MILITARY MINDSET: ROBIN NAIR slams Frank Bainimarama over sacking comments: "Bainimarama shows that he has difficulty transitioning from a Military Leader to a Prime Minister in a Parliamentary democracy...."

20/7/2017

Media Release

“Robin Nair Responds to the PM”

Former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Robin Nair called on the Prime Minister to seek “better advice” when reacting to serious issues raised by the Hon Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Hon Ro Temumu Kepa, rather than through yet another “emotional” outburst. He said that the Hon Prime Minister shows that he has difficulty transitioning from a Military Leader to a Prime Minister in a Parliamentary democracy.

Nair was referring to the Hon Leader of the Opposition, Na Gone Marama Bale Na Roko Tui Dreketi’s statement in her Budget Speech on what she called “the substantial increase in Head 50: Miscellaneous Service”. She said that “This confirms that the Government is only controlled by 2 or 3 individuals, which could be confirmed by comments made by the former Cabinet Minister, Hon Pio Tikoduadua and the former Permanent Secretary of Foreign affairs, Mr Robin Nair.”

Hon Prime Minister reportedly reacted to her statement outside the Parliamentary Chambers to reporters that he forced Pio Tikoduadua and Robin Nair to resign. Nair said that if this were true, the Prime Minister had no such authority.

Nair continued,

“That the Prime Minister should be advised most urgently that his own Constitution, gives the power to hire, fire and discipline of a Permanent Secretary to the Public Service Commission (PSC). The PSC uses these powers judiciously and within the perimeters of the law on natural justice. Under the Constitution the PSC is an independent Constitutional body appointed by the President and does not fall under the direction of a Minister. The Prime Minister does not even have the legal authority under our Constitution to direct the Public Service Commission to appoint, remove or institute a disciplinary action.

Section 8 of Public Service (Amendment) Act 2016, removes section 12 of the Public Service Act 1999 which had empowered the Minister to give directions to the Commission. This was deemed no longer necessary given that the Commission is an independent body.

Section 22 of the Public Service Act 1999, as amended by the Public Service (Amendment) Act 2016, states, “Any person who seeks to, directly or indirectly, improperly influence the Commission or a member, employee or agent of the Commission commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000.”

Mr Nair commented that this reminded him of what senior members of the US Congress told President Trump in recent weeks, that "All Americans, regardless of party, agree on the fundamental principle that no one is above the law…. It has become clear that President Trump believes that he has the power to fire anyone in government he chooses and for any reason… That is not how the rule of law works, and Congress will not allow the president to so egregiously overstep his authority”.

Mr Nair said the use of words like “Force” does not reflect well on a Prime Minister who was once a Military Commander and the Prime Minister of a Military Government. It reminds people of the forceful take-over of democratically elected Governments; a Constitution being forced on a People; the forced abolition of revered institutions of indigenous people without any consultations; and other such unilateral acts in our sad political history.
END.

14 Comments

Chiku

20/7/2017 10:43:38 am

What Robin Nair says about Frank Bainimarama is a truism. He is now really telling us anything we don't already know about Bainimarama.

Ratu

20/7/2017 07:13:59 pm

While I have much respect for Robin Nair for being guided by higher principles in resigning fm his position as PS for Foreign Affairs when he realised he did not have the full backing of his Minister the consensus on this thread seems to be that he was incredibly naive to apply for the position in the first place knowing the history of coups and personalised rule of coupists around the world. Like most other military string men Bainimarama is a belligerent sociopath whose first unstincts are to intimidate rather than to reason and to get back at anyone who crosses him. Colonel Pio and Robin Bair have fallen into his sights and he responds instinctively to protect himself just as he did during the mutiny. Nair would do well to come out clean as to what he knows how Khaiyum and Frank have manipulated public and international perceptions to keep themselves in power.

Vosota link

20/7/2017 09:58:55 pm

It's actually enlightening to see men like Nair and Tikoduadua who once served under Frank's current government come to the fore to expose what they only now believe to be a military-styled government and a government that is subsequently ruled by two men.

Let them who are now liberated be given a chance to do their bit by making a stand and speaking out.

We can only hope for the betterment in our fellow men. Better late the chance to see than never!

Rajend Naidu

20/7/2017 10:22:30 pm

Editor,
Understanding the Mindset of "The Man"
Bob Johnson, former Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia, writes in his Foreward to Jeff Schubert's book Dictatorial CEO's & their Lieutenants : Inside the Executive Suites of Napoleon, Stalin, Ataturk, Mussolini, Hitler and Mao that the book " ... has so much to offer both the history buff and the psychologist, and acts as a cautionary tale to the aspirant to power.
The age-old relationship ( tension ) between master and servant is taken to a new high: in this case to that between tyrant and subordinate. What is it in the genes that drives the tyrant? This book identifies and documents elements in the character of several of history's towering despots ( " The Man " ) and finds correlations ( " commonalities " ) across the group. It examines, if not the genetics, then their powers, ambitions and modus operandi.
Subordinates rarely rate more than footnotes in historical studies of such tyrants, but here motivations and actions of the lieutenants are extensively noted and compared. Once again there are commonalities that highlight the universal nature of human beings; and how desires and fears can lead people to serve a despot.
Since the book eschews judgement and moralising and is about what is rather than what might be, the text is somewhat Machiavellian. Overall the book serves to reinforce the importance and proper forms of accountability in political and business life".
Robin Nair will find the book very illuminating as will many others who persuaded themselves " to serve a despot ".
They will discover themselves in the pages of this book and they will acquire a deeper understanding of the mindset of the dictator.
The book is an invaluable read.
Sincerely,
Rajend Naidu

Piku

20/7/2017 11:06:36 pm

Maybe he should have helped Bainimarama make the transition from a military leader when Robin was part of ?Bainimarama's circle.

Nice guy Robin.

Rajend Naidu

21/7/2017 02:11:31 am

Editor,
Lawless Leader
US President Donald Trump's extended, rambling new interview with New York Times provides perhaps the clearest picture yet of his conviction that he is above the law - a conviction, crucially, that appears to be deeply felt on an instinctual level - and of his total lack of any clear conception of the basic obligations to the public he assumed upon taking office ( read more in the Washington Post article by Greg Sargent title ' Trump's deeply worrisome New York Times interview reveals a lawless president '. Reproduced in the Australian national papers 21/7 ).
In an earlier post I had said Trump has time and again given proof that he has no abiding respect for democratic values and norms, including the rule of law.
Does Trump remind you of someone else on the local political scene?
Sincerely,
Rajend Naidu

Lee

21/7/2017 02:12:58 am

Thank you for raising this issue. Chinese interests in Fiji are most worrying. There presence is very strong.There are many Chinese fronts in Fiji which are being not only tolerated but also entertained big time. They penetrate right to very sensitive areas of politics and power. They can have influence in election outcomes, not only through surruptious funding but also through other clandestine practices. If only our media was free, as any democracy should have as its cornerstone, investigative journalism would have been able to expose it all. Recently investigative journalism in Australia unearth the insidious Chinese influence there. If the Russians can attack the democratic processes in the mother of democracies in the US, what hope do we have of running the weak so-called democracy of Bai and Kai. Be under no illusion about the Chinese influence in Fiji. We can see the ugly end of how they have been able to penetrate ( no pun intended) into the prostitution industry under our own nose. We can see the shoddy infrastructure that they built for us, look at the fencing around the State House, Navua Hospital and the roads which become a rubble after thousands of dollars spent on work done by the Chinese and the list gies on. Let us hope the bridges being built by the Chinese don't have the same fate. There are numerous other Chinese so-called investments and projects going on which are just facades for other activities. What is going on along the beaches of Malolo in Nadi. The list goes on. The brown bag happily floats around. Where is FICAC and the police. Instead of harassing and humiliating people like Doc Reddy and Doc Ganesh with spurious charges, why can't they put some real muscle into the big time corruption. We the ordinary people sit on the sidelines, struggling for a crumb.

Wong

21/7/2017 02:18:01 am

The picture shows the Beauty and the Beast. What a contrast. Does the Beast know why he is sitting there? Don't be cruel. Send the Beast to the cassava patch. Didi, didi.

FijiWatch

21/7/2017 03:32:25 am

Chiku, so is there no need to say anything we may or may not know about Bainimarma? As the public media does or can not give us truth, what Robin Nair has to report it is clearly not just a 'truism', it is very important factual information that should be readily available to the Fiji public. It is also worth repeating.

But your post is just a confused nothing.

Chiku

23/7/2017 01:24:19 am

' Climate threat not new ' ( Fiji Times 23/7 ). That's a truism.
Bainimarama is a rogue ruler . That's a truism. One can fill himself with as much details as one wants to. A truism will remain a truism.

Jadoo

21/7/2017 05:18:02 pm

What a cheap attack by the regime on Robin Nair. FB and ASK have indeed been rattled by him for them to unleash the dogs on him. They know what treason is and they are hidding behind their self drafted constitution to avoid being charged with the crime. They now have the thick skin to tell us what treason is and point to others just to confuse us all mortals once again. Go and take a bath, both of you. By the way where did Nair say that he wishes to contest the elections as a candidate for NFP. He merely said he joined NFP as a Member. Pls don't mislead our people. He never said he will be a candidate. If a government peddle lies, even God will not help. Doomed!

Dr. Jim Anthony

22/7/2017 03:32:23 am

Robin Hair is an interesting character. Some say (invoking an old English metaphor) that Mr. Nair runs with the hares and hunts with the hounds. I do not have enough evidence to conclude whether this is true.

From the outside it does appear that Fiji has proceeded with indecent haste in what seems like a hasty rapprochement with both Australia and New Zealand--Australia particularly. Whether the hasty rapprochement has been due to Julie Bishop's charm or some other factor or cluster of factors, is difficulty to say--yet.

History can be like an onion, with many layers. The recent history of Fiji resembles an onion, with layer after layer after layer. I am reminded of a line from Tennyson: Only the event will teach us in its hour. Time will tell.

An election is scheduled to be held in Fiji next year.. It remains to be seen whether the scheduled will be held or not. Again, time will tell.

Meanwhile, people like Robin Nair, privy to insider information, should speak out--loudly and clearly..

My message to Robin is plain and simple: Speak to us, Robin. Tell us what you know. You know what's important so spill the beans.

And, if you wish, lets talk. Here's my eMail address: [email protected]

Confidentiality guaranteed.

I'm Alive and kicking I'm the constitution 1997'

22/7/2017 03:57:03 am

The 1997 is still alive, says Chandrika Prasad. Don't fuck with it. It will be used against you for all that has happened since 2009.It can only be silenced by WE THE PEOPLE.....NOT you two people.

Bahuki

25/7/2017 10:35:00 pm

Nothing wrong with seeing how people who got kicked out by Frankie expose whats really going on in what is otherwise a totalitarian regime.

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MILITARY MINDSET: ROBIN NAIR slams Frank Bainimarama over sacking comments: "Bainimarama shows that he has difficulty transitioning from a Military Leader to a Prime Minister in a Parliamentary democracy...."

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