FijiFirst issues a statement amid the standoff between its leadership and the Speaker of the Parliament, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, over the status of the 17 of its MPs who have been expelled from the party and the standoff with the Supervisor of Elections, Ana Mataiciwa, over the position of Frank Bainimarama as leader. The statement suggests … [Read more...] about # THE FIJIFIRST LEADERSHIP FIGHTS BACK. IN A WEAKENED STATE.
# ANOTHER WEEK. MORE POLITICAL TURMOIL
So this week is set to be dominated by a burning question. Is the sacking of the 17 FijiFirst MPs illegal because Frank Bainimarama can't be the leader of FijiFirst when the electoral laws specify that no-one who is convicted and jailed for the length of time he has can preside over a political party? That's the position of the 17 FijiFirst … [Read more...] about # ANOTHER WEEK. MORE POLITICAL TURMOIL
# WADAN NARSEY. A SUNDAY MUST READ
Yesterday's Fiji Times was notable for the dramatic front page photo of Inia Seruiratu trying to flee local journalists and for the return of the once ubiquitous Richard Naidu after many months. But buried in the paper is another gem from Professor Wadan Narsey, who deserves an Order of Fiji and the nation's gratitude for his one-man mission over … [Read more...] about # WADAN NARSEY. A SUNDAY MUST READ
# A LAST DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO CLING TO OFFICE
There is nothing "confidential" in Fiji, least of all the confidential letter from the Elections Office to FijiFirst demanding that it change its constitution within a month to allow the parliamentary leader to participate in leadership committee meetings. Nothing has been said by the ousted 17 FijiFirst MPs about the FijiFirst Constitution not … [Read more...] about # A LAST DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO CLING TO OFFICE
# THE NEPOTISM MAKING THE COALITION CRISIS WORSE
Ever keen to pass the buck for any setback, the Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, blames poor advice rather than telling a deliberate lie for the debacle in which he misled the nation by saying the parliamentary emoluments decision could be revisited when it has already been gazetted and become law. He doesn’t say where the bad advice came from. … [Read more...] about # THE NEPOTISM MAKING THE COALITION CRISIS WORSE
# WELL LOOK WHO’S BACK (UPDATED)
Richard "I have the means" Naidu says we need to keep the parliamentary emoluments scandal in perspective. For the first time in many months, the Chair of the government's Fiscal Review Committee deigns to give us his perspective in Saturday's Fiji Times. We've got "the rule of law now"? You mean the illegal appointments of a judge and … [Read more...] about # WELL LOOK WHO’S BACK (UPDATED)