Once again, like the Kremlin watchers of old, we are reduced to having to read between the lines about what Sitiveni Rabuka is planning to do to break the impasse over the Judicial Services Commission’s demand for the removal of Lavi Rokoika as FICAC Commissioner and the President’s refusal to do so.
The immediate answer is nothing. “There’s no need to rush” – the Prime Minister says – even though Fiji has been plunged into a constitutional crisis on the say-so of much of the legal profession. Of course there’s no need to rush. Why change the habit of the entire government for the past three years?
But read between the lines of the following Fiji Times story on the weekend and an intriguing possibility emerges – that the Prime Minister is planning, after all, to appeal the judgment of Justice Dane Tuiqereqere that his appointment of Lavi Rokika was unlawful.
It was so obtuse – like many of Rabuka’s pronouncements – that it would have gone unnoticed by most Fijians preoccupied with the weather and war in the Middle East. But examine the following section for yourself, Dear Reader, and tell us what you think in the comments section below. Because to Grubsheet, it appears very much now that Justice Tuiqereqere’s judgment is not the final word on the matter.
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On my reading of this, the Prime Minister is saying the following:
1/ I’m still thinking about what Justice Tuiqereqere said and don’t think he entirely got it right.
2/ I can change my mind about not appealing his judgment and might do so to protect the President, enable him to face down the JSC and keep Lavi Rokoika in place.
Of course, it may just be the Prime Minister’s usual habit of thinking out loud when a microphone is shoved in his face. But if anyone else was to use these words, I’d say get set for another legal showdown. Wouldn’t you?
What’s the big picture here? What game is Rabuka really playing? Our Voice of the Vanua, CommonMan, has an intriguing theory.
His analysis coming soon.
POSTSCRIPT:
Is this a metaphor for the nation as a whole?
A bad omen for anyone who is superstitious. And that includes a great many Fijians.
Whatever Rampukers game….ordinary Fijians suffer. Vanua politics only serves his pockets and his Kaivata. Rest can live in their hell hovels…village or Raiwaqa. Mate ni Lavo ni Coalition Government and Baimaan Lamp Chops Suruwa.
This game will continue beyond the full time whistle. The PM and President are in their comfort zone and have a don’t care attitude while enjoying all the hoo haa legal jungle bungle drama being played out by JSC, Courts, Richard, Leung, Wylie, Malimali, and Tanya.
Yes, Grubsheet. Rabuka will appeal Tuigeregere judgement. The Fiji Times interview will now make Saleshni Temo upset. Rabuka has a lot to lose if he doesn’t appeal. He doesn’t want to go to jail in future.
Meanwhile – Kepa, Tikoduarua, KalouFMF must be having viber discussion weighing options of sending Fiji army to Israel after so much pure love with Satanyahu as Fiji Times earlier captioned “Coup Leader meets War Criminal” when Rambo met Satanyahu during embassy opening.
I believe the country is facing a leadership challenge that goes beyond personalities. Good governance requires clarity, decisiveness, and respect for proper process. When executive decisions lead to prolonged legal disputes, public confusion, and institutional stand-offs, the result is instability that affects the entire system of government.
The Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, carries the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that state institutions function effectively and predictably. When controversy surrounding key oversight bodies remains unresolved and governance appears reactive rather than steady, public confidence begins to erode. Leadership is not only about authority; it is about restoring order, clarity, and trust when institutions are under strain.
At the same time, ordinary Fijians continue to struggle with unreliable water supply, inadequate hospital hygiene, and a sense that accountability is inconsistent when serious issues arise. When political and administrative disputes dominate the national agenda, it inevitably diverts attention from these essential services that directly affect people’s daily lives.
If the current leadership is unable to provide clarity, stability, and effective coordination across government, then it is reasonable within democratic norms to consider all constitutional options — including resignation. Stepping aside, if necessary, can sometimes serve the national interest by allowing institutions to reset and refocus on delivering for the people.
Ultimately, leadership must be measured not only by intent but by outcomes: institutional stability, public trust, and the consistent delivery of basic services to the Fijian people.
Fiji has also become famous for leaving situations hanging in the air when lawful follow through doesn’t suit the Government, or would raise too many other conflicts.
This could be a long wait.
If only Fiji had intelligent effective productive governance led by someone incorruptible, with high moral standards and integrity.
A monumentally big ask right now. What a shame to have fallen this far low due to pure ignorance and arrogance.
The wait is for FICAC to be abolished in Parliament by next week with files transferred to the DPP whilst the hunt is on for a PROPER DPP to catch all the crocodiles from the COI. Just hang in there and buy some popcorn.
There’ll be big changes in the DPP’s office as well as shutting the shop at FICAC.
Sit back, relax and enjoy the thriller coming very soon to a news agency near you.
Parliament will need a positive Referendum vote outcome to be able to abolish FICAC, since FICAC is defined in the Constitution (s.115).
As there is no Referendum on the horizon, next week is a tad premature!
Never mind the constitutional clause. Think of the word PROROGUE.
(EDS NOTE: Prorogue: To discontinue or end a session of a legislative body (like Parliament) for a period of time without dissolving it entirely.)
The Ba markets got flooded. We will never see Biman or any NFP members getting their hands dirty with the clean up. Where is Lenora? Pio? Biman? Sashi?
Graham, you’ve got to post something about this.
Rabuka acted like he was God’s answer to Fiji and it was only His way or the highway ! Soon Manoa Kamikamica and his crew in PAP set their sights on removing Rabuka and everyone saw that clearly because Manoa put his own people like Luke Rokovada at PSC etc to prepare the take over for him – starting with the PSC being the workers!
Well Rabuka who used to be a master strategist thinks he can get away with his corruption especially with the Vakalalabure. Rabuka doesn’t know two of his closest allies being Filimoni Vosarogo ( best friends to Barbara Malimali ) are working with Manoa to remove the old fart. Lynda was also working behind the scene with Manoa especially for the appointment of Barbara so BM could remove the FICAC cases against Lynda herself and Manoa!
Rabuka is an old fool supported by Lalabalavu but he doesn’t realise it’s the young aspiring PMs like Filimoni and Lynda who will screw him .
Mosese Bulitavu is trying to appear like Rabuka’s friend . He is not. Bulitavu is loyal to Tui Cakau alone!
You say that Lynda will screw Rabuka. Isn’t that old news? 🙂