If the iTaukei are poor, it’s their own fault. So says the Minister for iTaukei Affairs, Ifereimi Vasu – the man who has made himself rich by going into business with the convicted Chinese drug and people trafficker, Jason Zhong.
Vasu – who met Zhong when the Chinese gangster and accused Triad member was in jail and he was corrective services commissioner – is making millions, partly from acquiring iTaukei land for their lucrative agricultural business.
Never mind the blatant conflict of interest Vasu has as the minister who presides over supposedly protecting iTaukei landowners. The Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, has chosen to turn a blind eye to the relationship in the same way that he has turned a blind eye to the other scandals in the Coalition, including those involving Lynda Tabuya and Aseri Radrodro.
Incredibly, the Prime Minister defended Vasu’s relationship with Jason Zhong by saying that Zhong had served his sentence for drug and people trafficking and deserved a second chance. But that was before Zhong was also charged with trying to bribe a public official. Even then, the PM has said nothing and the money-making venture between his iTaukei Affairs Minister and the suspected Triad king-pin has continued.
But let’s just see what Rabuka has to say about Vasu blaming the iTaukei for their own poverty. Is the Minister suggesting that things might be different if every other iTaukei followed his example of going into business with convicted Chinese gangsters?
It beggars belief that a Coalition minister – let alone the minister charged with improving the lot of the iTaukei -would point the finger of blame at the iTaukei themselves for their own poverty when there has been such an appalling failure of leadership by the iTaukei elite over the years, whether it is by governments or the nation’s chiefs.
Is this the message that the Rabuka government intends to take into its campaign for the next election? That your poverty is all your own fault? How’s that for an election slogan, Fiji?
Of course, Ifereimi Vasu is a member of SODELPA, the runt of the Coalition. But how the People’s Alliance is going to distance themselves from this clanger is the stuff of PR nightmares.
It is certainly a novel way for any government anywhere in the world to win the confidence of the people. To give themselves unprecedented massive pay rises, be chauffeured around in tinted splendour, travel the world in luxury at the pointy end, line their own pockets with more allowances and then tell the poor they are to blame for their own poverty.
That it has come to this in Fiji – government ministers in business relationships with gangsters pointing the finger of blame at the poor – is grotesque. These are people with no scruples and no answers to the nation’s challenges. They assume that the iTaukei will back them simply because they claim to represent their interests. But it is one big con. It is all about them. And if the rest of the country is poor, too bad. You’ve brought it upon yourselves.
For once I totally agree with the minister. The itaukei lack any insight into their own lives, they think with their feet and vote with their knees.
They spend tomorrow’s money today, taking credit for almost everything. They let ethno-nationalist politicians and their chiefs play them like pawns and get sacrificed at will.
They have no financial literacy and they hate the very people whom they can learn from.
The land that they own, they have taken back from those who grew food on it and converted into tulip farms. Even the land they hold so dear won’t help them come out of the poverty they face. That land has seen the tears and the blood of the farmers who were displaced. The land too has eyes and it too seems to refuse to help these people to come out of poverty.
They just need to continue this racist and hatred filled behavior towards their fellow neighbors and god too will forsake them, just as the land is doing.
You are missing the point. If the iTaukei elite want to assume leadership of their people – whether it is elected politicians or hereditary chiefs – they cannot absolve themselves of the state of the iTaukei by shifting the blame to ordinary people.
That is what is grotesque – the finger pointing as well as the Minister for iTaukei Affairs taking it upon himself to lecture the iTaukei about who is to blame for their poverty-stricken state when he is in a lucrative business relationship with a Chinese gangster.
Next. If Fiji Indians suffered during the 1987 and 2000 coup, then it is their own fault.
The Minister has a point.
Why is so much arable land owned by the i’taukei, uncultivated?
There is too much apathy = laziness.
For many it is easier to go live in shanty towns in urban areas and live on tin fish and bread, and rob their neighbors, than live in the village working the land and eating wholesome food.
Of course, its their choice to be poor.
Apart from Ratus and Patels, everyone is poor. Indians have huge mortgages and bank loans whilst the Itaukei don’t have mortgages and bank loans. These guys have been given everything for free since independence. The FAB Scholarship for free education, the best jobs BUT no bank loans like the kaindias. Thats the difference. The poorest itaukei are from the outer islands and they have no education or mortgages to see through their lives like others. They start off in places like squatter settlements and remain there for life working as labourers and checkout operators and FFP wasn’t around in 1970. The Tui Nayau, the Vunivalu o Viti and a few other Ratu Sirs were lording over everyone with partnerships in Motibhai, et al.
The marama roko tui Rewa ,Mrs Ratu Mara had shares in Motibhai owned companies like the famous OROTON Purses company in Sydney. Niranjans gave a Mazda Bongo van, a blue one for Ratu Mara to carry his golfing equipment which he drove himself along with his personal body guard BABU SINGH . He didnt trust itaukei body guards as related to many people by him. I say of you’re younger than 60 years old ,you dont know shit about Fiji politics.
ITaukeis have paid least taxes while vulagi pay most taxes to keep the wheels turning in Fiji. Itaukei has been the biggest beneficiaries of these taxes since independence and yet nothing much is achieved. The vulagi are very patient and yet Itaukei keep harping on about land ownership.
Most Itaukei are leaving to provide labour outside of Fiji while Bangladesh provides labour in Fiji. This is an interesting phenomenon. The remittance sent back means the family is eating well but irresponsibly and attracting diseases like heart disease, hypertension and diabetes.
Not only have they not progressed much but no one has called Itaukei out for cultural appropriation…singing hindi songs and devotional bhajans. Dressing in Indian attire and moving away from traditional diets. Yet, Itaukei keep talking about being special. The vulagi are patient because they dealing with children and irresponsible population. Poverty, drugs and HIV will take care of the population and then who will the politicians blame? They would lead Itaukei to their own demise through poor education and health services.
Very unfortunate and sad.
A nice change. For an itaukei to blame his own kind. I thought it was us the kanjoos Kaindias who kept the jigaboos deprived?
Oh really MR Coalition Minister? Aren’t you guys blaming the 2013 Constitution and FijiFirst Gov for all and every demise of the itaukei population?? Why the sudden blame on poor itaukie now!? Help us please!! DO YOUR EFFIN JOB. WHAT WE PAY YOU TO DO!
Thou shall reap what you sow…
The itaukei shall never find prosperity as long as they continue to isolate themselves. Not wanting to learn, not willing to work, living on blaming others for their impoverished state and licking the laces of the chiefs and politicians.
They continue to sow the seeds of hatred, racism and laziness in the future generation, as they have done for half a century. In 50 years we will still be having the same conversation, the itaukei are poor because they choose to be so.
The Minister’s business partner is near bankrupt. He has been disowned by the chinese cartels long time ago. For the chinese, you only screw up once and you’re either done or dead. Jason is selling most of his properties to stay afloat. That in itself should tell us something. This guys is deadbeat.
And there is Vosorogo, signing a deal with China for 200 million for upgrades to the vatukoula gold mines. It probably is a front for other deals. Meanwhile his son is studying in China under a scholarship. In the news also the main Chief Cheezal saying he is embarrassed that Kadavu has the highest rate of Marijuana cultivation. Then of course there is Ifiremi Vasu. So many like these politicians, Church leaders and Chiefs blaming others from years gone by. And the ordinary folks will sit by and give these people utmost loyalty.
Whilst the iTaukei leadership be it either the GCC or those in Government in positions of power continue to ignore the plight of the people they say they serve, the position of the ordinary iTaukei will not change.
The Minister can pontificate all he likes but it does not change the fact the wealth of the iTaukei has not increased, if anything it has gone backwards under the Rabuka Government.
The GCC, made up almost entirely of old men, talk a lot but what have they done other than tell everyone that it is all the fault of the current Constitution, and everything will be fixed when that is either changed or abolished. Perhaps Frank was right when he got rid of the GCC!
Meanwhile the productivity of the land of the iTaukei continues to fall, shanty towns in urban areas continue to appear, crime is rising, drugs availability is increasing, health standards are not increasing and infrastructure is showing signs of decay. And what does the Minister tell us, it’s all their own fault.
He knows his kind are dumb..hahaha
Constitution is the problem. Indo-Fijians are the problem. We are a secular state is the problem. FijiFirst government was the problem. Muslims are the problem. Common Indigenous Fijians are the problem.
Chiefs are not the problem. Self-serving Indigenous politicians and elites are not the problem. Rabuka is not the problem. Government is not the problem.
This is the logic of Fijian elites and the common folk believe in it religiously. Our ability to accept mediocrity and our “sa set tiko” mentality knows no bound. Unfortunately, none but ourselves can free our mind.
Au tagi ena vuku ni kemuni, noqu Viti.
Let’s talk about Fijian landowners – specifically, the iTaukei – and their deep-seated fear that if a portaloo is dropped on their land, it’s a full-blown conspiracy in the making: once a portaloo sets up camp, they’ll lose their land forever. And here’s the kicker – the more politically inclined voices have been all too happy to amplify this suspicion. Who needs facts when you’ve got fear, right?
Now, let’s not forget that an educated iTaukei is considered as dangerous as a portaloo on their land. The fear? That education will bring power, and, heaven forbid, progress. It’s like they’re saying, “We can’t let them get too smart; the whole system might fall apart.” You see, we’re taught to be humble and subservient – to keep our heads down, not rock the boat, and certainly not question the status quo. Meanwhile, the chiefs, heavily influenced by political figures, keep the reins tight, ensuring that any educated input we might have for progress is swiftly stifled. In short, it’s a “no speaking up, just keep smiling” situation.
Back in 2000, the government decided to make a deal with Malaysian companies. The idea was to boost agricultural development and bring in foreign investment. Seems reasonable, right? Well, the iTaukei didn’t think so. The agreement was to lease or sell large tracts of land for plantations. But suddenly, the fear of losing land was amplified tenfold. Landowners were convinced their prized pieces of earth would vanish into the hands of foreign investors. Cue the ethnic tensions, because who doesn’t love a bit of controversy, especially when there’s a political agenda at play?
And then, we have the Land Bank – another government initiative to utilize iTaukei land for national development. But, surprise, surprise, the fear machine kicked into overdrive. Landowners were told that, even though the Land Bank was voluntary, they’d lose control over their land if they participated. The rhetoric? “Don’t do it, or you’ll end up losing your land.” The result? The current government is now reviewing the Land Bank, possibly scrapping it altogether.
So, what’s the takeaway here? It’s simple: generations of ordinary iTaukei have been expertly manipulated into fearing anything that smells like progress, all while being kept humble and subservient. Whether it’s a portaloo or a Land Bank, the message is clear: don’t trust anyone – not even the government – because your land could be gone in an instant. We need ordinary iTaukei to be empowered to stand up, make their independent voices heard, and drive progressive change. It’s time to break the chains of manipulation and take control of our future.
Sa rauta na lasu! Vote them out!
GD, while the points you raise are spot on and, as usual, real journalism, it’s necessary to remind Ginger man Vasu that he was apart of the review team that blamed other ethnic groups for itaukei poverty.
The review team said –this from Wikileaks: “The Committee’s vision of the expanded role for the GCC “will only succeed when other communities in Fiji understand and accept that unless the indigenous people have their fair share of the national wealth, Fiji’s long term progress and security cannot be guaranteed.” WTF.
Wadan Narsey (now in the constitution review team) wasn’t too happy, responding “The Baledrokadroka Report does not even hold to account all the numerous iTaukei-led governments who have been in power in Fiji for 53 out of 54 years after independence in 1970.” — Wikileaks, again.
It seems Ginger Vasu has had a change of heart. If so, he must pass his brilliant new finding first to our distinguished and esteemed AG and baledrokadroka – he of 1987, 2000, the mutiny, and though had a falling out with JVB –the 2006 coups.
Ginger Vasu should pass this same information to the GCC chairman who similarly blamed others about itaukeis not progressing. And the chair called for the revival of itaukei traditions and culture. Goodness.
To the point that itaukei politicians claim to represent the interests of the itaukei and this time may not vote the same as people are wiser- not really.
The itaukei vote not because someone claims to represent their interests or to better their lives. They vote for the same politicians because the candidates are itaukei.
Race-based voting, pure and simple.
To paraphrase a once famous advertisement for blue jeans, nothing must come between itaukei racism and their vote.
Your last sentence in this piece sums it up really. The itaukei will continue to vote as a bloc for candidates espousing blame, hate, and bigotry, and continue to fool their own people.
The itaukei goes to Australia and works on a farm there sending money home. He doesn’t have the brains or the skill to till his own land and become an entrepreneur. He will also not allow another to till his land. He will always be poor. He himself is responsible for his failure.
The minister knows there’s no one else left to blame. The Vulagi have left fiji in droves. Very few actually work the land anymore. He can either blame himself and his government or he can blame the itaukei. In both cases he is right.
Why can’t Lynda just have her PM print money and give each itaukei 1 million dollars just as she claimed during election campaign. That way all itaukei can be millionaires and not be poor anymore.
Then Biman and Rabuka can truly claim they made everyone rich.
Vasu will not have to make these silly statements and Lynda can party and have orgies in peace.
Gaslighting the poor .
What mother ever got up in the morning and prayed .
Bula Vinaka God
Vinaka vakalevu for the poverty .
My kids have boils that are not healing and we have no sanitation infrastructure in our village but I am still thankful for those you send to lead and guide us who say it is my own fault and ask your forgiveness for my lack of entrepreneurship ability.
Emeni