On Thursday, barring a miracle, parliament will vote for Fiji to have a convicted criminal, racist, misogynist and alleged child abuser as its next head of state. The determination of the Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka to install his own chief – the Tui Cakau, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu – as president and representative of all Fijians marks a new low in the Coalition government’s steady journey into the heart of darkness – of rampant racism, nepotism, corruption and incompetence.
For Sitiveni Rabuka, the presidency is simply another bauble he can give to someone patently unfit for the role, in the same way that he keeps a drug taker and adulterer as Minister for Women and Children and a domestic violence abuser who almost killed his daughter as Minister for Education. It is never about principle but keeping him in power while simultaneously remoulding the nation in his own image – the “Snake” with the forked tongue who upended democracy in 1987 and is upending all accepted norms of public conduct 37 years later.
Last week’s CHOGM meeting in Samoa reminded us that were it not for Rabuka, we could have had a head of state of stature who was above politics and respected the world over. It was Rabuka who abrogated the monarchy in Fiji in 1987 without consulting anyone. So that while Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu continue to have King Charles III as their head of state and show few signs of wanting to get rid of him, we get Naiqama Lalabalavu.
And here’s the point. Getting rid of the monarchy and replacing it with a system in which the position of head of state in Fiji is rotated between indigenous chiefs taking their turn at the top is reaching its logical conclusion. After a succession of presidents who were at least worthy of being president, we now get a convicted coup maker, overt racist and misogynist and someone who allegedly impregnated a 15 year old girl.
Yes, we have the head of state we deserve. And it is especially striking how one man in the form of Sitiveni Rabuka has almost singlehandedly degraded the nation and its prospects since he first seized power at gunpoint nearly four decades ago. Even now, he is steadily remoulding the country in his own image – a wolf in sheep’s clothing giving speeches about inclusion as he marginalises the minorities and awards positions in the government, offices of state and diplomatic corps to those who either share his agenda or come from the same part of Fiji.
The return to provincialism – of the elites from various parts of the country squabbling over the spoils – enters a new phase with Rabuka installing his own chief as head of state. But make no mistake that this is a leap back in time, not to the 20th century when we had a semblance of multiracialism and meritocracy with the monarch as a unifying force, but to the 19th century in which brutal iTaukei chiefs vied for power and national unity was a foreign concept. The clubs may be gone but the intrigue and lust for power remains.
In the case of Ratu Naiqama’s appointment as president, it is a return to the most basic savagery – someone given the nation’s top job not on the basis of merit or adhering to even the most basic standards of conduct but because he is Sitiveni Rabuka’s chief. Rabuka is gifting the presidency to Ratu Naiqama because he can. And at the same time, other standards of governance in Fiji are going through the floor.
What has happened to the “inquiry” into the “rotten process” surrounding the appointment of Barbara Malimali as FICAC Commissioner? Nothing. Rabuka said it was the President’s job to appoint an inquiry. It hasn’t happened. And it will not happen with Rabuka’s chief at State House and utterly dependent on the Prime Minister’s patronage. And in the meantime, the government’s stooge at FICAC decides who is to be prosecuted for corruption and who isn’t. The “independent” in FICAC is a sick joke.
What has happened with the DPP, Christopher Pryde, and what Sitiveni Rabuka said more than three months ago was the wrongful suspension of his salary that has crippled Pryde’s ability to properly defend himself on a charge of misbehaviour? Pryde still hasn’t got his salary back and is no closer to getting justice 18 months after he was suspended. The Prime Minister’s word is meaningless.
And all this is aided and abetted by the loathsome betrayer, Biman Prasad, who evidently won’t even be present for the presidential vote on Thursday and is hiding out in Washington or Baku. The NFP leader keeps saying that he is part of a “good government” yet has done nothing to uphold even the most basic standards of governance. Having beaten the FICAC charge against him, “Baimaan” Prasad is on the wrong side of the law and part of a shambolic farce. Politically, he is a dead man walking and has been since he failed to speak up for the nation’s minorities when they were cast as “vulagi” – visitors in their own country.
The government’s failures are chronic and systemic. It has begun to rearrange the deckchairs on the Titanic with a reshuffle of permanent secretaries, starting with the removal of the PS for Education, Selina Kuruleca, as we learn that standards of literacy and numeracy in our schools are steadily getting worse. But it isn’t going to make a jot of difference. Because a dead fish rots from the top. Yes, in the office of the Prime Minister. And along with the rot at FICAC, Rabuka is now making a rotten appointment at the pinnacle of the state – a convicted criminal as president.
Yes, we are getting what we deserve, Fiji, along with young people who can’t read or add up and are preyed on by drug dealers, some of whom are allegedly in business with the police. And with a role model as Minister for Children who got away with a drug and sex scandal. Plus a Minister for Education who beat his ex-wife to within an inch of her life. This is the Rabuka government – a government that is steadily corrupting and degrading the nation’s institutions and taking them to new depths of dysfunction.
What has happened to the appointment of a new Police Commissioner? Nothing. Week after week, we are told it is before the Constitutional Offices Commission yet nothing emerges. And now we have the risible spectacle of the Prime Minister offering police training to other island nations. What, train them to be as corrupt and inept? They must barely be able to contain their mirth.
Take a look at the Prime Minister’s statement at CHOGM – reported in today’s Fiji Times – in which he made the offer and referred to a “friend” in America who is providing security training for Fijians and is prepared to do the same for others. I could scarcely believe my eyes.
Seriously? This is the calibre of the man who – by the power of one vote on the floor of the parliament in December 2022 – has the Fijian nation in his hands. A real-life Rambo with a “friend” in an American “institution” who can train other would-be Rambos. It would be funny if it wasn’t so serious.
The Prime Minister isn’t just losing it. He has well and truly lost it. But his madness and malevolence must not be allowed to extend to installing his criminal chief as head of state.
It is the duty of all MPs, indeed every Fijian – including you, Jone Kalouniwai – to do their utmost to prevent this evil from occurring all the way to the parliamentary vote on Thursday.
————
Another moment of madness in Apia.
Anonymous says
Just when u think it couldn’t get worse..it’s about to.
George “the Indians smell different” Speight has applied for the PS PMO job and is most likely to get it. The fun will get funnier then. Fiji is in a full tail spin…out of control and heading towards the most chaotic period in our beloved country’s history….and u thought 87 and 2000 was bad! Fasten your seat belts or jump off the plane cos those in the cock pit are high on a cocktail of hard drugs laced with greed, corruption, racism, deceit and jostling for power as they deliberately nose dive our country to the biggest crash we have ever experienced….in which there will be very few survivors.
Anonymous says
GD. I really do hate to say “it’s because of people like you that we are in such a mess”…but I have to for the sake of us who may be less informed than you but certainly were wiser than people like you who for your petty reasons contributed to our demise as a nation that was well in it’s way to greater things.
Alas! I still can’t fathom how baritone baku was able to make complete chutiyas of some many people that should have known better. The vipers reputation and history was all there for people to see and make an informed and educated decision during the elections. How could u people not see! What made u lot blind to the obvious….the years of crocodile tears laced apologies, the decades of a whole plethora of contradicting reasons as to why he carried out the coups and atrocities since 1987, the blatant lies and contradictions and inconsistencies sporadically spread with a healthy dose of racism for almost four decades all for the sake of power and control. The writing was always on the wall…whether you voted for the baritone baku or anyone in bed with him like biman the kaduwadu from labasa. Because u and others urged, influenced and cajoled the generally unaware and uneducated masses to vote for this inept evil bastards..
.we who read the situation better now have to live in a country that is well and truly f**ked! It’s worse than 87..people are desperately sending their children overseas, homes and cars are being sold, anyone with half a brain and skills are leaving in droves. Those still waiting haven’t left cos they still haven’t been able to sell their homes and vehicles…there’s just so many on sale now that u can’t even get a decent price for it. We haven’t had this scenario since 87 where the real estate industry is in regression.
I know u are now feeling regretful and remorseful for leading the electorate down the proverbial shit hole…but it’s too late GD. You write some great pieces from safe Sydney but it’s having f*8k all effect on the ground. Baritone baku and his merry men are marching forward full speed with not a care in the world singing the tune of chaos, racism and destruction, grabbing at the spoils along the way to satiate their hunger for power and privilege.
Its too late now GD…Why were u people so petty, selfish and short sighted?..why?
Graham Davis says
Why? Because FijiFirst had been in power for too long and was doing much the same as the present crowd, including violating the Constitution with the sacking of the solicitor general, Sharvada Sharma.
Hindsight is a great thing and your “we told you so” is with the benefit of hindsight when we all had a right to expect that these people would keep their promises to deliver better governance.
We also had a right to expect that the normal pattern of democratic governments would see FijiFirst go to the opposition benches to reinvent itself. Who were we to know that Frank and Aiyaz would instead take away their bat and ball?
OK, I am having “f**k all effect. Here’s the thing. If Naiqama gets up, the whole ball game changes. I stop writing regular commentary because I am sick of wallowing in negativity. I hope this meets with your approval.
I had no idea that I was born in a country of savages. I was hoping for a regular democracy. Yes, silly me. But was I “petty, selfish and shortsighted”? Shortsighted maybe. But I have done what I have done in good faith. And it isn’t my fault that the savages triumphed.
If I am having “f**k all” effect now, isn’t it logical that I had “f**k all effect then? But do get it off your chest. Happy to be a target in the blame game that is the real national sport.
Shit talker says
You are talking shit. No other explanation needed.
Anonymous says
Just in case anyone wants to know…Peter Wise didn’t “withdraw” or reject the Japan ambassador gig. He actually wanted to hightail out of fiji after the hibiscus contestant he touched d inappropriately threatened to take the matter further. Rambo the snake, who has no qualms about throwing people under the bus told Peter to resign after Peter’s name was revealed as the mystery drunk lecherous idiot who touched the contestants backside. But Rambo also threw him a life line and tried to bundle Peter off to the land of the rising sun.
But as usual Dumbo Rambo hadn’t taken into account that the Japanese are sticklers for clean records. As the host country the Japanese have the right to either accept or reject an ambassador. And that’s exactly what they did…after their due diligence the Japanese in a very polite manner of course told rabuka to take his nomination of Peter wise as ambassador to Japan and shove up his saggy rectum. No way was a drunk sexual offender be allowed to go to Japan and hob nob with the Japanese govt elite.
So Rambo the rascal in order to save face as usual told the country another lie…that Peter had withdrawn his name as ambassador to Japan!…what a f**king joke! Another day…another lie in the realm of the viper. Oh..and don’t worry about Peter…they are trying to find him.another appropriate job…while the women he abused are still struggling to get justice.
Welcome to the changed Fiji folks.
TonyS says
Well said Anonymous, we all feel your anger and disgust at this present lot. A word of advice , if I may – let’s get together at this time of national crisis and undo the wrongs of these present Government rascals.
The last thing we want is fighting and attacking, Yes you got it off your chest, just like so many of us who wrote similar pieces, time to forget mistakes of our brothers/ Family/ like minded patriots – and continue to push forward to push these bastards out.
Anonymous says
There’s so much intriguing cloak and dagger vanua politics shit going on that it’s making everyone’s head spin!
It’s a bit of a yarn but I’ll try…firstly the fat kat president has been stabbed in the back as predicted by none other than the most evil viper of all time…rabuka of cakaudrove. Since last year Rambo has been singing from the rooftops that fat kat should remain president for another 3 year term from November this year cos he’s done such a wonderful job of tabetabe, brown nosing and ass kissing rabuka and his unsteady new govt. This despite rabuka promising sodelpa as part of the coalition agreement to appoint the rewan devious princess as president after the conclusion of fat kats present term.
But with rabuka signaling otherwise and sodelpa too compliant and lamu to protest, fat kat thought he was all set to roll for another 3 years in the trough..lots more per diems and trips were calculated and planned. In the meantime the scheming viper, was busy planning how to appoint his own chief, who had incited a mutiny and aided and abetted a treasonous act hot on the heels of having sex with a minor. So he hatched plan with Tevita Vakalalabure on how to liumuri and back stab the fat kat president.
BTW vakalalabure who was part of the geroge speight takeover and sworn in as a minister in his illegal govt is from Cakaudrove (notice the connection!) And was recently appointed the chairman of the fiji pine group despite being a former convict just like his chief the crippled Naiqama. So…very easy…vakalalabure made sure that a “audit” report was written in which amongst other people katonivere the fat kat was implicated in whole lot of corrupt practices while he was chair of the fiji pine group untill his appointment as president 3 years ago.
Until about two weeks ago fat kat was telling everyone that he will be president again cos he had been a good boy and had kissed ass nice and proper and in turn had Rabuka’s backing. But the sad naive sod didn’t realize all the skullduggery that was being orchestrated by the viper behind his back.
So…less than two weeks ago when he was in Auckland telling his friends like Pramesh Sharma that he would be president again…fat kat a day or two later was called into the Viper’s room (who happened to be in Auckland as well) and threatened with the “Fiji Pine report”. In no uncertain terms rabuka told katonivere to resign or else he could face charges…thus clearing the way for his chief Lalabalavu the treasonous pedophile to become president! Pretty cool nah?
Pls note that rabuka initially told the country just over a week ago that he wanted fat kat to continue as president but that suddenly fat kat was not interested anymore…and that it was only then that the Viper decided to nominate the pedophile vakalalabure. A few days later when prompted by the media the Viper realizes he can’t bullshit anymore and throws fat kat under the bus saying he was implicated in some dubious activities during his Fiji Pine stint and that he had asked the AG Graham “i still love Etuate Tavai” leung to see if charges can be laid against fat kat. So essentially the viper admitted to blackmailing fat kat into withdrawing his interest in another term as president.
The beauty and intrigue of vanua politics where your words mean absolutely nothing!
Slacker says
After this the only major thing left for Sitiveni will be to replace the existing constitution of Fiji with his own.
Anon says
The snake’s own racist ‘constitution’ will come into effcuked with the gee ci ci shit stamp of approval. Then, the country will truly be rectumfied.
May be thereafter, MAY BE, the missing lost tribe of 400 PALM workers will return home triumphantly. Until then, vutu na vuvale o Ositerelia, eh! Vinaka vulagi Albo!
Anonymous says
Other than it being clear that Rabuka strong armed and possibly black mailed the sitting President to decline the nomination, the line in the news piece below where Rabuka says that the Katonivere investigation report was referred to the AG “for advice on whether to prosecute or not.” is an interesting one.
Is it the AG’a role to decide, or advise on, whether to prosecute cases? Isn’t that the role of FICAC or the DPP?
“ While responding to our questions, Rabuka said he informed Ratu Wiliame Katonivere that an Internal Audit and an Internal Investigation Report was reported to him by the Board Chairperson of three Government Companies Ratu Wiliame had served on.
Rabuka says these were then subjected to forensic reexamination and to the Attorney General for advice on whether to prosecute or not.”
https://www.fijivillage.com/news/Ratu-Wiliame-decided-to-decline-my-nomination-after-he-saw-an-internal-audit-and-investigation-report—PM-4xfr58/
Fed-up says
What a bloody idiot! Training with SF for what purpose? Who are they going to fight? They can’t even put up a fight, for crying out loud. Didn’t they surrender to a bunch of sheep herders with muskets and daggers? Please! He is so full of shit! He is just showing off to the other numbnuts in the room. Theyre better off training their police officers with NZ and Aust officers. Shit, half the local police force are probably on the cartel payroll. Yea, this guy needs to go. Get rid of him in 2026!
Ian Simpson says
iTaukei can not say “No”!
It’s their system.
They let the empty drums, rotten apples etc etc get their comeuppance all in good time.
It is the most frustrating thing to observe and be a part of, as every single one of us in this country have to suffer.
The patience of Job is a requirement for life in these isles.
The Satanists preach and apply the principle of forgiveness, prior to wrongdoing, to produce in their twisted minds, sinless behaviuor.
They twist so much, that if called out on their behaviuor, you are evil and Godless for not forgiving them.
I can only think, “God will not be mocked”.
Is there even 10 people in our country that is hot?
How many are cold? Which is OK according to God.
Its the 99% of our population that is “Luke warm” , that will be spat out by God.
Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Well, can’t see much wisdom in our country.
We are all in for a hell of a ride, this is just the beginning, take it to the bank.
A great pestilence will and is spread across the land, mind and body.
Unless……………?
Paedophile Lalabalavu says
Rabuka himself has low standards. After sleeping around with a number of journalists after his 1987 coup and fathered a son from Margaret Wise, while still living and married to his wife says a lot about this swine.
Rabuka is not a politician, he is just a lowlife liar who is the total opposite to what he preaches about democracy.
Funny you mentioned about the incompetent Selina Kuruleca. I knew from the beginning she was not up to the job. After running a not so popular home based psychology business for a number of years, with no profit or referrals from the main stakeholders, the PS Education role was above and beyond her capabilities. Tell me one single project she has managed with $1/2 million dollars? Tell me a single review that she has done that resulted in major changes in an organization? The answer to both is NONE! Then we all got a shock that she was left in charge of a major ministry that has a $600million budget per annum! She only has a big mouth and a fake accent, that’s all she’s got!
Ratu Naiqama is a disgrace to the people of Cakaudrove. His dwindling popularity in his own province is a direct result of his own incompetence at the political level for many years. Privately his own people are ashamed of him and his actions.
Tailspin says
“Ratu Naiqama is a disgrace to the people of Cakaudrove”
Cakaudrove is a disgrace to Fiji.
Anonymous says
A storm that has been brewing since 1987 and which reared it’s ugly head again during the coup and mutiny of 2000 has now intensified and is threatening to blow Fiji to pieces. The destruction of Winston will pale into insignificant once this category 6 storm lashes out from within the murky depths of vanua popolitics.
With the impending appointment of lalabalavu as president the chiefs and vanua from the west are up in arms. The traditional conflict between east vs the west is now become one of the north vs the west. Rightly so the western Vanua have been cast aside and limuried time and again since the reign of ratu mara. When their own son timoci Bavadra become PM he was accused of a whole lot lies and deposed by the northerners and easterners…even to the extent of accusing him of being an indo fijian sympathisizer at expense of itaukei rights (whatever the f**k that meant). But regardless…it was a quick and easy story to sell to itaukei masses while the real vanua power play continued under the carpet.
The westerners have always felt they were hard done by despite the fijain economy being sustained in the west. Frank and aiyaz were the only ones who gave the westerners equality and fair play. But with fijifirst gone…people like tui nawaka and tui nadi etc threw their support behind rabuka, tempted by greed and cajoled by the vipers sweet bullshit. But with the obvious rapid decline of the coalition govt many in the west think enough is enough.
That is why the tui nadi resigned as the PAP president a few weeks ago citing some personal reasons. A few days ago the sodelpa mad hatter western division president seremaia tuiteci told the media that the tui nadi had resigned from PAP not for any other reason but to join sodelpa with some other western chiefs cos they were tired of the westerner people being an after thought for the PAP hierarchy. Around this time it was also revealed just after his resignation as PAP president that the tui nadi’s name was also nominated for the job of the president of fiji replacing katonivere. So a westerners to replace a northerner. But of course this didn’t happen cos rabuka wanted his chief in the top spot..he would after be much easier to control.
After tuitecis spill in the media the tui nadi came out with a statement a couple of days later saying that what tuiteci said wasn’t true and that the tui nadi, the tui nawaka and other western chiefs still supported rabuka, the government and PAP!! A couple of days later another sodlepa western official makes an amazing admittance that tuiteci should be disciplined cos….wait for it…..he shouldn’t have revealed that the tui nadi and other western chiefs were supporting sodelpa YET!!! Unbelievably he told the fiji sun that tuiteci should have only revealed this dramatic shift in political allegiance by the western chiefs only after the sodelpa meeting nest week to finalize everything!! He even calls tuteci a big mouth tamata gusu levu!
So the lines have finally been drawn in the open, the bullshit tabetabe is exposed. The warnings of tribalism and provincialism due to rabukas mad grab for power in 87 is now being fully realized. A full blown fight is looming and it will get very nasty and bloody this time…for without that there will be no closure to the evil vanua power grab that rabuka started in 1987.
In the meantime a very bemused but strangely gay-looking army commander looks from the sidelines clutching onto a bullshit truth and reconciliation document.
Opresso liber says
Theres nothing much that can be done here as there is no MPs left with any cojones to challenge Naiqama’s installation.
Rotten Chiefs says
It is coming Fiji. Rabuka will not rest until his rotten agenda has been done. Get on the plane while you can fellow countrymen. This whole show is going to go up in fire.
Only me says
Of course that pedo will be the itaukei/s next president. I only hope that countries reject him like Japan did with Wise, when country hopping itineraries are planned.
And what Anonymous has written is darn scary. That things are going to get worse, probably bloodshed etc. It does look like it.
Have mercy on our country and its people.
Reality says
When things are falling apart.
Anonymous says
Let us hope for that miracle.
It will be the best thing for the country.
Barring that, we will sink deeper into the dark abyss of no return.
The effects will be worse than all previous coups and political unrest we have had put together.
Snake anti venom - Sheeps blood says
It’s not just in hindsight, it was foresight that this turn of events would eventuate. The fear that the new lot, who were the Change that people wanted, would ultimately destroy the country..just how and how quickly were the unknown.
But that’s the milk already spilt and can’t be undone so we do need to get behind Grubsheet and GD in trying to salvage the sunken ship.
Yes in my circles when the phrase ” I told you so ” is repeated in chastisement to those who were all for the Change, and who the Change was to be, it is fair to accept that that they did not see all this rot coming. And agreed some Changes were due. And the real criminals are Rambo and his cohorts, not those who unfortunately assisted in getting him to be the Change. Because Rabuka mastered the art of deception, scam and fraud. Deliberately plotted to betray the trust of the Change agents who wanted something better.
So his cabal are not only guilty of ruining the nation but also guilty of one of the greatest betrayal of trust and unkept promises to those who they fooled – cunningly, skillfully, manipulatively, appearing as an angel when he was the devil himself hidden in his disguise that got you all Eve and Adams with his rosy apple change manifesto.
Carrying on with this metaphoric symbolism, redemption will come but it will be at a high price unfortunately. And there will be innocents as collateral damage. But as Bainimarama got the highest number of votes well ahead of the next candidate, there is some hope to hang on to that there are still more good people than the bad, and not only that but the good need to take on the task of ridding the place of the dirty rags, the filth and the deceivers. And not be Lukewarm (Thanks Ian Simpson)..for the sake of the next generation.
Small country with Big ego Confederates says
Provincial politics or tribalism is the bane of Fiji politics and social order.
Instead of appointee from Kubuna, Cakaudrove or from Ra, or from Burebasaga etc…why not just someone from FIJI, regardless of which ‘trubal team’ jersey they wearing.
Anonymous says
Fijian security forces training partner offer:
In recent years , say since 1987, unless I’m mistaken, the Fiji armed forces have been engaged in more coup and counter coup, and mutiny type active armed action within its own boarders than real external combat mission. And in the middle east around 40 soldiers surrendered to a militant terror group and became hostages while in the same situation soldiers from Philippines engaged in battle, fought the Al Nusra and avoided being captured and humiliated.
Rambo should just crawl under a Blackrock and not come out.
Anonymous says
I disagree old chap.
So let’s break this down…
Just because someone has been in govt for a long time doesn’t mean you get rid of them and replace them with just some other party…especially those led by known racists, bigots and lying power hungry mother f**kers. Govts aren’t dinner menus you change just cos you didn’t like the salt in last night’s meal.
Sharvada was traitorous dog who couldn’t be gotten rid of without circumnavigating the rules for his dismissal. In any case are u by any chance comparing one sharvada issue with hundreds of violations of the law by a person who u of all people should have known was going to f**k up our people and the whole country? Surely you with age on your side should have known better…surely u didn’t belive his apologies and promises?..Rabuka has been lying and breaking promises and making bullshit apologies for almost 40 years! Surely you knew this?
Frank took the bat and ball away cos his party members didn’t follow his instructions on the pay rise vote. You knew this. You also know that frank hates dissent and insubordination.
The reason why you’re having a f**k all effect now is cos frank and aiyaz actually took into account criticism periodically and actually changed their mind about certain things and certainly followed the law to the max.
In fact u also know that frank and aiyaz were sticklers for doing the right thing and following the law and due process and declaring conflicts of interest etc. They always wanted to do maximum good so that they could set similar standards for the fijian public to follow…and they were…corruption, crime and racism had seriously declined during franks reign. The public knew not to f**k around with his standards.
Rabuka’s lot is totally the opposite to frank and co…they don’t give a shit about the law, due process conflict of interest, corruption, racism etc. They don’t give a shit and that’s why your comments won’t make any difference to them.
In any case GD, my memory serves me well…in the lead up to the elections you had become critical of not frank or ff in general …you had become rapidly anti aiyaz. You were quite vicious and in fact you said good things about frank suggesting that he had been influenced by aiyaz. But all that changed when frank made comments against you in support of aiyaz….it’s only then that you took out the blow torch against both frank and aiyaz.
But I digress.
I do enjoy reading your pieces…I like them…but I also like honest people and the whole truth.
Have a great day.
Graham Davis says
For the record, on behalf of others, I was urged to use my influence with Bainimarama to try to get him to reform the govt after the close call of the 2018 election to try to stave off the very defeat that occurred in 2022.
That was to persuade him to make changes to reduce the influence of ASK, something the Military Council was also urging him to do. Bainimarama told me he would do so but then informed ASK what I had done, which was the end of my own trusted relationship with ASK, who was naturally upset that I had gone behind his back.
But it was for the common good, not my own, and the fact that Bainimarama got cold feet and decided he couldn’t live without ASK was his choice. This was in the immediate aftermath of the Suvavou House “siege” when madness had clearly replaced reason and a great many FijiFirst loyalists were horrified by ASK’s behaviour and refusal to accept any responsibility for the 2018 election result.
I later wrote to FB urging him to go to the presidency instead of appointing Katonivere to stave off the humiliation of what I could see was coming. Again, he sent my letter to ASK. So they were bound together in a political suicide pact of their own making.
I had their interests at heart at the time and make no apology for it. I was a loyal supporter but only while they were willing to govern within the law and listen to the people instead of showing them a tin ear. When they no longer did so, I made the decision that it was time for a change. And so did a great many other people, based on the undertakings by Rabuka and Prasad that they would maintain the common and equal citizenry and improve standards of governance. The Great Betrayal.
Bainimarama and Khaiyum still managed to get the largest number of votes at the 2022 election. But the close call of 2018, which they had ignored, and their failure to heed the message the electorate had sent them meant that they fell short of an overall majority. Had they listened to me and others, things might have been different. And now both of them are going to jail for a very long time – something from which I also gain no satisfaction.
Hubris always ends badly in democratic politics the world over, a fact that I’d witnessed at first hand in my reporting career. And it was hubris that brought down Frank and Aiyaz. They never dreamt that it would end this way. But there we have it. None of it is rocket science. They were the architects of their own demise.
Anonymous says
GD.
In the end it was about the chice of the electorate and maybe who was going to influence them to make that choice. On one side you had a stable govt that brought about economic progress even during the worst economic catastrophe in our country’s history, a govt that brought about rules and regulations, that abhorred racism, insisted on equal citizenry and a sense of belonging and had successfully encouraged former fijians to come back home to invest and contribute.
Like any other person or party they were only human and made some mistakes along the way. We all know that. But in the wider scheme of things they had the best of intentions for fiji and all fijians. That’s what matters the most as a measuring stick for any govt in any country….their intentions for their people.
On the other hand we were presented with a ragtag bunch of buffoons who were led by the person with the worst political reputation in Fiji history. Rabuka was also a racist and liar for all to witness several times over almost 4 decades. Despite his constant apologies his discriminating and polarizing thought process had a way of popping up for all to see constantly…..signalling and exposing his continued deviousness and dishonesty. His running mate was a man who was caught lying several times in and out of parliament and who was and is too spineless to even protest against his friend rabuka’s blatant racist vulagi comments.
It was there for all people to see. Some of the younger ones fell for the lies. But those who were old enough to have the advantage of hindsight have no bloody excuse whatsoever.
Everyone had a choice. Even if you disagreed with some things fijifirst….in the end it was better the devil u know against the perpetual devil whose evil was going to spread doom and gloom in the country. Frank and aiyaz hsd warned everyone about rabuka and biman…..we all made a choice.
You can’t say frank and aiyaz were architects of their own demise just cos they made a few mistakes…they always had the peoples best interest at heart…even you know that. I’m sure your father made a few mistakes in his life like all our fathers did….but we knew they had the best intentions for us. It certainly didn’t mean that just cos they made a few mistakes that we go ahead and adopt the older violent, stupid and racist uncle next door as our new father.
Many people like u f**k up and abandoned the good intentioned father….now we all have to live with that horrible uncle from next door as the father or our nation.
Graham Davis says
In a democracy, it is all about winning. And to win you need to keep the people on side. Frank and Aiyaz failed the most basic test.
They won by a landslide in 2014 and barely scraped back into office in 2018. Many of us urged them to heed the message the people had sent them and change their ways to regain public trust. But they refused to listen. So of course they were architects of their own demise.
Having helped them to return to democracy and win with a landslide in 2014, I wasn’t going to remain silent when they lost the plot. And when they started to violate their own constitution with the sacking of Sharvada Sharma, that was it for me. They no longer deserved my support and I withdrew it.
That was my democratic right. So please spare me the accusation that I f**ked up” THEY “f**ked up. And if we have Rabuka and Prasad, it is down to them, not me.
Anonymous says
It wasn’t down to them for their own demise GD. It was down to lots of people like you that hated aiyaz…some because they were racist and some like you who goodness knows why they hated him so much.
Again, in the wider scheme of things, despite some shortcomings aiyaz and frank were a million times better performing and better intentioned than what rabuka and biman with their chaos and racism. But then you knew this…but you were blinded by your hate for aiyaz..and so were many others. You are all regretting now but many won’t admit their colossal mistake in aiding and betting the rabuka biman reign. I think people are just too embarrassed to admit the major fuck up. But I understand you are human after all…albeit a very inconspicuously regretful one.
Don’t worry though I still love reading your pieces…despite some of your shortcomings I promise not to abandon you favour of some other political commentator.
Graham Davis says
Let’s get this straight. I don’t “hate” Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and never have. In fact, I will say now that he did a great deal of positive things for the nation and I never met a man who worked harder in my entire life.
It was about the survival of the FijiFirst government after the electorate had taught it a lesson in 2018. Blind Freddy could see that they had to change the way they were operating. But not Blind Aiyaz.
He then betrayed everything he had stood for and foisted on the nation in the 2013 Constitution by violating it in his pursuit of Sharvada Sharma. And I wasn’t prepared to countenance outlaws then any more than I am prepared to countenance outlaws now.
None of us could have possibly expected the extent of the NFP’s betrayal of its voters once it got into government. And remember. I did not recommend a vote for Sitiveni Rabuka, especially after the Liliana Warid episode and the PAP’s tolerance for the minorities being described as “vulagi”. I urged people to vote for the NFP.
Now I will make it my life’s work to destroy the NFP and the Great Betrayer, Biman Prasad, who I detest far more than I ever detested Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum. Why? Because he promised better and has delivered worse.
I also feel a great degree of sympathy for Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum in being prevented from going overseas for medical treatment. It is unconscionable conduct and motivated purely by spite. Just as the pursuit of Shaenaz Voss is motivated by spite, not justice, and is a national disgrace.
I am also doing everything I can to stand up for the principles that Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Frank Bainimarama enshrined in the 2013 Constitution – the common and equal citizenry, the common identity ( Fijian) and the secular state. In fact I have repeatedly stated that they are non-negotiable. And far from “hating” anyone, I will fight to the end to do what I can to protect their legacy and the rights of all Fijians against these appalling racists and incompetents who have replaced them.
Do I regret choosing the NFP over FijiFirst? You bet. But let’s not pretend that Frank and Aiyaz hadn’t been in power for too long and deserved to be defeated. Remember the prosecution of Richard Naidu? It’s just that they were replaced by something worse. But we had no idea that would be the case at the time.
Daniel Richards says
Rabuka’s comparison between provisions that enabled Chaudhary to run for election and those allowing Naiqama’s nomination as President is misguided and appears to be an attempt by Rabuka to justify a contentious choice.
Chaudhary contested an election as a representative of his party, while Naiqama is nominated by Rabuka to be the President of Fiji, a role that demands the highest standards of integrity and committment to all citizens.
Fiji cannot afford a President associated with racial prejudice, misogyny, or support for coups and mutinies. Naiqama’s recent disparaging remarks in Parliament toward Aliki Bia are not only inappropriate but also reveal an attitude unfit for a head of state.
Naiqama’s position as a high chief, Rabuka’s ally, or a parliamentary figure does not automatically qualify him for the presidency. Leaders in this role must be impartial, uphold the law, and serve all Fijians equally – not just the interests of a few or those aligned with a singular ethnic agenda or a party.
The persistent emphasis on chiefs as preferred candidates raises an important question- why should the presidency be limited to this? Why not nominate a distinguished citizen from any background or race who reflects Fiji’s diversity? It begs the question of whether Rabuka’s selection is a strategic move to reassert the GCC in political governance of Fiji, echoing objectives similar to the 1987 coups.
The upcoming parliamentary vote will reveal much about our MPs’ true character and commitment to an inclusive and democratic Fiji.
It will also prove whether or not the Truth and Reconciliation Commission will be seriously pursued or if it’s just a smokescreen for Rabuka to pretend to be what he is not.
Fijian Observer says
Rabuka’s choice of words, actions and demonstrated behaviors in his term as leader of the Coalition government is testament of his values and ethics.
This whole mixing in of “Vanua” “aristocratic entitlements” & “fraternities” speaks volumes of gross conflicts of interest that are causing increased public distrust in public office holders and government.
It appears that Rabuka and his merry men have developed for themselves a reputation for “public corruption” & is a brand which they seem to carry very proudly.
It also appears Rabuka and his merry men do not care what the electorate or processes are, so long as they have their own way . ( another brand value they seem to demonstrate strongly , namely – “lack of accountability”).
And the enablers of this mess – are all sitting ducks that have been bribed with the $80M payout – the parliamentarians themselves.
And so it appears that there is no punity for any of these behaviors ?
Is this what the meaning of truth and reconciliation is for Fiji ? That corruption is tolerated just to ensure political survival and guarantee a pay check by these officials ?
in 2024 are Corrupt elected officials and their enablers are allowed to carry on without any accountability ?
Forget finger pointing of previous governments . We have – in real time today … witnessing the biggest government failure in modern day time.
The fact that this can continue day in and day out, without any recourse or punitive measures is disastrous and the end of everything noble , honorable and true.
This is a government who has lost its way
This is a government that has forgotten its civic duty
This is a government that does not deserve to lead for a day longer .
A government whose actions have proven that its core values are
1) corruption
2) lack of accountability
3) selfishness (them before the people)
I recommend a psyche evaluation first then a competency or at least an IQ test for the entire cabinet , with results being made public so that at least some of us can justify the absolute madness that officials continuously demonstrate.
Something is most certainly wrong
We can all see it – all of them are out of sync with each other and posturing to make themselves look good individually yet the more they do so , the more ridiculous it makes the collective body look.
They say people operate at their highest level of competency … and if the show we have seen in this Government is evidence of that too .. then unfortunately we have not even begun to see the worst yet.
God bless our beloved Fiji.
Idiots everywhere says
If Rabuka can be PM after what he did in 1987 why can’t Naqaima become President for what he did in the past? Logic tells me that based on what Rabuka did, Naqaima is immensley qualified to be made President. Why are people jumping up and down now? Why didn’t they jump up and down when he was appointed Speaker two years ago or since? Was that because it was convenient at the time because everyone was too busy ensuring that Fiji First was taken out of government? Why doesn’t anyone speak up about Rabuka for the same reasons? How can Rabuka even be allowed to lead a party after what he did? How an an idiot like him even be thought of as PM? Why did people vote for an idiot like him? As for Baimaan, it is obvious that he is just filling his pocket for as long as he can and it s the same for the people from SODELPA. Those who thought Baimaan was going to keep things in check must have rocks or hot air inside their heads.
The people of Fiji are all idiots including everyone in this forum. I am really pissed off.
I mean, the dumbest idiot and the stupidest fool could have seen what was coming. How the f**k can anyone from 37 years ago capable of fixing anything now???? Is that f**king rocket science? People? I am sure everyone in this column complaining now voted for these dickheads. How does it feel to be an idiot, huh?
Learn fast says
You are wrong.
Not everyone in this forum voted for Rabuka.
Get a life.
There is more to politics than Frank and Rabuka.
If you want to talk, you talk about all coup leaders. They were all as bad as each other. Let that be the history lesson for every voter next election. Don’t vote for any party that has an ex army and a coup maker in it. End of story.
Graham Davis says
The president is quite different from a prime minister. He is supposed to be above politics and as head of state is the embodiment of the nation. The Tui Cakau is not above politics and if he is the embodiment of the nation, then Fijians are all racists, misogynists and child abusers. On second thoughts, he’s perfect.
Idiots everywhere says
So why didn’t you complain when he was made Speaker?
Graham Davis says
There is a big difference between speaker and head of state. Would King Charles survive if he was a racist, misogynist, convicted coup maker and alleged child abuser? Get a grip.
Idiots everywhere says
Your defence is pathetic. This is not about King Charles or your imagination IF King Charles had ceratin characteristics. This is about a real person with a real history.
I may be wrong, but I understand that if the President were not available, and the CJ was not available, the Speaker is next in line to act as President. So he is in a position to be President and you did not complain beacuse you were too busy making sure the previous government was deposed. You had a personal agenda. You know that.
This whole thing is not Rabuka and the Speaker’s fault, it is the fault of people like you who put them there. But as is the case for everything in Fiji, it is not your fault, it is someone elses fault.
Graham Davis says
It is not a “defence”, you fool. King Charles is the head of state of not only the UK but Australia, NZ, PNG, Solomons, Tuvalu etc and would have been Fiji’s head of state had Rabuka not junked the monarchy. So the analogy was perfectly valid.
Re your second par: Yes, you are wrong. The Constitution provides for the Chief Justice to fill in for the President when he is absent and there is no provision for the Speaker to do so. So this is a red herring to add to your existing ignorance.
Best get your facts right in future, as well as keep a civil tongue in your head.
Idiots everywhere says
So he is perfectly qualified to be Speaker but not qualified to be President?
I mean, we can overook his past and alledged child molestation, etc in his appointment as Speaker but not for President? That is why you did not speak up at the time because these things are acceptable in a Speaker.
By your logic, the PM is perfectly qualified to be PM but he will not be qualified to be President. It may well come in future that the current PM will be considered to be President sometime in future.
Graham Davis says
The Prime Minister has not served a jail term for anything. The prospective president has. Why are you harping on about something that is entirely irrelevant in the context of choosing a head of state? It is bizarre.
Let it be said says
The integrity of a man is measured by the decisions he has to make at the time with the best interest for all.
You did exactly that GD.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the why’s.
It is a difficult situation we are all in.
There is no need to point a finger at who did what but to watch very closely how things are unfolding.
The media in Fiji is dead and their inadequate reporting has resulted in what we are seeing today. The media in Fiji serves as a prime example of how media fails the whole country.
Don’t get discouraged GD. It is what it is. At least you are voicing the hard truth that Fijians need to hear.
Shameless Sham says
Is Shame Ali marching on Thursday then given she is the beacon of hope for women and girls in Fiji?
Bloody shameless disgusting hypocrite.
Morgan Tuimalealiifano says
Fiji, our children and grandchildren deserve better, much much better than what’s on offer. And our taxes surely can be better re-distributed. Very very sad to see this kind of leadership in this day and age.
Sad Fijian says
This is the problem Graham when we have simple minds like Rabuka leading the nation! There is no vision and any aspirations goes as far as his own self preservation!
I don’t know if we will ever be able to find and elect leaders who see beyond race and division ! Those who are moved and inspired by their moral standing and an acknowledgement that we have a responsibility to humanity to look after the larger interests of society. Only then can we have the passion , the drive and the commitment to understand the plight of the ordinary person, the struggling single mum and the Dad who’s barely able to make ends meet!
The current lot we have in my opinion have lost all sense of direction. Any faith in them will simply be misguided !
God forbid we elect them again in the next elections 🥹
Nfp voter says
Just sit back and watch the destruction of Fiji and the future of our children.
It’s sad that so many common people have no idea what’s hitting them as they are too drunk with the illusion of a nationalist and racist government.
Lucky are those who got out of Fiji, more still trying.
What a sore site it has quickly become. I didnt vote for this.
Ignorance is Bliss says
It’s worked perfectly keeping people drunk and uninformed.
Keep people numb
Keep people dumb
Keep people passive
Priority: Culture/ imports before citizens health
Sick people can’t fight like healthy people.
Government’s Low priority on employment = low personal responsibility and high chance of drugs and drinking.
Dumbo Rambo says
Yea indeed a sad day and time for Fiji. No value of pointing fingers back at 2022 elections. The majority wanted a change and the Snake Rabuka put his hand up. Yes, we were fooled, yes, we acted like idiots, and yes, we are now definitely a lot wiser. Everyday as we look and hear the absurd lies coming from This government, the more determined is the ground swell to turf these idiots out. Hopefully before they totally wreck this beautiful country.
Rabuka is DUMB!
Back to the Future says
That people were fooled, acted like gullible and hopeful idiots and voted for Rabuka/Bimanis is very regrettable, in hindsight. However that is in the past. The present issue is whether we are really wiser. Are we? Have we learned from the very recent past. Have we? Will our actions now and in 2026 be seen as regrettable in the future? If yes then it means we have not learnt to not repeat the same mistakes in the same context. Nor have we learnt to apply the same learnings or wisdom gained to new unprecedented situations not encountered in the past. We will continue to regret and be sorry. The solution then would be the antidepressant of kava and more kava. Let’s see in the 2026 elections that we are now looking forward to so much for another change, how much or how little we have learnt…in 2027 we don’t want to despair because of our choices and then resign to look to 2030 for abetter government . Weilei
2 years to go..of tyranny,oppression. Dictatorship. And shipwrecks! says
Perish the thought that Rabuka and His Prez change the constitution, or try, to by hook or by crook, so that he reigns forever more. Who cares about compliance with the requirements within the constitution for amendments to the document.
And there will be people chanting long live the king/pm.
With this current lot who knows the means they will resort to for permanency of power in the hands of the self selected.
Check mate says
By the way, the clueless idiots at the FT today have focused heavily on open taxi permits and bases instead the “Vanua politics “ IS is trying to highlight. Old warhorse Chaudhary rightfully questions Rabuka about where did this order of precedence originate. And of course Rabuka will slither into a rabbit hole and make some stupid comment. Mahend Patel surely knows how to dictate the Fiji Times editorial policy. How I wish to see both him and Rabuka neighbors in Naboro. George Speight will be in government and it will be the reign of crooks and criminals, Fiji. Vinaka to the i taukei. Vina vina
Daniel Richards says
The “self proclaimed, always right and know it all” Richard Naidu and Wadan Narsey have zipped up.
Are they ashamed of what the Coalition government is doing, or is it because they have supported Rabuka and his government, they feel let down by the very people they supported in particular the NFP Leader and Rabuka.
Richard and Wadan were always the first ones to give their “so-called smart ” views on the things that were done by the Fiji First Government.
They always had a view – Richard from legal perspective and on good governance and Wadan on practically all subject areas. Both have behaved as if their perspectives and opinions are always correct.
They don’t realise that most initiatives and projects of Fiji First Government are being carried forward by the Coalition Government. The new things that the Coalition government has done so far are illegal appointments across the government and now nominated a misogynist and convict who is likely to become the next president of Fiji.
Where are Richard and Wadan now? Don’t they see what the Coalition government is doing, how the judiciary and independent institutions are functioning, how appointment at highest levels are made, there is uncontrolled rising cost of living, increasing poverty levels, deteriorating health sector and infrastructure, uncontrolled drug prevalence and abuse, rising sexual violence and crime and so forth.
They always had views, but now the silence means either they are protecting their partners or they are hesitant to call a spade a spade. And of course, Speight’s release and tax holiday to an established multimillion dollar company – a complete silence by Wadan. Aren’t they demonstrating that they are there for the rich and elite and not for the poor and small businesses.
These two always look down upon those who are smarter than them.
It’s not too late. Earn some respect by calling out what’s not right. Act beyond politics and behave like professionals.
But what can Wadan suggest to Biman on the economy and rising debt or borrowing which are for consumption purposes. And what can Richard say , firstly as he was convicted but later acquitted and then he has been seen interfering with FICAC to drop Biman and Malimali’s cases. Rather than defending Biman in Court, he with others who are under investigation lobbied the favour of FICAC Commissioner, whose appointment is highly questionable.
Anonymous says
GD…u say u had no idea that rabuka and co would be worse than frank and co?….pls don’t make me laugh at bedtime…I won’t be able to sleep.:)
And by the way everyone knew that a vote for the spineless Biman “i will sell my soul to do anything to become deputy PM” Prasad was always going to be a vote for the evil viper rabuka….even u knew that, cos I know you are not that stupid.
Keep at it though…a LOT of people enjoy reading your pieces.
Graham Davis says
Yes, I am that stupid. Me and tens of thousands of others. Only in hindsight does “everyone know”. Bully for you if you were ahead of the pack.