Can it really be true that the Prime Minister genuinely wants to release the Ashton-Lewis Commission of Inquiry Report into the appointment of Barbara Malimali as FICAC Commissioner? With all that would mean for the reputations of Malimali herself and a slew of government ministers and prominent lawyers?
That’s the “face value” takeaway of Sitiveni Rabuka‘s comments to his handmaiden at the Fiji Times, Cheerieann Wilson, on Thursday’s front page. Yet the Prime Minister has a history of saying publicly that he wants something done and then saying: ” O sorry, eh? I know I said I wanted it to happen but I don’t have the power to insist”. Or words to that effect.
Think Christopher Pryde and the restoration of his suspended salary. Or any number of occasions when Rabuka expresses a personal preference for something to happen and then says it is beyond his control because so and so is “independent” or such and such is “independent”. “My hands are tied, as I’m sure you’ll appreciate”. It is an act that is wearing decidedly thin.
Justice David Ashton Lewis – on the latest timetable at least – is meant to be handing his report to the President next week. Will it seriously be made public? Or will the Prime Minister say “well it is up to the President to release it and if he decides not to, there’s nothing I can do about it”.
What do you think, Fiji?
I will happily eat my hat, along with my bacon, if the report is made public. Because a lot of pigs are at risk of losing their places at the trough.
But then again, the PM himself isn’t in the firing line. And David Ashton-Lewis could be serving up a huge treat on a plate – grounds for a purge of the sty to clean up the government’s act before it has to face the people next year, including removing some of Rabuka’s political rivals.
Better than a dozen gold Rolexes, what? Either way, next week is shaping up to be a doozy.
Whenever this guy makes a move it’s always for his own best interest. Whatever he’s plotting will eventually show. Rabuka is sleazy and I don’t know how he sleeps peacefully at night. His intentions are never straight forward GD. Qo na tamata lawakica ! All the best guys . We sure hope to read that report but if pigs could fly indeed !
Easy to say that when he hasn’t read what’s in the report, another totally different thing, once he has!
Yes indeed. Once he learns that the identities of those crocodiles lying submerged at the bottom of the pond are his own appointees, he will not publish citing national security considerations.
Once again, the underlay of the carpet floor, beckons.
Instead of making all these blog posts, why don’t you contest the elections, win your seat, get in government and serve yourself?
Look. Up in the sky. It’s a bird. It’s a plane. No, it’s a pig.
Slacker, GD is not that slack to serve himself. Very unlike those currently in office who are super keen to lock him up and then further enrich themselves and their families.
He’s not a politician, but a journalist, and a bloody good one who reports without fear or favour.
Thank you, both. The only power I’m interested in is the power of the keyboard to hold our leaders to account in the national interest and employ my bullshit detector refined over half a century in the media to benefit my readers. Very much appreciate your support.
Biman Prasad must be having diarrhoea upon hearing that the report may be made public.
The swine that Rabuka is. A swine with no balls. Believe me GD. This report will not be released through proper means. It will be leaked to you and Victor Lal. 100%.
FICAC has to be totally abolished. Let CID handle all matters via their Fraud unit in consultations with DPP.
FICAC is like the FBI..inherent powers. This is not good for small democracy like Fiji (if we want a democracy).lol
Only if the Police are less bent than FICAC. When the Serious Fraud Office were investigating a very wealthy businessman, they were ordered to cease their investigation. Millions of dollars can be very persuasive.
This COI should be made public in the best interests of the people of Fiji so that we all learn to respect the rule of LAW of the LAND!
I hope the PM does not change his mind even if the report exposes some of his advisers and supporters.
People like the Professor of Theory Economics, Biman Prasad, will be wetting their pants when this report is made public.
It’s all a show. The Prime Minister, with his carefully crafted image of a leader who champions transparency, is nothing more than a skilled performer on a political stage. He presents himself as an advocate for accountability, eager to have the report released to the public. However, behind the scenes, he is collaborating with his corrupt media allies, orchestrating a charade designed to boost his popularity and manipulate public perception. This calculated partnership serves only to provide him with the publicity he desperately seeks, allowing him to maintain the facade of a principled leader while he continues to operate within a system that rewards obfuscation and secrecy.
When the moment arrives for the truth to be revealed, he will quickly retreat into a defensive posture, publicly announcing that the report will not be released. He will cite vague protocols, claiming that the contents are too sensitive for discussion and, conveniently, that only the President holds the power to make such decisions. This tactic is not just a denial of transparency but a blatant disregard for the trust placed in him by the public. His actions reveal a deep rooted hypocrisy, illustrating that beneath the polished exterior lies a leader who prioritizes self preservation over the principles he pretends to uphold.
Ultimately, this swine will always remain a disgusting pig, wallowing in the murky waters of deceit and manipulation. His promises of openness ring hollow as he continues to perpetuate a culture of silence and subterfuge. The true nature of his leadership is a stark reminder of the lengths to which some will go to maintain power, leaving the electorate disillusioned and yearning for genuine transparency in governance.
In the meanwhile, the Buaka has run away to Singapore and Indonesia. I reckon he ran in order to avoid attending the funeral of that terrorist, the Qaranivalu.
Maybe he will return bearing some gifts after the kerekere from Singapore and Indonesia.
But he will definitely return to some hefty travel allowance.
Hopefully, Rabuka takes valuable lessons from his visit to Singapore—a much smaller country than Fiji, with no natural resources, yet it has achieved remarkable development.
Singapore is also a multiracial society where meritocracy forms the foundation of all government appointments, not race—a principle Fiji could benefit greatly from.
Rabuka now has yet another chance to redeem himself. He could urge the President to release the COI report and demonstrate genuine leadership.
He shouldn’t be concerned about losing his disgraced ministers, especially with 11 turncoats, now giving him a comfortable majority in Parliament.
But the concern remains—whenever Rabuka speaks, his actions often contradict his words. Time and again, he makes promising statements, only to backtrack or act in complete contradiction. Words alone won’t build trust; it’s time his actions matched his rhetoric.
Otherwise, he should start packing.
Right from Ratu Mara’s days during the 70s, after befriending Lee Kuan Yew, our leaders and senior government officials have been making innumerable study tours of Singapore, with the objective of learning lessons to help Fiji become the Singapore of the Pacific. Sadly, best practices in Singapore were and continue to be taboos in Fiji. Perhaps, the only success story is FNPF.
Let us wait then for the sun to rise first in the Malolo Group and set in the Lau Group before Fiji transforms itself into being the Pacific region’s Singapore.
Do not get side-tracked by Rabuka. This is his tactics. He will say something and do completely the opposite behind everyone’s back just to retain power.
I remember in 2018, a few of us youths who fought for him in sodelpa, were very excited when he started speaking that he will handover to young leaders and that more young people are needed. Fresh minds, Fresh idea for Fiji’s future. In the very same week, he messaged his own group of ca’auns (fiji &overseas) in a chatgroup- Change of plans!! I want to run again (2022)… Thus the struggles within sodelpa that erupted for the Nation to see. A few faithful youths followed him into Pap, only to realize that this power hungry man only has one motto when it comes to politics- Till death do us part!
I genuinely had high hopes for this guy. Every time there’s a controversy—whether it’s FICAC, the DPP drama, adultery scandals, or drug allegations within the government—the Prime Minister’s initial response in the media is usually promising: transparent, balanced, and seemingly in the public’s interest. His intentions appear to be good…
But give it a week—and boom, the narrative completely changes. So at this point, I can only assume two things: either he’s two-faced, or he’s being heavily influenced behind the scenes.
As for the Commission of Inquiry report into the FICAC Commissioner’s appointment—chances of it being released? Let’s be real: close to zero. Wouldn’t be surprised if next week he turns around and says, “Oh, I actually don’t have any say in this— the President decides it.”
Classic dodge.
Ravishel- happy for you now. You are wrong though to assume this snake is two-faced.
Sona rolex SLR is a three-headed snake. An evil rattle snake, a lying, cheating, hateful bastard.
You had “high hopes for this guy”????? Which year were you born in, less than 40 years ago? How the hell can anyone have high hopes for a well known and well documented dickhead??? The man should be behind bars instead of basking in glory, thanks to people like you.
But, I guess, just like a lot of people in Fiji you are also caught up in some sort of imagination. I will never understand that. I am guessing it has to do with Third World mentality. I mean there is something wrong with a lot of people in Fiji if they have high hopes for this guy. Can someone explain it to me please? I think you all know what I think the expalnation is.
Because you are calling everyone else an idiot so frequently that you are beginning to sound like an idiot yourself. Repeating the same thing ad nauseam. Like a broken record. Seems like your capacity to think is limited the way you repeat yourself. Take a break or better still take a hike.
Hear, hear. It is getting decidedly tedious.
Let me put it this way – the country is the way it is because you and 99/100 people in this forum voted for this mob. Now you all have regrets.
None of you said anything when the current President was made Speaker of the House after the election with full knowledge of his background. Suddenly he is a pedo when he was nominated for President. Why? Too busy with hate for the previous mob?
Or is it because it is all my fault!!!
So I take it you agree with me?
No, he agrees with me and I agree with him. You have one dirge about everyone being an idiot that you play ad infinitum, day in, day out. Anything else in your repertoire?
Will the report of the COI be released is an interesting question.
On the one hand it may expose the Government and those within it and the Judiciary who have acted contrary to law and the Constitution and in doing so point to who should be removed and or charged.
On the other if NOT then no-one, other than the President and the PM, will know precisely who was found and recommended.
I will say it will NOT be released officially as the Government and certain members of the Judiciary will be named and painted either incompetent or conspiring to subvert the laws and Constitution of Fiji.
I cannot see the Snake changing, period!
Singapore eh? WTF are we talking about Singapore for?
It’s not become the second wealthiest country per capita because of drongos like our lot that call themselves Parliamentarians and love to use the adjective this ‘august’ House because it makes them sound half intelligent, as if they deserve honour for being there.
The first requirement of the Singapore Parliament until recently was a minimum graduate degree followed by integrity and what they describe as ‘having a heart’ for the people.
How would that fit with our narcissistic self serving buffoons who have to flash their gold watches to each other and post porn movies of themselves to qualify for a Ministerial position. Or as Kai once famously said of that economist genius from Labasa, “wants to put on a black suit and ride around in a black car with a flashing light”. Classic !
It’s becoming very difficult to take anything Rabuka and His government do or say seriously.
They are riddled with integrity, credibility and accountability issues that leave us all astounded and disgusted at the level of governance and professionalism that they practice and have set for public service and the nation.
I have personally lost hope in this governments ability to lead the nation and make decision’s for the betterment of its people and the benefit of generations to come.
The only change I have seen is the cabinet members starting to look sharper and a little more polished and sophisticated in dress and hair styles since they got their fluke shot into power .. everything else has just reversed or sinking and sinking quick !
What a shame that they are a lost cause.
But it will be up to Fijians to decide at the next polls.
We get what we choose aye ?
Let’s hope and pray the collective choice of Fijians in next election bring us the change we desperately need and not just the illusion of it .
The change we desperately need and deserve is going to remain a pipe dream unless the people’s voice is amplified loud and clear.
Media normally expected and required to fulfill its independent role of reporting news and speaking truth to power for the people. Not by passing slanted opinions as news.
Free media have a responsibility to operate without fear or favor and keep the public truthfully informed.
Accurate information on the economy, law and order, fair justice with a transparent, fair and just judiciary, reporting corruption, identifying the people directly involved in drug trafficking, government financial mismanagement, national development issues, are all important areas for the people to make informed choices all the time and not just during elections.
Politicians or government behaving badly – smoking weed, making porn (good grief!), sexcapades at tax-payers expanse, corruption, gold rolexs, sona fountain pens, sona rings, gold chains, and too many other transgressions –must be reported and highlighted.
Alas for Fiji, the local media has collectively and deliberately compromised itself for the proverbial 30 pieces.
The question for Fijians of all persuasions is whether the local media can ever recover from the deep and depressing hole the media find themselves in.
The media together collectively and knowingly have dug themselves into this deep hole.
Right now it appears seriously doubtful if and when the media will finally realize its true calling.
If the media is bought once, then more likely will sell themselves repeatedly to increase their affluence and influence.
Local media are full of half-wits, dimwits, arrogant dumbwits, feckwits, and ignorant dunderheads. And standing room only at that.
Media people are quite the competition for all the membership of the ‘August’ house.
Right now it appears the Fiji media is a lost cause. Up poo poo creek without a paddle.