So next Tuesday, Cabinet will decide precisely who is going to investigate the “rot” over the appointment of Barbara Malimali at FICAC and the terms of reference of the “inquiry” into the sensational allegations of ministerial interference at the corruption watchdog.
In the cabinet room will be the seven ministers who were being investigated under Francis Puleiwai until she was swept aside and Barbara Malimali put it all on hold. They include Biman Prasad, who was about to be charged with abuse of office on the very day Puleiwai was removed, and Lynda Tabuya, who has already been cleared by her close friend even before any inquiry is held, and on entirely spurious grounds.
Yes, folks. Those accused of corruption get to decide the corruption watchdog’s fate. Only in Rabuka’s Fiji, eh? Truly the Zimbabwe of the South Seas – a banana republic whose supposedly independent institutions of state have been hopelessly compromised and where anything now goes.
So where is the public outcry? Where is the blowtorch from a media that continually crows that it is finally “free” yet has betrayed the Fijian people with its chronic negligence, bias and manipulation?
To its credit, today’s Fiji Sun runs a prominent article on Page 2 by the opposition MP, Premila Kumar, who nails the central issues and nails one of the principal culprits, “Bad Santa” Salesi Temo.
But over at the Fiji Times, there is nothing at all until a short letter buried down-paper on Page 26. The lapdogs at the Pravda of the Coalition – the Soviet-style propaganda rag that now passes for the nation’s traditional newspaper of record – are genuinely a national disgrace.
From the Cambridge Dictionary:
UPDATE:
The latest statement from Mahendra Chaudhry‘s Labour Party castigating the Prime Minister for his public comments that clearly prejudice the outcome of any legitimate “inquiry”.
The prolific correspondent, Rajend Naidu, in the Sunday Times. I wonder what grapevine that was?
Trust British Paints - Sure Can! says
IF it is not a whitewash Inquiry and Malimali’s appointment is determined to be flawed, then her closing the case against her friend Tabuya/Semaan (make up your mind defacto or married) should be reopened. And any other cases Malimali would have handled by the time the inquiry is completed. On the basis of her compromised impartiality and or incompetence.
If the inquiry is a whitewash then we run for the hills and say happy 2027.
Fed Up says
This government has just moved from sick mode to nauseating, the only beneficiaries are themselves, contractors, speech writers if which there are plenty and the big end of town,
Can’t wait for the 2026 elections
It is a coup says
There is a coup in Fiji right now.
It is by the judiciary on the safety of all Fijians. This lawlessness has gone for over a year now and it started with the removal of DPP Pryde from his office by an illegally appointed team.
These are grave mistakes and there is significant damage. The lawlessness is a worry. Those who should have upheld the law, including the PM and the President, have let it erode profusely.
There is no other way to describe this but it is an illegal takeover of an office of the highest order by illegally appointed officials.
Oh, Fiji says
If this was a TV miniseries one would watch avidly and return daily eager for the next exciting episode, keen to see the evil-doers exposed and replaced by the worthy, then we would delight in the happy ending of love, success and joyous wealth for all.
But sadly, this is Fiji where the good guys and the honorable have had no choice but to flee elsewhere to shower their knowledge and hard work to bless other communities.
Fijian Observer says
The current political regime particularly the coalition government and parliment is a shame ! The befitting I taukei word be Vakamadua and Vakadomobula (embarrassing and dangerous lot )
It appears that they will circumvent processes to justify their own political agendas and motives.
Where is the fairness ?
Where is the independence ?
Where is the justice ?
Where are their morals and integrity?
Their choices and behaviors demonstrate incompetence and lack of integrity . Leading to the increasing feelings of breakdown of trust amongst Fijians in them and the institutes and processes of state they oversee.
It’s a follow the leader blindly modus operandi demonstrating ineptitude …and painfully on taxpayers expense.
They have gotten their $8Million dollar salary increases and they are willing to do anything to keep their incomes now.
Quite frankly I don’t think any of them have ever earned the kind of money they currently do in their own standing and merit outside of politics .
So I think that entitled us to call the coalition the glee club for now – so gleeful and greedy they don’t care about accountability and processes and perhaps that’s because they are amateurs and have never had to own or manage such affairs as professionals and here they are trying to do so for a nation …. What a national disaster !
Rot aside … as a matter of FACT this government is incompetent to perform its role as state.
According to Wikipedia
Incompetence is the inability to perform; lack of competence; ineptitude. Aspects of incompetence include: Administrative incompetence, dysfunctional administrative behaviors that hinder attainment of organization goals
*the end *
Let me call this out – Incompetence combined with a lack of integrity is a dangerous combination …add on loads and loads of pride (na viavialevu) and handful of attitude (na qaciqacia) … it’s a government who has lost its moral compass and undeserving to be in power a day longer ….
It’s a government that is about to fall apart and whose enablers and supporters are willing to compromise themselves just to perpetuate the current regime or enjoy whatever little power and money they can while they can .
Politics and leadership conversations need to evolve … we the people are so sick of this .
Many on the ground in Fiji don’t bother about these national injustices anymore as they are working too hard just trying to feed their families and survive … while the other portion of citizens are charming up to government to get whatever it can out of them while they can … before the tide turns.
We are indeed toast ! Qesa …. Dead and done … it’s so sad . Crash and burn is our destiny if we do not make some drastic changes to national leadership processes quickly.
A silent protest says
Is this the illegal takeover of the judiciary of the country and total disregard of the Constitution?
New Zealand, do we need to stage a silent protest against Rabuka when he is here on Fiji Day? I think this calls for an action to show the outside world the concerns we have for a fellow Kiwi Christopher Pryde and the Fiji Indians in Fiji. It calls for an action to bring to the world knowledge what is happening back in Fiji under a man who carries an immunity pin for the harm he did to thousands in Fiji.
Calling on Amnesty International to also condemn the illegal takeover of the judiciary in Fiji. Calling on Australia and New Zealand governments to look into this growing issue.
The Iron Dome says
It’s not just the Fiji Indians to feel sorry for. The whole crowd of itaukeis are being blindsided by the highest paid “public servants” in the country. Did those people in the villages, the poor and the hardworking young itaukei men and women, when they voted for a change is this what they were asking for? No. They were asking for a better world and they are getting a very expensive shitshow from the highest paid public servants in Feejee. Who to feel sorry for and who’s the joke on 🙂
Help is on the way says
Sobosobo, nz and oz will do nothing the sort you’re hoping for.
One word: China.
Amnesty Int. don’t do small gigs. They wait for 10, 20, 30 thousands or more killed/starving/displaced before they pay attention- even then they pick and chose when to.play.
You’ll have better luck trying to hook up with the “freedumb” fighters in NZ- the likes of which the world has never seen before–Shailendra R, “Nik” Naidu, Rajesh Singh (be sure to take big bundle of waka) and a few more Dicks and Pricks who are always in the mix.
Word of caution: watch out for baimaan and drunk sugar minister’s babasiga crowd to counter protest. Haha!
Idiots everywhere says
In a now free Fiji, people are entitled to make their own rules as they go. We have seen this from the PM, his ministers, members of the judiciary, the chiefs, the civil servants and the list goes on. Isn’t freedom wonderful.
Fiji is already a Banana Republic led by the Top Banana.
Everyone is so proud that they have this government in place. Things could not be better. No one is more proud than Biman Prasad. He is doing the best job. Just ask him.
Ian Simpson says
Idiots everywhere is the natural human condition.
Cowards everywhere is proof of a Godless society.
For evil to reign, requires good people to cower like cockroaches in the dark.
2nd Class Citizen says
So true. So many Christians out there in Fiji. What are they worshipping? Divisions of people in race? Worshipping the dead old past? Waiting for a hand out and not standing up for what’s right. We are a nation of cockroachs indeed. Take that dove off our flag and put the cockroach there. Get that Lion to hold out the beggars bowl and then fly it at half mast. It’s a sad day we have had a full blown assault by the bastards on the law.
Sad Observer Scared for Fiji says
All along Rabuka’s language has been telling. It refers to the “rot” about Barbara’s appointment, not the rot in FICAC processes. It refers to regaining public confidence in FICAC, not improving transparency and management of conflicts and corruption. It has been hinting all along at finding a type of enquiry and guiding it to find Palawei as the problem. So nothing to see here folks. Sadly it’s all become just the usual for Fiji. Perhaps there’s no public outcry out of fear for people’s families and opportunities in the banana republic. Kere kere system is re-ignited.
Get Up Fiji says
Very interesting and at the same instance extremely nauseating. This government is totally convinced that the Fiji electorate is dumb and stupid. How can a thief, or thieves in this case, (they robbed the nation’s coffers of $8,000,000 to reward themselves) be involved in selecting the members of a commission that could possibly end up investigating them? This is way, way beyond a comedy. This is outright criminal and should be investigated and prosecuted. Hopefully there will be a massive swell over public anger and anti government sentiment so we can begin the process of booting these robbers out of government. If the rumours are true that Rabuka is grooming GS for the 2026 elections, Fiji is shot. There will be no recourse for any non indigenous person. 1987, 2000 in replay, but with more tragic consequences and outcomes. May God help Fiji.
Pie in the sky says
One tainted hand washes the other.
A repugnant legacy of a putrid political extravagance; which will be remembered in infamy as the Coalition Government of “national embarrassment!”.
Idiots everywhere says
The question is, who in the coalition government will speak up and say enough is enough.
Or will they ignore their conscience while they have their pig snout in the trough.
Let us see for how long and how many just stay silent and self-serve while the country goes to the dogs. I should not be holding my breath.
Anonymous says
A painter added too much thinners to the drum of roof paint, did a 5/8 half pie job. Soon the thin layer of paint started peeling off the roofing iron under the hot Fiji Sun.
The title of the Cabinet meeting to discuss the Ficac issues should be to ” Repent and Thin no more ( and no more whitewash) “. For editors and fans of the Fiji Times that means Repent and Sin no more!
Happy mongoose says
Haha!
Anonymous says
It is heartening to read statements from Premila Kumar, M Chaudhary and other critics of the coalition thugs, like some of the Fiji Sun editorials. The most recent one by Premila is spot on, articulate and very well written. It shows she has a grasp of good governance and how state elected officers should behave and on what principles. Probably could not have been better laid out by a congressman (or congresswoman!) in the US system. She is world class. High praise indeed. And for any feminists offended, it is not surprising that she being a woman can articulate well. It is just a compliment from an unrelated observer and she just happens to be a female.
Unfortunately because of who or what gender she is, Premila may not get the same backing from the electorate to offer her superior professional abilities in another election. Much better than some of the sisterhood currently in govt.
There would be some who would say a man the puppet master Aiyaz wrote her opinion piece, well that would be really offensive and dopey wouldn’t it..just another of the multiple reasons why the nation is the state it is in now….prejudice & pride, godlessness and greed; ignorance and ill informed
PS The recent display (language and content) by the Speaker of Parliament shows how much standards have dropped in the highest institutions of Fiji. More suitable for Vatuwaqa Bailey Bridge fishmongers collective headman than the so called ” August ” house of representatives.
Daniel Richards says
Graham, thanks again for your well thought out pieces in your blog. The latest being on the possible whitewash of the Commission of Inquiry.
The opinion piece in Fiji Sun by the Opposition member Hon Premila Kumar is, as you have rightly commented, on the spot. She very clearly outlines why people under FICAC’s radar should not sit around the table and deliberate on TOR for the inquiry and the selection of members of the commission.
She is fair in her comments as she appreciates that PM has called for a Commission of Inquiry but at the same time alerts him that if he doesn’t do it rightly, he will face more criticism and backlash from the people.
It is an appropriate opportunity for the PM to act fairly, decisively, and transparently on this important issue.
Fiji Watcher says
The first layer of the whitewash has already been painted by having the Terms of Reference (TOR) being decided by a cabinet containing people under investigation by FICAC. Something like the robbers have the keys to the bank and have told the police not to attend.
It is standard practice in most countries, but not Fiji, for the TOR to be framed by members of the Government not involved, with advice from the likes of the Solicitor General or an independent counsel with no involvement to those it relates to. Given the alleged involvement the AG, Wylie Clark, Court Registrar, Richard Nadiu and possibly the A/CJ one would assume they would NOT be providing advice!
The Board of Inquiry is usually headed by a Judicial Officer, with two independent members who also have no relation to any person mentioned or potentially involved. The Inquiry usually has a Counsel Assisting it, with that person be usually a Senior Counsel or a KC. In an earlier post I suggested the former CJ, Anthony Gates as judicial head with Lee Burney former Assistant DPP as counsel assisting.
Will they pick anyone like I have suggested, not likely! More likely they will be former associates or supporters of the current Government. Cannot have independent minds! They may find things they were not supposed to find and question decisions or actions of the likes of the Prime Minister, the A/CJ or the Judicial Services Commission.
As to the current FICAC Commissioner, who has already dispensed two investigations. with the one involving Lynda being on the basis she was not married to her husband. And yet in her maidan speech in Parliament on Wednesday 15th February 2023 at page 144 of the Hansard she said:
Madam Deputy Speaker, at this point, I wish to thank those who have been there all along to support me during the campaign –
• My husband – Rob Semaan, my children – Mercy, Talei, Zion, Vienna, Ameera and Justice – thank you;
• My sister, Ane Tabuya, my tavale Lupe, who often would play mum as I was away from home during the campaign;
Yes, the whitewash is already being applied in FICAC as well.