Any Prime Minister who accepts a $150,000 gold Rolex as a gift and refuses to disclose its source is on the prima facie evidence, corrupt. But we now know (or have had it confirmed) that Sitiveni Rabuka is also two-faced, spineless and once again, a genuine threat to democracy in Fiji.
Just three weeks separates these headlines – a promise that the Ashton-Lewis Commission of Inquiry into the “rotten circumstances” surrounding the appointment of Barbara Malimali as FICAC Commissioner would be made public and today’s front page in the Fiji Sun doing a shameless about-face by saying it won’t be released after all.
What kind of leader treats those who put him there with such contempt? Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka CF OBE MSD – aka “The Snake” – an amoral low-life who raped democracy twice in 1987, upended the nation and lied his way back into power in 2023 by promising he had changed.
Rabuka hasn’t changed at all. He routinely lies and dissembles, treating the Fijian people like morons and using his power to enrich himself and the rest of the elite – whether it is with gold Rolexes or unconscionable pay rises – while more than half the nation lives in poverty.
Worse, he is presiding over the rape of Fiji’s institutions of state. He has corrupted the judiciary by appointing a shameless law breaker, Salesi Temo, as Chief Justice. He has corrupted the corruption watchdog by putting a government stooge and overt racist into the job of FICAC Commissioner. And he has corrupted the parallel prosecution service, the ODPP, by placing government lackeys in supposedly independent roles so that no-one in Fiji who falls foul of the governing elite can rely on the rule of law. It is state capture, pure and simple, and a clear and present danger to the rights of every Fijian.
Let’s be clear about Sitiveni Rabuka’s power. Under the Constitution, it is his decision and his decision alone whether the Ashton-Lewis Report is released. Not the President’s, not the Attorney General’s, no-one but the Prime Minister’s. Yet Rabuka toys with the Fijian public like a cat toys with a mouse.
First repeated public statements that he “favours” the release of the COI Report. What do you mean, you “favour” it, Prime Minister? It is your decision and your decision alone. Yet when it is decision time, you suddenly change your mind. Suddenly you don’t favour transparency and accountability – leveling with the people who put you there. You favour pulling the wool over their eyes and depriving them of the truth.
Read this story carefully, Fiji. Because the man you forgave for the 1987 coups, the National Bank scandal, the overt racism, the beatings, rapes and all the lies that have characterised Sitiveni Rabuka’s career in public life, has delivered the rest of us another unforgivable “eff you”.
The subtext is very simple. “We used $2-million of your money to carry out a judicial inquiry that I ordered to find out how someone who is banned from practicing law in Tuvalu because of misconduct was made FICAC Commissioner and proceeded to quash investigations into a gaggle of government ministers and stopped one of my deputy prime ministers, Biman Prasad, from being charged. I am entitled to receive the findings of that Inquiry but you are not”.
And the Prime Minister has the temerity to call this a “clean-up process”? There is nothing clean about it at all. It is just the latest installment of the risible narrative of this grubby government that it is “trying to do something right for the nation”. When that really means doing the right thing for itself, not the people, by keeping us all in the dark and feeding us bullshit.
There’s only one passage in all of this that is rooted in the truth.
That’s how pathetic this man is as a leader. He won’t level with us but he knows that someone else is going to blow the whistle on him. Jesus wept. Is this really what Fiji has come to?
OK, what’s in the Ashton-Lewis Report? This is what Grubsheet reported on Tuesday:
——————–
——————
It is now time for us to see the full picture. For someone with the national interest genuinely at heart who finds themselves in possession of the Ashton-Lewis Report to do their civic duty to make it public.
If you are that person, there is no point in leaking it to the mainstream media in Fiji. It will only continue to be suppressed. So please consider sending it to where it will be published – here at Grubsheet or at Victor Lal‘s Fijileaks. And you can obviously do so anonymously.
My address is:
P.O Box 1272,
Rozelle,
New South Wales,
Australia 2039
We must bust open the secrecy of this government and fight its assault on democracy. And our right to know the truth about how those we trusted to govern us have betrayed us.
It is also time to finally throw this solid gold “fat cat” and enemy of the people onto the scrapheap of history where he belongs.
May 3, 2025:
May 23, 2025:
POSTSCRIPT:
And guess what else Sitiveni Rabuka has done, Fiji? Led another assault on democracy by restoring the hereditary power of the chiefs.
The latest pronouncement by the GCC Chair, Ratu Viliame Seruvakula, is extraordinary. That whether or not the 2013 Constitution is changed legally, it will be changed.
The Commander of the RFMF, Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai, – a chief himself -was sighted at the GCC meeting.
Does this mean he would be willing to use the might of the military to remove the 2013 Constitution unlawfully?
Commander, enough of the hugs, apologies and tears. It is time for you, in the interests of national stability, to set the record straight. Because no-one – local or foreign – is going to invest a single saqamoli in Fiji if the rule of law is called into question in this manner.
It is deeply unsettling for national confidence generally, coming on top of the news that the government is going to lend public money to iTaukei to buy back freehold land from the minorities and foreigners when more than 90 per cent of Fiji’s land surface is already in indigenous hands.
The government says it will only be if freehold landowners are happy with the price. But how does it intend to deal with threats of intimidation if those landowners don’t want to sell?
The iTaukei have been empowered but with what restraints? None when the head of the GCC openly says that the chiefs aren’t constrained by the rule of law.
Madness has taken hold and it can only lead to a greater flight of people and capital on top of the 100,000 plus Fijians who have chosen to leave since the Coalition came to power.
UPDATE SUNDAY AM:
Grubsheet is surrounded by removal boxes and unplaced furniture as we move back into our apartment after four months of flood rectification works. So my ability to post here is severely curtailed.
But please take the trouble to read the latest comments on this piece – some of which are genuinely excellent and reflect the intelligence and commitment of a great many Grubsheet readers.
Some people say “you must miss your 30,000 ‘followers’ on Facebook”. Not at all. These thoughtful, perceptive and sometimes lengthy contributions to the national debate are so far ahead of the glib one-liners, putdowns and chronic disinformation on Facebook that they are “must reads” in themselves.
We are engaged in a battle of ideas over the country’s direction and it is wonderful that so many people care enough to commit their ideas to this forum. So a heartfelt thanks to my readers for taking the time and trouble to write.
GD
Suppressing this important government appointed “Court of Inquiry” report because the Prime Minister doesn’t like its findings has potentially serious consequences. In future, another incoming government may well use the reports findings and punish the Prime Minister, and others who were implicated in the CoI findings of committing acts such as malfeasance in public office, corrupt practices, favouritism and so on.
So, watch out Mr Rolex Prime Minister. You might end up in prison in your retirement!
His preferred alternative and steadfast objective: posthumous imprisonment after a state funeral.
Insightful and hilarious. Vinaka
In solitary confinement.
Supermax.
No windows.
No visitors.
Also not disclosing the findings and not addressing the issues publicly will further fuel the work of the government, its self-interest, intentions and absolute corruption & abuse of power. This will spell significant danger to democracy…hopefully the guardians are watching before the next hell breaks loose on Fiji! There are demonstrably no democratic, ethical nor moral neurons in this government and its leaders. The so-called professor is exploiting the situation for himself where he should actually stand tall and defend to defend the constitution and protect our people and nation. Dance to Rambos tune mate to your own peril (you selfish b*d) but pls show some morals at least and spare the country and our people.
God bless Fiji and our people.
The GCC is a threat to democracy. It won’t be too long before Rabuka and his clowns give it enough powers to act like Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, where they act as a powerful parallel force influencing politics, the economy and foreign policy.
Effing village idiots
Thank God 100,000 new passports are coming soon.
I am sure the citizens who are held hostage by the deliberate withholding of passports will know what to do before this whole country is turned into a madhouse by this group of lunatics.
The decision not to release the report was already a forgone conclusion from the very day the report was given to the government.
Either Leung, Temo or both, DIRECTED the PM to keep the report out of the public domain.
It’s also a forgone conclusion that Rabuka will win the elections next year. The latest statistics show the Indo-Fijian population has fallen significantly, with mass migrations occurring so their voting numbers have fallen. The Fijians are not going to vote Biman or Chaudhry into power. They would rather Rabuka than either Biman or Chaudhry; although, the latter would be a highly effective PM and could turn the country around very quickly.
With the formation of the new Fijians First party, it has yet to gain the same momentum as FFP did and as such, is unlikely to be able to form a government alone, unless it somehow forms a coalition with FLP and Unity; this being a dangerous relationship, as the FLP leader is notorious for wanting things done his way.
Either way, Rabuka has milked the system and knows he has secured another term in office, but I suspect the next term will be one he intends to form government alone without sex-addicts and drug users.
Gotta agree with this post. He knows he has the support of the i’taukei peasantry through their chiefs and is looking at returning to.power with an increased majority.
Nope PAP will loose ! Wait and see ! You don’t know Fijian politics ! It will be a repeat of his humiliating loss in 1999!!
Only to be expected from that spineless pile of dung.
Not surprised ! Naiqama is protecting those pricks in the report !! Biman and Lynda would have given so much money to have report hidden and Rabuka’s statement yesterday that what it contains is pretty much what he suspected was happening is just so him ! Makes one hope he is real when he is not !!
Just vote them out ! The report has NFP and PAP ministers implicated !
Bunch of wankers !
So much for the Truth coming out in the so called Truth and Reconciliation Commission pantomime!
A common misused and overused cliche ” The truth will set you Free “.
Looks like the Truth coming out in the COI report was too much to swallow in this new found freedom and democracy of the Coalition govt. So transparency and accountability has gone back into captivity and the dictate of the chiefly and the godly Rolex man.
It unfair and disparaging to call the rolex man godly. He’ll be pissed.
The sona rolex man IS god.
It says so in the book. If only the itaukei children could read the vernacular bible.
The magician has done his magic once again. Say one thing and do the complete opposite.
Let me say it again, this is iTaukei land and now they will make the law as they go, assisted by Baimaan for another year or so. The government will never be allowed to get into the hands of the vulagi at any cost. They can eff off.
The vast majority of the population are cheering him, just like they did in 1987.
He will be a shoo-in at the next election.
We all know who all the culprits are so a leaked report will not tell us anything we do not already know and it will not make any difference.
Fijians love a well known dickhead as their pm. It is a cultural and traditional thing which the vulagi will never understand. Racism will always prevail and is paramount. Poverty, cost of living, the standard of living do not matter. The iTaukei will just live off the land under a vulagi God because they are special people , the only ones God has a special place for.
Fiji is not new to this. It is happening in the US. as well.
…and if you dont like what is happening you are encouraged to migrate. Thats why 100,000 passports were printed…to facilitate the orderly migration of the vulagi.
And then who pays the taxes? When freehold landowners are intimidated into selling and the best and brightest pull up stumps and leave? Fiji will be a wasteland run by Chinese gangsters and drug runners and their stooges in government.
These idiots don’t realise that they are playing right into the hands of the Aussies, Kiwis and other beneficiaries of the current mass migration. They get our best and brightest to benefit their economies and Fiji is placed on a charity drip. Sovereignty and all power over its own destiny gone.
Is that what Ratu Sukuna had in mind for the iTaukei? Powerless and dependent on handouts? Coz that’s what’s coming if this madness doesn’t come to a halt.
iTaukei land will have iTaukei laws, made up as one goes along, to keep the vulagis out. No vulagi laws apply on iTaukei land if it does not suit the purpose at the time.
No point in going on and on like a broken record.
It is about mounting a persuasive argument, not going on and on about how everyone is an idiot. As if that is going to change hearts and minds. But do crank up the old “His Master’s Voice” record player again. At least the trademark white dog is listening.
My family owns freehold land in Vanua Levu. We have never been ‘initimidated’ into selling the land.
The nearby village are making good money from yaqona planted on their own land.
Two panadols with a glass of water will help calm you down
So I gather from your email address that you are iTaukei? Well you would say that, wouldn’t you.
I don’t need Panadol to calm me down because I don’t own land in Fiji. But if I did, I’d need more than Panadol right now.
First members of the GCC say that the chiefs should have power over the parliament. Then they say if the supreme law isn’t changed by lawful means, other possibilities exist to change it. If that doesn’t set off alarm bells in anyone with half a brain, they don’t have a pulse.
Sobosobo Teapot Lips, kerekere vakasamataka mada (please think about it) ….. please read and understand the PM’s speeches including at last year’s Taukei Business Conference when he lamented the fact that less than 5% of registered firms in Fiji are Taukei-owned (so 95% Vulagi-owned and corporate tax payers). And that’s even after Taukeis getting concessions and preferential treatment from the various governments since Independence (perhaps except under Bai). So please think twice, thrice (or even “frice” as kids would say) when mulling over your racist agenda. Always link it to the nation’s tax base so infrastructure, schools and hospitals can be built or upgraded (and for the PM, President, Ministers and MPs to get their sky-high pay rises). Last word of caution, please don’t bite the hand that feeds you!
Never underestimate the power of bitterness, misplaced grievance, resentment, and raw hatred. Not to mention sheer wilful ignorance and stupidity.
Exhibit number 1: teapot lips.
If teapot removed his/her lips from the donkeys tail end, you will know 80,000 of those passports will go to kilavata itaukeis as they scamble to get out Fijian societal cycle of generational poverty.
The common itaukei know repressive cultural demands and regressive traditional practices are holding them back.
More and more itaukei are in poverty and desperate to go work overseas.
Because you can’t eat the land. And just 6 feet under is needed at the end. With all 200 arces will remain bushland loke 200+ years prior.
However, working overseas has become the bane of itaukei people with societal breakdown due to absent parents, abusive relatives, and directionless , uncared for children.
which, in turn, brings disorderly family situations such as lasa tuba, abandoned, abused, and molested children,
children left hungry, drugs, HIV, and domestic violence.
So please do keep beating your chests gloating about landownership. It’ll help you stroke your own ego and give you a false sense of wealth.
Do stop bleating about vulagi being the problem.
Realize that the people in power do not have our backs and they don’t give a shit – or a donkeys ass about whether we survive or not — including the itaukei.
Yet we hear, feel, and see constant itaukei bigotry, which says to minorities that we’d rather have a criminal leading our country than a person of another ethnic origin.
The itaukei have cult-like desire for a treasonous criminal rather than a law-abiding, capable person who might stop the current depressing regression.
Don’t worry Fiji, the report will soon find it’s way into the public arena. It’s only a matter of time..☺️
Vote them out is the only way to change this old corrupt group in government now. Although some will die before the next election but that alone will not be enough to make them any better so people power is the way to go.Rabuka and his gang can do what ever they want for the next 12 months and then it’s up to the people.
The corruption in this government is so bad that they are blinded by the greed whereas they are making things harder for the common people.The 2 men role for the last 16 years was way better than where we are today. The only issue with them was they made too many enemies by becoming arrogant but who cares? At least the situation with every thing I can say was much better.
2026 VOTE THEM OUT- EVERYONE OF THEM
Janet Mason, any comments now? Perhaps Rabuka will say he will implement the recommendations (maybe part of it) as the situation demands or gradually remove the rot through natural attrition. This of course is not the same as making the COI public/not public. Compromised transparency. The second coming of the “Lord of the Flies”, with due respect to the author William Golding.
We are now at a defining moment for the credibility of the Coalition government and the future of political governance in Fiji.
It comes as no surprise to many that Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has once again contradicted his own public utterances—this time on the release of the Commission of Inquiry Report regarding the appointment of Barbara Malimali as FICAC Commissioner.
We are witnessing yet another instance of the Prime Minister’s familiar “say one thing, do another” syndrome. From “let’s go public” to ” not for public” in a matter of few weeks makes Rabuka untrustworthy and not fit to serve the high office of the Prime Minister.
This pattern of deception insults the intelligence of the Fijian people. Rabuka seems to believe he can casually reverse his position without consequence, treating public trust as a disposable commodity.
The report reportedly addresses critical issues not only as far as Malimali ‘s appointment is concerned but also other allegations involving Coalition ministers previously under FICAC investigation and the acts of independent institutions. These recommendations must be acted upon without delay. Any attempt to suppress or stall its implementation is a direct affront to justice, transparency, and democratic accountability.
If the government continues to dodge its responsibility, then perhaps it becomes imperative for the Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces to step forward using his legal authority under the constitution – to intervene when national security and governance is in peril— if this moment fits that mandate.
The time has come to test this constitutional provision. The question is: does the Commander have the courage to uphold the very powers entrusted to him? His track record may raise doubts, but should he rise to the occasion, he will not only redeem his legacy—he will be hailed as a national savior who acted when the government failed.
The question is: is there any hope?
Hands up all those who thought that this treasionist asshole would do anything different.
What we think does not matter. The people love a treasonist arsehole to lead them.
Just look at all the ones in the GCC. They elected a convicted criminal and a runaway army officer as deputies with a lot of pride and ceremony.
One of them will be installed as a high chief, where royalty will be present and everyone is looking forward to it. Goes without saying, the bigger an arsehole you are the more suited you are to be appointed to a role.
It is a traditional and cultural thing which vulagies will never understand.
While the COI suppression is a big stink for government right now, come election time all these sentiments will be forgotten, and the voters will be voting for these clowns again.
Of more serious concern to me is the utterances from the Chairman of the GCC in recent days about removing the 2013 Constitution.
Below is a quote from a Fijivillage news article yesterday 22/05.
We want this Constitution gone.
This is the sentiment shared by the Great Council of Chiefs Chairman, Ratu Viliame Seruvakula, while briefing the media after the end of the second day of the GCC meeting held at the Valenibose in Draiba.
Ratu Viliame says the Constitution is restricting a lot of work for the indigenous people, and the chiefs have had enough of it.
He says there are even suggestions that it came out through the back door and should go back through the back door.
End quote.
That statement sounds seditious to me.
Like PAP who has been wanting to change the 2013 Constitution or parts thereof, the GCC are not specific in what exactly they want changed.
I am not sure which parts of the Constitution are “restricting a lot of work for the indigenous people”?
Same old generalisations to give false hope to the Itaukei. Nothing specific or of substance to really lift the standard of life for the Itaukei. Nothing changes. And this is coming from the apex body that is supposed to be looking out for iTaukei interests.
I suspect one of the major laws the GCC wants changed is the Mining Act that gives mineral rights to the state for anything 6ft under.
If the GCC continues down this track, there will be far bigger implications for Fiji’s economic prosperity and sovereignty.
Be scared Fijians. Be very scared.
You obviously didn’t go beyond my comments on the COI report. I addressed some of these concerns as a postscript and agree with you. It is deeply worrying.
The g c c is threatening a coup in plain sight. Otherwise, what exactly is meant by “it must be gone”?
Back door? WTF is that supposed to mean. Explain what exactly is “restrictive”?
The chairman is openly calling for a revolt, spreading misinformation, threatening other communities equal citizenry and equal rights.
And no one bats an eyelid??
In the absence of a statement from rfmf to strongly refute the chairman’s rubbish threatening national security, the world must know the military is in agreement with this shit show.
Wtf is going on?
No willing seller, no buyback. SIMPLE.
Unless there is intense pressure to sell. I know someone with freehold land in Tailevu who already has squatters on his land claiming traditional ownership from pre-colonial times. Now that they are being given the means to acquire the land with taxpayer funds, do you honestly think they are going to back off? It is a recipe for confrontation, intimidation and even violence.
Zimbabwe of the south pacific.
Isn’t that lovely, isn’t that nice?
Fiji’s land issues will turn it into Zimbabwe. From a fruit bowl to a basket case
My 90 year old itaukei neighbors response when I told her about the Fiji Sun cover story was: …. “Sa qei dua na Prime Minister sonalevu.”
Even Rolex pm on abc news said that he was unaware of the Warwick Pina colada poisoning case . He said he was not told anything from tsunami gavoka. But he told the world that fiji is safe to visit
Honestly, after years of hoping, praying and contributing for better, I give up. I’ll do what all the rabid nationalists including in comments on this column want, and I’ll leave. yes I’m Indo-Fijian. Yes I work as a public servant on a wage lower than I could earn in the private sector. Yes I have raised my kids to be loved, and loving to all, and have kept them from the harm that one sees in the so many homes in the country. Yes I would have loved if we could all hold hands and walk forward together. But from all the hate spewed at my community as vulagi, why should I continue? there’s only so much of an emotional beating one can take. If my absence will magically make you live in a country where the hospital lifts work, where you are all contributing in a decolonised way to a country that actually functions – have at it. Minus the ability to point your finger at ‘the other’, and complain that the indigenous, already so well protected in our constitution, are magically marginalised, let’s see what you make of Fiji. I’ll be holding the tea and popcorn watching from afar, crying for my once beloved country.
Sitiveni Rabuka raped Fiji’s democracy for the first time in 1987 and, almost four decades on, he continues raping Fiji until today. The man calls himself a Christian. For the love of Christ, someone rise up and send him into oblivion. He is making Frank Bainimarama’s words truer than ever: “A snake is a snake.” Frank was many things—narcissist, corrupt, bipolar, thug, bully, dictator—but at least Frank was not outlandishly racist. He did not believe in one race being more superior than another. Deranged Rabuka however is passionately racist and cunning. Us iTaukei people will continue to suffer because of Rabuka and those of his ilk. The kai India going already leaving in droves and soon we will have no one else to blame but ourselves.
Truth is the gateway to knowledge. Knowledge is sought, pursued, where truth remains the common denominator.
Truth does not recognize culture, blind faith, traditions, hate, and ethnicities, just as truth does not recognize poverty based on ethnicity.
Treasonous calls for “removing the constitution through the back door” will be another illegal action clearly with the support of unelected people – g c c and rfmf.
Two wrongs don’t make a right.
As Fiji’s sad and repetitive missteps show the four coups, four constitutions still have not made things right.
Mutiny, hostage taking, rapes, buring and looting in towns and cities, cold blooded murders of colleagues – of both military and civilians. These crimes have been committed by the unelected military with complicit tacit approval of the g c c.
The truth has been repeatedly cast aside to advance the usual false narratives of indigenous supremacists hungry for power and wealth by the repeated usual suspects of the g c c and sitiveni the snake.
The constitution has always been the recurring theme (1970/1990/1997/2013) for the never happy natives.
The second ever-present boogeyman, which is drilled and taught from home that easily disguises the truth to cast Indo-Fijians as villains. This absolute bullshit narrative is holding back the indigenous Fijians.
How? The mirror is our friend.
Fifty years of the same bullshit when in all the past 50 years the truth has been staring us in the face–there is no substitute to earning an honest buck.
Persistent hard work towards excellence is the foundation. Money follows hard work.
FDB is giving INTEREST FREE loans to only indigenous people while the rest of pay 18% interest.
Look for the truth. Work for the truth.
Until and unless the majority is indigenous Fijians realize and accept that truth is hiding in plain sight and truth is their only shot at glory, no progress is possible.
Bullshit is free and plentiful and only hides the truth.
Truth is not free, but it will set you free.
Don’t look for money. Don’t work solely for money. The truth is out there in the para grass. Persistent, patient, progressive hard work goes hand in hand with success and truth.
You no doubt know that Alex Forwood is sitting on the daily recordings of the COI being a complainant and giving evidence. She talks to/with Vilisi on FB and YouTube about releasing these recordings if the report isn’t make public. She has already dropped some points of what the report covers including the names of the lawyers. AG SG CJ all being called out.
In today’s Fiji Times on page 2 he is quoted saying quote ““I have also indicated to His Excellency that it might be premature to publicise the full report, as it may still be required by the Fiji Police Force and/or FICAC, in order to avoid prejudicing any ongoing or future investigations.”
Excuse me Mr Rabuka .. how people / institutions react / think / behave towards directives , mandates , findings should not be your concern ! Your concern as the elected national leader is to ensure that integrity , honesty and principles are upheld 24/7 and 365 days a year and to tow the line and let procedures and process deal with them accordingly if they don’t.
Stop flip flopping around with excuses and let the leaders of institutions and agencies in place rise up to the principles that the office of the Prime Minister should be demonstrating and upholding first.
Your weak inconsistent and power hungry led decision making style is permeating and being mimicked through the public service because that is the personal and professional standard we the public see you lead by. You PM have set the tone and as I predict the COI report will confirm that everything you and your coalition have touched now stinks of the same stench as you.
Therefore in hindsight, It isn’t surprising after all that the coalition piles one disaster on top of another every new day … because the PM is absolutely lost! He has lost his moral compass and it has affected his integrity clarity and ability to lead.
Rabuka has sealed the deal that He is not fit to be our Prime Minister .
The mess we find ourselves in today is evidence of this . Not only in his recent actions as the elected PM but also from almost 40 years ago when he staged the first military coup of our nation .
Bring on the 2026 General Elections !
How can these matters go to FICAC while Barbara Malimali remains in place as Commissioner? The COI report recommends her removal, for God’s sake.
So the principal corruption watchdog who has been found culpable of wrongdoing gets to investigate herself? The whole thing is a sick farce. Rabuka can no longer be trusted to preside over the nation’s affairs.
The COI report recommends the removal of Malimali. Additionally, it recommends that the racist Chief Justice of Fiji, Temo, should be sanctioned and questioned before a panel of three senior Supreme Court judges. Rabuka has once again flip-flopped. This man is worse than a snake—he is leading Fiji into the wilderness. I wonder how this reckless man can remain Prime Minister. Doesn’t he have any morals or ethics? He is now going against the very report he commissioned. What was the purpose of this inquiry in the first place
The weak gutted dog 🐕 is at it again. Nuff said.
The controversy surrounding Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s refusal to release the full Commission of Inquiry (COI) report into the appointment of FICAC Commissioner Barbara Malimali has rightly triggered a wave of public outrage and renewed concerns about the state of democracy, transparency, and governance in Fiji. This episode, detailed in the referenced Grubsheet article (thank you GD), highlights several troubling trends that threaten the country’s fragile democratic foundations.
Key concerns
• The government’s decision not to disclose the findings of the COI, despite earlier promises of transparency, is a significant breach of public trust. The inquiry, which cost over $2 million in taxpayer funds, was established precisely because existing watchdog institutions were perceived as compromised or ineffective.
• Prime Minister Rabuka’s justification—that releasing the report might prejudice ongoing investigations—has been widely criticized as unconvincing and self-serving. Critics, including opposition leaders, argue that the real motive is to shield government ministers and allies implicated in the report from accountability.
Abuse of Power and Corruption Allegations
• The Grubsheet commentary accuses Rabuka of using his office for personal enrichment, citing the acceptance of a $150,000 gold Rolex and unconscionable pay rises for the elite while ordinary Fijians face deepening poverty.
• The report’s suppression is seen as part of a broader pattern of state capture: the appointment of loyalists to key institutions (judiciary, FICAC, ODPP) undermines the independence of checks and balances, eroding the rule of law and enabling impunity for the governing elite.
Undermining Democratic Institutions
• The government’s moves to restore and empower the Great Council of Chiefs (GCC), and the GCC’s open rejection of the 2013 Constitution, raise fears of a return to ethnically exclusive governance and the sidelining of constitutional norms.
• Statements from GCC leaders suggesting they are not bound by the constitution, and hints at extralegal means to alter the supreme law, are deeply destabilizing and reminiscent of Fiji’s coup-prone past.
Erosion of Public Confidence and Democratic Norms
• The pattern of “say one thing, do another” by the Prime Minister has led to widespread cynicism and a sense of betrayal among the public, who had hoped for a new era of openness after the end of Bainimarama’s long rule.
• The government’s actions have sparked fears of further democratic backsliding, with commentators warning that continued secrecy and self-interest will only fuel further corruption, abuse of power, and possibly even unrest.
Reflections: Implications for Fiji’s Democracy
The suppression of the COI report is not an isolated incident but part of a continuum of governance failures that have plagued Fiji for decades. As the Pacific Journalism Review notes, Fiji’s history is marked by a lack of media freedom, political transparency, and meaningful accountability, with successive governments—regardless of party—falling short of democratic principles. The current coalition, despite initial hopes, appears to be perpetuating these patterns.
By refusing to disclose the COI findings, the government not only undermines public trust but also sets a dangerous precedent: that accountability is optional and that those in power can act with impunity. This is especially concerning given the serious nature of the allegations—ranging from improper appointments to the quashing of corruption investigations involving senior ministers.
The empowerment of the GCC and the open challenge to the constitution threaten to further destabilize Fiji’s multi-ethnic society. The rhetoric of indigenous supremacy and talk of changing the constitution “by other means” evoke memories of past coups and risk alienating minorities, deterring investment, and accelerating the ongoing exodus of skilled citizens.
The commentary in the attached lines rightly warns that failing to address these issues publicly will embolden the government’s self-interest and absolute corruption, spelling significant danger for democracy. The call for “guardians” to watch over Fiji is a plea for the country’s remaining independent institutions—civil society, judiciary, and perhaps even the military (though this is itself controversial)—to uphold constitutional norms before further damage is done.
A Defining Moment
Fiji stands at a crossroads. The government’s handling of the COI report has become a litmus test for its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law. If the report remains hidden and implicated officials go unpunished, it will confirm the worst fears about the current administration’s priorities and the future of Fijian democracy.
As the original commentary states, “There are demonstrably no democratic, ethical nor moral neurons in this government and its leaders.” The time for promises and platitudes is over. Only decisive action—full disclosure, accountability for wrongdoing, and respect for constitutional processes—can restore faith in Fiji’s democracy and prevent the next crisis from erupting.
God bless Fiji and its people.
I am not sure why we expected Rabuka to have acted differently.
Right from Day 1 he has established himself as impotent, weak and easily manipulated by others. In almost all issues, ranging from foreign policy, regional issues, domestic matters, race relations etc, he has been so pathetic that the bigger powers are celebrating. He is being used by the Japanese on Fukushima nuclear discharge, Aussies on climate change, Americans on deep sea mine mining, the Chinese and the Israelis to pursue their genocide agenda. He has not had the balls to deal with USP nor with the deviants in his own government. He is totally incompetent and provides huge opportunity be it ethno-nationalists, corrupt individual, business and other governments to pursue their agenda using Fiji’s strategic position in the Pacific.
In fact he has become a laughing stock to outsiders and embarrassment to Fiji.
I would disagree with the sentiment of some that the i Taukeis share his racist agenda and would automatically support him come 2026. Let us not dismiss the power of our youths and the new generation who are growing up in a globalised world and do not see Fiji through ethnic lenses like him. Like Indo Fijians who would not automatically support BCP or MPC, many enlightened citizens of Fiji are aghast at the attempt to try and fool them through these political dramas.
Most of us have established relationships across ethnic divides and are not blind to the overtly racist actins and policies by the Rabuka government abetted by the likes of Biman who will soon be relegated to the dustbin of history.
As you rightly point out let us all make sure that the catalogue of disasters by Rabuka and Coalition should be kept front and centre as we all prepare for the 2026 elections.
Dont put your faith in the ‘tik tok’ youth to pull us out of this situation. They are too focussed staring into their phones following the Coca Cola Games, the Deans Trophy competition and other circuses in town.
The PM should be considered for prosecution by the next govt for causing a financial loss to the state – for initiating a commission of inquiry that looks like is going to be non binding and despite overwhelming public interest has decided not to release the report. Speculation is rife that much rot was discovered that needs to be put right. These need to be put to rest by making the report public. Yet no action. What then was the purpose of the PM requesting the inquiry – just to simply confirm what he suspected in the questionable appointment process of the Ficac head. And then do nothing?
A waste of taxpayer funds it looks like so far.
Am I surprised? No, Rabuka has a track record of saying one thing and doing another!
Whilst he is in power Fiji will go backwards as he clearly wants to return to the 1990’s where he is control and answering to no one.
The senile GCC continue their quest to govern Fiji by stealth and also wanting to return to an earlier era where they controlled everyone.
Am glad I am no longer in Fiji and have no intention to return whilst Rabuka and company are in power or even alive.
The exodus of people will continue and the rule of law, what is left of it, will diminish and with that investment as well.
I believe all the contributors to this column should make full disclosure and state at the end of each their contributions if they voted for a well known dumbo to bring about change and now have voter regret.
Just so that we’ll all know where each is coming from. Is that an unreasonable ask?
Well we know where you’re coming from. Everyone’s an idiot except you. So no need for a declaration in your case.
‘Is that an unreasonable ask?’
Yes. Certain things must remain private. How anyone voted or will vote is none of anyone’s business.
Voting preferences are purely personal decisions and an inalienable right.
I believe most of us knew that the report will not see the light of the day, but had some hope that the PM will do the right thing. Alas, the trend continues.
Most of My friends and family have left the country, and many more are in the process of doing so. The freehold land grab policy, sugar coated as “buy back policy 3.0” is another indicator that the government has no policies for the land poor minorities. We are now reduced to second class citizens. We are called ‘kulina’ and told to go back to where you came from in most Facebook comments.
Hopefully with the 100k new passports arriving soon will help most of the vulagi to finally pack their bags and leave the country at the earliest opportunity.
Seeing the situation in Fiji reminds me of an old saying.
The difference between humans and animals is that animals would never allow the dumbest in the herd to lead them.
By electing Biman and Rabuka, Fijians have again proven that we are one dumb lot.