In an extraordinary “eff you” to all principles of transparency and accountability in public life in a democracy, Sitiveni Rabuka has begun legal proceedings against the Labour Party leader and former prime minister, Mahendra Chaudhry, over his criticism of the Rabuka’s $150,000 “plus” solid gold Rolex wristwatch.
It simply beggars belief that Rabuka not only thinks he can receive a fabulously expensive timepiece and claim that he has a “right to remain silent” about its source but that he would sue a political leader and national figure of the stature of Chaudhry who demands, on behalf of the people, to know where it came from.
But that’s precisely what the Prime Minister has done in a letter from the law firm, Sherani and Co – the contents of which have reached Grubsheet – demanding that Chaudhry “cease and desist” spreading what it calls “false allegations about the ownership” of the gold Rolex.
The letter accuses the Labour Party leader of “insinuating that the Prime Minister accepted bribes, engaged in corruption and abused his office”. It describes Chaudhry’s conduct as “malicious and defamatory” and says it has “caused severe harm to the Prime Minister’s reputation, undermined public trust in his leadership and caused him emotional distress”. Boo hoo, Siti, you twat.
Rabuka wants a retraction and apology and an “offer of reasonable compensation” and gives Chaudhry seven days to meet the demands.
What the Labour Party leader does is, of course, up to him. But Grubsheet’s response to the Prime Minister is simple: “F**k off! Who the hell do you think you are, you self-entitled pig. You have the audacity to display a $150,000 “plus” gold Rolex on your wrist when more than half the voters who put you on the public drip live below the poverty line!
And when the gross crassness and inappropriateness of your ostentatious display of wealth is exposed and questions are asked about how you got the watch, you publicly declare that it is for others to find out the source and.,.wait for it…you reserve the “right to remain silent”.
You have no such right, you fraud! On the contrary, you have a duty to the Fijian people to be transparent and accountable at all times and to reveal the source of such an expensive timepiece.
Mahendra Chaudhry is holding you to that duty as the leader of a legitimate political party. And it is an absolute scandal that you would commence legal proceedings against him for performing his legitimate duty to demand from you the answers that you refuse to give the rest of us.
Until you give the nation a proper accounting of where you got the gold Rolex and what conditions were attached to it, the former prime minister and every other Fijian has a right to suspect that this was a bribe and that you have engaged in corrupt conduct and abused your office. The onus is on you to disprove this and especially given your outrageous comment that you “have the right to remain silent”.
What a pathetic figure you cut as a leader – someone who rubs your new-found wealth in the faces of ordinary Fijians who are struggling to put food on the table. And then threatens to sue someone with the temerity to ask the hard questions that you have an obligation to respond to yet refuse to answer.
Sitiveni Rabuka is a disgrace to democracy and patently unfit to lead the nation. Every Fijian stands shoulder-to shoulder with Mahendra Chaudhry in demanding that the Prime Minister comes clean. And stands with him as he fights for the most basic of principles – the right of the Fijian people to expect transparency and accountability from their leaders, rather than the “right to remain silent”, call in a bunch of expensive lawyers and give us all the middle finger.
And who is paying for those lawyers? Rabuka himself? His secret benefactor? The Fijian taxpayer? Really. It just gets worse by the day with this Prime Minister and the sh*it-show that passes for his government.
But a comeuppance awaits. Because if Rabuka makes good on his threat to sue, the source of the watch will eventually be revealed through the process of disclosure that must accompany every case before it is heard in court. So we are going to find out where the watch came from soon enough.
Fool.
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UPDATE SATURDAY PM
Mahendra Chaudhry’s defiant response.
What the Prime Minister said in response to media questions about the gold Rolex.
And what Mahendra Chaudhry and the Labour Party said that has prompted the Prime Minister to sue.
NOTE TO MY READERS:
I apologise for my intemperate language and have surprised even myself at its vehemence. Yet few things have made me more angry than the Rolex saga.
We have been steadily going down the Zimbabwe road of weakened institutions and poor governance under Sitiveni Rabuka’s leadership. But I never thought I would see the day when a Fijian leader would be so contemptuous of his own people and their daily challenges that he would flaunt – like some African despot – an object of such ostentatious wealth. And to compound his offence, to refuse to explain its provenance.
Those around the Prime Minister are as guilty as he is of enabling a display of astounding insensitivity towards the poor in Fiji. And it is now compounded by Rabuka having the temerity to claim “emotional distress” at the entirely legitimate response by Mahendra Chaudhry to his inexcusable self-indulgence and excess.
As we have already seen with his indulgent attitude to the scandalous behaviour of some of his ministers, the Prime Minister has lost all notion of what is appropriate. And if he proceeds with this action, it will only compound his appalling absence of judgment in the eyes of anyone with a moral compass and sense of right and wrong.
Politicians suing other politicians for defamation is never a good look. At the very least, we are entitled to a declaration from the Prime Minister that he is paying his own legal costs. Yet has there ever been such a glaring example of someone no longer having a reputation to defend in the first place?
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Mahendra Chaudhry is on the PM’s case across a broad front, judging from this Radio New Zealand report yesterday.
POSTSCRIPT:
Grubsheet isn’t an expert on these things but judging from the above photo, Mahendra Chaudhry might have a Rolex himself, though not of the solid gold variety. Or maybe it is a Rolex look-alike.
Presumably the difference is that the Labour Party leader can account for where he got his and the Prime Minister refuses to do so.
Well, well. One thing the PM has going for him is that the courts will be on his side. So it is all a foregone conclusion in my opinion if it goes to court.
Just like it will be with the Constitution.
Welcome to the Zimbabwe of the Pacific, run by the lost tribe of Israel.
‘Reasonable compensation’ a gold watch and compo !
The PM’s cup will runneth over 🙃
Someone explain to me why Nagin is acting for Rabuka and who is paying his fees? I want to see Sherani & Co’s invoice addressed to Rabuka and not the Govt of Fiji. It better not be taxpayers footing the bill for this rubbish!
Shocking that the doghla naga-qata snake did not give the legal work to the bullfrog mega racist lawyer.
You know, the one who’s made $200,000 already defending aunty barbwire titti.
The rolex snake ignored his Butt head best friends too.
The snake has betrayed the bullfrog in favor of yet another naagin.
Rolex, the gift that keeps on giving.
The so called prime minister is a racist dogla. Many have gone after the origins of his Rolex. But he has gone for MC because how can a Vulagi question a dictator. He hates MC same way he hates Baiman.
Observe the way he looks at Bainan in any photo, any video in which they are together. This maki is a chodo who doesn’t want to be accountable for his actions.
He also is not bright so let’s now find out through legal means who gave the bottle collector this gift.
What amazes me is that MPC, Rabuka, Baimaan, Narube were all sitting at the same table and electioneering to unseat the previous government. They were all very lovey dovey and hugging each other. Now all of them are at each other’s throats. How things change and how it is everyone for themselves now.
What pisses me off is that people like MPC and others lacked total judgement about this grand idiot we have as PM. I just cannot believe how everyone are such fools in Fiji.
A blind donkey could see what was coming from a 100 miles away but the people of Fiji could not see what was in plain sight.
I guess racial hate, prejudice and religious hate combined with Fijians culture and tradition of being utterly stupid has brought us to this point. And I am not talking about the iTaukei. Just goes to show the people of Fiji are worse than donkeys.
This is why people have fake social media accounts to expose these corrupt Ministers and Rabuka can do jksht
Dear Grubsheet, no need to apologise for your language. We are just as angry and disillusioned with Rabuka and his pathetic Government.
Let’s go Mr Chaudhry! Let the case proceed for the truth to be determined. If legal fees are the issue, a public and global Go Fund Me appeal should be launched. Good and honest people in the interest of a democratic and fair Fiji, will support you.
How dare you Rabuka, when most if us are struggling to survive!
Why do people need to wear watches to check time in this day and age when they have smart phones that tell them the time?
When Riyaz was getting a vehicle worth thousands of dollars for himself at FBC, then it was seen as an inappropriate action by PAP supporters. But when Sitiveni gets a gold watch worth thousands of dollars, then most of Fiji remains silent. And PAP supporters say nothing.
The Prime Minister and the deputies suing politicians for what they say is something that Aiyaz and Frank used to do. Fijians saw that as something that wasn’t right. And now a boy like Sitiveni is doing the same by suing Mahendra. Most of Fiji will remain silent and only say that Mahen is wrong, Sitiveni suing is the right thing, and support Sitiveni and PAP. They won’t say that Sitiveni suing is a wrong thing.
Slacker, bling. Especially nice when gifted.
Nothing to do with telling time otherwise the idiot would realize how long he’s kept the Commission of Inquiry waiting for an urgent meeting.
GD
Remember this:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/16/barry-ofarrell-resigns-as-nsw-premier-after-thankyou-card-for-wine-emerges
Maybe Rabuka needs to take a page out of Barry O’Farrell’s book to see what he needs to do if he is a sincere leader !
So the taxpayers are paying his solicitors. Because we pay salary for this lazy and corrupt PM and he has so much money now he can do whatever he wants. He could have just answered a simple question. And meanwhile his pet is in Nairobi attending some meetings. Wonder who paid for that.
If all the vulagis leave fiji this so called buka’s supporters will eat him and put that Rolex in his old fat ass. No vulagis no fiji . These so called supporters will eat whatever is left in the supermarkets then will go for buka and his Rolex watch . Please all the white people stop coming to fiji after all the vulagis leave . Kerekere
The true signs of the end of days are here….the devil is truly in power now and is deceiving believers like never before.
Rabuka has totally taken over and installed the will of Lucifer on Fiji. Be warned, the devil wears the cloth of God to deceive.
Behaal! You made my lazy Saturday morning. Great piece of writing – enjoyed every word of it. You would make a very entertaining public speaker 🙂
If Rabuka loses the next election it will be time to eat some cassava in Naboro. This is a greedy and racist old man who is not fit to be PM, just like his racist chief Lalabalavu is not fit to be president.
Rabuka can hire Richard ‘I have the means’ Naidu for his defamation case. Naidu is the best defamation lawyer in the country. Well, at least in his own eyes, and that in the eyes of his supporters. Other observers are more skeptical.
Naidu didn’t even understand the concepts of fair comment and public interest in relation to Grubsheet’s valid critique of his conduct as a committee chairman, and resorted to threats, including the infamous boast, ‘I have the means’, which were quite unbecoming of any lawyer worth his salt. Even the most stupid lawyer would know not to make empty threats against a seasoned journalist who is used to handling threats of this nature and who would understand defamation law, and how such lawsuits can be used as a threat to silence criticism, without ever reaching the court.
A seasoned journalist like Graham Davis would understand the concept of fair comment and public interest principles, especially when it involves officials acting for the state. Naidu’s empty threat should be taught in law schools to re-emphasise fair comment and public interest and to show how not to address a situation with a journalist. The ‘I have the means’ threat is one of the biggest jokes in Fiji’s legal fraternity. It took much of the gloss off this overhyped lawyer.
Richard naidu is a fund arse lawyer who doesn’t understand the law let alone applying it. He is at a desk lawyer who specialises in how to commit Tax Fraud. His performance at the COI was shocking as he didn’t understand the law. Thinks he is the best lawyer in Fiji.
“Every Fijian stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Mahendra Chaudhry ..”
I choked on my babakau this morning when I read this statement.
As the laughing Samoan would say ” I just can’t believe it” !
No, you’d rather stand shoulder-to-shoulder with your “distressed” hero with his 150,000 pieces of er, gold.
That’s the bit I just can’t believe.
The fact of the matter is that most of the people here in Fiji could not give a rats arse about the PMs Rolex.
They are more concerned with the $2 million Mahen Chod secretly stashed away for himself in a Sydney bank account. Mahen lives in a glass house but wants to throw stones !
DVC.
Even I think that is a good point you are making. What I do not understand is that MPC was removed twice at the point of the gun in 1987 and again in 2000. How can he then go and sit with Buka and hug him. Just because he did a snake and crocodile apology? I would never be seen within 1000 meters of the guy let alone be seen in the same room with him. Hugging him and sitting in the same table with him? Just because he had an agenda at the time.
The man’s judgement is shit.
But then, one cannot blame him as the judgement of most people in Fiji is shit let alone in this column.
Look at how many people regret voting for this senile dinosaur from 38 years ago. F*cking idiots everywhere and then they all wonder why the country is where it is. Narube is no better. Fiji is simply f*cked, no doubts in my mind.
More “what about-ism”. Rabuka is the Prime Minister, you dead head. And we have a right to demand transparency and accountability in his conduct, not the behaviour of a crook.
I think what Ulukau means is that because the PM is iTaukei, it does not matter where the gold Rolex came from. You know, iTaukei are entitled. It is their tradition and culture which we vulagi will never undertsand. Everything in Fiji based on this premise. Once the vulagi leave, they will be at each others throats like the good old days and like they do in PNG.
This clause definitely needs to be included in the new constitution that politicians and public office holders have the right to remain silent after taking bribes and can also sue the people for questioning them.
That’s an amendment that will pass easily.
Buka is the victim here, with his 3 piece suit, and his gold Rolex looking very stupid. It is all our fault that he is a dickhead. He has made soooo many sacrifices for the country over the past 38 years. And people just do not appreciate what he has done for the country. We need to erect a statue of the guy. He is there to serve and he is serving himself very well, thank you.
I do not understand why the people are bagging this first classless idiot. Because most of fiji love him and he will be a shoo in at the next election. That is because, just like him, the vast majority of Fijians are imbeciles as well.
It just that they do not know it, until now that is.
They are totally unaware why the country is where it is. They all are just too busy being idiots.
Idiots everywhere ??
Public interest defence. He is Prime Minister. It is in the public interest that he is questioned and provides answers on the sources of his wealth.
Shame on Sherani Law.
I get it’s the Prime Minister but they should have informed him how ridiculous this is..
Really pathetic.
Also when the PM tells people don’t go to the newspapers, that looks like suppression.
A PM should never do this.
He’s using the press to hold power over people but people can’t use the press??
Him suing Chaudhry is a warning to the people to keep quiet. He knows that once his people wake up, then he is doomed.
That’s why he told the people the other day “don’t go to the press.”
i-Taukei need to stop blasting other races that are speaking up for the rule of law. It’s time for anyone with a backbone to stand up and save Fiji. Who wants to live in a racist country, who wants to visit or spend money in a racist country.
I’m shocked when people make racist comments about anyone holding him or the ministers accountable. You have to accept that there are many races in Fiji and all nations change over time. Living in harmony is the only way.
So many other places in the world. Racism, animal abuse, trash… dictator leader, squabbling, drugs, abuse.
Delusional to think tourism will not suffer. He will be long gone soon and the people will be left in poverty.