SPEAKER brought disrepute to Fiji Parliament by not recusing herself, allowing Khaiyum to be complainant, judge, and executioner, and her Deputy Speaker to sign off the two year suspension against Lalabalavu!

22/5/2015

"And also all things considered, Lalabalavu didn’t help himself, his colleges [Fijileaks: colleagues] or his country by behaving such dishonorably. The opposition needs to pull its act together or else it will remain in opposition for a very long time." - A Fijileaks Commentator

There she was, sitting in the Speaker's chair on her own case, making rulings on conflict of interest; it was rather like putting a partisan referee on duty for a vital rugby match; worst, she ruled that the unbroadcast Communications Fiji Ltd audio recording which the broadcaster passed to Khaiyum, and was played to the Privileges Committee, would not be replayed in her Parliament before MPs voted on Ratu Naiqama’s fate. Luveni offended the dignity of Parliament when she continued to involve herself and her Deputy Ruveni Nadalo in the entire debate. The Honorable thing for her to have done was to RECUSE herself and also to remove her Deputy Nadalo from the Privileges Committee - not to mention Khaiyum, who should never have sat on the Committee when he was the principal complainant who brought the motion before Parliament. But as Fijileaks had pointed out before, during and after the election, HE has broken every rule in the book to ensure that he is MR FIJI DICTATOR!

'I never denied saying it': Ratu Naiqama

Suspended Member of Parliament Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu says he never denied using the slur which saw him referred to the Privileges Committee.

Speaking in Parliament last night, Ratu Naiqama said he had a lot more to say at the constituency meeting.

He says the House should have been allowed to hear the audio recording where he claims he asked people to be patient, give time to the parliament and to the government.

“When we listen you don’t only make judgments from the first part of the speech. You need to take the full context of what transpired in that meeting – and only then madam Speaker would one be able to get the full picture of where I was coming from and what was said at that meeting.”

Speaker of the House Dr. Jiko Luveni last night ruled the audio file which was played to the Privileges Committee would not be replayed in parliament before MPs voted on Ratu Naiqama’s fate.

Ratu Naiqama isn’t allowed to enter the parliament precincts for 2 years. Source: FBC News

Khaiyum: Fiji Women's Crisis Centre wanted severe action taken against Lalabalavu; Fijileaks: when the same Centre had called for severe action to be taken against Speaker when she was Womens Minister, Khaiyum did nothing - Luveni had blamed women and their dress choices for rape! Below, excerpt from Privileges Committee re Lalabalavu:

WHERE WERE JITOKO LUVENI AND AIYAZ KHAIYUM WHEN RFMF THUGS WERE BEATING UP LUVENI'S FELLOW SISTERS WHO WERE DEMANDING DEMOCRACY AND NOT DICTATORSHIP IN FIJI?

Shamima Ali

Aiyaz Khaiyum's Privileges Committee cited Fiji Women's Crisis Centre's call for stiff penalty against Lalabalavu and yet when the FWCC had condemned Women's Minister Luveni's RAPE remarks, Khaiyum had turned a deaf ear.

Press Release, May 2014

The Fiji Women's Crisis Centre is appalled and outraged by the statements made by the Minister for Women, Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Jiko Luveni, on how women's dress and behaviour "invites trouble"(Fiji Sun Friday May 16)

"The statements made by the Minister amount to victim blaming at its worst, are contrary to all accepted knowledge on the causes of rape and sexual assault and are frankly outrageous and unacceptable" said Shamima Ali, the Coordinator of FWCC.

"It is time that we stopped blaming innocent victims and put the onus squarely where it belongs - on the perpetrators. Public attitudes are fostered by statements made by those in authority and it is therefore their responsibility to ensure that the correct messages are going out to the public. For the Minister for Women to make such statements is downright irresponsible and is an immense insult to all victims of rape and sexual assault. We can only hope that the public now has the knowledge to disregard this statement and treat it with the contempt it deserves." added Ali.

"Victims of rape and sexual assault range from little babies to elderly women in their seventies and eighties, and women with disabilities. Children and women are raped in their homes - it is not clothes or behaviour such as "drinking with guys in isolated places" which causes rape, but the sense of power and entitlement that men feel over women. Rape is an exercise and abuse of power and is not the "responsibility" of victims".

"We are often asked why rape continues to be such a big problem in Fiji" added Ali. "These kinds of comments, which provide encouragement to rapists and potential rapists, go a long way in explaining why."

"The Minister's statements show her absolute ignorance of the dynamics of sexual assault." Ali said further. "Such ignorance is totally unacceptable in someone who holds a ministerial position and is in a position to influence/set Government policy which impacts the lives and well being of the women of Fiji. "

"Furthermore, the statements by this Minister negate the impact of the progressive statements made by the Prime Minister on the gravity of physical and sexual violence against women in Fiji (Fiji Sun 13 February 2014)" Ali added. "We demand that the Minister retract her statements immediately, and apologise to all victims of sexual assaults, as well as to all the women and girls of this country, for the offence that she has caused."

THE UNDIGNIFIED JOURNEY TO PARLIAMENT: KHAIYUM'S CRIMES:

MADAM SPEAKER HITCHED A FREE RIDE INTO PARLIAMENT ON THE STOLEN 'BLUE BUS' DRIVEN BY BAINIMARAMA AND COMMANDEERED BY AIYAZ SAYED KHAIYUM - SO STOP PREACHING ABOUT PROTECTION OF SPEAKER'S CHARACTER AND CONDUCT AND THE DIGNITY OF THE INSTITUTION OF PARLIAMENT; IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT THIS IS A DRESS REHEARSAL TO ENSURE SMOOTH TRANSITION OF MADAM NAZHAT SHAMEEM (IF SHE IS NOMINATED) AS THE
FIRST WOMAN PRESIDENT OF FIJI?

40 Comments

Rustam

22/5/2015 03:56:26 am

Shouldn’t the international mob now assist the Fiji Parliament (and Parliamentarians and specially our AG) towards grasping (understanding) the very basics of what entails ‘conflict of interests’?

We notice it’s a reoccurring phenomenon and is causing notable problems in the normal functioning of a democracy.

And also all things considered, Lalabalavu didn’t help himself, his colleges or his country by behaving such dishonorably. The opposition needs to pull its act together or else it will remain in opposition for a very long time.

Chiku

22/5/2015 04:55:22 pm

Rustam bhaiya when was the normal functioning of democracy disrupted in Fiji ?
Have you noticed thar?
It didn't happen with Lalabalavu's slur on the Speaker, did it?

Johnny

23/5/2015 01:49:20 am

Chiku,

The Pandora's box was opened in 87 with the blessing the esteemed Chiefs. At that time, many like you praised it as gods will. It was again disrupted in 2000 with the blessing of the Chiefs and the Methodists church. The current version of the disruption took place in 2006. If it was gods will in 87 & 2000, it can't be any different this time around. Or is God discriminatory according to your philosophy?

ALIAS TUDS

23/5/2015 02:23:22 am

Unjust and uncalled for of such a scrupulous decisions to exempted Mr Naiqama from Parliarment, because he is there in parliarment representing a group of people. Unfair decisisons

Vili

22/5/2015 04:09:04 am

We seem to be making judgement ex post facto.

You seem to be blaming the Madam Speaker.

The original wrong was done by this foul-mouthed high chief who should have known better!

Victor bro, I will understand if you don't post this.

22/5/2015 04:18:14 pm

Vili

All things considered, nothing is fair. Your playground, your rules, your umpires, your judge, your executioner...I believe, there are more words spoken out not only for the Speaker, but for the impotent members of the government as well.

This circus is likely to continue, and believe me, it will lead to drastic consequences, for the whole of Fiji.

The world is enough proof, of where dictator's end up, and Fiji has seen its own share of evidences, in Koya, Reddy, Mara, Rabuka, MPC, Qarase, etc. who have abused power in some form or way to deceive the general populous...Nobody is Immune to natural Justice...Der hai Andher nahi..!!!

Vili

22/5/2015 05:08:15 pm

RP

That's the nature of democratic politics where the majority rules. We saw under Qarase how their majority was used (abused) to marginalize ethnic minorities and promote the interests of an elite group. It was a 'circus' as you say.

Sadly, that 'circus' is playing it self out again, this time with different players in the ring.

yash

22/5/2015 02:32:27 pm

I am not supporting Lalabalavu here BUT all those right thinking people who have some knowledge about fairness and justice, while watching Parliament sitting, aren't they all using abusive words for this Speaker??!!??

Victor, anybody can see how khaiyum puts words in this dentist turned speaker's mouth.

Now you tell me - who is faul mouth??!!??

Dekho

22/5/2015 03:02:44 pm

The Speaker of Parliament in the pretend democracy in Fiji is a puppet of Bainimarama and Khaiyum. Period.

And

22/5/2015 03:35:06 pm

By now after 8 years of dictatorial rule and our purported " return to democracy " thinking people know only too well that we only have justice delivered by a kangaroo court in the " new Fiji" fashioned by the dictator Bainimarama and his main enforcer Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum.. The Speaker simply does the bidding of Khaiyum.
It requires no special intelligence to see that.

Maro pito

22/5/2015 04:02:51 pm

Bai Kai are owners of Fiji. They will do what they want. Luveni has big box very difficult to move.

Dekho

22/5/2015 06:43:35 pm

Let us be fair to the Speaker. She has not brought disrepute to the Fiji Parliament. The Fiji Parliament is a farce. She has merely added her bit to the on going farce that is the Fiji Parliament and it's pretence at democratic governance.

Dekho

22/5/2015 08:16:47 pm

The opposition is an opposition only by name. It can't oppose anything the Fijian dictatorship ( now called a democracy ) does. This what makes the Fijian parliamentary democracy a farce.

rajend naidu

22/5/2015 08:35:57 pm

Editor,
People in Fiji must not feel too bad about the quality of people they have elected - if indeed that is the case - to sit in the new Parliament in Fiji.
Reacting to the Australian PM Tony Abbot's " nope, nope, nope " comment on providing sanctuary to the Rohingya refugees stranded at sea as Australia has a responsibility to do as a signatory to the UN charter this is what a writer Peter Crossing says in his letter to the Canberra Times ( 22/05 ) " What an appalling situation this country is in with such a Prime Minister ".
Many Australians including ones who elected him feel that way about the Australian PM. They reckon he has brought the country into disrepute.
Sincerely,
Rajend Naidu
Sydney

rajend naidu

22/5/2015 08:58:50 pm

Editor,
Simon Hazelman wants to know why the governing ruling party " regularly attack the Fiji Times "? ( FT 23/05 ).
That's quite simple.
It's because it favours the Fiji Sun which has been acting as it's mouthpiece and propagandist since the days of its dictatorial rule in the country.
That symbiotic relationship remains intact after Fiji's purported return to parliamentary democracy.
The dictatorship would have loved to close down the Fiji Times altogether but that did not happen much to its chagrin.
The people of Fiji in Fiji and overseas are happy the Fiji Times is still running.
Sincerely,
Rajend Naidu
Sydney

Johnny

23/5/2015 01:31:07 am

You have very short memory Rajen. The Fiji Times was one of the main instigators of the 2000 coup due to the love-hate relationship it shared with Chaudhary. Kepa chose to talk only to Fiji Times after walking out of parliament. And don't forget, the Fiji Sun was forced to close after the 87 coup as it vigorously opposed the coup at the time. Fiji times was an opportunists in 87 & 2000 and the Fiji Sun is this time around. I worked for Fiji times during the 2000 coup and I can say with all confidence that wasn't a neutral paper then and it is neither today. Rajen, you seem like an educated person and should know that it's wrong to judge a book by its glossy cover. Unfortunately, you and like minded people are doing exactly the same.

And

23/5/2015 03:46:43 pm

A simplistic interpretation and account of the role of the media in the coups and politics in Fiji.
Simple minds lean towards such neat and convenient views.
What happened to the Fiji Sun people who stood up for democracy after the 2006 coup?

Tomasi

23/5/2015 02:09:05 am

Victor, what is happening today in our Parliament is precisely what we had tried to warn our people about before the elections. One of the most basic truths one can learn is about fundamentals or foundations. Water has flowed under the bridge, but I believe we can still become a better society if we choose to learn from our mistakes and make the necessary changes, no matter how painful that might be for us.

We have allowed Lord Khaiyum and his followers to dictate how we must govern ourselves as a nation. They had to rewrite a constitution because the old one condemns them. We allowed them to impose it upon us. No protest march, no organised show of protest.

Then they engineered an election, determined the outcome, implemented it, and went through all the motions to obtain legitimacy and international acceptance. Lord Khai was the major player, judge and lawmaker. He changed the rules when the game was going against them. Again, no public protest, no organised march, largely because they were in complete control over movements, speech, communications, police, military, prisons, media, etc. The outcome was predicted well before the elections. Many of us played along with them.

Then Parliament. He wrote the Standing Orders. Guess why? They wanted to make sure that Parliament would be only a rubber stamping public funded show. The result will always favour them, no matter the issues being debated. They appointed a lame duck dame to be the Speaker. What else do people expect?

So where do we go from here?

1. The Tui Cakau case should be taken to the High Court. Serious lapses and breaches in natural justice were made by Khaiyum, the Speaker and their puppies. e.g. How can Khaiyum be the complainant, the judge and the jury ? ( see Fiji Leaks for more on this ) How can Jiko sit in judgement over a matter that directly affects her? ( conflict of interest ) etc etc How can a judgement be made without sufficient evidence? The House was not permitted to hear the recording of Rt Naiqama's speech, yet they went ahead and judged him. But the question is why? Why was Khaiyum so compelled to punish Tui Cakau for the controversial words? The evidence if objectively examined would exonerate Rt Naiqama and reveal the growing disenchantment with Government by the public. Why was Parliament not permitted to hear Rt Naiqama's full speech?

2. The current manner in which debates are conducted in Parliament is out of date, ridiculous and foreign to us in Fiji and our ways of speaking and communication. Our MPs are not able to communicate effectively because they are forced to speak and communicate in a way they are not accustomed to. It is not the normal way of speaking. We need to change so that ideas are effectively expressed and issues thoroughly discussed.

3. Standing orders notwithstanding, how can a group of MPs annul the votes of the people by sending an MP out of the House for a substantive period of time? This is something that must be considered seriously.

4. How can a Parliament still considered to be fully functional when there is no Opposition? If that is the case, then it would be better not to waste money on having Opposition MPs and just let Government be the Government. That seems to be the position of Khaiyum when he was responding to questions from the Opposition MPs on why Delanas's Flag Team was still going ahead with its work when a petition was been received in Parliament requesting a public referendum on the whole exercise.

5. How can Parliament allow one person (Lord Khaiyum ) to have so many portfolios ( absolute power) when there are many deserving MPs on their side of the House holding no portfolio. Should there be a limit to the number of portfolios given to a Government MP in order to protect national interest against conflict of interest and dictatorship?

I think these are serious questions we need to consider and talk about. As our former PM Mr Chaudry had stated rightly, fundamentals are so critical, and we must get our fundamentals right. Vinaka.

manasa nakuilava

23/5/2015 05:57:39 pm

Vinaka Vili. This treatment of Ratu Naiqama may not rest with the Courts for obvious reasons....perhaps as a symbolic gesture of the disgust with the manner in which some of our representatives are behaving when in positions of power. the full text of naiqama's speech should have been aired for all to hear and judge for ourselves in the context in which it was said. vutusona,cavuka etc is a common joke orgreeting amongst close acquaintances in fiji....in any event, the truth will come out as the "sun is already setting!"

Vili

24/5/2015 05:00:56 am

Agree that the swear words "...vutusona,cavuka etc is a common joke or greeting amongst close acquaintances in Fiji". But Naiqama does not have a license to denigrate a female and the Speaker of the highest law making body in the land (Parliament) in this way.

We saw what happened in 2000 when people with no respect for parliament took our MPs hostage in the true tradition of terrorists.

I thought the words by Minister for Lands, Mereseini Vuniwaqa, was very well put. She put Naiqama's use of foul language and its meaning in its proper context. I thought she hit the nail right on the head.

The Tui Cakau should have shown more decorum and respect as befitting his status.

maro pito

23/5/2015 02:53:37 am

Once upon a time a brilliant Russian scientist got brain tumor. The doctors wanted to save him. So they decided to transplant the brain. There were many brains available from all worlds. The scientists chose Fijian brain. The asked the scientists why he was choosing the Fijian brain as they are very useless. The scientist told the doctor that Fijian is only race in the world who do not use their brain so he can use.

Tomasi

23/5/2015 04:18:51 am

@maro pito. It is onvious that you are a very arrogant racist who needs to be educated about things Fijian. I wonder how you can make that generalisation that Fijians do not use their brain. You must be a non Fijian and so very proud and arrogant of your self. Why don't you speak to the issues being discussed and stop hiding behind your racist comments. Use your corrupt and warped brain and test its capacity and integrity I dare you. Why don't you reveal your name you coward.

Democracy 1970 Onwards

23/5/2015 05:13:41 am

In Government and Opposition Ratu Mara, Koya, Reddy and in many ways Chaudhary & Qarase brought decorum to the parliament... ALTA, Dennings Award, Hydro Dam, Queens Road, Sugar Industry were the shining light, debates were robust and MPs were held in high esteem. They were eloquent in negotiations like Ratu Sukuna and AD Patel and held in high esteem by all races.

What we have today are a bunch of amateurs who can't look beyond their nose, bai/kai.. blind leading a blind.

Vili

23/5/2015 04:53:18 pm

The inability to eloquently debate the issues in parliament and elsewhere for that matter, is a consequence of coups. We have been subjected to a 'command mentality' in government over the years where orders and directives are given from the top; no questioning or debating the issue permitted. We have been accustomed to this and our capacity to question and debate issues has been lost.

It will take to regain that skill.

Meantime, the behaviour and quality of debate and questioning from the Opposition is also very poor. The Questions on Notice (QON) are shallow and superficial. They display a poor grasp of the issues and do not 'advance the analysis', so to speak.

The orchestrated tactics of the Government has been described elsewhere in this thread above. But all things being equal, I find that the quality of the debate and presentation by those on the Government side, to be more superior than the Opposition.

maro pito

23/5/2015 04:19:21 pm

Tomasi did you say the "lame duck dame to be the Speaker" has no brain.

rajend naidu

23/5/2015 04:35:53 pm

Editor,
The case of the multibillionaire owner of Sands casino and Republican Party funder Sheldon Adelson facing accussations of graft and organised crime ties in a US court ( the guardian 23 May ) is a reminder that business success and wealth is not necessarily acquired through the creative genius and industriousness of an enterprising business men or women. That is the myth often aggressively perpetuated by the world of the rich and successful business themselves with of course help from their ideological fellow travellers in the media and politics.
It's a myth that is exploded with solid empirical evidence by Murray Dobbin in his book The Myth Of The Good Coorate Citizen and by Law Professor Joel Bakan in his book The Corporation : The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power.
Sincerely,
Rajend Naidu
Sydney

Welcome Home

23/5/2015 08:03:46 pm

"In the Valley of the Blind the One-eyed Man is King".

This saying which is attributed to various sources including August Wilson and the English writer H.G. Wells has most significant and insightful meaning. Note it does not state that a one-eyed woman is queen. Yet many of the Seers of the Ancient World were indeed women including the Oracle at Delphi and Cassandra of Troy. We undervalue the talents of good women in Fiji and we accord too little respect to mothers, grandmothers and to widows. We need to earnestly See and to Listen and above all to Discern: the greatest good for the greatest number of FIJIANS. This is our Big Picture and ego has no place in the outcome.

The FF circus link

23/5/2015 10:03:16 pm

What happened in Parliament last week was sad. We had a MP being tried in the worst court house ever-it is undeniable, he said those words. The reality is, was the sentencing given fairly. We had the judge, jury, accuser, the accused, all sitting in the same room, Is that normal in court cases? The accuser became the judge. The accused was the person involved, the perpetrator had no one except his outnumbered team begging for a fair trial. The judgement was decided even before the trial began.The jury-in this case the puppets of FF just pressed a button. Afterall what can you expect from people whom only 600-800 people voted in this country. Feather heads and blind fools are deciding the future of this nation-blindly following the dictators. One just has to make a list of what these FF mps have to hide and fear-bankrupts, killers, pathetic lawyers, businessmen, adulteress, porno lovers, drug addicts, cranky alcoholics. Unknown beings who have suddenly seen the sun shinning from their 'other side' and enjoying the limelight which they could not get under normal circumstances.

rajend naidu

24/5/2015 04:16:21 am

Editor,
We read in the Latin American Herald Tribune 24 May that the former archbishop of San Salvador Father Romero who was assinated on March 24, 1980 by death squads has been beatified with presidents and Vice Presidents from all over Latin America attending the ceremony.( ' Msgr Romero Beautified In El Salvador Before Crowd of 300,000 ' ).
Fr Romero was a fearless critic of the powerful rulers at that time in El Salvador.
He stood with the people, he was the voioice of the vioiceless . In his message Pope Francis said Romero heard the suffering of the people and in the true spirit of Christianity he sought to address their plight.
It cost him his life. But Romero would not let the threat to his life stop him from doing what he knew was the right thing to do.
Humanity is blessed to have had such noble souls in our midst.
Sincerely,
Rajend Naidu
Sydney

rajend naidu

24/5/2015 06:05:54 pm

Editor,
In her truly thought provoking letter to the Sydney Morning Herald 24 May on the Abbot Government's hardline stance on refugees and asylum seekers Lorraine Nelson ask the question " If abbot had stayed in the land of his birth would he now be enjoying the prime ministership of Britain? ".
My own answer to that would be " nope, nope, nope ".
Lorraine's question also made me wonder if there was no coup would Frank Bainimarama have enjoyed the prime ministership of Fiji?
Would Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum be enjoying the title of Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Many Other Things?
Sincerely,
Rajend Naidu
Sydney

And

25/5/2015 04:17:08 pm

And to think this man - the coupist Voreqe Bainimarama - told the people of Fiji after grabbing power that no military wallah will benefit from his coup.
What a goddamn liar!
And Khaiyum is of course just a mediocre lawyer who saw an opportunity to become a big time player in Fijiolitics by becoming a bakewa on the coupist and his military mob.

IT HAPPENS ONLY IN FIJI

24/5/2015 06:35:37 pm

why do we need 3 parliamentary clerks?? is the speaker or rest of the politicians so thick that they need 3 clerks. in all other commonwealth countries like Fiji there's need for only one clerk. what a charade and waste of taxpayers money.

Tomasi

25/5/2015 08:11:31 am

Thank you Rajend. Many have enjoyed and have been inspired by your contributions. Me included. I believe you know that too and that is why you continue to do so consistently. But it is people like you and my OB Victor that Voreqe and Khaiyum really hate, not because of who we are, but our principled stand on matters that affect our nation and all its citizens. vakalevu. Please know that your wise contributions add fuel to the light that shines the way in Fiji's political darkness.God bless you Rajend. Vinaka

rajend naidu

25/5/2015 06:32:02 pm

Editor,
We read in the Guardian 25/05 that former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert has been sentenced to 8 months in prison for unlawfully accepting money from a US businessman supporter (' Former Israeli leader Ehud Olmert jailed for eight months for corruption ').
If we applied the same anti- corruption yardstick I wonder how many from the Fiji First Party of Bainimarama and Khaiyum would be sitting in jail?
Sincerely,
Rajend Naidu
Sydney

Yep

26/5/2015 01:15:26 am

Yes, instead of sitting in Parliament as honourable MPs!

Tomasi

26/5/2015 03:50:08 pm

That day shall surely come, and they know that. But they are trying desperately to prevent it for as long as they can, if they die trying.

rajend naidu

26/5/2015 04:50:45 pm

Editor,
SBS documentary report on 26 May gives us a snapshot of the two worlds of North Korea. One, the world of the favoured few, the privileged elites who enjoy the luxuries and refinements of life, including exclusive holiday resorts which even Westerners would envy. This class of North Korean society have what they have because of their adulation of the Dear Leader, the dictatorial ruler of the country.
The other world of North Korea is characterised by poverty, hunger and misery and perpetual fear of the State . The overwhelming part of the population occupy this world in the North Korean totalitarian state.
The Dear Leader phenomenon is not unique to such a State. You have that as well in any dictatorial regime like we had in Fiji for 8 years following the Bainimarama military takeover in 2006.
Sincerely,
Rajend Naidu
Sydney

rajend naidu

26/5/2015 11:25:22 pm

Editor,
Here' s an excellent illustration of the way of the classic dictatorial ruler. We learn from a Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty report that the authorities in Turkmenistan have unveiled a giant 21 metre golden statue of President Berdymukhammedov on horseback in the capital, a towering sign of a growing personality cult celebrating the authoritarian leader.(' Turkmen President Honors Himself With Giant Gold Horse Statue' 27 May ).
Berdymukhammedov has promised to introduce democratic reforms, but has brought little REAL CHANGE.
Turkmenistan is regularly blacklisted as one of Freedom House's " Worst of the Worst " list of repressive countries for its lack of civil liberties.
Turkmenistan is a reminder that Stalin style personality cult of the Dear Leader does not belong only in the past .
It is very much present in today's world.
We have some sense of that from our own Fiji experience since the Bainimarama military takeover of 2006.
Sincerely,
Rajend Naidu
Sydney

maro pito

27/5/2015 03:33:52 pm

For over a week now there is no good news about corrupt bai kai in Fijileaks. Victor can you write about USPGATE you have promised very long time ago. I am Fen of FIJILEAK

Bahuki

1/6/2015 12:48:24 am

The speaker seems to be a little one-sided instead of being neutral apart from her "offensive comment" to the people that she was supposed to be helping before being promoted.

By the looks of things, parliament seems to be Bhaiyum's playground where they can pull the strings whenever they want in order to suite themselves and their interests.

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