pn825. The Fiji Merry-Go-Round

People unfamiliar with Fiji, or only with the Fiji of "Bula" and happy holidays smiles, would be amazed at the amount of vitriol, backstabbing and inflammatory nastiness that erupts around almost all controversial issues in politics and even the universities.

Politics

PM Voqere Bainimarama, Graham Davis

PM Bainimarama chooses to ignore the accusations of bypassing procedures and the law made against his government (see Graham Davis, pn816) and warns i'Taueki not to listen to his opponents who come as wolves in sheep's clothing, undermining the progress made towards a fairer Fiji.  He says he will not allow the country to revert to the days when the Great Council of Chiefs ruled the roost. One wonders whether he's so confident he'll win next year's election or whether he has something up his sleeve if he doesn't!  

Lynda Tabuya

Across the fence, in the opposition SODELPA camp, members led by Whip Lynda Tabuya continue to call for the resignation of leader Wiliame Gavoka on the grounds of ineptness and perjury, with Lynda modestly saying she will stand for leader if and when Govoka goes. See also Graham Davis within SODELPA and Rabuka leaving the party).  

Lynda does not rule out leaving SODELPA and joining Rabuka's PAP. “Whether, I remain as a member of the Social Democratic Liberal Party or join the People’s Alliance Party, for me there’s only one goal and that is to beat the FijiFirst Government." Or,  perhaps, to be a major player whichever party she is in!

Sitiveni Rabuka

Further down the road, Sitiveni Rabuka says he will not step aside as leader of the opposition People's Alliance Party, SODELPA's possible junior partner at the 2022 elections, claiming he is untarnished and a re-made man from the leader of the 1987 Coup that was the beginning of years of unrest and further coups. With such a friend of democracy does Fiji need another?

The Universities

 

Prof. Pal Ahluwalia

Across the road,  we still have ongoing allegations of corruption made against former USP Vice-Chancellor Rajesh Chandra by VC Prof. Pal Ahluwalia.Prof Ahluwalia was subsequently expelled from the county and is now leading the university from Samoa waiting, presumably, for a change in government so that he can return to Suva.

 

 Dr Ganesh Chand

Earlier, in 2014, Dr Ganesh Chand's vice-chancellorship at Fiji's second university, the  Fiji National Unversity, was "brought to an amicable end" following the accusation of abuse of office by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption, for allegedly using $213,000 of university funds to pay for the medical treatment of the Chairperson of the FNU Council in 2012.

Prof. Shaista Shameem

Now,  there are allegations of corruption at  Fiji's third university, Lautoka-based University of Fiji, made by MP and National Federation Party leader Professor Biman Prasad which are strongly refuted by VC Professor Shaista Shameem. She says "complaints were likely to be put together by several "identifiable disgruntled former management and academic staff.'"

And so it goes on in this land of the "Bula" smiles. So many people with fingers in so many pies.

-- ACW