Grubsheet recently described Alexandra Forwood as the “bane of Sitiveni Rabuka‘s existence – a one-woman whirlwind bombarding his government with a constant stream of emails demanding action or answers as it lurches from crisis to crisis and scandal to scandal”.
It is, of course, Alex Forwood’s democratic right. But the way the NFP tells it, you would think that she is as big a threat to the national interest as drug barons, organised crime, HIV, the Tongan rugby team or all four, judging from an extraordinary statement issued by the Party’s General Secretary, Kamal Iyer.
We are talking here about a man who recently described the Labour Party leader and former prime minister, Mahendra Chaudhry, as a “cornered rat” and a “habitual liar” who had been “caught with his pants down”. So Kamal Iyer isn’t one to take a moderate or reasoned approach to political discourse.
Yet his latest public statement borders on the deranged- accusing Alex Forwood of being part of a conspiracy involving certain unnamed people living overseas and in Fiji to bring down the NFP leader, Biman Prasad, and derail the Coalition government.
It is one of the looniest statements ever issued by a political party in Fiji – completely without foundation. But it is the most glaring evidence yet that the NFP is in a state of total paranoia and anxiety over FICAC’s action in charging its leader, Biman Prasad, with corruption and forcing him to resign as deputy prime minister and finance minister.
The Party hierarchy knows that when the Prime Minister says it is unlikely that Biman Prasad’s trial will be completed by the time the next election comes around that it faces an existential threat. And it is lashing out and looking for scapegoats to blame for a situation that is entirely self inflicted – Biman Prasad’s personal conduct.
So Kamal Iyer and his colleagues have settled on Alex Forwood – someone who has been agitating for better standards of governance in Fiji from her family home in south-west Sydney and who recently scored the following selfie with Sitiveni Rabuka at the Fiji Day celebrations in Liverpool.
Look at her. Absolutely terrifying, isn’t she. Or at least that’s how Kamal Iyer portrays her wearing his Cowardly Lion’s costume right out of the movie classic, Wizard of Oz, which fits him perfectly for such an unchivalrous and unwarranted attack.
According to this nincompoop, Alex is leading a “heinous plot to derail the government” when, in truth, she is working without financial reward for better outcomes in Fiji – better transparency, better accountability and better compliance with the rule of law. And she has the genuine courage of a lion – not the pussy cat you are, Kamal – to speak truth to power even if it means treading on some very big paws.
You need to man up, Jelly Back, and start facing the facts. All of your party’s woes – including the loss of Biman Prasad’s position in the government – have been of your own making. And to single out Alex Forwood for allegedly leading some kind of conspiracy against you is preposterous and any Fijian with a modicum of common sense knows it.
For my own part, I could scarcely believe that Biman Prasad, as NFP leader, would have approved his General Secretary making a statement like this. But that’s how far Fiji’s oldest political party has fallen under its current leadership.
“Forwood has over-smarted herself”? Crikey. Did the Professor really clear that?
The London School of Economics graduate and Middle Temple barrister, AD Patel – the legendary founder of the NFP – would be spinning in his grave at this uneducated drivel. If he had a grave (as a Hindu, he was cremated).
Yet his ghost must surely be bent over in derisive laughter that Kamal Iyer would blame the Party’s current woes on an Indo-Fijian woman living 3,275 kilometres away from Suva whose only weapon (and only defence) is a keyboard.
Of course, Alex Forwood has developed a network of sources in Fiji because locals who are witnessing the excesses of this government go to her as someone who can get the information out and has the chutzpah to confront the leadership. It has prompted the Judicial Services Commission to refer her to the police. Yet rather than shoot the messenger, Mr Cowardly Lion, how about you bastards cleaning up your act?
To name and attempt to shame one woman publicly for your entire party’s predicament is outrageous. And your statement sums up everything that is wrong with the NFP – arrogant, self-righteous, self-entitled, self-pitying and just plain nasty – intent on lashing out in all directions because your leader is about to go on trial for corruption and your chances of retaining power and the perks that go with it are evaporating.
This pathetic tantrum won’t win you a single vote when Fijians go to the polls next year. On the contrary, you are behaving like a spoilt little boy throwing a tantrum in public and blaming the nearest girl for making you cry. Most people are tut-tutting and making a mental note to avoid you. And if you think it wins votes, you and your colleagues are even more deluded than we all thought.
The NFP better be very careful. Because it already seems hell-bent on pushing the button marked “SELF DESTRUCT”.
Sixty one years of history ( AD Patel founded the Federation Party in 1964) going up in smoke as the Party self immolates in a massive hissy fit.
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Kamal Iyer’s recent intemperate attack on Mahendra Chaudhry. The NFP needs to put him on a leash for its own good.
And our recent story on the scary Alex Forwood. See how the Prime Minister trembles.
Kamal Iyer has delivered a spectacular own goal for the NFP – elevating Alex Forwood with an injection of free publicity in the mainstream media that breaks all the rules about how to deal with your opponents.
PERSONAL DECLARATION:
For the record, Grubsheet did NOT receive word of Biman Prasad’s imminent arrest from Alex Forwood or anyone at FICAC when we broke the story here evidently before anyone else. My last communication with her on an unrelated matter was more than two weeks ago on October 17.
FACT: There is NO conspiracy. Just an army of the disaffected in Fiji contacting anyone who can get the word out about the chronic dysfunction in the country under the Coalition government and how proper standards of governance and the rule of law are crumbling.
So Kamal Iyer’s rant is a paranoid fantasy. A genuine looney tune. Which must be shared by Biman Prasad or he wouldn’t have approved it.
Er, not quite all, folks…
0200hrs UPDATE
Incredibly, the Fiji Times has put this nonsense on its Saturday front page clearly as a means of manipulating public sentiment about the charging of Biman Prasad ( and Manoa Kamikamica)
We have also reached a new low in Fiji when conspiracy theories are passed off as “news” by the nation’s traditional newspaper of record, now sadly a shadow of its former self.
But then it is no surprise when a Grubsheet reader reports that lawyer Richard Naidu – who represents both the paper and Biman Prasad – gave an undertaking to a meeting of the NFP hierarchy that he would “keep the Fiji Times in check”. (see below)
And guess what, Fiji? The “bid to destabilise the government” – Kamal Iyer’s conspiracy saga – is the paper’s main story this morning.
For Richard Naidu and Fiji Times Editor-in-chief Fred Wesley, the question mark doesn’t save them from the accusation of being responsible for an appalling beat-up that simply isn’t rooted in fact.
This story has been manufactured to serve the NFP’s purposes and blame Alex Forwood and her so-called co-conspirators for Biman’s Prasad’s demise. And ultimately to pervert the course of justice. by undermining the FICAC case against him.
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Evidence of Richard Naidu’s fingerprints over this entire grubby episode.
Rabuka is a very sly politician. He is making all these appear as if the law is taking its cause. It is a charade to save his Government’s failures and this is a way to save his face.
Nothing will happen to those who have been charged, like nothing happened to Lynda. It’s a political ploy to appease the mass dissatisfaction of his Government.
I give it two months and they will all be back in their respective positions and Biman will be needed by Rabuka before the Coalition delivers its final budget before elections.
On a different note he will try to get the ball rolling on the 2023 constitution. If passed it will be his greatest victory and could see him return with a majority Government. From here things are only looking good for him, but nothing good for the country.
Some of the language the NFP Gen Sec uses is similar to the rhetoric that comes out of North Korea or Tehran…”lies and filth, drown in a cesspit, conspiracy to derail”..!! “Abandoned the land of their birth” (thanks for 1987 S Rabuka).
Well these people who have “abandoned” Fiji are the ones the coalition govt is desperate to go on frequent trips overseas to curry favour with to keep sending remittances back NFP! It’s an insult to Fijians who live abroad. Get a grip NFP Gen Sec – you sound like a despot from a communist party!
Kamal Elma Fudd is Fiji’s very own version of Chemical Ali, Karoline Leavitt, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Pravda, Joseph Goebbels, Ri Chun-hee, Donald Trump, and Donald Duck all rolled into one.
All falsely defend and praise their criminal, dictatorial, deeply flawed, and coward paymaster.
This pinhead practices hilarious hysteria, emotional vitriol, boundles conspiracy theories, and an insane propensity to self-destruct.
What a dumb guy.
Sly indeed.
This is why he chose to share personal communication from Forwood with the NFP.
BCP was already sucking up to Rabuka, 100% allegiance, even compromising the rights of the minorities. This will make him even more beholden and vulnerable to Rabuka. Or is it designed to tease Rabuka with sentiments from Draunidalo expressed 10 years ago. Sadly she is being vindicated.
And if NFP thinks using Forwood as a diversion for its own tribulations will cut it, it better think twice. The public appreciates correct and relevant information. Whether it is through research or credible sources is irrelevant.
What matters is that Alexandra Forwood has established herself as a trusted source, a fearless advocate and defender of human rights. The fact that she is able to get information, even living abroad, speaks volumes about the Fiji media and its lack of ability to get timely information and even to critique it.
We continue to rely on the Forwoods, Grubsheet, Fiji Leaks etc for accurate reports and analysis. Kudos to them.
Keep up the good work Alexandra Forwood & GD !
As for Rabuka and those tin medals, what a load of bullshit, he should have been hanged for treason when there was the chance !
What a Banana Republic we live in.
The perennial gripe of business community is the tax holiday. It would be good if taxpayers were given sufficient information so we can finally understand whether anyone or any business benefitted from this use of taxpayers forbearance. It’s not a difficult question to answer but it does require transparency – or is transparency only for other people?
Talking about the business community the ‘groveler in chief’ Pramesh ‘grab ‘em by the pussy’ Sharma has inserted himself in the opening of the Fijian Holdings complex, oozing the usual drivel to gain favors. This is how a masi polo currying for favor writes. Isn’t it nauseating?
“ This remarkable milestone stands as a testament to the vision, dedication, and perseverance of both past (with a few exceptions) and present Board and Management teams.
“It is truly a proud and emotional moment for all who have, in one way or another, contributed to and shared in the enduring legacy of FHL. ♥️🙏🏻♥️”
Begging for a job! Or at least board membership to fart around and stink up the room.
All the women workers of FHL, you have been warned. Run.
https://www.fijivillage.com/indepth/Fiji-Law-Society-Convention-2025-85rf4x/
Even the President of the Fiji Law Society has turned up the deflection and spin.
Note the video link of Wylie E. Coyote ahem Clarke’s comments
[ https://youtu.be/nSPEy1x-9e0?si=GNgYk-a0ni9LlH9k ]
Kamal Iyer, ever so childish. Hasn’t changed from his Daily Post days.
If one Australian citizen has so much potential to get big name Fijian politicians scrambling, then there are hidden truths that need to come out. Why would NFP go out this far to discredit this one overseas based individual? Why they are so much worried about this one person and the material getting exposed by this one person? There is no fire without smoke. And if there is nothing to hide, why the panic?
PS: NFP head honchos are old, outdated and so out of touch with the modern democracy. They are making themselves look so laughable with these statements. Leave the party and retire, save yourselves from further embarrassment, you ancient specimens.
I don’t know why but whenever I see, hear or read anything about this Kamal Iyer guy, I feel we are all stuck in the stone age!
This guy should just leave politics reh. His thinking is so archaic. He can’t comprehend and rationalise issues professionally!
Kamal Iyer got maybe 10 votes in the last election. Those 10 came from his nagonchi “groggy” friends scraping kanikani from their body for a remix.
His big words writings resemble the same arrogance and ego he showed when he was a hostel boy at Natabua high school. Unfortunately his career took a nosedive and whatever he has done is underwhelming compared to what he wanted.
It is therefore no surprise that a frustrated Kamal Iyer takes out his underperformance in life by aiming his hatred to people who are more effective than him.
A word of caution to Alex though. Keep your distance from that Takanini squatter settlement based lawyer. At least Kamal Iyer is being silly openly working to his best ability which ain’t effective. That lawyer is more cunning and doesn’t like anyone who gains too much popularity or success in life.
There needs to be activists (like Alex Forwood) digging and probing and exposing the rot and keeping the bastards honest, from overseas.
It is not a free environment within Fiji to do this effectively. You could be thrown into Naboro on trumped up charges. You could be physically threatened by members of the public – as the keyboard nutters do on social media. You could have your livelihood or career compromised. It is a very small place to not be compromised by who you know.
If you have the means to be a free agent like Alex is – that is the best type of person to do what she is doing. As well as Grubsheet – whose work rate is phenomenal.
People tell Alex to go get a real job – we should be thankful she is doing a fantastic job for free and seems independent without partisan loyalties. While most people within Fiji with a job or busy drinking around the kava basin are captives of their own habits or their masters who pay for the food on the table.