As the election approaches, you can remain anonymous as you have always been able to do in the Grubsheet “comments” but the requirement to submit an email address (which isn’t published) will be strictly enforced.
There will be one warning about this – this one. After that, the trash bin awaits anyone who thinks they can circumvent the rules, no matter how brilliant you think your contribution is.
It is about ensuring authenticity when we know that while the Coalition tries to shut down debate on social media (including Grubsheet being banned from Facebook on a complaint from Lynda Tabuya), its trolls aren’t given free rein to drown out contrary opinion here.
To those of you who might object, count yourself fortunate. Victor Lal at Fijileaks doesn’t allow any comments at all.
Vinaka,
GD
UPDATE WEDNESDAY 2350 FIJI TIME:
Already the trolls are trying to circumvent the new protocol. A stream of pro-government propaganda under newly-created email accounts such as this one:
No banana. Sent to the trash. Bugger off.
I always thought email was compulsory not an option to allow the comments to get through.
It is being by-passed by some people who obviously know how to do it. Which is suspicious all in itself.
Just curious if people just use random email which might not exist. I have always used my email though but just a thought.
Vinaka GD. Emails were always compulsory for authentication. Otherwise plenty fakers like FB.
Great
Here is a summary of the major reasons why the people of Fiji and anyone concerned about Fiji, should consider seriously before investing or voting this racial despots back into power. This site is a gold mine and has documented every act of evil perpetrated by Rabuka and his goons.
An AI summary for those who need a reason to vote this lot out:
* **Abolition of the Secular State:** Grubsheet raises the alarm over a recent Constitutional Review Commission recommendation to remove the “secular state” clause from Fiji’s supreme law. The blog argues this is a direct attack on religious freedom and disproportionately threatens the country’s minority religious groups.
* **Institutional “State Capture”:** Rabuka’s government is exposed of systematically dismantling independent institutions by filling them with government “lackeys” and loyalists. Grubsheet proves this extends to the judiciary, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), and the anti-corruption watchdog (FICAC), effectively destroying the rule of law to protect political elites.
* **Dysfunction and Poor Governance:** The government is described as chaotic and unable to provide basic services. Grubsheet points to declining literacy and numeracy standards in schools, while raising concerns about Rabuka retaining ministers who have been publicly linked to substantiated severe personal misconduct, including domestic violence and drug scandals.
* **Extravagance and Nepotism:** Grubsheet highlights an “orgy of self-enrichment” among the political elite, criticizing the government for granting unconscionable pay rises to Members of Parliament while much of the country lives in poverty. Rabuka is also criticized for appointing his own chief, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu—who Grubsheet notes has a criminal conviction and proven paedophile—to the presidency.
### Summaries of Corruption Identified by Grubsheet
* **The $150,000 Gold Rolex Scandal:** Grubsheet proves a “prima facie case of corruption” regarding a $150,000 gold Rolex watch worn by Sitiveni Rabuka. The blog asserts that Rabuka received the watch from a prominent local businessman (Mahendra “Mac” Patel) in exchange for a prime ministerial pardon that allowed the businessman to avoid serving a criminal sentence. Grubsheet heavily criticizes Rabuka for remaining silent and refusing to disclose the source of the gift.
* **The FICAC and COI Cover-Up:** Grubsheet analyses and proves Rabuka is suppressing the Ashton-Lewis Commission of Inquiry (COI) report. According to the blog, this report exposed deep corruption within the judiciary and FICAC (Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption). The site proves that the report implicated the former Attorney General, Graham Leung, and others in abuse of office, conspiracy, perjury, and obstructing justice, and that Rabuka initially tried to hide the report to protect his political appointments.
* **Quashing Investigations:** The blog proves that Rabuka’s administration manipulated leadership appointments at FICAC specifically to stop active investigations into a group of government ministers and political allies.
### Racially Motivated Decisions Identified by Grubsheet
* **Workplace Ethnic Cleansing:** Grubsheet accuses the Rabuka government of embarking on a wave of “workplace ethnic cleansing” within the civil service, the diplomatic corps, and offices of state. The site substantiates that minority workers are being systematically marginalized and replaced by iTaukei (Indigenous Fijians) or individuals from Rabuka’s own home region.
* **Renewed Indigenous Supremacy:** Rabuka is completing the ethno-nationalist program he started during his 1987 military coups. Grubsheet substantiates Rabuka’s administration condones treating Indo-Fijians and other minorities as *vulagi* (visitors) or second-class citizens, creating an environment of racial hostility that has triggered a mass exodus of tens of thousands of skilled citizens from Fiji since the coalition government took power.
* **Sham Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC):** Grubsheet strongly criticizes Rabuka’s proposed Truth and Reconciliation Commission, describing it as a cynical and self-serving mechanism. The blog proves it is designed not to bring justice to the Indo-Fijians who suffered racial violence and displacement during the 1987 coups, but rather to help Rabuka distribute the blame, protect himself, and maintain the constitutional immunity clause shielding coup perpetrators.
It’s no different if the comments are critical of you and all your conspiracy theories. So much for your own democracy. You are a hypocrite.
And you are a deluded Rabuka arse-licker. But having provided your email, you at least get to have your say.
Biman Prasad called me a Bainimarama / Khaiyum stooge, Agni Singh called me “that bastard” to a Fiji Sun journalist and now I’m a Rabuka arse licker. I’m starting to wonder who I really am ? For the record I have never supported any of them. But I know a shonk when I see one.
“As the election approaches, you can remain anonymous as you have always been able to do in the Grubsheet “comments” but the requirement to submit an email address (which isn’t published)”
Also has the gall to publish something totally antithetical to his own standards which he clearly set by publishing the email address of a contributor.
Be wary of this guy. He seems a little odd.
Oh really? A fake identity purloining my own name and trying to bypass the new house rules? Eat a bag of veka.
Oi “Grant”. It takes someone with a unique level of stupidity to keep submitting multiple comments without an email address when I have specifically said they will be trashed.
That stupidity is accentuated by the nature of those submissions. But do keep them coming. Because I get a unique level of satisfaction trashing them.
According to the latest Fijileaks a senior political figure is trying to stage a coup at the University of Fiji against vice chancellor Shaista Shameem to claim her position. It can only be Biman as he has been after this position and his political career is certainly over.
The university’s board is part of the plot as they are Biman’s friends. Biman is dangling the carrot of a Hindi Studies Centre in front of the board. The Araya Samaji’s seem to be lapping up his promises. They forget that this failed finance minister and disgraced deputy prime minister also promised a lot to the electorate but failed to deliver. He has been outed as a liar, traitor, and deceiver. His reputation is down the toilet. So university of Fiji better be careful or it will go down with him, just as the National Federation Party is.
Wow! After Baiman Prasad and Manoa Kamikamica, Ajay Amrit teams with Charlie Charters to shaft the snake and spear it. This article by Charlie could only have been written by Ajay’s connivance and agreement. Ajay is not a coward like Biman. He will stand up for himself. As high commissioner he can’t do with directly but he’s sending a strong message indirectly through Charlie charters:
AS THE … Fiji Government counts out the dollars and cents of the seven-person entourage needed to support the Presidential trip to New York later this month, another financial headache looms.
What to do with the High Commissioner’s residence in Canberra?
As the current High Commissioner has declined to move in because it’s in such a shocking state should the country, you, the taxpayer voter, stick or twist?
Put the work in and appreciate the asset, or get rid and encash a quick win?
Public records show the Government purchased 11 Sirius Place in Red Hill in 2001 for AUD852,500 or $1.34m in today’s exchange rate.
The property is at the end of a quiet cul de sac and has five bedrooms and bathrooms, and parking for four cars. Satellite imagery appears to show a swimming pool.
The latest Google Maps imagery is from three years ago.
The Red Hill suburb is especially beloved by the real estate market thanks to its proximity to Canberra Grammar School.
Based on recent sales in the street and immediate area real estate websites suggest the property could fetch AUD3.27m – AUD3.68m [$5.15m – $5.8m].
What is the issue?
Basically since his appointment as Fiji’s chief Vuvale diplomat businessman Ajay Bhai Amrit has declined to move in, considering that the state of the property is so run down that it is not habitable.
Amrit has therefore made other arrangements, I am told.
It’s not known if he is billing those costs back to the Ministy of Foreign Affairs or not.
So it’s highly unlikely, without major investment, that Fiji could achieve even the lower estimates; the possums are now in charge of the remote control and insisting on watching Home and Away every night.
The former FBC chairman and The People’s Alliance supporter was confirmed as High Commissioner in September 2023.
Immediately prior to Amrit, the HC was David Kolitagane [from November 2022] and Luke Daunivalu [from 2018].
To be clear, this is not a reflection on this Government or any one High Commissioner-ship. The property’s deterioration would have been measured out over many years and budget cycles.
And this is an issue not unique to Fiji.
Last month South Africa woke up to the astonishing news that their embassies in both London and The Hague had been closed for urgent building works ‘due to intermittent water supply, broken heating systems, a strong and persistent smell of urine in many rooms, and the gradual degradation of the building façade and entrance,’ according to an opposition statement that broke the news.
Thanks to the foresight of the Fiji’s founding fathers, we have freehold assets that support our diplomatic missions in multiple world capitals that have turned out to be red-hot investments, most famously 34 Hyde Park Gate in London.
Nice on the balance sheet but, as South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has discovered, a nightmare to keep maintained.
And none of that helps this current Government with what to do with Sirius Place.
Stick and upgrade, or twist and sell?
With all of the existential threats currently posed to our most basic rights, I can’t get excited about Homer, Ajay or the house. But, yes, yet another sign that Fiji as a nation is living beyond its means when we can’t afford the upkeep of these assets.