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"I was not a MONKEY but mimicking Darth Vader in Star Wars"; he waited for two days to be 'Darth Vader'; Tikoca claims it was "ape-like gesture"

20/11/2015

12 Comments

 
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"The fact that it took two days for the Honourable Ratu Isoa Tikoca to lodge a formal complaint with the Speaker raises serious questions about his own sincerity in this matter...I referred to the Opposition member, Honourable Ratu Isoa Tikoca, as Darth Vader because of the rumbling and menacing tone of his persistent interjections. I went on to mimic Darth Vadar’s speaking style in the Star Wars movies by lowering the register of my voice and adopting a Darth Vadar pose" - Khaiyum

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STATEMENT BY THE ACTING PRIME MINISTER & ATTORNEY-GENERAL AIYAZ SAYED-KHAIYUM
11/20/2015


I am saddened that lighthearted comments and gestures I made during parliamentary exchanges on Wednesday have been deliberately twisted to imply that I made a racial slur against the i’Taukei.

Anyone who was in the parliamentary chamber who witnessed the full proceedings and read the Hansard report knows the truth: that I referred to the Opposition member, Honourable Ratu Isoa Tikoca, as Darth Vader because of the rumbling and menacing tone of his persistent interjections.

I went on to mimic Darth Vadar’s speaking style in the Star Wars movies by lowering the register of my voice and adopting a Darth Vadar pose. The video clip of the proceedings clearly shows members of the house laughing, including the Honourable Speaker, who specifically referred to me “breaking the ice”. I refer everyone to the full video clip of the proceedings in Parliament: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt-Zl4JDwek

At no stage does the Hansard record me saying anything that constitutes a racial slur. So I am very disappointed and saddened that Honourable Ratu Isoa has engaged in a pathetic attempt to vilify me using parliamentary privilege and inflame ethnic division.

Ordinary Fijians know that for my entire time in private and public life, I have fought racism and promoted the interests of every citizen, regardless of ethnicity, religious belief or where they come from in Fiji. It is simply inconceivable that I would be guilty of the accusation that is now being leveled against me. It is the cheapest of political shots and totally unjustified.

The fact that it took two days for the Honourable Ratu Isoa Tikoca to lodge a formal complaint with the Speaker raises serious questions about his own sincerity in this matter. If he was so insulted, why did he not say so immediately or even the following day? I believe that most Fijians will see this for what it is – a cynical attempt to exploit parliamentary exchanges between him and I to suggest a smear on the entire ethnic group to which he belongs.

Earlier in the week, the Honourable Tupou Draunidalo was forced to apologise to the House when she called a government member a “fool”. Was she implying that everyone of his ethnic background were also fools?

Honourable Ratu Isoa Tikoca is resorting to the old politics of looking for an ethnic dimension when the Opposition is losing public support and the Government is receiving widespread acclaim for the Budget from all Fijians.
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STATEMENT
[108/20/11/2015]
 
OPPOSITION CHIEF WHIP TABLES CORRUPTION CLAIM DOCUMENTS IN PARLIAMENT

Opposition Whip Ratu Isoa Tikoca was today stopped from concluding a parliamentary point of order against racist ‘ape-like gestures’ and sounds made towards him by Finance Minister Khaiyum. But this was not before Ratu Isoa tabled documents that the Finance Minister challenged him to produce to support his claim of Mr Khaiyum’s alleged corruption.

In his intervention this morning, Hon Tikoca referred to the Acting Finance Minister’s racist ‘ape gestures’ directed at him in the Parliamentary Chamber. Ratu Isoa said that the Opposition office has received phone calls and emails from many indigenous and non indigenous Fijians who are angered by the Acting Prime Minister’s ‘ape’ performance.

Ratu Isoa said the actions of the Fiji First leader are completely unacceptable and have brought shame to parliament and besmirched the reputation of Fiji First. What he did is now being viewed by thousands around the world on YouTube.

He said it was an unprecedented display of outrageous parliamentary behaviour by an Acting Prime Minister to another member in Parliament. Nothing like this has ever happened before in the history of Fiji’s parliament. Ratu Isoa said that he had waited for a couple few days to allow the Acting Prime Minister time to withdraw his remarks and apologies but he had not done this. 

In a statement, Hon. Isoa Tikoca said that following Minister Khaiyum’s extraordinary and insulting behaviour people are throwing heated words and racial slurs at each other on social media. They see the Acting Prime Minister’s actions as racism. We must guard against racism. Highlighting ethnic concerns and issues is not racism. But making gestures which many have interpreted as a negative stereotype is a different story.

If he refuses to accept that people are angry and making complaints, he should look at his Ministry of Information’s own Facebook page and YouTube, and read the comments there. He might want to get his QORVIS PR consultant to read for himself what people are saying about the Acting Prime Minister’s racist ‘ape gestures’ in the house.

This issue will not die away. The Opposition plans to take further action until this matter is dealt with properly and will follow up on the corruption documents tabled by Ratu Isoa.
 
Authorized By                                       
Ratu Isoa Tikoca


12 Comments
Chiku
20/11/2015 11:50:35 pm

What I am truly sadden by is that my beloved country has fallen into the hands of mediocre lawyers, military thugs and their capitalist cronies - both local and foreign.

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Dekho
21/11/2015 12:05:21 am

In his unnecessary long winded response Amounting to self- praise about how he has fought against racism and promoted the interest of every citizen of Fiji regardless of race, religion and political affiliation etc etc - Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum forgot to mention how in recent times he has been preoccupied in promoting the interest of his Aunty Nur Bano and others from a particular community in Fiji ; harassing people who do not subscribe to his Fiji First Theft Party and promoting the special interests of the big end of town and foreign interests that are plundering Fiji's resources.

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The Teacher
21/11/2015 01:35:02 am

The true color of the ape in the house is coming out, slowly but surely, for all of us to see. SHAMEFUL, SHAMEFUL, SHAMEFUL - he should be relegated to the trees and jungle where apes belong; not in the Parliament house, or any of the government offices. Those who joined him in laughter are to join him in the jungle - the first behind him is the Minister for Lands - disgusting behavior from an indigenous Fijian woman who should be role modelling for young indigenous Fijian girls and women; next in line is the Minister for Tourism... and then the next, and the next... and off they go to the jungle to where they belong...

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House Full of Apes and She Monkeys'
21/11/2015 04:00:07 am

Yup... female monkeys always follow the apes when they walk in jungles, hence they joined in laughter after the Ape AG.

Now walk behind law maker ape AG / Acting PM to mangroves in Quiba as the new road will make the travel to the new Quiba Zoo in comfort as last ride in Pajero...!!!

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rajend Naidu
21/11/2015 02:41:19 am

Editor,
Bruce Cumming's letter in The Australian 21/11 reminded of a parrallel situation elsewhere.
He writes :
" Myanmar's 2008 constitution was designed by the military. The judiciary in that country was appointed and controlled by the military. The latest attempts by the junta to convince the world that Myanmar has been transformed from a military dictatorship into a functioning democracy is window dressing ".
Notice the parrallel?
But the world's established democracies seem to have no real qualms about going along with window dressing democracies for the sake of political expediency and their own vested interests.
This is the shameful reality and hypocrisy of international politics.
Sincerely,
Rajend Naidu
Sydney

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ABC TV News Australia
21/11/2015 04:24:55 am

This sad episode made prime time news in Australia yesterday.

Surely Fiji can do better.

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Welcome Home
21/11/2015 05:34:38 am

Is it to be wondered at now how Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna was removed from his prior standing and place of esteem and national respect? Can it be imagined what he might have made of all these shenanigans? Better not to ask.

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Welcome Home
21/11/2015 06:11:14 am

Mediocrity is obvious in the lack of manners and "Manners makeyth Man". Insults were rendered not only to one ethnic group but to each and every individual Fijian not only those in the House itself but across the world. These are the antics of an imbecile and by no means just foolish. In common parlance someone who 'has lost the plot'.

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rajend Naidu
21/11/2015 07:44:54 am

"We must however acknowledge, as it seems to me, that man with all his noble qualities, with sympathy which feels for the most debased, with benevolence which extends not only to other men but to the humblest living creature, with his god-like intellect which has penetrated into the movements and constitution of the solar system - with all these exalted powers - Man still bears in his bodily frame the indelible stamp of his lowly( ape ) origin"
- Charles Darwin The Descent of Man ( 1871 ).
That lowly animal trait which is our inherent evolutionary heritage remains very pronounced in some in our species and comes to the fore from time to time as manifest in Aiyaz's aping .

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Chiku
21/11/2015 08:53:11 am

Don't expect the Madam Speaker to be fair, to do the right thing to maintain the dignity and decorum of the Parliament and to be an impartial empire in parliamentary proceedings. That is not why she has been put there by the Fiji First Theft Party government of Bainimarama and Khaiyum. She is there to act in favour of the Fiji First Theft Party gang in government.

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Welcome Home
21/11/2015 10:42:53 am

Will Fijileaks now ensure that Professor Crosbie Walsh is fully and specifically shown evidence of the human rights abuse and gross violence that has been suffered since 5 December 2006 including murders. There ought to be full transparency and coherence concerning the deaths. Medical evidence and post mortem observations and qualified comment. The Opposition Office should endorse these findings after making their own assessment and calling on professional expertise in particular from New Zealand. It seems that NZ is prepared to uphold the proper process for Justice to be done. Surely, in the unstable world we all now inhabit, our requirement that the deaths and torment of these victims and those from 2000 also be addressed, closure for the widows and close relatives sought is no idle ask?

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Rustam
21/11/2015 06:49:31 pm

The basics of race-relations is not what the aggressor says (to justify their actions) but how the aggrieved feels (towards the actions of the aggressor).

If People feel that AG’s actions were RACIST - then it was. And now being a ‘Darth Vader” just doesn’t cut it. Add that to the fact that AG is known for his Lying (even in Parliament).

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