Within a month of castigating the international media for sensationalising the poisoning of guests at the Warwick Resort, the Minister for Tourism, “Blinky Bill” Gavoka, is at it again, warning them not to sensationalise the assault and rape of Virgin Airlines personnel visiting Nadi.
Rather than expressing profound regret, apologising to the victims and saying that the authorities are doing everything possible to bring the perpetrators to account, Blinky says it could have happened anywhere and journalists should avoid the temptation to beat up the story:
QUOTE: “Gavoka is urging the international media to exercise caution in their reporting and avoid sensationalising incidents without facts”.
WTF? Is this to be the knee-jerk reaction of the Fijian government every time something “unfortunate” happens to foreigners visiting Fiji? That the country will have a better chance of emerging unscathed with its reputation and economy intact if foreign journalists don’t sensationalise it?
It is time for Blinky and the whole miserable gaggle of misfits at the top of government to get a grip. The fact that foreigners started bleeding from the ears and frothing at the mouth after drinking spiked cocktails at one of Fiji’s most popular resorts is sensational. But it is a threat only to visitors who are drinking cocktails.
What has happened with the assault and rape of Virgin Airlines staff on a night out in Nadi is much more sensational. Because it could clearly happen to anyone. If the first instinct of the Fijian government is to warn the media not to sensationalise the already sensational, they have completely lost the plot.
This is a bigger disaster for tourism in Fiji than a clutch of spiked drinks at one resort. Even a foreign airline crew isn’t safe venturing into the nightclubs of Martintar near Fiji’s biggest tourism resort at Denarau. Of course it is sensational. And Fiji will pay a heavy price in terms of international reputation for the steady breakdown of law and order in the country.
Blinky says it could happen anywhere. Maybe. In somewhere like Papua New Guinea in our own region and lawless cities in Africa or Latin America. But it has happened in Fiji – the land of the Bula smiles – and we are going to pay for it in the court of global opinion and our principal tourism markets whether we like it or not.
Get out of your tree, Blinky, and get real. Why? Because anyone holidaying in Fiji can avoid spiked drinks by avoiding cocktails. But it’s pretty hard to avoid Nadi altogether if you choose to holiday in the country. This is going to hurt Fiji’s reputation very badly. And scapegoating the foreign media is not only absurd but isn’t going to make a jot of difference. On the contrary, the government just looks hyper-defensive about its impotence to keep our visitors safe, along with the rest of us.
The latest from CFL-Fiji Village…
Come again. Blinky?
Pathetic.
UPDATE (FRIDAY AM)
Singing from the same song sheet as Blinky, for the second time in a month the Fiji Sun editorial writer, Naisa Koroi, refers to “sensationalised reporting by international media outlets” without providing a single example.
Grubsheet has found no evidence of any such thing. Even the initial reports of the victims being detained were corrected when the facts became known.
So never mind the assault, robbery and rape, let’s just shoot the messenger. From the normally sensible Koroi, running such an argument is as bad as the antics of the Koala with the Caribbean accent.
There is a general breakdown of law and order in Fiji – of which this attack is part – that must be acknowledged and confronted. It has nothing to do with the international media. So let’s direct the finger of blame to where it should rightly rest. Within.
That law and order breakdown – fuelled increasingly by the drugs crisis – now poses a direct threat to the economy and seems beyond the capacity of the current government to address.
It should have been made a central priority – along with tackling the collapse of standards in health, education and service delivery. But the Coalition has been more concerned with fringe issues such as unspecified changes to the Constitution, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the restoration of the Great Council of Chiefs. Taking the easy option with a whole lot of blah, blah, blah rather than making the tough decisions.
It has been a fundamental failure of governance. And no amount of scapegoating now is going to change a thing.
At least ordinary people understand the central issues, including regular newspaper correspondent Ronnie Chang, who has had his own challenges with Martintar nightclubs.
We know what some of the big chiefs in the judiciary would say to the foreign crew who were sexually assaulted don’t we. Fair game on the plains of Zimbabwe or jungles of West Africa. And to be fair in the jungli parts of India as well.
Oilei Turaga. The man literally says “Regrettably, incidents like this can happen anywhere and Fiji is not immune. We, as always, remind tourists to exercise caution in nightclub areas and late at night.”
So, rape and robberies are common in Fiji, and other countries, and we need TOURISTS to be cautious in nightclub areas and late at night.
Tourism Fiji is selling Fiji as the land of sunshine and happiness. This idiot is saying we’re unsafe, but its normal, come at your own risk. Farrout.
Full statement below:
𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐅𝐓 & 𝐒𝐄𝐗𝐔𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐔𝐋𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐍 𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐖 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐒
The Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation confirms that Police are currently investigating incidents from the early hours of Wednesday morning in a nightclub area in Nadi. It is reported that an alleged theft and sexual assault occurred, with victims being crew members of a foreign airline.
Our thoughts and concerns are with them and for their health and well-being.
These alleged incidents are regrettable. There were two separate alleged incidents, one being alleged theft and the other being alleged sexual assault which affected two different crew members.
A suspect known to Police for the alleged sexual assault has been questioned. Investigation continues.
We also refer to reports by various international media claiming that the crew are being ‘detained’ – this is incorrect and false.
The crew, who are in good health, are being accommodated at a local hotel which is the nominated crew accommodation for layovers.
The three crew members were also advised by their Headquarters to remain within the hotel vicinity to ensure contactability and assist with Police investigations; they should return home before the end of this week.
We urge our international media to exercise caution in their reporting and avoid sensationalising incidents without facts.
Regrettably, incidents like this can happen anywhere and Fiji is not immune. We, as always, remind tourists to exercise caution in nightclub areas and late at night.
Viliame R. Gavoka
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Tourism & Civil Aviation
#FijiGovernment #FijiNews #CoalitionGovernment
@Grubsheet. Correction, it it not a Caribbean accent. it is supposed to be American, the bloke studied in Hawaii for a coupla months.
Well then he is as inept at mimicking an American as he is mimicking someone from the Caribbean. It sure ain’t Fijian, that’s for sure. Eh? 😉
Blinky speaks pigeon (not pidgin) English known as foot in mouth jambalaya.
Hahaha. Good one.
Nothing wrong with international media, in particular Australia putting out news articles about this issue. They did not even reveal what the allegations were. They labeled it as a ‘serious incident’. In doing so they were respecting Fijian authorities and their investigations. Juki jumped the wagon by revealing what actually happened. Now comes the bloody Minister, still drunk from NYE revealing even further and telling the world rape and theft ‘is common’. Give up sara.
Fiji; where happiness finds You ?
Lol
Hi GD,
I was eagerly awaiting a response from the fijian government and this rubbish from Gavoka says it all.
It’s a fact that those poor virgin staff where robbed and sexually assaulted. Gavoka himself acknowledges this in his press release. So how is the international media over sensationalising the coverage.
Instead of offering support to the three staff he’s picking on the media. ..who are doing their job and perhaps a lesson to the fijian media on unbiased reporting.
Tourism is the country’s backbone and this story plus the recent alcohol poisoning is surely going to cause a huge dent to their tourism industry.
Poor Brent Hill must be pulling his hair off everytime Gavoka opens his mouth.
And besides, with something as critical and significant as this case, I would have assumed that the PM would get on the front foot and face the media including the Aussie media?
No amount of the great work that Brent Hill is doing will save the tourism industry in Fiji now for mine!
PM playing his harmonica while Fiji burns …..(apologies to Nero)
Result of race-based appointments in all government ministries.
No clue, no integrity, no intelligence nor impetus to solve lawlessness.
This latest criminal incident will not go away. Wait until the victims of this despicable crimes rerun to their home country.
Police are compromised by rampant corruption and Binky Gavoka is always tone deaf.
Great work by Brent Hill and Tourism Fiji? Sereiously? Fiji’s annual average occupancy is <60 percent, on repeat for the last 20 years and counting.
This Blinky had no clue how to deal with these issues and just jumps to open his mouth like he is in his Koro.The problem is these ministers are all enjoying their pay rise and government vehicles and security so they just don’t give a S**t.When tourism is on a decline in Fiji he still gets his salary and benefits which is paid by the poor people and these poor people will lose their jobs because there will be less tourists coming in. So the government as a whole is sleeping on the security side of things as you see trouble everyday from bashing in night clubs to rape,assault and stealing.The last government has done a lot of good work to upgrade the airport and bring in new planes together with building new hotels and businesses to support the industry and more importantly they had control of the security situation.
The Zimbabwe of the pacific -Fiji when the planes are empty Lynda can eat the real thing and not a fake one.
And a little advice for Brent Hill…don’t you dare reach out to the 3 Aussie airline staff to check on their welfare or you might face a similar predicament like CP.
Time to come back home mate and there’s plenty of tourism related jobs out there.
‘The crew who are in good health’… WTF? It’s alleged one was bashed and the other raped.
Whichever minister or the spokesperson who fronts the media, the explanation given is a very clear indication of the chaos within the ranks of this government.
Blinky Bill has done much more damage by trying to address the situation. He should have just let the media run its line of reporting.
The local tourist industry didn’t need him to scapegoat the international media while pretending to shield them from any negativity. Where was the compassion, sympathy, and apologies to the victims and their loved ones?
What a messy start to 2025. The Fiji minister for tourism has basically said that when a visitor visits Fiji, don’t expect to be immune from criminal activity. How damaging is that?
Blinky Bill is a village idiot. End of.
Press statements should always remain concise and factual.
Riding off the incident at Warwick & perhaps still frustrated at how media sensationalized realities – getting on the front foot with facts is always important.
But lecturing the public & specifically media what to do on the same note – is a far reach. Particularly as facts are still being established and case investigated in this specific incident relating to cabin crew.
Government and the Minister responsible comes across sounding cocky issuing a statement like this.
Fiji Tourism will struggle trying to maintain numbers and momentum moving forward and that has been a caution which has been echoed for over a decade for the tourism industry. It needs to relook its research, facts and dig deeper with more in depth analysis and forecasting to ensure that product and marketing strategies developed are research and data led and providing strategic guidance to the industry.
While Tourism sells dreams and experiences which is easy to enchant many inexperienced individuals with , the leaders of both the ministry and Tourism Fiji need to be firmly grounded – in the reality of the science and numbers that make the industry tick , requires microscopic analysis and extrapolation with forecasting regularly to sober everyone up ( risk indicators, gaps, trends, opportunities, focus group tests ) and guide policy decisions and marketing strategies.
Measuring success by increase in Visitor arrivals is not the only yard stick measure for the success of the industry. But seems to be the loudest tune that government seems to sing its successes all the time.
There are more meaningful indicators which need to be examined and analyzed to get the real pulse of the industry which include : Average spend , average stay, dollar multiplier effect, retention of dollar in Fiji vs. leakage costs, tax turnover collection – further analysis of this by product/niche type and regional distribution within Fiji , the product development, partner contribution (both local and international) to Tourism Fiji campaigns, cooperative marketing investments vs. return on investment by government.
I fear Fiji with its increasing perceptions of risks from existing social ills (drugs, corruption, crime, disasters and corruption challenges) only further compounds the ailing tourism industry problems that are not discussed due to lack of critical analysis and the right strategic questions being asked to the industry and the tourism gatekeepers.
The custodians of destination marketing and product development need to lift the conversation and analytical capabilities and turn those capabilities into meaningful messaging/conversations and initiatives to proactively position Fiji tourism for the future .
All of the above without even mentioning competitor intelligence and analysis being made/ done . Or historical room inventory analysis matched beside airline carrying capacity to aid investment advise.
Let the private sector do its thing and the arms of government need to focus on its mandates as per its respective legislations which govern them via Tourism Fiji and Ministry of Tourism.
On another note the inaugural Fiji to Dallas Texas flight went yesterday and I was quite intrigued and perhaps relieved too that there was not an overkill of PR relating to it with the usual social snaps of faces posing and smiling … (touch wood – unless it’s about to hit the press soon).
Hoping we see more substance and depth come from Tourism instead of the same overselling and underwhelming rhetoric to justify activities without real proper hard data and analysis being made public for us to analyze and see beyond it all.
Best wishes Tourism for 2025 !
Here is hoping for more depth , intellectual rigor and substance from Tourism Fiji and the Ministry of Tourism.
Fijian Observer, you need to be heading up TF and not Brent Hill. Dunno why everyone rates him, he’s as into nepotism as the government. Time to bring in a local like you who actually sees the bigger picture.
My heart goes out to the victims. They are someone’s sister, brother, mother, daughter, son and loved one who deserved to be safe no matter what the circumstances, time, situation.
I think what Smiley face Blinky bill was expecting is no reporting at all. They are used to no media putting them to account.
Drug fuelled Fiji, porn sick Fiji, naked dancing ministers in Fiji, ministers having sex with each other Fiji, is news basically meant to be kept quiet as is the expectation from this deplorable govt.
One wonders what modelling outcome will that ANZ economist from Sydney find on growth of Fiji gdp and tourism industry performance based on events of recent. That Ulukau boasts about the PNG prime minister being a good mate of his who depends on his economic advise. His modelling should conclude without any further research required that Fiji is fast becoming a PNG – lawless, corrupt, heading towards disaster and run by raskols. You don’t need a phd for modelling economic indicators for disaster zones like PNG and Fiji.
Well said
We have to agree that our Ministers aren’t very smart, and if anything most would most likely fail a grade 8 level exam if given to them.
However, are the people hired to do media relations work also getting worse? It’s what happens when you hire who you know rather than actual professionals who know the job.
Gavoka is one hell of a dumbo.
“We have to agree that our Ministers aren’t very smart….”
“Gavoka is one hell of a dumbo”
Early contenders for understatements of the year.
Gavoka was not articulate or professional and appeared way over his head. Need someone polished to explain investigation process.
However, I do believe In a small nation like Fiji, the PM who is also not articulate either but should have already reached out to the guests at the Warwick and soon the family of these flight attendants. I do believe it’s imperative. Walking around in Savu Savu for developments years in the future should have been delayed. He should have realized that sweeping it under the rug does not work when tourists are accustomed to justice and speaking their minds.
How can they think people are so stupid. Simply saying, “ it’s not methanol” is not good enough and appears fishy. Even if it was not poison, the way it was not communicated leaves me with little confidence.
Did they ever detail what in fact was tested. If they drank the drinks, how can they state there was not methanol in the drinks? Saying they tested would be more accurate.
Yawn. Violent crime is no longer a big deal in Fiji. It’s just another indication of our slide towards a PNG-like situation. Violent crime has been normalized here, hence Blinky Bill casually dismissing it as ‘it can happen anywhere’.
In part the problem we face today is another outcome of the iTaukei being seeing themselves as saintly victims, with a holier than thou attitude. Because they are churchgoing, they are superior to the heathens. They have taken the ‘noble savage’ portrayal to heart. This is the supremacist and bigoted ideology propagated by the likes of Rabuka, Sirimo and Temo. With these kinds of leaders, the iTaukei don’t need enemies.
Example, there is no rule of law. If you commit a crime you still get appointed to a top position – as long as you are superior iTaukei race. The iTaukei are told that they are victims in their own land. It’s part of the victimhood mentality drilled into them by successive leaders, hence they develop a sense of impunity and entitlement. They can do what they like and do not feel responsible. It is manifest in how some iTaukei are openly racist towards Indo-Fijians, fearing no repercussions since being racist against Indo Fijians or not a crime. Calling Indo Fijians Luveni ni Kai India. So Indo Fijians are sub humans and beneath the pale of the noble iTaukei who feel superior. You wonder if this what they are taught in church. Indo Fijians have been spat at in one or two recent incidents.
The fish that is Fiji is rotting from the head with the government refusing to follow the constitution, so what do you expect of ordinary Fijians. Indo Fijians are leaving and no longer politically relevant, so it is up to the iTaukei to make Fiji into the country they want for themselves. So far it seems that their role model is PNG. What we are seeing is they are turning on each other, if the political infighting, power struggles and frequency of the savage brawls are anything to go by – the deadly combination of greed, violence and vanity. No other ethnic group is brawling in that manner.
Indo-Fijians and others aside, the iTaukei are themselves the biggest victim of their machismo, racism and supremacist attitude.
It’s called karma.
Fiji wants to be a Christian country but in reality Fiji is turning into a living hell for its people because God doesn’t tolerate hypocrisy.
Siromi can bible-thump all he likes. It won’t solve anything.
Very perceptive analysis. Couldn’t agree more. Vinaka.
Apparently in Fiji, rape is a common act and acceptable to people such as Gavoka, Radrodo and Rabuka. This is why people who commit these heinous acts are “forgiven” or the “devil” is blamed whenever it occurs.
The Australian Government and Virgin should apply maximum pressure on the pigs in the Fijian government to bring the culprits to justice. They should not be shown mercy. If possible, the phrase “do unto others as you would have done to you” should be applied here and they should be meted the same treatment when they go to prison.
Gavoka is a tool and a bare faced liar. The tourists who were poisoned on the resort have had to get lawyers involved to get copies of their toxicology and medical reports released so they can figure out what happened and now, Gavoka is once again busy trying to cover up this outrageous act.
People reading this article need to be aware that Fiji is a country where lawlessness is the norm. Fijian law will not do anything to protect or get you justice if you or your loved ones are raped, killed or molested in other horrible ways. The law is there only to protect one indigenous mob.
Avoid Fiji as a tourist spot – it is overpriced and you are risking life and limb by going there and handing over your hard earned dollars to a filthy mob who have no respect for other humans.
DFAT would be wise to issue travel warnings and sensible people should be boycotting the country.
I see many readers jumping to say “what happens to those employed in the industry and doing their jobs honestly. Why should they be held responsible for this?”
The answer is simple: A few bad apples can spoil the whole barrel and you have more then a few spoilt apples in your barrel since Rabuka came into power. Get rid of him and start fresh. You deserve better. Your families deserve better, so do it for them.
Firstly, this is utterly sad for the victim-survivor, the crew, their family, and Virgin Air management. My heartfelt empathy to you all and those affected by this tragedy. It is a difficult situation and I understand your pain.
In 2016, Samoa’s former Prime Minister said about the same thing when a tourist was raped in Samoa. In the 60 Minute interview
(https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/35985), Tuilaepa said,
“As I said, it’s just a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
He meant the victim-survivor was at the wrong place and so was the perpetrator.
Australia had funded Samoa over $18m in strengthening Police services in Samoa then and before this crime. This incident had caused Samoa dearly and it shook Samoa’s tourism world. It showed the former PM’s leadership in a poor form. The news made headlines across the world.
I am afraid that the statement by Minister Gavoka might have the same negative impact on Fiji’s image and tourism. I mentioned just few days ago on a LinkedIn comment how unsafe Fiji is at night. Drugs, alcohol, a HIV crisis, increased sexual assault cases, lack of education and awareness on keeping oneself safe, lack of healthcare and clinical intervention post sexual assault, lack of social service support, lack of police presence and support, and growing physical assault is concerning.
Australia has now added sexual assault for Fiji as a precaution for travellers from Australia to Fiji. This is not a good look but let’s just do a confirmation check. Fiji has high rates of gender violence, and may I add this is probably for all genders now. There is a concern on young children being sexually assaulted and this is on the rise too. Tourists are an easier target outside of the resorts.
To the victim-survivor, please know that we feel your concern and pain. Return home safely to Australia and focus on your recovery. Fiji will do nothing to support you (speaking from past experiences for other tourists). Again, I am sorry that this has happened to you.
The suspect is known to Police. Just like the case in Samoa.
How can this not be sensationalised then Bill? Which freaked rock you under mate?
I hope the Australian people and the government learn from this and stop wasting their aid money on Fiji.
Here is Fiji abusing your citizens, raping an Australian and telling you that they are all well. Fiji doesn’t care. Stop giving them millions for anything. Your problem is that you dangle too many carrots in front of the Fijians. Stop over giving! Australia has no business giving so much money in aid to Fiji and trying to buy love.
So the person was known to police? Was he an offender that was not convicted or was released? Going to be crazy if they should have convicted him yet failed to do so. So I’m thinking there are other victims. Were they also targeted “ late at night”. Were they locals and what happened to them?
To say be careful late at night, why not shut down the nightclubs earlier. It’s the drinking and drugs in these joints that’s contributing to this and to drunken drivers and loitering in town, brawls and rape.
A person can be very careful and still get targeted.
It was so obvious to many readers here that something like this would happen. I’m at the point where I’d rather see military than nobody there at all.
What’s it going to take to put their heads together and do something. Can be handled tomorrow by bringing in more force in every town. I don’t understand how it’s so complicated.
He states ‘the crew are in good health’ like they stubbed a toe on the shitty sidewalks. Is he deliberately minimising their experience or completely overlooking their mental health? Common sense
says trauma can not be plastered as good health. The man is one dimensional and has no depth or human empathy.
Agree. That is such a belittling statement by Gavoka. Good health when someone is sexually assaulted! No wonder the country and its sexual assault rates are through the roof.
Bill, will you say the same if your family member was raped?
– “He states ‘the crew are in good health’ but are not allowed to talk to any media”.
– “The crew are segregated and confined to their rooms in a hotel”.
– Instead of saying victims of allegations of rape they have decided to down grade it to “sexual assualt”.
– “Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew told the local newspaper officers were investigating allegations of theft and assault after clubbing”.
Oh! it is nothing major, just a case of theft and assault.
The whole world is not as dumb as us fijians.
Wow Billy!
Dont be like GD and underestimate the capacity of ‘us Fijians’ to be stupid and make stupid decisions like voting in Rambo for another term in 2026. It will happen folks.
Graham, my dad & I dabble in & out of Fiji politics and interest unlike my mother & brother who have no interest since we left some 36 years ago. My dad always told me esp when I did a short stint working there.
, ‘you cannot reason with a Fijian’. I have recently seen on FB how barbaric Fijians still are. Totally are backwards, fighting. Living so primitively. kids much younger than my son living in poverty when i don’t think it was this bad in my day ( I left @ 12). The Fijians are really not doing themselves a favour. Unfortunately the indigenous of a country make claims re culture. ways of living & it not hard to see the countries would be still barbaric had the so called ‘ vulagis’ not arrived. . It’s the same as Aust or perhaps NZ. I appear to be racist but I think it’s about time society stops relying on that card. It’s constructive criticism. It’s fact.
I am Indian however very westernised from FJ due to my parents and their upbringing. We had more non Indian friends and preferred non Indians but I am now looking at FJ and yes, my dad was right. It’s the indigenous Fijians thinking or lack of it. It’s all user mentality. A free ride & unfair criticism and torture of indians & others. Aid should be withdrawn and let them live their barbaric life they claim they want. No brains and unfortunately the Indians and the rest suffered. What I don’t get is the Christpher Pryde or Brent Hill still wanting to be in Fiji. Perhaps it’s not as bad & we are all being keyboard warriors.
Re Fiji tourism, the bula won’t get them far. There is no hospitality in resorts ( last trip 2019) or flights ( Jan 2024 from LA to Aust). The prices are so high and fun, experiences so little. These little incidents are all going to add up esp when you realise the demographic of Australian & NZ tourists. Middle lower class with children & less travelled and worldly or elderly. The first to be spooked by such incidents as one if their main criteria for travel is safety.
All I can say is that in my humble experience, the overwhelming majority of iTaukei are decent, warmhearted people. But I think there is a large degree of truth in your suggestion that they are open to manipulation by their leaders into being suspicious of their fellow citizens of other ethnicities and religions.
The tragedy is that this manipulation is principally on the part of the iTaukei elite who are less interested in advancing the cause of ordinary iTaukei than advancing their own cause and the cause of their kai vata.
Like many non-indigenous citizens, I find this very sad. All the rest of us can do is keep hammering away at the facts. And that is that we are less of a threat to the iTaukei than their own leaders in terms of them sequestering all the opportunities for themselves.
A national tragedy that only gradual enlightenment, honesty and trust can fix. Look at the iTaukei in these columns! So many of them aren’t sheep but thinking, intelligent people who believe in justice and fairness for all. And that is very encouraging for the nation’s future.
Graham, you are right. It’s the high level idiots who are in power destroying the lives of the financially poor indigenous Fijians in villages. They keep them uneducated, living in poor conditions and believing in these politicians who are living it up. ensuring these people don’t become educated so they can continue living their high life with no rule of law , doing whatever they want and poisoning the village folk against the ‘ foreginers’. That’s why overseas countries giving aid should become more stringent. They are not stupid to not know but it’s for political reasons as you know.
I am unfortunately not hopeful as you. Nothing will change. But it’s amusing to watch the circus. I get angry when the common folk are the ones suffering.
The same overwhelming majority decent, warmhearted itaukei people can turn on you in a heart beat.
All that is needed is a perceived common enemy. This is not said lightly.
Indo Fijians have repeatedly lived through these traumatic experiences by smiling, religious, warm hearted turncoat villainous itaukei protagonists.
Exhibits: 1987 and 2000 coups and 2000 mutiny.
Indo-Fijians are re-living, enduring the same treatment now.
Spat on, beaten on a whim, robbed, verbally abused, targeted vandalism, with no police protection. In fact the police couldn’t care less.
Even the elderly are not spared.
Example: recently a couple well into their 70s got off a bus in Suva from Nadi. They were violently set upon immediately on disembarking, barely escaping serious bodily harm. During the day with no police in sight. Criminal activities are common occurrences at Suva bus station and the city everyday.
The police know these criminal elements yet no action is taken.
For Indo-Fijians sadly, none is expected.
Come to the central division if you wish to see for yourself -so to speak. In truth, don’t.
This is happening in broad daylight as other “decent, warm hearted” ituakei look the other way.
And that is why being ‘open to manipulation’ will see Rambo get another term in 2026.
A wily politician will play on i’taukei fears like they have always done.
Rambo is the master of it.
@Amused. Hear hear.
However, the remarks here are solely observations from the 70s into the late 90s from a “not well off” vantage point-growing up with less.
“We had more non Indian friends and preferred non Indians but I am now looking at FJ and yes, my dad was right.”
My experience from elementary to high schoold was there were many people who shied away from their heritage and culture in social circles. They were often embarrassed to embrace their own culture and avoided to speak Hindi. The Indo-Fijian accent was mocked back then as now even. Other slurs were common and directed to Indo.
Don’t take this as a slight as it was common among many ‘well-to-do’ and very prominent families who preferred to speak English only in public. Children of such families wouldn’t be caught dead carrying a roti parcel, for example. It was alright-nothing wrong with sandwiches.
There was separation based on economic and social status amongst the Indos. The privilged class, as it were. Hanging with kailoma and itaukei meant they were ‘cool.’
Schools were more segregated then, for want of a better term. Kailomas did not go to MGM. Indo Fijian run schools were avoid by the itaukei. There are mere examples to illustrate a different era, yet better times. Strangely.
The point is we acknowledge and accept our ethnicity when we are comfortable ‘in our skin’ to do so.
Many realized this very quickly in 1987. We all learn from our experiences and grow stronger and become better people.
Peace, Love and Goodwill to all readers.
WTF – he is saying the crew are in good health really ? Hoe can he in his right mind claim that the crew are in good health – be on a good health mentally and physically , I doubt it. But this is the new Fiji, the changed Fiji, where happiness finds you – yep. Instead of offering empathy, swift action and demonstrating a commitment to safety, he is worried about what the news will say. Hello – the international media is not Fiji’s lame duck media which closes its morals to duty to proper journalism and reporting.
Tourism in Fiji is way overrated.
The overpriced Denarau is a concrete jungle and now a porn making venue (thanks to Tabuya and company).
The overpriced niche resorts are a hub for drugs. Just ask any worker and they will tell the whole story. Look at one resort in Savusavu where the expatriate Australian manager was fired last year. Drugs and sexual assault was involved.
Fiji Tourism is fixed on numbers and not quality of services. The workforce left in the sector are inexperienced. The experience for many outside of the concrete jungle resorts is poor. Weather is not kind during festive seasons and flooding is common with human and animal faeces in Nadi town.
Even Fijians who can afford extra are now travelling to Singapore and Bali. No one believes in Fiji’s tourism anymore locally.
What has this government done to improve tourism and safety for all? Nothing.
We are seeing what we sowed. Poor leadership, over exaggerated expectations on number of tourists, over talked and over praised CEO of Fiji Tourism, and an alarming lack of safety. The CEO of Tourism Fiji is hungry for continuous praise on other platforms.
Thanks Gavoka. You are just useless. And so is Hill.
My heart goes out to the virgin staff and their families. No one should ever have to experience this, especially while at work and in a foreign country and then having it splashed in the media.
You gotta laugh though right…. Poor Blinky Bill is used to the useless media in Fiji only reporting on what suits the government agenda at the time. He’s obviously caught by surprise that in the real world, journalists actually report facts without a bias to support government etc etc.
Funnily enough, it was Blink’s statement and The Fiji Times where I first saw that is was SA/rape and theft, whereas Australian news outlets had maintained some respect and reported it as a serious incident.
I found Fiji’s tourism fake.
The Bula’s are no longer genuine.
I stayed at Castaway in 2021 and I couldn’t believe how bad the place was. Overrated. I was appalled at the quality and then the pay rate of the workers. They are paid such low salary.
We returned to Fiji for work purposes 3 times this year. We stayed at Sofitel mostly. Again, overrated and overpriced. Nothing felt safe outside of the resort at night. I would not recommend Fiji as a tourist destination.
I am Fijian. The worst was that at all times I felt that the staff were laughing at the guests while speaking in Fijian. It was shocking.
I’ve experienced this myself. The arrogance of being told Fiji is for the iTaukei and the vulagi are fair game. They won’t be laughing so much when the joke is on them. When all you can do is dance, sing and wait at tables, comeuppance is as close at the next cyclone or economic downturn. Unfortunately the cockiness is instilled in them by their leaders and is the worst possible preparation for an increasingly competitive world.
Spot on comment. It is depressing to listen to what is sometimes being said. It reveals a sense of entitlement, immaturity and lack of understanding of the real world.
The mutual benefits of friendly communities providing a willing workforce in return for various payments and wages are still there, but the system is under strain from change around them, too much of which is negative.
I’m not surprised these frustrations come out in disrespectful banter and condescending humour. A release perhaps, but too often crosses a line from genuinely funny in that Fijian way to sounding like immature teenagers, which probably reflects broader failure.
Social and economic pressures, poor health, lawlessness, drug and alcohol crisis, leadership issues, overpriced and tired tourism product, loss of skilled workers overseas, low wages… all of these factors are coming into play, damaging Fiji’s reputation.
Compounded of course by the recent disgraceful behaviour of ministers. Lacking public relations expertise, the government then comes out with these defensive, insensitive and misleading statements just adding fuel to the fire.
What the hell, it’s time for some adults in the room. Time to sort out the police in the right way, giving them the resources and support they need. Fix the hospitals, clean up the streets, set up rehab centres and programs, solve the housing crisis and employ the people.
Actually do something, and that includes Australia and New Zealand who are big on talk about helping their ‘Pacific family’. It’s time for them to put their money where their mouths are and help Fiji run the low life’s out of town – especially the meth industry.
And whoever the adults are coming into the room, they are also going to have to break the tight grip all those serving up alcohol and sugary drinks have on the open throats of a nation. As anyone who knows anything about substance abuse will tell you, alcohol is the worst. Consumption has increased in Fiji and needs to be moderated. Full stop.
In 2022 I was staying at Tanoa Suva for a work related event.
My bag was ransacked and my wallet and other things were missing. So was my passport.
2 staff turned my room and bags upside down to establish that what I was looking for was nowhere to be found.
I walked to Totogo (?) Police station to report the incident. They made me sit around for 3 hours. Often laughing at me. They told me to return to my room and check once again before making a complaint. You can imagine my anger and frustration by then.
When I returned to the hotel and looked into my suitcase I found all my missed items. It was mind blowing. I had a colleague with me all the time and we couldn’t believe what we had gone through. She was local and embarrassed.
I immediately checked out of Tanoa Suva. I couldn’t believe what had happened and how they thought we were some fools. I can say that the police was part of the story here.
I never felt safe in Tanoa at all over the first few days. It was noisy, intoxicated guest at odd times who were in the lifts, and some hurling abuse aimlessly at Fiji Indians. The stay was unsafe.
Unfortunately I heard that many hotels are now the same. Stealing is common. It is very unsafe to walk anywhere after dark. Even during the day pick pocketing is common.
The world should know that:
1. Fiji’s Prime Minister is a coup leader and had abused women and children. He is now the leader of the People’s Alliance Party.
2. Fiji’s President is a pedo. He sexually assaulted a 15 year old disabled child and impregnated her. He is also a coup leader.
3. Fiji’s Minister for Education is a woman beater. He nearly killed his ex-wife (who happens to be the daughter of the PM). He never faced any charges. He is now the leader of the Sedelpa Party.
4. Many of the Minister’s in Fiji are under investigation for fraudulent practices. None hold any credibility.
5. Fiji’s police is heavily compromised with drug trafficking gangs. Sexual assault is common with drug lords.
6. The Minister for women and social protection was recently stood down because of her own sex video online.
No one in Fiji cares. You are on your own when shit hits the fan. The judiciary is seriously compromised and so is all legal procedures given the current situation in the country. The moral compass is low.
If you think this country is safe then be the fool to go there.
Where is Ali and Deo?
Not a word?
Well Shamima did say that Fiji is the safest it has even been just a year ago. Bet she is choking on her own words now.
What is more shameful for Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre is that most of their donor funds are from Australia! Poor Australians giving too much to an NGO that looks after their stomach mostly. It is time the Australian people start asking their government for transparency on where their aid is spent in Fiji and especially that on Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre. Go on Australia.
AusAID money is also well spent on Communications Fiji Ltd. Same organisation that abuses women and girls in Fiji and the Pacific as a broadcasting agency. Your money is used to advance abuse on women and girls in the Pacific. It is time you all start worrying harder.
Leaving politics and victims aside (and being assaulted and robbed is an awful experience to have to go through), I also think the other side of the equation needs to be looked at.
These are cabin crew resting in fiji to be fit for duty next day. Does Virgin provide training to its staff on personal safety while on flight layovers overseas?
These flight crew are responsible for safety and welfare of some 200 plus passengers in the aircraft. I would assume that they have standards for fitness for duty to meet..that of having adequate amount of rest before a flight and not being drunk or hungover from a big night out.
Do we want to put passengers in harms way with crew that are not fit…these passengers could be you, your partner, parents, siblings or friends.
Due to assault and robbery, has the relaxed approach to flight attendants fitness for duty and their own approach to safety been exposed?
Is blaming law and order situation in fiji and politics hoodwinking the reality here which is safety of passengers flying Virgin out of fiji?
“Assaulted and robbed”? You fail to mention that one of them – presumably a woman but not necessarily so in Fiji – was raped.
Blaming the victims in this instance is outrageous. Airline crews have down time wherever they want to take it and strict rules about the interval between alcohol consumption and being on duty. There has been no suggestion of any breach of these rules.
I can scarcely believe that you would mount such an argument. Because even if rules were being breached, so what? Violence, robbery and sexual assault is inexcusable. And in trying to create a diversion without any evidence whatsoever, you are way out of line.
The same logic as accusing rape victims of having asked for it. No wonder Fiji is in such a mess.
Exactly GD that’s a typical Fijian mentality. They like to find some sort of excuse or reason to blame the victims.
Same goes when a child is raped. You will hear them say things like look how the child is dressed and sa wacece that child. Wacece as in flaunting herself or asking for sex. Or the child watches too much tv. It is never about the perpetrator. Victim blaming gives Fijians pleasure.
Gosh…everyone here just wants a pat on the back by supporting the popular view. A contrarian view is verballed with labels. I suggest you look at Virgin Australia’s code of conduct for layovers…approximately 9 hours rest within a hotel accommodation that has recreational facilities. These 2 were away from their facilities to allegedly early hours when the 2 incidents happened. Replacements were brought in for the flight that was departing the same day as the incidents. I have flown virgin once from nadi, I now understand the lack of service and sulliness of its crew.
I have also been subjected to double standards in Fijian resorts and employment opportunities in Fiji. In my day, from 1987, even school grounds were unsafe for non itaukei girls and we all lived in fear of assault.
The passion and vigor shown in this post is so great. I wonder if same energy will be expended to highlight the atrocities of modern day slavery in Australia through pacific worker scheme. In good faith and wanting the best for their families, these workers from fiji come to work in processing industries. Separated from family and only support is other workers, they are subjected to abuse and double standards let alone their welfare needs. They don’t speak up out of fear of being sent back as many are not that educated or do not have proper understanding of laws.
Will you, GD, be willing to use your platform to highlight the misuse or abuse of Fijians under the Pacific Workers Scheme?
@Ms Curiosity,
What a complete lack of empathy. Company’s code of conduct? That poor man and women. They have every right to catch up as colleagues and working professionals and go home safely, unmolested. What a disgrace and embarrassment your comment is. Shameful.
Ms curiosity Seriously??? If they were out in early hours it’s their fault??? What do you want to say to those who were raped in their own house during break ins??? It was their fault they were in their own house???
@Ms curiosity,
so you want to ‘leaving politics and victims aside’ and blame a rape victim for not being not fit for next shift for duty. It tells a lot about your mentality.
There is very indication you are related to one of our fijian president, CJ, PM, etc.
Not to mention the Blinky Bill saying the rape victim is in good health.
No wonder our Minister for Women and Children Protection, Lynda sees nothing wrong with making Porn movie. Oh, almost forget, FWCC boss Shame_mee_ma supports her to be next PM.
Possibly the most disgusting response I was afraid that someone would write. Shame on you.
I’m honestly appalled that you’re trying to victim shame / victim blame… and even more appalled that you’re doing it as a woman, when women are typically the majority of victim-survivors in these horrid incidents. You should be ashamed.
In any case, there’s absolutely no reporting of these staff being intoxicated. You can go out at night without drinking. Not everyone in the world has a drinking problem or needs to binge drink to have fun. It’s only Fiji (in my experience) where it seems to be the norm.
Wow, we can see how quickly the effects of having a CJ the likes of Temo is having on the populace. How his view of rape victims has influenced the thinking of some.
Or, is Ms Curiosity a government official?
It’s the victims fault? Seriously?
To perpetrate a crime is never the victims fault. It is always the criminal.
No wonder law and order in Fiji is in rapid decline with this sort outrageous attitude and lack of accountability.
It’s also not difficult to observe the contumacy of the President, the CJ, and the PM to abide by the constitution and the law with regard to Mr Pryde and his pursuit of justice.
It’s this level of contempt displayed by our leaders that is rapidly trickling down to influence the actions of the criminal elements.
If they can break the law and get away with it, so can we.
Recipe for disaster.
Shamima and Roshika – where are you both?
In hiding and preparing for another vigil yet?
Why so quiet?
Are these crew not your usual minister material?
The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre and Fiji Women’s Fund gets a lot of donor support and funding from Australia. In fact, without Australia they will stop filling their purses. Look at the state of affairs for women and children in the country. These NGOs are all talk and no walk.
Women’s Fund has William Parkinson from Communications Fiji Ltd as their board member. The same guy is the Director for Leadership Fiji. His team of radio broadcasters have abused so many women and children on radio and online. This behaviour has been on repeat for years. FM96 is one of their broadcasting channels and children are sexualised on this platform nonstop. Once they asked a young boy to seduce a young girl on the stage. Both were under 10 years of age. Parkinson still gets funded by NZAID and AusAID for all his projects, namely CFL and Leadership Fiji.
Fijians have been groomed by the likes of Shamima and Parkinson to normalise harm. They will keep getting funded mostly by Australian aid. I hope Australian media looks into how funds that are tagged for women’s empowerment and wellbeing is really used. Gavoka’s statement that all crew are well shows how far this country has fallen in terms of empathy and common humanity. This is how these NGOs and CFL team think too. Their advocacy and reporting shows a lot about them.
We have heard child advocates from overseas asking the government of Fiji to stop using Communications Fiji team when it comes to children during events. Same with donor agencies. All requests have fallen on deaf years. FM96 and Navtarang crew run people wild without little imagination. Child abuse is their biggest forte.
The state of abuse on the LGBTQI+ communities in Fiji is a worry. They become the butt of all jokes and are ridiculed at any given moment. They are often harmed. I have already seen comments on Fiji Village by their readers implying that the crew must be a gauri or pufta crew. Straight up the assumption has to be that someone is different and deserves this wrath. This is Fiji for you.
Nothing changes in the land of happiness because these are people who are brainwashed to be happy. They will walk past a rape case and blame the victim.
Australia should take a thorough stocktake of where their aid is going and who all is benefiting from this aid. For now it is benefiting the fat CEOs and fat Directors only.
A suspect “known to police ” is/has been questioned over the alleged incidence.
So what’s the delay now Mr PM and why aren’t they providing or releasing details of what has transpired during this questioning?
Last I looked, you’re the minister for police so it should be you and not Gavoka to release the required information.
Or is the suspect known to police one of them? Would hardly surprise me reading through the monthly police report on cases they’ve dealt with and how many cops have been charged with DV, SA, theft etc etc!
When people talk about normalising harm here is a good example of one. This is a fiji Indian couple based in Australia and Fiji.
Look how fast the guy is travelling on a quad bike with a little child on board. This has been happening in Nadi and Australia. Fiji police has had copies of their videos and no one is laying any charges on this silly so called celebrity couple. They have normalised harm.
This is child abuse, putting a child’s life in danger, dangerous and careless driving.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1357670672262191/?app=fbl
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1527531764575059/?app=fbl
Maybe this guy “known to police” was on ‘second chance’ for reform. That’s is fine by fiji standards, as long as he was related to some elite corrupt member of the 3 legged coalition, ummh!
None of this is any longer isolated incidents in Fiji. A friend uplifted her family member from Jean Michel Cousteau Resort in Fiji after they were drugged and sexually abused. The resort manager was known to call the family overseas and offer them drugs while asking for money for their family member.
I heard the family raised concerns with the resort owners and they acted like it was the victims fault. We have heard of similar stories like this before with the same manager who now loafs around free and sells drugs while sexually assaulting the local young men in the same town.
Fiji Police were well briefed about the case and turned their back on the family.
When will the idiot people of Fiji march on the streets to get rid of these donkeys in government? Or are they all waiting for 2026? I can assure the idiots in Fiji that waiting will fix nothing. Some action will. Those imbeciles in government must be laughing at the God-fearing Christian/Israelites idiots in Fiji.
Fiji has been doing a lot against Australia and Australians. One Australian gifted Navy vessel became useless after ramming it on the reef. The second Australian gifted Navy vessel got rammed on the wharf. Australian tourists getting poisoned at a resort. Australian flight crews getting robbed and raped at a nightclub in Nadi.
When law breakers are in control from the first citizen down, what else to expect? Crime will soar even further, affecting tourism and other industries, especially now that we have a local PC who will never ever touch the President, PM, CJ, AG, DPMs, CR, Justice Minister, FICAC Commissioner etc., even when complaints against them are reported to Police. Youth, isa, commit crime and they will be jailed, unlike the untouchables at the top. And those scenes at the new year’s party in Suva with children dancing the night away, isa. After the party, they looked for transport home. Lots jumped into buses through the window, overcoming and abusing the drivers. The organizers claimed the event to be alcohol free but did not say it would be drug-free! Change from law breaking to law abiding must start from the top. Fiji in 10 years time, ena vakaloloma dina (it will be really sorry and sad)! The elites will have it all while others struggle.
Didn’t FM96 (Communications Fiji Ltd) organise this party too?
Yep
Well there you have it. Communications Fiji Ltd through its FM96 crew must have been busy abusing the kids too. It is common. If one plays their videos on that night you will see lots of examples of abuse.
Their chief abuser (name redacted for legal reasons) is now a director. Those who abuse hardest climb up the leadership ladder fastest.
If anyone needs confirmation that fiji has gone to the dogs, check out the press release from the ACP this morning and and extract below.
This is an honest admission by the fiji police force that they cannot provide safety and security for the very people that pay their wages and keep them employed.
And presuming that his press release was vetted by his line minister who happens to be ther PM of the country!
Fend for yourselves Fiji and it’s going back to the days of cannibalism.
CCTV won’t help you; you need to have security on-site to look after your premises because you want money, and the person coming in to steal wants money too.”
What an admission by JF that he and his force are no longer capable of providing the citizens the service that they are employed for.
I’m not on FB and if someone would be kind enough to post this article there please so that foreigners are informed before they decide to travel to fiji.
Thanks
@JP
WTF is going on? What’s the alternative? Close the shops. Stop using money? Don’t sell anything? That line from ACP is as good as the Ministers line after you’ve been robbed or rapped you are in good health! Imagine with a HIV outbreak currently what’s going through these victims minds. This lot need to go back to the holy land FOC Fiji Airways plz. They need it.
Vakaloloma Dina sara. Yes, sad but true. This cabal has to go quickly.
The people of Fiji must not listen to sad forgive e stories and crocodile tears. Kick them out now!
Next we’ll hear about the HMPV virus outbreak from China to Fiji.
An ominous start to 2025.
Is it possible to re-define Drug running and Rape along the following lines….
Drug running – terrorism against Fijian society.
Rape – sexual terrorism in Fijian society.
Fijian society at all levels needs to mobilize and push back now, enough is enough, redraw the battle lines of tolerance for the proliferation of these heinous crimes.
The said crimes are a real and present danger to our country’s national security which is not only physical security but also psychological,social,economical security and safety for all Fiji citizens inclusive of visitors to our shores.
I am sure that our national intelligence apparatus is already scenario building along these lines, run a national referendum……………………the answer to addressing this form of warfare/terrorism on Fijian society is unpalatable in any society…. but the only real solution. And deterrent. Ugly yes, necessary, absolutely.
In my humble view drug running and rape is warfare and terrorism on any society. Yes, it is that stark. Committed by unidentified combatants on society which makes it even more complex and chilling.
How long will Fijian society allow these heinous selfish acts and actors to ride roughshod over every law-abiding citizen of our beloved country??? Should such actors be allowed to impose their selfish will increasingly over decent law-abiding citizens of our country??? And visitors to our shores whom we have a moral obligation to act in their safety and well-being at all times until they leave our country???
This is the question every Fijian should be asking themselves.
I too am also deeply ashamed and speechless, our Australian vuvale do not deserve such heinous terrorist acts.
If we do not fight back with a sting, lawlessness will be the death of our beloved country period.
There is also another couple who are voicing their concerns about how they were robbed in Fiji at the Minister for Ethnic Affairs hotel in Nadi this week.
Their stories on TikTok outlines their concern with the Minister himself who the couple called for help. He said he is drunk. Not that he cannot be (because he is all the time) but what a thing to tell anyone given his role and owning the hotel.
The Fiji Police harassed the couple constantly and demanding that they pull down their videos.
As some one said above, the fish rots from the head.
Fiji is f**ked.
There is no sense of safety and security for anyone in this country.
This couple are going around in circles fighting for justice. Instead of showing any sympathy the Fijians are once again labelling them as panikeke (lesbians) and abusing them online. Fiji Police is a joke.
Their story is unfortunately not in any formal media as they are just nobody.
Watch the video on TikTok
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS6UBjTWM/
Excerpt from the Fijivillage Web News page –
“What more needs to happen for someone – anyone – to finally listen to the plight of the people.
International Women’s Association Fiji President Judy Compain is asking this as the elevators at the CWM Hospital are not working and is particularly affecting patients who need surgery”.
Ms Compain states further on in the article IWA even offered to pay for the elevator issue to be of ex but was turned by the village idiots in government.
This is the shame of this corrupt and clueless cabal. They served themselves with an $8,000,000 pay rise when the CWM Hospital, lifeline for so many residents in South Eastern corridor of the Suva area, is in dire need for elevators to be functional.
Wow, this is way low than a 3rd world country. Isa Fiji.
Questions have been sent to the PM, MOH, Prof Biman, but no response.
Do we seriously think that these imbeciles need another go in 2026?
We are an educated and intelligent people who can see right through these idiots schemes and gross mismanagement of public funds.
Something needs to be done. Quick and fast!!!
Match the streets now Fiji.
Yell “NO CONFIDENCE IN THE GOVERNMENT” from the rooftops and the roads.
Enough is enough.
We want all of them out.
Including the pedo president.
Unfortunately Evolution wasn’t too kind to the natives of the country. A few steps were missed along the way hence the primate instincts.
We need the Military Police to break some bones so these people feel some sense of fear
So,Graham….is this level of racial abuse acceptable? Jiaoji Savou has posted a blistering attack today,on Rabuka and how history will judge his legacy. Scathing and well written.Mr. Randy P takes me back to the level of racial abuse one used to hear in the 1970s….. before the first coup. Indians abusing Fijians. Which meant I was not really surprised when it happened.This kind of expression from either side has no good possible outcomes.Especially if it’s taken a bit seriously.
You , Graham,are not fulfilling the responsibility of your self appointed role. Or is Randy P saying succinctly what you really think.
‘Kai biti leh-bu Lia Lia… leh-bu lagasere,Lai Lai Daka Daka” When it came from the old Labasa taxi driver,it had no nasty edge much to it,back in the village it would rate a quick swear and a chuckle. But the whole environment was much happier then.
In the current climate, enabling near constant Fijian bashing,which is what you are doing,is playing with fire. Even if a lot of it is well deserved. Pity,so much of what you’re doing is excellent. But definitely not all.
Seriously? I am in Sydney 3200 kilometres from the action. And I am a one man band. Gimme a break. I do what I can but sheesh. I can’t do everything.
@peter- the shoe is on the other foot now. And it doesn’t feel good, does it?
Imagine the generational bullying, hate, marginalization and dehumanizing racism, robberies, rape, vandalism to places of worship, and all the verbal abuse directed at Indos from the 60s to NOW.
The Indo Fijian views are formed on their lived experiences in the land of their birth. Yet they are forever singled out as not belonging.
The nation has to be better than this and realize together we can do better. Indos too need to readjust their attitudes, even if in a hostile environment.
Our politicians are the bastards who drive wedges that holds us all back. Yet we know there is a lot of goodwill and harmony amongst the different communities and neighborhoods.
The Indos need to readjust remains a challenge because the malaise goes back a very long way.
From the 60s to even now, only Indo Fijian homes are targeted in home invasions and murders. Yes, many Indos have been killed in vile, violent home robberies.
The perpetrators are 99% itaukei. No other community in Fiji commit these race-based targeted crimes. No other community riot and brawl in the streets and bus stations.
No other schools have the level physical bullying, assaults, sodomy, drugs, and such total disregard for authority as in exclusively itaukei schools.
It’s time to look in the mirror for serious introspective self-reflection instead of blaming everyone else.
Don’t try wearing the coat of victimhood when the itaukei have a long continuous history of subjugation, suppressant and dehumanization of Indos. Even other communities have often joined forces to pile on the Indos along this painful journey.
And yet the Indos turn the other cheek and persevere against all odds.
The only deference now is that the advent of the internet which allows the Indos to freely express themselves. Prior to the internet, only radio and print media were available and the Indo plight in the land of their birth was largely shunned.
So no, it is not “itaukei bashing” by any stretch. Rather it is simply that the online avenue allows all individuals the freedom to express their opinions and experiences.
Generational mistreatment and abuse of any people constantly told they don’t belong here and they should “go back” to India is not just unkind and unreasonable but idiotic.
It is hurtful, painful and idiotic.
So it should not surprise anyone of the resultant blowback.
For you to claim victimhood AND try to lay the blame on Grubsheet is a shame in itself and demonstrates yet again to shift the blame on others.
Until and unless the itaukei stop the hate and racism, they will remain their own worst enemy.
You assume that I am not a vulagi too? My grandchildren are mix3d Indian, I taukei ,and vavalagi. My point,which I am sure you’re intelligent enough to see in this context now, is that any racism is futher incitement to hatred. If the dominant discourse on grubsheet is that Fijians are a bunch of subhuman apes,who can blame the indigenous for enthusiastically wanting to chase out the” vulagi”. They are after all the “mool niwassi” as they say in India. Families like mine cop racism from all sides.
Let’s all do 🇫🇯 and grubsheet a favour by stopping playing with bombs,which is what blatant racism is. This is not in any way denying the lived experience of indo Fijians. I do not dispute your list above…you could have added the current horror statistic,namely that 95% of new positive HIV and drug testing cases among new mums at the CWM are I iTaukei.
ITaukei racism is real,so is white supremacist racism, but the many diverse peoples of Indian extraction cannot claim exclusive virtue. Plenty of racist/ religious slaughter in the subcontinent.
You are so right that there is a whole lot of goodwill and harmony between the communities…at least, there always used to be in Vanua Levu. My appeal to readers and commenters here is to rise above the dangerous stereotypes. Fiji has yet to experience an ethnic bloodbath of the ferocity that happened at partition in India. Lots of murders, yes. Others here have observed that if you keep poking the (indigenous Fijian) beast he is quite capable of exploding with rage and violence. Normal human behaviour.
The “dominant discourse on Grubsheet” isn’t that “Fijians are subhuman apes”. Kindly leave me out of this gruesome pantomime. I have spent my whole life fighting racism and there is no white supremacism here.
Mate, Indo-Fijians are so far removed from the Indian subcontinent that you wouldnt know the half of it even if it bit you in the ass.
Stop trying to extrapolate Fijian Indos to India. Such an assumption is not only false but contributes to further perpetuate the ingrained itaukei racism and hate directed at Indo-Fijians as not belonging.
Apart from Bollywood (worldwide fanbase includes the itaukei) 99% of Fijians of Indian descent have zero connections to India for now well over 180 years.
The Indo Fijian have long established strong filiations and generational kinship in NZ, Australia, U.S., and Canada.
Stop the false narrative to protray a situation that does not exist. That umbilical cord was cut more than 100 years ago during British slavery.
Indians abusing Fijians?
Where did you get that bullshit from?
Sashi?
What else can you expect from idiots. True colors are showing now because they now have to make public statements without having good and professional advisors. In the earlier interview he mentioned “in my million years of experience in tourism”. The quality of journalism has deteriorated over the years, especially at Radio Fiji, where the news are just cut and paste from government statements.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/946187183676211?fs=e&s=TIeQ9V&fs=e&mibextid=YlDasU&fs=e&s=TIeQ9V
Please anyone who can get this story international coverage in NZ or Aus please help these two. Imagine you called the police and they didn’t show up and you waited up all night. Then you find out that a Minister owns the hotel! He says he’s too drunk to do anything to help. They said the hotel then removes the video cameras that would have showed the offender. Looks pretty fishy as was one of their own.
The are being laughed at and discriminated against on social media by fellow Fijians rather than showing sympathy.
Then government tried to silence them.
Because they are ordinary folks they are not a threat, they are Indo and being called out about their sexual orientation even as they are crying out for help and are victims.
This is the reality that locals face daily. I am very disgusted in fellow Fijians on the comments I see on their posts and the lack of help.
Anyone hear about the Japanese visitor that’s allegedly raped in Nadi maybe a year or so ago.
I doubt she got justice. I doubt anyone worked on her case. I doubt anyone took care of her.
When anyone is assaulted in Fiji, the police don’t work on your case if you are Kaivalagi and are returning to another country.
I bet you Gavoka had to have heard about because it was known locally. Maybe ask him if he knew about it.
If anyone has details can you post it here so we can know the truth.
GD, you don’t have FB access but Labour has just plunged the knife into Baimaan for badly mismanaging the economy. One of the core reasons is that Baimaan, a professor of economics, took the advice of a lawyer on the matter of economics. The lawyer is Baimaan’s fellow lothario Richard Naidu, who knows jack shit about the economy, but Baimaan listened to him and increased VAT. As Labour points out, it was an appalling decision. This is the comedy of errors under this finance minister and if tourism is on the doldrums, we have a problem on our hands, to put it mildly:
“Must you stay or go: Labour to #Biman
Finance Minister Biman Prasad must take responsibility for inflicting pain and suffering on the poor, and low income families by raising VAT to 15%.
He was aided in this by the ‘prominent’ Suva lawyer who headed the Fiscal Review Committee and was adamant that a 15% VAT was the only salvation for a nation mired in debt.
The full impact of the increase was felt in 2024 as VAT-driven inflation spiralled and prices soared.
The Reserve Bank put inflation in April 2024 at 7.1%, the highest in 10 years, attributed mostly to the increase in VAT. This inflation constrained the domestic economy, slowed down economic growth and negatively impacted businesses.
But the Minister does not have the courage to admit the error of his policies. Of the $450m revenue projected from an increased VAT, less than $300m was collected. But the net gain from it was much lower, only around $145m.
So Minister, you created all this suffering and gained very little. But you will not admit it.
What is worse, Minister, while you made life more difficult for the poor, you got richer by another $10,000 tax free added to your annual salary of $200,000, along with other MPs.
While you penalised the poor, the rich benefitted from your Budget:
• The 7-year tax holiday granted to Fiji Water, an extremely profitable foreign owned company with a profit before tax of $64m in 2022.
• The top personal tax was reduced from 44c to 39c in the dollar
• and the social responsibility tax for those earning over $270,000 was scrapped.
If you needed to raise revenue desperately, Minister, you could have imposed a tax on dividends but chose not to do so.
Labour had suggested a number of other ways to increase government revenue without penalising the poor – a tax on dividends, the re-introduction of the Service Turnover Tax, raising duty on non-essential imports, reinstating Stamp Duty etc.
But NO. You chose the easy way out which was to hit the pockets of the poor – the people with the least ability to pay!
Political leaders who impose hardship on people through ill-conceived policies or administrative measures must be held accountable, Minister.
The entire nation has been in an uproar for the last 18 months over the ongoing increases in cost of living triggered by the 15 % VAT.
In your 2-year stewardship of the Finance Ministry, you have failed to:
1. keep your promise to bring down the cost of living
2. move the economy out of a state of subdued recession
3. address the needs and aspirations of the nation’s army of
unemployed youth
Given all these and the dictates of accountability, must you remain or go, Minister?”
I hope that the next topic of discussion will be the failed health system in fiji especially cwm hospital. And if it is highlighted in this medium it will have an impact and then things might start looking good for the citizens here. Keeping fingers crossed.
Graham, I am surprised that people expect a professional and articulated response from BLINKY BILL.
He is the same subliminal dolt who prophesied that a natural disaster would hit Fiji.
And his two brain cells even conjured up a date and a time, JUNE 23rd at 2:30pm.
The whole world should learn that Fiji is not a safe place for locals and tourists.
Village idiots are running the show and we need to boot these imbeciles out.
The way this has been handled is no different to the tourist poisonings of recent. 7 people with serious neurological signs, and only selective liquor sampling sent for testing. This was instantly shut down as “nothing to see here.” Without blood results being released to victims and authorities, nothing could be concluded, and there was no attempt to investigate what caused this.
The same old short sighted shut it down and move on only fools the short sighted. For most others, the lack of transparency erodes trust. The world will be watching these assault cases and how they are managed very closely. Bit by bit Fiji is publicly and globally throwing away trust. Rabuka and his outdated cronies are doing extremely well if they are setting out to prove without reasonable doubt that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
I call out to all normal ordinary ITaukei! If you still want fiji to be a place where you can live and eat without being robbed and killed then vote out the CBM infested Peoples Alliance Party in 2026 or earlier ! It’s all about CBM for Raboci and Naiqamu. Sad slackers ! Blinky Bill must never see parliament again and similarly Vasu and Aseri. All there for their own glorification nothing for the ordinary people of this sad country !
Just look at all the big bosses being appointed . Either from Vanua Levu or married to someone from there or their maternal links to VL.
Shouldn’t surprise anyone Rabuka said it during his interview before elections that during his time he brought the bulk of the people from Vanua Levu to be the bosses in the civil service ! Rings a bell now dumbos ?