Our reptilian Prime Minister does what he always does in the face of Justice David Ashton-Lewis‘s withering criticism of his failure to act on the 17 recommendations of the Supreme Court Commission of Inquiry.
He plays the hurt victim (“I’m sad that he has spoken out”) and slithers away to hide under the nearest camouflage (“It’s not the government’s job to implement the recommendations”) Oh really, Prime Minister, then whose job is it?
Then comes more lies, half truths and dissembling. And because the Fijian media is chronically unable to pin him down, Sitiveni Rabuka is able to deftly side-step the main issues to allow the false narrative to be peddled that he has “countered Justice Ashton-Lewis” when he has done nothing of the sort.
Let’s just dissect the PM’s response to the main points the Judge raised in his explosive statement on Tuesday:
- That the Chief Justice, Salesi Temo, remains in place despite him being found liable to charges of perjury, abuse of office and obstructing and perverting the course of justice. And the reason, the Judge suspects, is that he is being protected by his friend and relative, the President, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, when he says the President specifically told the COI that he was going to remove Temo.
Blind Freddy can see that you can’t have someone accused of obstructing and perverting the course of justice at the pinnacle of the criminal-justice system. But not Blind Siti.
Incredibly, the PM reveals that Temo is not only being kept in place but his case is not being referred to the police like all the others. Instead it is “going through the natural justice system” and the Chief Justice is being given a chance to “explain himself”. As in “oi Salesi, is all this true?” “No Prime Minister, it is not true” “Oi, sa dina? Vinaka. I’m so glad you’ve set my mind at rest.”.
The media doesn’t say: “Well 14 weeks after you received the report, has the Chief Justice responded to the allegations?” Or “when these are allegations of serious criminal conduct, why haven’t the police and FICAC been called in to investigate?” No, that would be too much to expect. Let alone “given the gravity of these allegations, shouldn’t the Chief Justice be suspended until such time as he is cleared?”
No, in Fiji when you are part of the ruling triumvirate and are accused of wrongdoing by a Supreme Court judge, you don’t go through the criminal justice system, you go through the natural justice system. And the Chief Justice – accused of lying under oath and obstructing justice – sails merrily on, presiding over the trial of someone also accused of abuse of office, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum (no-one seems to get the irony of that) and presiding over a review of the supreme law (no-one seems to get the irony of that either).
And, of course, there’s no mention at all of the second of Justice Ashton-Lewis’s principal objections :
- that Nancy Tikoisuva and John Rabuku remain in place at the ODPP and are deciding which crocodiles to prosecute when they are crocodiles themselves. A tamani size conflict of interest when they were adversely named in the COI Report for another conflict of interest on Nancy’s part and a finding that her handbag, John (or is it the other way around?) was also liable to a charge of perverting the course of justice.
Shouldn’t they be sent packing or this whole exercise – in the Judge’s words – is a “mockery of justice”? The journalists don’t ask so the Prime Minister doesn’t say, once again successfully side-stepping one of the two central issues that prompted Justice Ashton-Lewis to make the extraordinary decision to speak out. And they call that “countering” the Judge? No, it’s ignoring the Judge and ignoring the central point of this entire farce.
It confirms once again Sitiveni Rabuka’s unique approach to governance. Dodge the questions. Dodge the main issues. And if it all gets a bit too hot in the political spotlight, slither into the nearest dark corner, quickly shed your skin and re-emerge as the Snake reinvented, wearing a broad smile and peddling more lies and half truths to a gullible media and a gullible nation.
Oh, and make sure you always go after your accusers. Not directly, of course, but in the liumuri way you have operated for the past 38 years.
Is anyone seriously surprised that the police have now launched an investigation into the COI? Yes, folks, another one of the Snake’s favoured tactics. Come for me and I will come for you. I protect my kai vata and scatter my enemies. And when I come for you, my bite is always lethal.
Having corrupted democracy and the Parliament by buying off large segments of the opposition with ministerial positions and salaries; having corrupted the nation’s institutions of state with handpicked appointments to do his bidding; Sitiveni Rabuka is now targeting the Commission of Inquiry he specifically set up to “identify the crocodiles in the pond”.
The Snake is coming after the Crocodile Hunter – his old friend and fellow Christian, David Ashton Lewis – because some of the crocodiles he identified are, inconveniently, Sitiveni Rabuka’s most trusted allies.
In his misplaced confidence in the Prime Minister, the Judge appears to have thought the Prime Minister genuinely wanted all wrongdoing exposed. But he is now finding out to his cost that he was merely meant to nail Rabuka’s main rival, Manoa Kamikamica, and a couple of other irritants, not keep shining a judicial spotlight on other crocodiles in the pond.
Now the COI is dead in the water and the police have been sooled onto the COI itself. And incredibly, it seems that David Ashton-Lewis and his Counsel Assisting, Janet Mason, are being lined up for the same treatment as the DPP, Christopher Pryde, while an alleged serial criminal in the form of Salesi Temo remains in place at the apex of the judiciary.
The mockery of justice the Judge said he feared is complete.
Only in Rabuka’s Fiji, eh? The Chief Crocodile remains in place.
And the Crocodile Hunters are now in the firing line.
NOTE TO MY READERS:
Grubsheet is being branded a “terrorist”* for calling on the RFMF to use its powers under the Constitution to stop this assault on the integrity of the state and the rule of law. Yet the real terrorist – using unlawful intimidation for political purposes – isn’t me but the Prime Minister. And I make no apology for yesterday’s call, which I am advised was perfectly within the law.
Only in Fiji, again, is it an act of terrorism to call for the law to be upheld.
*By the shrill Coalition toady and COI critic, Snake Number 2 Pramesh Sharma.
( From a Grubsheet informant: “Pramesh Sharma has now been appointed to the HFC board by Biman Prasad. Pramesh is also working for Vinod Patel as a consultant. Vinod Patel were close to FijiFirst but they have brought Pramesh in to smooth things out with the Coalition)
As usual the snake has flown off to India with his wife and a government delegation. He will be meeting PM Modi. Ah the good life. Country be damned.
Did we honestly expect something different than this in Fiji?…honestly?
My eyebrows no longer seem capable of being raised at the daily news bombardment of people in positions of power just not giving a f*ck, and the people who elected them being sh*t on.
Rabuka and his cronies have made Fiji a laughing stock internationally.
The COI is based on hearsay evidence mostly. What if CR remains silent as per his legal right to just remain silent if cautioned by police that no such directive came from anyone including CJ that court registry will not accept any charges filed by FICAC?. The bucks stops right there. why?
Criminal law investigation have a different and higher threshold of meeting reasonable prospect of conviction and right to remail silent is paramount right in criminal law. No one could be compelled in any form or shape to incriminate ones own self.
Even COI his lordship Ashton Lewin have made it abundantly stated that COI report cant be used as evidence against all those that are implicated and a separate police investigation was therefore called for.
COI only recommended investigation and police are still doing their work, so please let them do their part.
It seems there is a big hue and cry over COI report by the diminishing supporters of ASK to put smokescreen in order to make the COI more relevant than other pressing issues in the country.
Get real and understand the difference between COI and police investigations. These two are distinctively apart.
Can you read? There is NO police or FICAC investigation into the Chief Justice. So what on earth are you on about.
Rabuka the evil viper blatantly lies and contradicts himself once again and the compliant media nods in agreement once again.
The gibberish bullshit from the corrupt swine knows no bounds. I just saw a news video clip of him saying that he cant say or do much about tbe COI report because the COI was commissioned by the President!
WTF! Rabaku is on record several times saying he called for the COI cos he wanted to find out details about malimalis appointment as the fucaca head. He also very gleefully stated at the time that he was very proud of the terms of reference that he put together for the COI!!…which included investigation into all involved in ficac debacle. But no..the poofter media didn’t ask him about this lie.
Secondly he said he handed over the COi report to the police , military and ficac for the 3 bodies to carry out investigations. What the f**k investigation was to be carried out by the military? The poofter media didn’t even ask him the most basic of questions.
Then the lying vesumona conman admitted that Temo is yet to be questioned about all the allegations against the CJ in tbe report! What?? Three months later and he is yet to be approached by the police and questioned? Of course the poofter fijian media didn’t ask him this basic questions as well.
Then the corrupt liar said the institutions concerned should ask those implicated to step down while investigations continue and that it has nothing to do with the govt!! WTF?? Everyone knows that the PM can advise the President to ask the CJ to step aside whilst a tribunal is appointed to investigate the complaints against Temo the Lauan clown. And how about asking tbe CR to step aside? You dont need a f**king tribunal for that!
How about the serious allegations against fat Nancy and closet gay rabuku? Of course the poofter fijian media that have become accustomed to sucking rabuka’s dick without being asked to didn’t bother to point this legal process out to the vesumona conman.
The demonic bastard lies and lies and lies and lies and reigns surprise and ignorance and bewilderment in his standard nonsensical gibberish waffle…and the media just listens and prints and publishes deliberately starving the fijian public of the real stories and the truth. It’s the same merry go around in this special fijian circus with all the clowns and monkeys and snakes and rats kept in check and subserviance by the satanic ring master.
The fijian media shouldn’t even call themselves the media anymore. They are prostitutes who either suck or get f**ked for free whilst some take a few dollars but deliver sexual favours to rabaku well above expectation. Heck these pricks haven’t even done countless follow up stories like rabukus secret payout by Temo and malimalis abuse of office complaint against Temo and rabaku…whats happening with these?
As I’ve said before these people need to die without delay for fiji to be truly free again.
Very aptly stated. There is an Ultimate Liar on loose.
2013 constitution was originated out 2006 coup.
The perpetrators later formed a party and slotted in immunity clause to protect themselves and their supporters.
Even likes of Chaudary and others are party to the crime, after he swore in as a Finance Minister with coup leader .
Why join the mob when you know they have committing a crime.
Those that were legal advisers and supporters, were the one’s to draft and help out on new constitution.
NGOs ,civil servants, military were a farce that they had contributed.
After the 2014 election, no party had 2/3 majority and will never have one.
All cemented for perpetrators to rule forever.
Unfortunately, Fuc@kup happened and glitch Fuc@ed up FFP to win with outright majority in 2022.
After 2006 no one dared to challenge anything because might of gun was very powerful.
People lived in fear.
People were silenced and if one had to discuss anything regarding government,than one would whisper into another’s ears.
And if you stood up,than the but of a gun would be behind you.
Is 2013 constitution legal ???
Answer:Go back to the origin and that is 2006 coup.
And now the circus is in town with all the legal experts
and politicians telling each other who’s right and who is wrong.
It’s Friday today and once the day ends, those legal experts and politicians will have a big lough with kava and alcohol.
Jerry’s wife has given him groceries list and Ramus wife told him to remember to buy Rajus books after he receives his pay.
Both earn less than 200$ a week and have a family of 5.
Mr. Lawyer earns 200 an hour and Mr. Politician 100 dollars an hour .
Both are trying to fix the constitution for Jerry and Raju.
Oi boci gay b you forget that that your kalou rabaku publicly rejected the 1997 constitution after he lost the 1999 elections that he was so sure of winning. He is a poofter coward dog like all his racist boci supporters. The 1997 constitution had racial voting. You want that back?
Im sick and tired of rabaku and his bunch of smelly c**t supporters.
Not interested to reply you @Anonymous.
Not worth it.
I remember Bainimarama swearing Tikoduadua at Parliament house.
Slapping the Microphone out of the hand of a TV journalist from overseas.
You are a excellent example of his supporters.
Monkey see,Monkey do.
Excellent stuff.
One rule for the unevolved primates and another for the rest of us.
Rabuka continues to treat Fijian as ‘idiots’ who he feels will buy his slippery and inconsistent comments. He continues to insult our intelligence and has obviously developed a thick kaikai skin to feel he can just stay silent, go underground or merely deflect issues through his dumb responses.
How would he face the Indian Leaders when his history of racism and continued bigotry, especially against Indo-Fijians is on record. I hope the Indian High Commission in Suva has briefed its Leaders, as Biman’s crony, the current Fiji High Commissioner in India, with zero diplomacy experience, will merely be there to provide copious amounts of yaqona and curry chaser to the Fijian delegation.
Maybe Rabuka will feel really important as he signs up to the ‘New Girmit’ under which Fiji will bring in sills from India to relieve the shortage largely due to the Coalition’s racist policies, including the assault on the judiciary and other institutions. I am sure Arthur Gordon and other previous Indian Leaders will be turning in their graves on this new Fiji chapter.
Is there any hope for Fiji?
Hands up how many people voted or supported this dickhead at the last election?
Yeah, I know, you all thought he was a changed man. You all also had a lot of hate for certain individuals in the previous mob. Bad judgement on both counts.
There is an old Indian saying “A donkey will always remain a donkey, you cannot change it into a horse”. It applies to the idiot PM as much as it applies to everyone on this forum. Yes, including me. Except I did not vote for the dickhead nor will I ever come within 10 miles of him or be seen in the same room as him.
Let me say it again. I cannot for the life of me see how people voted for a well known dickhead with decades of history. You do not need to explain, I already know the reason. Its simple and it is all explained by my name.
GD.
Pramesh sharma is absolutely livid that you called him a pussy grabber. He says you are a stupid prick that no one should read because you peddle lies and have an agenda against his saviour and protector baku and biman.
He sits in his garage every week with his bunch of ignorant and foolish yes men who are just as anti frank and aiyaz like him and they encourage him to tell tall tales of influence and skirt chasing adventures whilst throwing back whiskeys.
The chief monkey obliges and in his drunk state his fantastic fantasies get more unbelievable. That’s their pastime on cold auckland nights as Pramesh shows how he’s got biman and rabaku’s numbers on speed dial. All this while poor Susan has to listen to her fast inebriated pussy grabbing husband’s macho stories whilst full knowing that his small duck will be of no use on yet another loud drunken night. In fact that’s the reason why pramesh is so close to biman…they both love to suck rabakus dick and they both love to grab pussies that don’t belong to them.
Rabuka must be regretting why he chose to proceed with the COI, now he is being trapped. No matter how much he going to protect, the people of Fiji will judge him on election day.
Rabuka’s popularity is falling and interestingly he is trying to extend the parliamentary term which remains to be seem. If the extension goes through the the RFMF as custodian of the constitution might have to intervene. The 2013 constitution was designed in such a way that it protects every citizens and at the same time involves RFMF as protector of the constitution
Bainimarama was right…Rabuka is a snake.
This dickhead is telling the COI Chair to respect the process and not undermine public confidence.
What public confidence is this idiot referring to? The only confidence we all have – the confidence that Rabuka isn’t a changed man; that he was, is, and will remain an ass*ole.
I’m also confident that this evil man will die a horrible and prolonged death for his evil deeds.
The state of local media is in a shambolic state. So much so that the media is directly responsible for the dumbing down of the citizenry.
The recent CoI reporting, Justice Ashton-Lewis’ statements, and the constitutional matter before the courts demonstrate that local media either does not have the ability, quality, or the desire to inform the public truthfully. It is like a referee taking one side.
People do not know the truth because media deliberately do not report transparently and fairly, nor include vital facts in any reporting. Media has joined forces with the government to become a tool to oppress people.
The government lies at every turn without worry of being called out. The government’s lies are reported as facts. No follow-up questions, no fact checks, no tough questions. Media lobs soft ball questions, and politicians and government officials know they can get away with jibberish and outright lies.
There is serious dereliction of duty by print television, radio, and online by media in Fiji and a great disservice to the Fijian people who are taken as fools.
With the advent of a variety of social media, people are too occupied to reading conspiracy theories, tiktok clips, watching porn and going down YouTube rabbit holes have time to focus on real life events.
Politics and governance are boring to large sections of society. It does not help that much of the youth don’t have a reading habit. This lack of curiosity results in weak comprehension of the issues that impact future leadership development.
For politicians, an ignorant electorate is a godsend, and Fiji media ensures to deliberately keep the masses as uninformed as possible.
We have free media doing this government’s bidding for free.