.
It’s time for a huge 180 from this old guard and what their evil and corrupt agenda is doing to our beloved nation.
His current actions are going to have a devastating effect on Fijis economy. He doesn’t realise this as his only focus is now, and 2026. Our international partners are watching and waiting in the wings to decide on their next moves in regards to aid and other financial assistance.
No need to worry about China as FB, ASK, and now Rabuka, has sold Fiji to them already in many ways.
Am hoping against all hope that a NEW generation of leaders will rise from within who have integrity, justice, but most of all, true patriotism for their country.
God help Fiji 🙏🏽
What I foresee is the emergence of a new party . None of the existing MP’s will be in that party. Hopefully they will Uni educated people. And they will wipe the current government off the floor. In the meanwhile PATIENCE!
Unfortunately the Fiji electorate is not sophisticated enough to put education and good governance as a key factor during election. Unity Party is the case in point. This is their 2nd or 3rd election and they’ve won a big fat zero in seats. Their grouping includes probably the most educated of the lot.
But as in the US, the Fiji electorate gravitates towards power and that is why those who project it like Bai, Rabuka and Trump do well.
What a stupid assessment, most if not all the members of Parliament are masters degree holders or even PHD like Baiman.
Having a good education is not a good matrix for good governance.
It is integrity, doing what is right even if it is not popular because later on people will understand when it works out.
At least Aseri and Sodelpa spoke up. The silence from NFP is deafening, but not surprising. Weak leader equals weak party. NFP has been rooted and rogered more brutally than Sodelpa, but not a peep from its spineless and sellout leader Baimaan, which is what we have come to expect from the junior deputy prime minister. Baimaan is Rabuka’s bitch and he has turned NFP into PAP’s bitch. Shameful and pathetic.
Baiman is a disgrace of the lowest kind. Having been bought out by that bottling company, he and his lawyer friend and political ally Richard N have been disgraceful to Fijians and to this country.
Baiman Sold Fijians down the road for a tax holiday to one of the most successful bottling water company in the world.
At least Radrodro has the balls to say something.
Meanwhile Baimaan Prasad. Where is he by the way? The coward.
Baiman was huffing and puffing about fiscal responsibilities before the 2022 election but now gone very quiet.
Baiman is not only a coward but also hypocrite.
In other news, Pryde has confirmed he will resume work from Monday 20 Jan. Thank the Lord for this! I hope he stays in his role and does not take up Judgeship like Lee Burney did. I have had a lot of respect for the guy throughout the years he has been DPP. He has never succumbed to pressure or the political whims of any politician. Many think that the withdrawal of Biman’s charge was a favour by Pryde. That was not the case. The evidence simply did not allow for a conviction to be secured. I am certain that Pryde will carry out similar independent assessments of the charges laid by Acting DPPs and will make decisions that are not influenced by anybody, including this Collision Government.
In response to Oliver Vinod, the new party needs 30 something can do people who are educated with commonsense and empathy and gratitude in their hearts.
Where will this come from? Who has the money to fund this movement?
Won’t come from fundraising lovo drives nor selling tin fish roti parcel ( delicious as both culinary delights are!
Those who will form a new party of educated people will be well supported. Fijians are crying for one. Even if we have to m-paisa and sell lovo and roti parcel, we will!
We have to for once save our country from all coup leaders and scammers in the mix.
Time for a clean slate party.
Well said Aseri atleast someone has the balls to speak up instead of joking the crowd.your next step will be to get out of coalition and take nfp with you join the 16 in opposition and then mastermind the next few to resign from PAP and become independent,finally you can put a dagger in Rabukas back.
Aseri is going to rock the boat because his girl Lynda must be playing games with Rabuka now.Rabuka will be loosing his sleep soon if Lynda does not get reinstated as minister of women in 3 months that’s why there is no assistant minister for women.
You’re missing the point, @More to come.
Brutal Aseri and his porn cheapo Lynda have been neutered with this move.
Fiji shall not have a cheap, porn psycho-druggy pretending to be an MP in our august House.
It’s a shame she has not resigned. Shows nothing but desperation, hanging on a thread like a small town clown. A desperate woman or man is a weak one. If PAP keeps her as a MP, Fiji will be doomed worse than the raging inferno in LA.
Fiji’s own Sodom and Gomorrah!
Mark my word.
Today FBC News reports;
“National Federation Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad has supported Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s decision to expand the cabinet by allocating portfolios to Independent Members of Parliament affiliated with the G9 group.”
Rabuka has made it abundently clear is working towards it, he needs only 4 more converts. He he will then change the constitution legally. The professor understands this better than us.
Two days ago FBC News reported;
“The Prime Minister states that the review and the amendment of the constitution is a key objective of the government, and they will continue to explore how to do this within the means of the constitution and laws.”
So Biman is party to trying to change the 2013 Constitution. Most useless leader in the world, I would think. He is an insult to the forefathers of NFP.
A lot of NFP voters feel led down by this liar. Ok, you hated Aiyaz. Biman misled the voters by promosing to be a much better leader. He told as lie that he will look after there interest. Now he is doing totally opposite. He is happy to support his people being relegated as second class citizen.
The least his NFP voters can do is to open their mouth. Tell Biman to shut up and fcuk off from NFP. He will automatically lose his seat. Constitution will not change. All Fijians will be able to live happily.
Biman Prasad says he supports the Cabinet expansion, despite the fact that, as the FT has pointed out, it violates the Coalition Agreement. Despite having the second highest number of seats in the Coalition, they have been lily livered from day 1. And now they really have lost all the leverage that they weren’t savvy enough to use in the last two years.
Lenora Qereqeretabua
for one is clearly frustrated, she posted in French on FB on the day of the swearing in (before deleting) “I am so over this
Nope! so done with this crap!
Do better!”
NFP will likely be decimated in the next election, as they were in 1999. And it really is their own fault, or more likely, their leader’s fault. They could have done much better, even in a Coalition. They could possible salvage something if they left the Coalition and crossed the floor. That would speak to integrity and holding Rabuka to account when they do not agree. But if they were to leave it too late it would be seen as a cynical political move.
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/nfp-content-with-cabinet-expansion/
Under any other leader, such as even Attar, NFP could have done much better. NFP’s mistake was picking Baimaan. As we have seen, he has no leadership qualities at all. He is self serving lily livered coward who has destroyed NFP for good.
Where is his Ms Brutal btw.
The hype is different this time.
No more crying in front of flooded towns and CWM. Where is she?
When will the management of NFP kick out their leader. Not only has he sold the Indians to be second class citizens, he has done a big liumuri to all Fijians by not holding the big Buka to account. It is because of peole like Biman that Fiji is where it is today. There are no standards. Biman is just serving himself.