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The RFMF must hold its line Minister PIO TIKODUADUA to account. Did he collude with Sitiveni Rabuka and the Coalition Cabinet to keep Jone Kalouniwai in dark on Fiji's UN Voting Intention? Answers, Tikoduadua

31/10/2023

*Did PIO TIKODUADUA, the Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration, collude with Sitiveni Rabuka and the Coalition government in keeping RFMF Commander Kalouniwai and the RFMF top brass in the dark on Fiji's voting intention at the United Nations General Assembly on Gaza?
Was it the fugitive Filipo Tarakinikini, and Lesi Korovalavala, who decided Fiji's VOTE?

We are chided and told we shouldn't give 'a rat's ass'* on Fiji voting for the indiscriminate bombardment and killing of innocent Palestinians by Israel following the Hamas attack on 7 October.
But we do because the Fiji VOTE has put both the country and hundreds of Fijian peacekeepers lives at risk in the Middle East.
It took over four days for RFMF Commander Ro Jone Kalouniwai to confirm that neither he nor the military, as most critical stakeholders, were consulted on Fiji's vote at the UN General Assembly.
Did PIO TIKODUADUA collude with Rabuka and the Coalition government in keeping Kalouniwai in the dark on Fiji's voting intention at the UN?
In 2014, when the Syrian al-Qaeda branch al-Nusra Front captured 45 UN Fijian peacekeepers from Fiji in Golan Heights, it was NOT Israel but Iran and Qatar on whom Fiji leaned heavily for help to free the Fijians.

According to ROBIN NAIR, the former Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, he was tasked to approach Qatar and convince the Kingdom to help free the captured soldiers but Qatar was not interested during the first round of talks.
Nair approached Iran who told him to return to Qatar and that Qatar was the only country that could help because the Qataris were the main financiers of Al Nusra insurgents.
Iran offered to help Fiji by using its influence with Qatar, to ask it to entertain Fiji's overtures with compassion. Nair did most of the running around in the region. He also approached Saudi Arabia.
In the end, Al Nusra released the captured UN Fijian peacekeepers but Nair has declined to reveal how many millions changed hands (if any) to get the captured soldiers released. Al Nusra had threatened to put the 45 Fijian soldiers captured in Golan Heights for trial under Sharia Law.

The Commander of the Republic of Military Forces, Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai says the RFMF expresses its deep concerns with the non-consultative approach taken by the Government of Fiji in its recent decision to disapprove the United Nations resolution on Gaza.

In a statement, Major General Kalouniwai says it is disheartening to see a decision taken without due consideration for the potential impact on the safety and well-being of our brave men and women in uniform.

The Commander says the RFMF acknowledges the government's prerogative to make decisions regarding international affairs; however, they firmly believe that consultation with relevant stakeholders, including the RFMF, is essential when determining positions on critical matters such as the UN resolution on Gaza.

Major General Kalouniwai says the decision to disapprove the resolution without prior consultation has raised concerns about the potential risk and danger faced by our troops in the region.

He says the RFMF has a proud history of contributing to international peacekeeping efforts, including deployments to the Middle East.

The Commander says our troops have consistently displayed professionalism, dedication, and a commitment to upholding the values of peace and security.

Major General Kalouniwai says the RFMF urges the government to recognize the importance of inclusive decision-making processes, particularly when matters have significant implications for our military personnel.

He says consultation with the RFMF and other relevant stakeholders is crucial to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the potential risks and to develop a well-informed position that aligns with our commitment to peacekeeping efforts and the protection of our troops.

He further calls upon the Government of Fiji to reevaluate its decision regarding the UN resolution on Gaza and consider the potential consequences for our troops deployed in the Middle East.

Major General Kalouniwai says their safety and security should remain a top priority, and it is crucial that their contributions to international peacekeeping efforts are fully supported and respected.

The RFMF Commander remains committed to working constructively with the government to address this issue and to ensure that the interests and well-being of our troops are safeguarded.

He says they believe in the power of open dialogue, collaboration, and informed decision-making to achieve the best outcomes for Fiji and its military forces. Source: Fijivillage News

SAFE TRIP: Only this week Kalouniwai and the family were farewelling one of their own to SINAI at the Commander's residence

POO-POOING (Making light of) the complaint that he breached Electoral Act by promising and building toilets for villagers. But Elections Office smells stench of possible breach. Charan Jeath Singh file sent to FICAC

31/10/2023

SUGAR, SUGAR, HONEY, HONEY FOR CANE FARMERS AND JOB FOR WHISKEY GULPING BUDDY LIVING IN NEW ZEALAND AS CHAIR, FSC.
Where is the Ministry of Multi-Ethnic (VULAGI) Affairs, Mr Singh?

NITYA REDDY new chair, FSC. He is based in NZ.

Another former FSC mate promised Fiji's High Commissioner to India

KAMAL IYER. A NFP POLITICAL CLOWN who at last count got 100 Votes in 2018 election. What about Coupist Sitiveni Rabuka and his 'Hamas' fanatics who launched Operation Kidacala (Surprise) to depose Bavadra

30/10/2023

In 2000, as he exited the political scene, NFP leader JAI RAM REDDY claimed that Fiji was NOT ready for an Indo-Fijian Prime Minister. In other words, NFP would be happy to see the back of Mahendra Chaudhry as Prime Minister and his Peoples' Coalition government.
As the late Sir Vijay Singh claimed, Sitiveni Rabuka was once again behind another COUP - George Speight's violent coup of 2000.
Both COUPS were executed with the claim that Indo-Fijians were planning to steal i-Taukei lands and govern Fiji.
But when it comes to Palestinians who claim that their lands were stolen from them on the creation of Israel in 1948, the same 'i-Taukei Hamas fanatics' don't want to hear Cry of the Palestinians. Israel is Holy Land.
No wonder Rabuka and his 'Hamas i-Taukei fanatics' are with Israel.
Today, the Baimaan is propping up Rabuka as Prime Minister,
a TERRORIST RACIST who is hiding behind life-long IMMUNITY.
Both Rabuka and Speight - like HAMAS - held Fijians as HOSTAGES in 1987 and 2000 COUPS.
Like the Palestinians, Indo-Fijians remain a landless peoples, and from 1987 to 1999 were treated as second class citizens, and still are - thanks to the enabler and chaprasi* BIMAN PRASAD

SITIVENI RABUKA AND GEORGE SPEIGHT, with their 'Hamas i-Taukei Kidnappers' deposed two democratically elected Prime Ministers and held them HOSTAGE at GUNPOINT. In Chaudhry's case, he and his MPs were held for 56 days. NOT one NFP politician was held hostage, for Rabuka-Reddy Coalition candidates were wiped out at the 1999 election, including the current BAIMAAN - Biman Prasad
*As for Rabuka, remember Fiji, he received a SOS secret call in the form of 'whisper into his ears' from the Holy Land, to carry out his COUP.

A person cloaked in political deviousness and living in a glass house should be the last person to throw stones at others.

That is the response of National Federation Party General Secretary, Kamal Iyer to Fiji Labour Party Leader, Mahendra Chaudhry raising concerns about the Rabuka government recent votes in the United Nations.

Iyer says Chaudhry has no political and moral credibility to lecture the National Federation Party about principles.
He says the FLP's senseless and baseless attack on the NFP’s stand in the two most recent foreign policy issues of the way Fiji voted at the United Nations and also withdrew its name from a resolution calling on China to end its human rights violation against the Uyghur and minority Muslims shows his desperation to become relevant.

Iyer says the NFP is not 60 years old for nothing, and they have prevailed because they have never shirked their principles.

The NFP General Secretary says a political clown known for his treachery should be the last person to talk about running with the hare and hunting with the hounds to preserve one’s interest.

Iyer says there are mechanisms within both the Coalition Agreement endorsed by the three governing parties at the end of last year, as well as the Memorandum of Understanding between the People’s Alliance and NFP signed last April, which provide mechanisms for the parties to point out their concerns on issues that are inconsistent with their own party’s values.

He says all three leaders are cognizant of this and meet as a Coalition Committee to amicably iron out concerns.
Iyer says unlike the FLP Leader who in May 1992 entered into a worthless agreement with the SVT, as well as collude with Nationalist leader Sakeasi Butadroka in an attempt to become Leader of the Opposition, and lest the people forget the FLP’s leader’s role in the illegal military regime after the December 2006 coup.

NFP's political fortune is tied to cutting deals with Sitiveni Rabuka despite BIMAN PRASAD telling voters NOT to 'Vote for Coup Makers'

THE MOUSE follows his PIED PIPER Shamima Ali on Gaza resolution but NFP leader Biman Prasad's belated statement fails to disclose if Rabuka had consulted NFP before FIJI voted to carry on with Gaza bombardment

30/10/2023

Was Pio Tikoduadua as Home Affairs Minister consulted on GAZA VOTE to continue the indiscriminate bombardment of Palestinians?
What about Rabuka's side-kick Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, LENORA QEREQERETABUA? Was she consulted on the Fiji Vote?
*Above all, did RFMF Commander Kalouniwai give the go-ahead to Fiji?

We have relayed our disagreement: Prasad

By Filipe Naikaso - FBC News

Deputy Prime Minister and National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad states they have relayed their disagreement to the Prime Minister in relation to Fiji’s vote against a resolution at the United Nations calling for truce and ceasefire in Gaza to allow facilitation of humanitarian aid.

Speaking in Nadi, Prasad emphasizes that the NFP firmly believes that Fiji should have stood in solidarity with the resolution, expressing concern that the country’s vote did not reflect the ethical stance that the situation demanded.

However, Prasad stresses that such differences in opinion within the coalition should not be perceived as a sign of weakness, but rather as indicative of a robust and healthy coalition.

Highlighting the intricacies of coalition politics, Prasad states that it is natural for coalition governments to harbour divergent viewpoints.

Prasad lauds the freedom of speech and expression in the country on the matter, emphasizing that the government welcomes constructive criticism and acknowledges the importance of open discourse.

He acknowledges that the public’s freedom to express disappointment serves as a vital component of a transparent and accountable democratic system.

INFLAMING PALESTINIANS: The so-called Fiji 'pilgrims', led by Ro Teimumu Kepa of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, a day before the Hamas attack on Israel, were planting trees in disputed lands that the Palestinians claim were stolen from them on creation of Israel.
Biman Prasad must disclose how much Ro Kepa and other 'pilgrims' were charged to charter Fiji Airways, and how much did they pay to escape from Israel after the Hamas attack on 7 October

ICEJ president and other delegates meet Pio Tikoduadua in April 2023

The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) is on the Frontlines of Israel’s Battle to defend us all from jihadist terrorism. Please join us in this just cause today! On 7 October, Israel was brutally attacked by Islamist-inspired terrorists who carried out the worst pogrom against innocent Jewish lives since the Holocaust. The Israeli army is now fighting to rid Gaza of the scourge of Hamas terrorism, which poses an intolerable threat to the entire region and even has the Arab population of Gaza imprisoned in poverty and indoctrination to hatred. This war is Israel’s most daunting crisis in generations, as Iran and its proxy Hizbullah are threatening to expand the conflict by raining down hundreds of thousands of rockets and missiles on Israel from Lebanon, even as the world twistedly paints the Jewish state as aggressor, not victim and defender.

SHAMIMA ALI, 'FIJI voted for Genocide at the UN General Assembly over Gaza truce' as hundreds of bodies of infants, children, mothers, fathers, women, elderly and disabled lie trapped in rubbles from Israeli bombs

29/10/2023

We wonder if the HINDU Biman Prasad and the Christian fanatic Bill Gavoka were informed in advance that Fiji would vote with Israel and US to continue with the bombardment of Hamas (and indirectly the Palestinians) in Gaza.

Following Fiji’s vote against the UN resolution calling for truce between Israel and Hamas and condemning all violence against Palestinian and Israeli civilians, human rights activist Shamima Ali says for the first time she feels so much shame for Fiji as the government has voted for genocide.

In an interview with fijivillage News, Ali says she is disappointed and shocked because of what has been done on the international scene after having done so well over the last few decades.

Ali says it would have been easy to vote for peace and cessation of killing on either side and an end to a war that many, including Israelis and Jews, are calling a genocide.
She says our soldiers are known for peacekeeping and asks why is Fiji behaving in this way.

Ali says the NGO Coalition on Human Rights and other NGOs are planning to take action to change the government’s position.

She says they have asked for a permit for a march and will be writing to the Prime Minister and the government to rethink its position on what is happening now as people are getting killed in a genocide.

Ali also says it is also unacceptablethat Fiji has withdrawn its name from the list of nations criticising China's human rights violations of Uyghur and Muslim minorities.

NEW York Jews protest over Gaza bombardment

Shocking Footage From China Shows Blindfolded, Shackled Uighur Muslims Being Transferred To Detention Camps

Fiji's vote at the United Nations in favor of war contradicts our nation's long-standing legacy as peacekeepers, a legacy upon which both our reputation and that of the RFMF have been founded.

To be clear, this vote was not to support either side of the conflict but a resolution to save thousands of innocent people, including women and children, many of whom have lost everything.

This was a vote for peace, for a diplomatic resolution, for the end of the suffering of innocent civilians, and most importantly, to send critical humanitarian aid to women and children, which, unfortunately, our current leadership has seen fit to vote against.

This vote goes against the fundamental principles of humanity, peace, and justice that should guide our nation's international policies.

We have always been a friend to all and an enemy to none. Our stance has been to keep peace, and now, for the first time, we have broken this stance, an insult to the memories of generations of peacekeepers who have always protected the innocent.

And for those that may not understand, there is an added bonus if we had voted for the resolution, and it is very close to the heart of all fijians. It is the protection of Fijian peacekeepers in the middle-east.

Thankfully, most of the world has voted for the resolution for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, and I thank them for this sensible action.

In voting for the continued bombardment of Gaza, Fiji Coalition government and the RFMF Commander Jone Kalouniwai BETRAYED both, Qatar and Jordan who had offered to negotiate for the release of Fijian peacekeepers held by the Al Nusra brigade. In the end it was Qatar who got the Fijian peacekeepers freed, telling Al Nusra that the troops were thousands of miles away from their home, just helping maintain peace in the volatile region. Let them GO, without any harm.

A FANATICAL Minority who believe history stopped in the era of MOSES. Fiji votes with United States to dismiss a UN resolution urging Truce on humanitarian grounds in Gaza but Jordan's motion wins at UN Assembly

28/10/2023

We don't want to be lectured by the i-Taukei Christian fanatics, led by Sitiveni Rabuka who, in 1987, rained so much misery on the Indo-Fijians and moderate i-Taukei Fijians after Dr Bavadra won the election.
"Save us, and save our land. You saved the Isarelites when their land was taken from them by foreigners. Dear God, please answer our prayer and do the same for us." - Rabuka and his co-coup conspirators, April 1987.
*What was the racist and Christian fundamentalist's i-Taukei Movement - a terrorist movement, which was formed to act as the armed wing of his COUP? The Palestinians claim that their land was stolen from them by the Jews, and they were dispossessed and chased from Palestine.

"Hamas is not a terrorist organisation, it is a liberation group, 'mujahideen' waging a battle to protect its lands and people."
President Erdogan of Turkey called Israel an "occupier and invader." "Our hearts are wrenching for what is happening in Gaza. Gaza was an inseparable part of our homeland in the past. Turkey would never allow another Gaza catastrophe."

INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN EMBASSY JERUSALEM (ICEJ):
Did the fundamentalist Christian group with chapters in Fiji, Tonga and other Pacific Islands, comprising supporters like Bill Gavoka, Ro Teimumu Kepa, Justice Isikeli Mataitoga and many others, arm-twist Fiji into voting with the United States?
Six of the votes the US garnered were from Pacific islands: Fiji, Tonga, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru and Papua New Guinea.
Among the big powers abstaining were Australia, India and the UK.
Remember the so-called 'pilgrims' whom Fiji Airways brought back from Israel. We wonder if RFMF Commander JONE KALOUNIWAI abused his commander's heavily guarded residence to welcome his Aunty Kepa home with his Kamunaga*, and his bodyguards joining in the welcome?.
Ro Kepa had reproduced the Facebook postings from Kalouniwai's wife's FB page, with his daughter garlanding his aunt Ro Kepa

BODYGUARDS DOUBLING UP AS SEVUSEVU WARRIORS FOR RFMF COMMANDER JONE KALOUNIWAI

Let’s stop beating around the bush with vague statements like “the decision to operate the charter flight to Israel was based on purely commercial considerations”.

OR that: Fiji Airways has an established business relationship with the charterer of the Israel charter flight, who has a history of operating successful international charters and making timely payments for previous charter services”.

FA please answer the following questions:
1. What is the name of the Charterer or the Charter company?
2. What is so confidential about the terms of the Charter that it cannot be disclosed?
3. Has the Charterer or the Charter company paid the bill for the Charter? If not, when will it be paid?

A Fiji Times report (29 September 2023) said the group travelled to Israel to attend the annual Feast of Tabernacles celebration from 29 September to 6 October.

The flight originated in Fiji on 28 September 2023 with over 200 pilgrims who had not paid their fares.

We had said in our Face Book post that Fiji Airways was prevailed upon to carry them with the bill to be paid later when the pilgrims returned and did a fund raising to collect more than $2m to settle the Bill.

We maintain that position unless the airline can produce evidence by way of publishing the Charter Agreement it claims it has with an unnamed Charterer.

The Hamas attack on Israel began on 7 October – some 9 days after the Fiji pilgrims flew to Israel.

The Fiji Airways repatriation flight carrying around 300 Fijians and others stranded in Israel left Tel Aviv on 11 October and arrived Nadi at 3am on 12 October.

QATAR, which hosts Hamas leadership in Doha, helped free the Fijians

LISTEN to video below of the President of ICEJ Dr Jurgen Buehler's visit to Fiji where he met with Fiji's President Katonivere and other top-ranking individuals. We learn from FINE DITOKA (of ICEJ (Fiji), who was sacked as Diplomatic Protocol Officer by the Bainimarama regime, and is the sister-in-law of Coalition Cabinet Minister Ditoka) that Bill Gavoka keeps a FLAG of Israel in his Cabinet Office, and is part of BIBLE reading class.

In this powerful and heartfelt video below, Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss passionately addresses the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the suffering of the Palestinian people. Rabbi Weiss, a prominent advocate for peace and justice, shares his perspective on the plight of the Palestinians and the need for a peaceful resolution to the longstanding conflict.

COMPOS MENTIS or out of control ship captain heading for the Rocks? Rabuka will be author of his own downfall, same as it was when he was PM of SVT Govt. Comments on Tabuya, Qiliho, Radrodro very Alarming

27/10/2023

GOVERNING WITHOUT A MAJORITY: After his treasonous 1987 coups, Rabuka has never governed Fiji in his own right - always hostage to other political parties for his Government's survival.
No wonder RABUKA SHOOTS FROM THE HIP, WITH SLIP UP TALKS

NOSTRADAMUS:
The Captain of the Coalition Ship will be thrown 'overboard' by his own three Ministers after trial on the deck of Parliament in Vote of No Confidence
A rank outsider in the RFMF will simply seize control of the drifting ship and read out to Rabuka (and Kalouniwai) RFMF's role to safeguard Fiji

"The Prime Minister's comments about me losing my cabinet seat but remaining as a backbencher in parliament is strange and bewildering because I hold a position that SODELPA agreed to, whereby we were assigned 3 ministerial positions which is part of the Coalition Agreement following the People’s Alliance Party's approach to SODELPA."
ASERI RADRODRO, Minister for Education

The Prime Minister's comments about me losing my cabinet seat but remaining as a backbencher in parliament is strange and bewildering because I hold a position that SODELPA agreed to, whereby we were assigned 3 ministerial positions which is part of the Coalition Agreement following the People’s Alliance Party's approach to SODELPA.

Those are the comments of Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro following comments made by Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan on why he was earlier intending to change the Education Minister.

Radrodro says the Prime Minister’s comments can only happen if SODELPA agrees to such a situation where it would have to first determine his performance.

The Minister says he is comfortable that SODELPA’s management board, which he has a lot of respect for, will be able to determine his work ethics and outputs, and will know how to handle any concerns raised to it according to law.

Radrodro says as it stands, he hopes that everyone will uphold the coalition agreement and lead without malice.
The Minister for Education adds he is a party man, and for him, his loyalty is to SODELPA and the people of Fiji, and until SODELPA says otherwise, he will be loyal and serve the Coalition Government faithfully and to his best.
Radrodro says the Prime Minister has made some comments about his work performance, and obviously he cannot discuss it in public, given that they have a ministerial code of conduct and confidentiality, which they all must abide by.

However Radrodro says he must make it known that the responsibility of his role as a Minister weighs heavily on his conscience each day and given he is guided by the Education Act that provides for what he is empowered to do or not to do as a line Minister.

In his response, Radrodro says he does his best to be diligent, fair, consultative and responsive to all the stakeholders especially the children, teachers, parents, guardians and school management including the teacher unions and associated institutions.

He says if he has fallen below that standard at any time, then he appreciates being advised accordingly, which he accepts as constructive criticism, allowing him to take corrective measures where mandated by law.
The Minister says he thanks the people for their steadfast faith, and he asks that we all continue to pray for our nation and its leaders.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says a clearance given by the court does not mean suspended Police Commissioner Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho will be reinstated.

While responding to questions on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan, Rabuka says the matter will be brought up in the next Constitutional Offices Commission meeting

When questioned what the next step will be as Qiliho is suspended, Rabuka says the next step will be termination according to the contract.

Meanwhile, FijiFirst MP Jone Usamate says Rabuka made the statement that the next option was to terminate Qiliho and he thinks this was a drastic thing to say even before a tribunal to be called.

While speaking during a press conference, he says this is not fair and it is not the way it works and if there is a case, it should go through the tribunal which makes the decision and not for the Prime Minister to say that he will be terminated.

Usamate says this means that the decision has already been made and he hopes that its not.

He says when you attack the constitution, you attack democracy and when you attack the institution, you attack democracy. FijiFirst MP Viliame Naupoto says it is almost a year since the Police Commissioner, Corrections Commissioner, Chief Justice and DPP have been suspended on full pay and now there are people who are being paid to act on the job.

He says a tribunal has been appointed and being paid for nothing.

Naupoto is urging the government to serve the people and not survive.

TIK, TOK, TIK TOK. The Minister for Women is also struggling to convince her Cabinet colleagues and Sitiveni Rabuka that highly compromising nude photos circulating of her are FAKE, generated by AI (Artificial Intelligence) by her detractors
We had sent them to her for comments, and she says FAKE, FAKE.

UNWISE INTERFERENCE: This week we were alerted that Professional in Environment Ministry, led by its Director, have served notice to RESIGN, citing interference by Peter Wise, attempting to compromise EIA RULES

27/10/2023

'Editor, Professionals in the Ministry of Environment, led by its Director have served notice to resign, citing interference by PM’s PS, Peter Wise in attempting to compromise EIA rules.' 25 October 2023

Director Environment, Sandeep Kaur Singh (left photo) has tendered her resignation after a commendable seven-year tenure with the Ministry of Environment and Waterways.

In her official statement, Singh expressed her heartfelt gratitude to her colleagues, past and present, as well as Permanent Secretaries, with a special mention of the current Permanent Secretary, Pita Wise.

She acknowledged the invaluable guidance and unwavering support that she received during her tenure.

Singh also extended her appreciation to the team at the Department of Environment as their collective efforts allowed her to make well-informed decisions aimed at preserving Fiji’s pristine environment and natural beauty.

Reflecting on her departure, Singh expressed her hope that Fiji’s ongoing pursuit of development will be viewed through the lens of environmental sustainability

Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Pita Wise, conveyed his appreciation for Singh’s dedicated contributions.

He noted that Singh consistently displayed professionalism and dedication, even during the transition when the Coalition Government assumed office in December.

During the transition period, Singh will adhere to the standard 30-day notice period, in line with Civil Service guidelines.

THE LAW BREAKERS TAKE FIJIANS FOR FOOLS: Now, the DRUNKARD Chief Registrar fails to turn up for sentencing. A bench warrant should have been issued, and if caught, he should be locked up until sentencing

26/10/2023

IMMUNITY FOR TREASON TO ILLEGAL COALITION APPOINTMENTS
Did Biman Prasad obtain legal advice before appointing Ro Teimumu Kepa to Airports Fiji Ltd and TSLS boards; resigns after the law books are thrown at her. She chooses politics over board memberships

The Ship's Captain Rabuka tossed Lynda Tabuya 'overboard' because Speaker expressed discomfort at Tabuya's performance as the Leader of Government Business. Shamima Ali wrong to turn it into womens' issue

25/10/2023

'We want the Prime Minister to outline the reasons why Ms Tabuya was removed and we remind him that though he is the captain of the ship (Fiji) he does not own the ship. The people own the ship and the crew and captain were voted in by the people so they are accountable to us and we demand an answer. And lest the Government forget, the women were the loudest and the most courageous in demanding democracy, human rights for all and the rule of law throughout our recent history so give women the respect. That is ours by right. And stop trying to erase us. The FWCC is appalled at Ms Tabuya’s removal from this position." - SHAMIMA ALI
Sitiveni Rabuka: 'The Speaker expressed discomfort to me over Lynda Tabuya's performance as Leader of Government Business. She made some decisions unilaterally without informing us. Its not a womens' issue. No one is indispensable as a Cabinet Minister...'

Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC) co-ordinator Shamima Ali has called on Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to outline the reasons why Women, Children and Social Protection Minister Lynda Tabuya is no longer Leader of Government Business in Parliament.

In a statement, she said Government should explain because Ms Tabuya had achieved much more than many men in Parliament.

Ms Ali said Mr Rabuka should be reminded that although he was the captain of the ship (Fiji), he did not own the ship.

“We want the Prime Minister to outline the reasons why Ms Tabuya was removed and we remind him that though he is the captain of the ship (Fiji) he does not own the ship,” she said.

“The people own the ship and the crew and captain were voted in by the people so they are accountable to us and we demand an answer.

“And lest the Government forget, the women were the loudest and the most courageous in demanding democracy, human rights for all and the rule of law throughout our recent history so give women the respect. That is ours by right. And stop trying to erase us.”

Ms Ali said the centre was appalled at Ms Tabuya’s removal from this position.

“Ms Tabuya is also the Deputy Party Leader of the People’s Alliance receiving the second highest number of votes after Mr Rabuka,” she said.

“She was the woman candidate with the highest votes in the 2018 and 2022 elections and in the last election she was fourth in the number of votes overall.

“She was also Opposition Whip in the last Parliament until she resigned as a SODELPA MP to join the People’s Alliance party and she holds a Bachelor of Law and Master of Law, achieving much more than many men in Parliament have achieved.”

Ms Ali described Ms Tabuya as an all-rounder-from beauty contests to being a fashionist with a huge following among the youth, academically qualified and some even may call her a non-conformist which may be her downfall.

“Society demands that women conform to the patriarchal norms and when they don’t, there are powers that be that ensure they are erased.

“We have advanced too far in our quest for our rightful place everywhere to be erased.”

Mr Rabuka had announced a reshuffling of ministerial portfolios last week including the appointment of Public Works, Transport, and Meteorological Services Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau as Leader of Government Business in Parliament.

This position was held by Ms Tabuya.

Ms Ali said Government had a sound gender policy, a National Action Plan to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls, policies on Women’s Economic Empowerment and a policy to promote women’s political leadership.

“Yet the Prime Minister chose to remove an accomplished female MP from an important leadership role.” Source: The Fiji Times, 17 October 2023

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