Francis Puleiwai would do well to take no notice of the Prime Minister’s assurances that she would be safe returning to Fiji to give evidence at the forthcoming inquiry into the “rot” of Barbara Malimali‘s appointment at FICAC.
There is ample evidence that Sitiveni Rabuka doesn’t have control over instruments of state such as the Judicial Services Commission and its rogue head – the Acting Chief Justice, Salesi Temo. And Temo is waiting to pounce after Francis Puleiwai defied and humiliated him on “Black Thursday” (Sept 5) by detaining Barbara Malimali after the JSC had installed Malimali as FICAC Commissioner.
It was front page news that with her new-found authority, Barbara Malimali had lodged a police complaint against Francis Puleiwai for abuse of office and the Police Commissioner, Juki Fong Chew, confirmed that an investigation was proceeding. Who is going to tell him to stop so that the former FICAC deputy commissioner can return to Fiji unmolested? Hmm.
We also know that a “stop departure” order was placed on Francis Puleiwai but she had slipped out of Fiji before the bumbling Mr Plods and Ms Plods had time to get it into the system. And where there are “stop departure” orders there are also “detain on arrival” orders.
Even if the Acting Chief Justice were to join the Prime Minister in publicly assuring Francis Puleiwai that there is no threat of her being detained, those assurances would be worthless. Why? Because Salesi Temo has already demonstrated that he doesn’t give a damn what the Prime Minister thinks about anything.
It is now nearly three months since the PM made front page news by saying that Salesi Temo was wrong to suspend the salary of the DPP, Christopher Pryde, while he awaits the Tribunal hearing into the allegations against him of misbehaviour. The PM still evidently thinks it is wrong. And as recently as last week, he was said to be still trying to reverse the unlawful decision by the Acting CJ that is preventing Christopher Pryde from being able to adequately defend himself in the farce that has now been going on for 18 months and counting.
The point is that the Acting Chief Justice and the JSC are a law unto themselves and the Prime Minister has already demonstrated that he is impotent to influence their decisions. And we can be sure that having been so publicly humiliated by Francis Puleiwai, the last thing Salesi Temo and his protege, Barbara Malimali, will want to see is her back in Suva and giving evidence at an official hearing into the debacle they have triggered. They want her back alright, but only behind bars and silenced.
If I were advising Francis Puleiwai, the only way she should return to Fiji would be with the protection of the RFMF invoking Section 131 of the Constitution to “protect the wellbeing of the Fijian people”. Or in this case, one person. In other words, the RFMF meets her at the airport, provides her with 24/7 protection and escorts her back to the airport if that is her wish after giving evidence.
But, of course, none of this will happen while the RFMF Commander, Major General Jone “give me a hug” Kalouniwai, continues to bury his head in the sand about the grave threat to the rule of law under this government and this Acting Chief Justice.
So Francis, please stay where you are. The current outrageous attempt by the Prime Minister to prejudge any inquiry by publicly undermining the credibility of your interview with the ABC is warning enough of the threat of a stitch-up. And if you want proof of what Sitiveni Rabuka’s assurances mean, you need only examine what has happened to Christopher Pryde.
It’s a jungle out there right now and the “Snake” is thrashing all over the place trying to quell the crisis of confidence in the criminal justice system that has trashed his government’s electoral fortunes. But there are even more dangerous animals still on the prowl in the form of Salesi Temo and his handmaiden at FICAC, Barbara Malimali, who don’t give a ripe banana what the Prime Minister thinks.
Trust no-one and stay where you are. They can talk to you on a video link or not at all. But stay away from Fiji. Trust me. I know.
——————
Worthless.
Want proof of what I am saying? Here’s the proof. “Entitled” but still no money to properly defend himself.
The Acting Chief Justice has already humiliated the Prime Minister. What’s to stop him from doing it again?
UPDATE:
We are now in an era of the selective application of the law for political purposes.
One charge doesn’t stick? No problem. We’ll find another one.
Justice doesn’t come into it.
The coalition is a bunch of self-serving individuals who have tarnished the integrity of police, judiciary, FICAC, the office of the President and the RFMF.
A sh!t show of this magnitude would’ve been nipped in the bud in any other country.
I am aghast that the coalition hasn’t been reshuffled at least, after numerous scandals. Or that none of them resigned to protect the integrity of the office they’ve sullied.
What a circus.
The likes of Temo, Turaga, Clarke, Vosarogo, Malimali, Naidu, Leung and the rest of them are taking advantage of the fact that Rabuka knows shit all about the law as well as his legal advisor in his office – Vukidonu Qionibaravi.
Even the SG Green is a useless idiot.
Interesting comment. Did you know that Vuki Qionibaravi is BFF with BMali2 for over 30 years now. VQ would most likely be biased in any advice she gives the PM about BMali2’s conduct at either FICAC or as commissioner of elections.
Bula Graham, For someone who voted against Fiji First, it seems like we were better off with Frank and Aiyaz at the helm. Suddenly we have roaches, rats, snakes and all kinds of pests crawling out of the wood work and infesting our Beloved Fiji.
Our rule of law is under threat while our military sits idly by. Our PM is so far up dementia creek he doesnt know whats going on in our country. Every controversial event he says he wasnt aware of it. His cabinet ministers have no respect for him as the leader of Fiji. They fight among themselves and brutally sleep with each other. And they do this all out in the open.
The finance minister has no regard for poverty and increases VAT which says will assist us to pay off our debts left by fiji first, but we have not seen a road map or plan to get us out of the debt mess. The money they making from taxes, they are hosting useless dinners for themselves to celebrate their 150% increases in salaries while Crime increases due to increase in poverty.
The common people are suffering while we watch on daily, our so called “leaders” embroiled in SEX, DRUGS, and CORRUPTION scandals. Ministers saying they will work harder when they are paid more, headlines by the PM of “Its only 8 million” are absolutely shameful.
We have a porn minister heading the campaign against pornography Lynda Tabuya. She openly asks people for donations and tickets sales for her village and also receives aid from the chinese for her village. What she has given in return is anyones guess. Its probably a bottle of Jack D with a rolled up blunt and a nude Minister for Women waiting to be brutally ploughed till she cant walk nicely. All these ministers are strut around like they do not answer to anyone. The PM makes announcements but he backtracks on most of them. The cabinet reshuffle, the “yellow card” for Aseri Radrodro, the support for his salary increase, then the non support for it, then support for it again.
This mob will go down in Fiji’s history as the most racist, sinister, ignorant, corrupt, shameless and evil regime to ever govern our beautiful country. Its a shame we all voted for change, but all we got was a big fat roll of incompetence! Shame on you Rabuka! Shame on you Lynda Tabuya! Shame on you Aseri Radrodro! Shame on you Bimaan Prasad! Shame on you Salesi Temo! Shame on you Barabara Malimali! Shame on you Manoa Kamikamica! Shame on you Inia Seruiratu! Shame on you John Rabuku! And all those ministers who voted for their own salary increase, SHAME ON YOU TOO!
On a lighter note, i just would like to say that I really like Lenora Qereqeretabua! She is genuine. She is elegant. And unlike Lynda Tabuya she does not think with her legs, but thinks with her brain! Totoka Lenora! GOD BLESS FIJI!
Agree with you about Lenora, John. A class act. Trying hard to learn the ropes at Foreign Affairs, a great representative on the global stage and always a terrific role model for our young people. If only we could clone her!
It’s a trap, don’t go back!
All those who voted for this mob are idiots. How many such people are there in Fiji? I am not saying this in hindsight, I have always said it well before the elections.
It is just so simple – anyone who voted for a complete and proven dickhead from 37 years ago must be an idiot. That is a FACT.
What else can they be?
The value of hindsight is always valuable. However, one must always consider what the populace had experienced under the FFP for 16 years. Drastic situation, drastic measures were required. Yes, we now know what a snake Rabuka is, and yes, we now understand that he is leading a team of selfish, self serving cronies who have no respect for the rule of law or the constitution. Hence the call must go out to all concerned and well meaning citizens to rise up against this cabal.
And Francis, please do not for one minute, entertain what Rabuka or any of his cronies would say to get you back to testify etc etc. Fiji is now a banana republic, no respect for law or order, or for the constitution. You already know this, so stay safe in Australia and nail this sorry bunch. Also, try and get your family across as well. This mob is power hungry dangerous. On a completely different level in comparison to the FFP. Your safety will never ever be guaranteed under this mob. Jone is asleep in the barracks.
Rabuka should be couped and jailed.
90% of the problems in Fiji with independence of institutions and appointments will be solved
Biman Siromi and Manoa should follow with temo, Barbara Naidu and leung
For causing nepotism and corruption to protect each other
Please let’s not get the RFMF goon squad involved in this sordid affair. Puleiwai needs a Police escort not an armed squad of goons in green uniform.
If you trust the police, you are an idiot. They CAN’T be trusted even to keep their hands off a seized cache of drugs.
Either the Police of the Army puts us at the horns of a dilemma. I opted for Police because they have the powers of arrest etc. The Army has no such powers. So who is the idiot here?
Tho Army is distrusted big time,
Pulewai was wrong. She should have forwarded the Malimali case to Police as soon as the new Commissioner was appointed. When she is back, she needs to answer for her stupidity. The well being of Fijians will be achieved when we get rid of stupid people like Pulewai.
The CJ not heeding the PM. That is democracy in action, or as that famous Aussie Jack said, “this is democracy manifest!” hahaha.
As for Kai and Shaenaz, they will go to jail after we have emptied their wallets, disposed their assets and garnisheed all their funds. The ones here and the cash stash in Hong Kong.
Ok, taki mada eh hahaha.
I see a lot of idiots here. But you really take the keke.
Geez. Anyone who disagrees eith GD is branded an “idiot”. Lol
Disagree with Graham on which part you fail to understand?
Can you please explain to us why Puleiwai is stupid?
This person was just doing her job that she got appointed to do within the boundaries of the law. Although the attempt to arrest Malimali I think was a bit over the top, the investigation should have been allowed to be completed and Malimali charged if there was a case to answer.
So, I cannot see how she is stupid.
And you do realise that FICAC have powers to prosecute. No need to go to the police as you suggesting.
Me thinks the stupid one here is someone else. Not Puleiwai.
Investigations against the Commissioners are handled by a separate investigative authority, in this case the Police. If you can’t understand that FICAC can’t investigate its own Commissioner then you’re as stupid as Pulewai.
Bit by bit Rabuka and his hand selected cronies have influenced independent institutions. First the military commander stopped commenting on constitution transgressions. Then the Law Society stopped commenting on the same. Then Barbara-gate and the Law Society’s backing her. Rabuka has ensured he has tentacles everywhere to protect the ‘supreme’ in Fiji and scapegoat anyone who speaks up against his covert dictatorship. Instead of raising Fiji to higher levels of governance, we are sinking closer to PNG.
The charges in ASK, Voss and Ali’s case are ridiculous. If a prosecutorial body suggested that an offence has been committed multiple times, there is one count stated on the charge sheet with a schedule attached showing dates the alleged offence was committed. You don’t charge someone with multiple counts of something when it relates to the same offence.
The most hilarious part of it all was Laisani introducing Rabuku as her co-accused instead of co counsel. Freudian slip for sure.
You then have Laisani purposefully misstating ASK’s name as Kaiyum instead of Sayed-Khaiyum. When asked by defence counsel who she is referring to as Khaiyum because the surname of the first accused is Sayed-Khaiyum, Laisani yelled out in court “Well I’m on my feet so you just have to deal with it”. She proceeded to call him Kaiyum. This shows how prejudiced the ODPP and prosecutors like laisani are. Chris and David would never condone this conduct. It’s surprising that John, who is known to have respect for cocounsel, sat there laughing with Laisani and very audibly asked defence counsel to “get over it”.
Anybody in this God forsaken country knows that the RFMF provided security detail to the president, the Prime Minister, and other members of govt as required based on security assessments performed by the disciplined forces. ASK, Voss and Ali are charged with carrying firearms. They did not carry firearms. The RFMF guards did. The RFMF has to answer for firearms allegedly being carried on aircrafts and allegedly without permits. The Fiji Airways CEO Andre who is conveniently overseas, is ultimately responsible for all security related matters concerning Fiji Airways. It is Andre and RFMF that need to answer to these matters.
ODPP’s theory is that ASK got Voss and Ali to bypass protocol and allow his bodyguards to carry firearms without permits, and in return they received promotions and benefits from Fiji Airways. Voss and Ali were with Fiji Airways for decades. It’s sad that the ODPP thinks that their achievements are not based on their credentials but based on alleged favours given to ASK – again, these cannot be favours to ASK because he didn’t carry anything. The RFMF security detail was provided by RFMF. They were not engaged by him, or answerable to him. They are independent.
Like you said Graham, they’ll keep doing this hoping something sticks. Clearly there is also a Muslim angle in all of this because ASK, Voss and Ali are all Muslims.
Shame on ODPP.
Nothing against Muslims. Just a few who thought they were above the law sometime ago. The Police have already determined that Kai liaised with Voss to get these on the flights, not Andre. That’s why she is being charged, for not following the law. Get ready for Naboro and eat rourou with suar. Salah suar.
An entire comment just to defend Andre? Wow. Stop hiding overseas Andre, come back to Fiji so DPP can have you standing in court, if not as an accused person then as a representative of Fiji Airways because the airline you’re CEO of is also charged. The only thing you should worry about is the letter you wrote about the Hanger. It’s going to come out. ASK didn’t carry anything and you know that. In fact, you are the accountable manager. DPP knows this too. It’s only a matter of time before you’re charged. Remember the Government you’re sacking up to doesn’t like expat CEOs. You’re on a timer!
The idiom ” When the cat’s away the mice will play” has to be modified for the current Fiji coalition leadership and stooges: The mice (Lynda, Kamikaze, Temo etc)all have a free run and play however they want even while the big cat (PM Rabuka) is still there…such is his impotent and clueless leadership.
Under Bainimarama all the mice would have been on their best behavior all the time. If anyone did play up, first strike and they would be out.
That’s because we are now in a democracy and no longer in a dictatorship. You even can say whatever you want. How refreshing.
Why should Frances clear the rot that is this government and the judiciary!
That’s not her job.
The rot was created from the time Rabuku and the lot were put in.
Now they want a TOR.
ToR yourselves!
They think the Fijians are fools.
They create the mess with all awareness and in full knowledge and control.
They muck up.
And they create a TOR and inquiry as a smokescreen as if it was someone’s else’s incompetence.
Are the indigenous reading this?
I hope you are.
Just so you know that this is the repeat of 1987 and 2000.
Just so you know that it is your own kind who do jackshit and blames the Indians.
Again, just saying as you all don’t learn from the history so here you are.
The indigenous are busy guessing the lineup of the autumn rugby tour and whether Tui will score a try in the NRL grand final on Sunday. Or, replying amen en masse.
Don’t believe me? Check out ChatFiji.
We know who did 2000. He is now in jail. So relax, just like the indigenous Fijiians are relaxing right now that Bai is in jail.
No need to fear says the man with 2 coups on his name.
If all doesn’t work then blame God.
ASK and Voss case is simply another one of their best effort for a witch hunt and smokescreen on them for the FICAC dilemma.
They cannot fool Fijians anymore. The more they drag ASK through courts the more he looks prominent. It is an opposite effect to what they want to create.
Bring back FF with new blood. This time the landslide victory will be different because there will be no PAP. NFP and Sodelpa will be gone completely.
Sure sure bro, he will look prominent with no money soon and no one who wants their business to thrive in Fiji would dare touch him with a 10ft pole. So yeah, we like to see prominent people being humiliated. He can keep his prominence, but he is history and a lesson that the long arm of the law will always get you eventually. Saiyonara Kyyum.
You cannot take away his prominence. He is loved by many. Loved for his intellect, his charm, his patriotism, respect for the rule of law and his ethics. This is what makes him stand out when compared to other politicians Fiji has seen over time. Also, the very investors you think won’t touch him with a 10ft pole are going to rise up when he is repeatedly targeted by this Government. These very investors will pull away from Government and work on bringing him back in, and it has started. They want him back.
ASK is such a private man when it comes to his children and wife. I was surprised to see him take his children to the police station. That is very unusual.
It is extremely sad to see the state of affairs in Fiji. The same old trying to find someone guilty for something over and over when there is nothing to find. It is becoming a nonsense when the country has so much important things to look after. The poverty, crime, drugs, police in comprised situation and still without a commissioner, the hospitals falling apart, high debt, ministers under FICAC investigation, and the list goes on.
The media seems to believe that people have freedom. Maybe they should think why people didn’t bother commenting last 16 years. They were somewhat ok. But this last 22 months has been nothing but a nightmare of a shit show.
Fijians are not silly and this government’s talk has become a household and every workplace gossip. I am certain that the
2026 elections will look very different.
His children knew he would be detained that night. They wanted to be at the Police Station with him before he is taken away for another ridiculous caution interview and is made to sleep at the police station, away from his wife and children. They can easily charge him in the morning and produce him in court in the afternoon for bail. This is done with other accused persons, but not him. Clear political targeting. Clear breach of his rights.
What a rotten bunch these Coalition and their cronies are! Likes of Riches, Wylie, Shamima, Imrana, Lisa Apted, Jon Apted, Rabuku, Laisani, Pramesh Chand, Jenny Seeto, all these stupid law, accountancy societies etc should hang their heads in shame!
You lot and whole lot more of self-centred self serving business owners are responsible for this rot and lawlessness in this country.
Fiji the next Zimbabwe!
I didn’t vote for ffp but today I have to remark Bainimarama was a much better leader. He held people together and brought investor confidence and stability in this country.
Fiji’s fast going down the gutters now.
For our iTaukei folks, when something goes wrong it’s so convenient to just blame the minorities – grow up and take responsibility.
All the those stupid law and accountancy societies and itaukeis making loads of $$$ last year and this year. We don’t care about you. We busy making money bhai. Thank you Biman. Now he will revise economic growth upwards. You see, we happy, tourist happy, govt happy, even opposition is very happy with $100k pay for 8 weeks job. Thank you Biman, Blinky Bill and Rambo, bout julum bradas, binaka bakalevu.
1-Khaiyum’s Multi Million $$ Stash in Singapore or Hong Kong or Swiss Banks…or Mars:
Which Fijian if they had that much stashed away offshore would still be living in Fiji when they have had multiple opportunities to “flee” with their family for a much better life. I say almost no one would remain in Fiji….including the racist jealous nationalists who are bent on burning him at the stake guilty or not.
2-Reading some of the comments about 16 years of hard life under Fiji First: Oppression, Dictatorship, Disenfranchised, Drastic Situation, Tyranny…etc etc You would think it was describing life in Uganda or Rhodesia, North Korea or the Great Mother Russia under Ians Simpsons’s favourite Tsars. Wake up – your mostly imaginary nightmare was only a bad dream. The real daytime and nightime nightmare is on now you sorry pathetic snowflakes! [Yes I could accept the Fiji First leadership did display some targeted iron fist – but to say 16 years of Tyranny and Oppression, come on! The complex situation in Fiji which Bainimarama read well, required the iron fist to achieve the desired outcomes – eg fair and equal citizenry for all – an outcome aligned with a modern civilised world.
This is a coup by the judiciary on all people of Fiji and the Constitution.
I don’t know why we are failing to recognise this harm and civil disobedience right now. This is very dangerous. There is no confidence in the government, law, police, and the army.
Heard through the Fiji wireless musulevu vines in high up offices …..:
Rabuka is grooming Speight to stand in the next election in PAP simply because he doesn’t trust his party and needs new blood. He knows this will sway in more voters for him and his treasonous friend.
It will be hoorah for Sodelpa and NFP for sure.
Francis, don’t just follow Graham’s advice but do what he is doing. Stay away from our shores, despite you both holding Fijian passports.
Rabuka is just trying to create a distraction. I hope the unformed and ignorant populace don’t get distracted. The corruption is staggering and blatant!