The corruption of the nation’s traditional newspaper of record, the Fiji Times, by its owners, the Motibhai family, that Grubsheet has repeatedly detailed has reached a new level of depravity with an astonishing front page “curtain raiser” on the installation today of the Tui Cakau, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, as president of the Republic.
It is naked propaganda masquerading as news – breathless hagiography that reflects nothing of the controversy surrounding Ratu Naiqama’s appointment or his squalid record as a convicted criminal, racist, misogynist and someone who defiled and impregnated a 15 year old girl.
It is clearly too much to expect under the Coalition’s peculiar brand of “media freedom” that the Fijian people would get even a semblance of the truth about the incoming president and the sordid circumstances in which he has become the nation’s head of state – a high chief installed by his subject, the Prime Minister, when he is patently unfit to hold any public office, let alone the highest in the land.
Yet the steady corruption of journalism at the Fiji Times as it tries to polish the steaming turd that is the “New Order” reaches its apogee with the following story, which is as far from the truth as it is possible to get.
Nothing about Ratu Naiqama’s criminal conviction for his part in the 2000 rebellion and his time in jail, nothing about his two year suspension from the parliament for comparing the then speaker to anal sex, the calls for his resignation as speaker of the parliament for his racism and misogyny. The allegations of underage sex.
On the contrary, the Fiji Times actually tries to pass off the incoming president as someone who doesn’t differentiate between people on the grounds of race within weeks of a furore triggered by Ratu Naiqama questioning the right of the MP of Melanesian descent, Aliki Bia, to belong in Fiji.
The disconnect with reality is bad enough. But when you think of the role of the Fiji Times in chronicling the nation’s events for the past century and a half and this is what the paper is committing to history about our own times, it is deeply disturbing for any Fijian who cares about the truth, let alone an accurate historical record.
This is not “media freedom” but the crudest of propaganda that is undermining genuine democracy in Fiji. The Motibhais are brainwashing the Fijian people on behalf of the Coalition to support their commercial interests. It is grotesque and it is evil. And those responsible must eventually be held to account.
The manipulation of the truth continues in a full page message to the nation by the Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, lavishing praise on the outgoing president, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere.
There is naturally no mention of the fact that the Prime Minister effectively blackmailed the Tui Macuata – who was promised a second term – into standing aside for his own chief by telling him that he was compromised by an official audit of companies associated with the outgoing president and was exposed to allegations of wrongdoing.
The Fijian people have been deprived of this story by their mainstream media, just as they have been deprived of the details of Ratu Naiqama’s sordid background. But it is the truth and no amount of spin is going to alter the circumstances of the outgoing head of state’s removal.
A crude power play by the “Snake” to benefit his own chief and have someone sympathetic to him and open to political manipulation in the role of president for the 2026 elections.
Now the reality as opposed to the crude spin…
Some people can see through the perennial bulldust…
Yet sadly far too many Fijians are under the charm of the “Snake”…
Completely deluded. The loud music from the nightclubs in Martintar that Ronnie Chang usually rails about have messed with his head.
Yet the people of Cakaudrove who are non-indigenous say he is one of the most racist men you can find. He has a way to manipulate and abuse others for his own good.
Ronnie groveling for increased fnpf benefits. Nice try, but no ka-ching!
Here comes #notmyfu&kingpresident
Here comes a #childmolester
Here comes a #coupmaker
Its a chuttar party president
Where is Fiji Women’s Rights, Fiji Women’s Crisis, and other donor bulging movements in Fiji?
Don’t worry about West Papua.
Don’t worry about Palestine.
Worry about home that is Fiji.
Bring those candles out and do your vigils for safety of girls because now you have an alleged child pedo as your president. Don’t invite Sashi, Lunda, Lenora and co. They are useless women who can do anything for extra dollar and fame.
These women led NGOs are a show. So are the women MPs in Fiji. Time to do a show and tell on all the NGOs who are abusing tax payer funds from other countries and achieving next to nothing.
Tui Cakau, a born pedophile and a racist.
Tui Cakau, a misogynist and an opportunist who abused his power as speaker of parliament and played a key role in the last coup.
Tui Cakau, a sleaze who believes he is entitled to things simply because of his title.
Congratulations Fiji. You have a president who is as rotten to the core as the government you stupidly appointed.
Listen to this fellas Diwali message. He tried to brush it aside with an evil laugh. As for that Lilly Leung I do believe he thinks and talks from his orfice.
Rabuka must be prosecuted when govt changes in 2026 for blackmail and abuse of his office . That’s two charges! The law must take its course in the prosecution or otherwise of anyone but for him to use an audit report to get the former President Rt Katonivere to stand down, is utterly corrupt and an abuse of his office as Prime Minister! Either they formally charge Rt Katonivere or they don’t. That’s the job of DPP not a bush lawyer like Rabuka to go scare the President with it to the extent Rt Katonivere decides to withdraw from running for a second term.
Vakamadua kei na ulukau ga sa laurai Levu vei Rabuka!
Read the constitution before passing judgement …”Removal from office 89 (1 – 3)” deu cala beka, ia e rairai veiau ni dodonu vinaka tu na veika ka yaco.
Removal (of the President) from Office: Section 89. 1-3. Don’t stop there….read 4, 5 and 6 which is the end of section 89. It is not the PM’s authority to remove the President – Parliament is the Authority. Parliament bases its decision on the findings of the mentioned entity in 89.3.a.(i) appointed tribunal or (ii) a medical council.
The PM did not remove the current President, that is true. It was a matter of non-renewal of the term of the current President. One could say it amounted to the same thing. Rabuka potentially forced the Tui Macuata to withdraw his nomination – based on the threat of the audit report which raised a potential misdeed on the part of the President at that time – as per 89.3. Blackmail or Convenience of Sect 89 ? The persons in question and the astute follower can make their own conclusion.
Graham,
Please be mindful of the alleged victim- furthermore the case was not reported and charges were not laid against the newly appointed President. Therefore, we cannot reallly say much as the victim needs to come forward to push forward charges for the alleged crime. In addition to this- why do you want to defend BIA when he himself voted for the speaker to be appointed as President. Please do not waste your breath.
Rest assured that the confusion is entirely on your part. It is about the Tui Cakau’s suitability to be head of state. And that is a no-brainer. He is not suitable in the least.
I think Confused is saying that because this disabled young girl did not come forward and report the matter, the pedo is therefore immensely qualified to be the President.
We have all sorts of people in Fiji, but it must be the capital for people who are proud idiots – hands down.
I hear what you saying- but the problem is that these people have not lodged complaints. So nothing can be done if you can encourage the alleged victim to come forward to lodge a complaint than there may be something.
Why me? I am in Sydney with no contacts in the Tui Cakau’s orbit. Whereas lots of other people are. This story has been going around for years and has never been discounted. So why has a blind eye been turned to criminal behaviour? Answer: Because he is a chief. Qori.
It is not on the victim to report dumb heads. She has spoken about her abuse.
She is a child.
What has the adults, the village, and the Police done!
This is why Fiji is so f**ked.
Fijian itaukei revere their culture. Including the culture of silence which remains the bane of real progress for at least the last 150 years.
The culture of silence ensures one’s place to remain in the village, to serve the chief, maintain peace, make women available at his behest.
Back in the day if one spoke out of turn, they’d be clubbed over the head and become lunch.
Therefore, it was better be a living coward, than a dead hero.
This inherent fear prevents an open society with equal rights and protection of free speech for all.
As the aliki fella found out recently.
I believe no one should be attending any events where the crooks and free-loaders from government are guests. Why would right thinking people attend these events anyway?
And why would a business or any other entity invite these people to be chief guest?
Just do not turn up and these imbeciles will get the message.
And for those who pose for selfies with these losers – what are you thinking?
“Hey everyone, look at me, I am a loser”!!!
Frank gave women and children more protection and Rabuka gave us a president who preys on children.
Naiqama’s nomination wouldn’t even be entertained in any other jurisdiction because it dilutes the integrity of the offices that they took an oath to serve and protect.
The coalition hardly resembles a functioning government, and looks more like a gathering of village idiots.
What a rabbit hole we’ve descended, one from which an extrication is now impossible.
You know a country is doomed when the media starts championing the wrongs of its village idiots.
Get out while you can.
Unfortunately Fijian voters decided to clean Shit with Shit….and now we are being drowned by SHIT.
The shit show is just midway there. 2 more years of shitting left in Rabuka and Biman.
NFP Voter, what made you think that a dinosaur from 37 years ago was going to bring about change for the better. I mean , what did this dickhead do in the last 37 years that made you vote to assist him to be PM? Who is to blame for all this – the PM, Baimaan or you?
The greater good was getting rid of Frank and the taliban.
In the minds of the i’taukei they were the greater evil.
As for ‘pedo’ we will get rid of him in time.
Frank and Aiyaz were streets better than these goons. 19th century-style savages. The only rule of law is might.
Nah you just hated the Muslim fella I’m sure you’re one of those who identify as the lost tribe..yeah rite..
Unfortunately many of us who saw the reality of the last government did want a change for the better. The saying that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely was true with the last government.
16 years of being under 1 government did make us complacent and forget what a monster Rabuka had been. He played his cards right.
He had a bandwagon of support behind him. People like Richard Naidu, Bimaan, Grubsheet himself, Nirmal Singh, and many highly educated and respected people actively believed that it was better to vote for change.
Unfortunately against my better judgment I still voted for Bimaan. I can say I have never felt so betrayed in my life. Bimaan is an absolute coward and more corrupt than ASK could ever be.
People like Richard Naidu, Wadan Narsey, Shashi Singh all are responsible for this state of Fiji. But I think they have less shame and conscience than they show they do.
Unfortunately, my family have since left Fiji and migrated and only can watch from far as Fiji goes from bad to worse by the day.
There’s no coming back for us, and I think there’s no coming back for Fiji anytime soon. The rot has moved to the core.
Let’s get this straight. I supported Biman Prasad and the NFP. I did NOT support Sitiveni Rabuka and the People’s Alliance. But like you, I feel betrayed and will campaign against the NFP at the next election.
In all sincerity mark these words:
1) rabuka will win 2026 with an out right governing majority.
2) nfp will gain a few more seats.
How/why? Never under estimate the power of stupid people (electorate) in large groups.
The reputation of Fiji and its people is further eroded by the appointment of this person, who in just about any other country would not be nominated let along elected.
His history has been outlined by many, except in the Fiji media, who are becoming known to be spineless, particularly the Fiji Times.
If the previous Government had put this person up to be Head of State the Fiji Times of old would have been voracious in its criticism as would the women NGOs who also appear to have lost their voice!
The coalition’s tag is #tripleLLL
Lotu
Lasu
Leqa
+ Lasa
Liumuri too.
Lasa i tuba
#notmypresident
All there to facilitate things for Govt. That is the deficiency of the current constitution. Expect Pryde to be sacked, CJ confirmed and most of all Constitutional change will be put in motion.
Then it is about decent-minded people banding together to throw the bastards out. With armed struggle, if necessary, if there is any attempt to abolish the common and equal citizenry.
Armed struggle? By who?
Come on Graham, its time to.put on your slippers, have a warm cocoa and an evening in front of the TV watching Julie Andrews and cast in a rerun of the “Sounds of Music”.
Or is it another night on the Blue Label ? Lol
Take away the right of the minorities to equality and anything is possible. You forget that the current constitution that guarantees common and equal citizenry came about through the barrel of the gun. Do you honestly think that through one vote on the floor of the parliament that these forces have been neutralised?
The history of these things the world over is that people will fight to the death to protect their rights. Do you honestly think Fiji is any different? That the minorities will allow the iTaukei to strip them of their hard-won entitlements?
You forget there is an entire container of arms that were diverted to Fiji from the Tamil Tigers of Sri Lanka to fight Sitiveni Rabuka in 1987 that is reportedly still to be accounted for. Where are they? And even if they are no longer serviceable, the drug trade tells us that getting arms into Fiji isn’t going to be excessively difficult.
It is you who is on the turps for believing otherwise. Incidentally, “Blue Label” I wish. You forget that I am now an unpaid blogger.
… decent-minded people banding together to throw the bastards out (yes…through the elections). With armed struggle, if necessary (No… this is seditious and a coup which is what everyone wants taken out) …after saying this and you link it with your previous 19th century-style savages. The only rule of law is might….like a dog returning to its vomit… return to the fold my prodigal son…and learn the 21st century style which is the elections and ruleship of the majority…sometimes you win and many other times you lose…but please don’t bang your had against the wall when you don’t get what you want…you are not a brat but a disoriented absentee rabble rouser.
Read what I have written. There is armed struggle in New Caledonia to assert the right of indigenous people to govern. And there is obviously the prospect of armed struggle in Fiji if the rights of a third of the population to equal citizenry are summarily removed by a government with a wafer-thin majority of one vote.
It is not sedition to state the bleeding obvious, however much you foolishly don’t think it is possible.
Ask yourself- How many girls in Fiji ever come forward?
I bet the parents could not, would not come against the chief. And most people never come forward.
Girls of that age are very often targeted in Fiji. It happened to me.
Wherever I went, to the most senior government office, in the Fiji Visitor’s Bureau in Suva, in the airport or in an hotel or in a taxi and I was constantly hit on, sexualised, cat called and pursued by older men. They had no respect for me or my boundaries.
It’s a disgusting society that make it ok for men to prey on girls. I don’t know why I ever returned because I was treated like nothing more than an object.
Look at the entire government normalising a lot of bad behaviour including adultery among members, and the PM himself has no willpower.
If there is a shadow of a doubt, then he is unfit to be President. Period.
Who’s going to go find out what happened? In any other country, the press would be digging.
Shamima had been speaking up but people told her to shut up. Where is she now? Caved to pressure?
Are we talking about Italy? Men come up physicaly pinch you on the bottom if they like you. It’s their custom.
I’m talking about children NOT adults.
Rape and incest is very common in Fiji.
A child should not have to endure that the moment they turn 12, 13, 14 or 15 or younger.
This is reality. And I’m taking about far worse than cat calls but that’s all you heard. Exactly why it’s hard to come forward. Italy is far more civilised if u want to compare.
I’m really sick of hearing that this girl or that girl didn’t come forward.
Reminds me of what Tabuya said about the girls that were raped in the coup. She says here are the charges? Can you imagine that?
You think they felt safe to go and press charges?
I don’t care if there is even a rumour or a hint of a rumour…..
Or if he was even alone in the same room with the girl.
This is not happening.
What the f**k is wrong with the mothers and the sisters and the fathers and the brothers in Fiji that you don’t stand up to this shit!!! Women have worked too hard to progress and you do not get into action which is only going to hurt your sons and daughters and grandchildren.
I would do it myself but being a vulagi, I’d be told I don’t have the right to speak against this indigenous man. How do you you all sit around while this goes on. The rest of the world has passed you by on women’s rights… it takes action!!!
It all starts with a man at the top that womanised his entire life and surrounds himself with the same type of lowlifes.
He does not care about girls or women in this country or the message this sends.
There is NO protection, No justice
How about a reconciliation of those that have been preyed upon while you’re at it?
Ok, let’s make it the 5 Ls so we can use our fingers eh
LOTU
LASU
LEQA
LIUMURI
LASA I TUBA
This is the tag for this rotten and immoral Coalition of vulagis and itaukeis.
Ratu Naiqama like his side kick Rabuka is a hypocrite and opportunist.
He was Lands Minister in Rabuka’s Governments in the period 1992-1999 and in that time both of them, Naiqama and Rabuka, ignored pleas by NGOs and indigenous rights activists for the Rabuka SVT Government to ratify ILO Convention 169 on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
This was to be a costly mistake, because the issue of indigenous rights just as the advocates had warned , was swept under the carpet after Bainimarama came to power.
Had these two hapless souls showed any wisdom and foresight when they had the chance and ratified ILO Convention 169 Bainimarama’s path towards suppression of indigenous rights and aspirations would have been more difficult and indigenous people and the country would be in a far better place today.
They realised their mistake when ILO Convention 169 was upgraded in 2007, during the Bainimarama rule, to become the United Nations Declaration on Indigenous People’s (UNDRIP).
Naiqama is known to be a giver of unsolicited opinions from the Chair in his time as Speaker, indeed dominating the debate through his unnecessary interventions but he kept quiet in March 2023 when the Coalition Government finally adopted UNDRIP.
I wonder what was going through his mind then, whether he realised his error in not ratifying ILO169 when he had the chance?
The report he signed along with the Roko Tui Dreketi in July 2012 prepared by the Fiji Native Tribal Congress that was submitted to the UN Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination makes no mention of ILO Convention 169 and his early role in ignoring it.
Ironically UNDRP reflects certain provisions of the 1876 and 1882 Fijian Affairs Ordinances related to the rights of indigenous Fijians drawn from the Deed of Cession.
Naiqama and Rabuka are champion opportunists, jumping on the band wagon to advocate for indigenous rights when they need votes but don’t have the brains and the will to act when they are in the privileged positions that they crave so dearly.
OFFS. Don’t talk to me about indigenous rights. You are in the majority, own almost all of the land and still bleat about how hard done by you all are.
Listen up. When the “vulagi” leave, you are f**ked. You will have lost the tax base to maintain government services and will be a shell of a country. A whole lot of self-entitled iTaukei sitting on their undeveloped land and looking at each other asking why there are no medicines in the hospitals or their kids have no teachers.
It is the rest of us who deserve “rights” to be equal citizens in the land of our birth, not you idiots. You never had it so good under Frank. He gave you the lease money, not the chiefs, and now you have brought them back and wonder why you are all going backwards.
No sympathy whatsoever from the rest of us. You succumbed to self-interest and greed and now the pie isn’t big enough to go around. Diddums. It is all self-inflicted.
I understand what you saying and agree with yr general point but my point is had Rabuka and Naiqama listened to the people and ratified ILO169 in their time in government from 1992 to 1999, the taukei would have no cause to be concerned about losing their collective rights and there would have been no George Speight coup in 2002 and no Bainimarama coups. The country would have been in a different place.
OK, apologies if I misunderstood you. But the iTaukei have never been under threat in Fiji except from the manipulation of privileged elites from within their own ranks.
Agree fully GD
We the itaukei have only ourselves to blame and no one else.
The Fiji Times is fit for wiping the backside thanks to the inept Fred Wesley. Tourism has ‘Blinky Bill’ and the Fiji media has ‘Feeble’ Fred. Totally useless. In fact the whole bang lot are hopeless. I believe there is a Fiji media organization of some sort that’s on the foreign aid gravy train. Fat lot of good it has done for them. Pick up any one of the two newspapers nowadays or turn to the radio or TV for news and all you get is garbage. No depth whatsoever. Shallow and superficial. I don’t think I have seen Fiji media in a worse state than it is currently.
I want to throw up just looking at his hands and where all it must have gone as a child molester. The low life ba@tards that many adore as their chief.
I was molested as a child. I am in my fifties now. A woman surviving the abuse and trauma that was inflicted on me without my fault in Fiji.
What did my families do to me as a child and a woman growing up? They gave the abuser the respect he didn’t deserve. They would on purpose talk about him as a nice man to me. They continue till today to ignore the fact that I was a child and the abuse was on me. I had no voice and I still don’t.
What does it mean for a disable person is worse by 100 times.
What it means for the vanua is a curse on his people.
What it means for that child is she is innocent and needs a voice and help.
We can all sit here and write as much as we want.
But the President of Fiji is an alledged child sexual offender and this will not sit well in a civilised world. He will not be welcomed in many countries. This will hang as an image equivalent to a dead dog hanging from the tree. Take note Fiji.
Let that girl have a voice or be her voice. Talk about this predator openly.
To the girl and her mother – I am sorry what happened to you. But please stand up and be the change you want for your daughter.
#behervoice
No way will the government driver be given a non-conviction sentence, simply because he is not a chief. And the Justice Minister will not defend him, unlike for CR Tomasi.
THEN: https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/non-conviction-sentence-for-chief-registrar/
NOW: https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/government-vehicle-driver-charged/
19th century style savages…the only rule of law is might??? The dog is back to its vomit….21st century style is the tick and the majority in number rules…if not as hoped for, wait for the next election…simple…with armed struggle???man, this prodigal son of a gun!!!
Another RKS groomed boy I see.
What’s up with these RKS and QVS old man’s club?
What are these schools breeding is questionable! A line of thugs.
Until and unless the i taukei pull their head up out of the sand, there will be no change in as far as holding the chiefs to account. All we hear is, Isa, vosoti koya, keda tamata ga, kua na vakasama ca, ciqomi ena yalo vinaka. So those in authority cash this attitude and approach all the way to the bank.
Rabuka told Chaudhry off when questioned about the moral grounds for pedo President nomination. Using exactly that same logic; he’s been forgiven etc etc etc.
Fiji, this is the BS floating everywhere in government and institutions alike. There needs to be an uprising of protest against these idiots so they know, in broad daylight, just how corrupt and inept they are.