Bai's Way Or The Highway!

Vinaka vakalevu Bubu for posting this propoganda pic of Baini Marama on your blog (discombobulated.blogspot.com).

The Look Of A Worried Man!

The eyes tell the story.

This my good people is what a worried man looks like.

This is the look of man in fear for his very life and the life of his family.

Bai, you should have known better than to frak with the Great Council of Chiefs. O sa coqa tiko na matani moto qori!

Bai's only hope was to get the $350 million from EU. His government has no more money.

Bai had hoped his No. 1 team would have told the EU like it is, but when they got there, his No. 1 team got their collective asses handed back to them on a platter... yes it was a silver one!

EU's non-negotiable conditions for the release of funds include:-

- elections by March 2009

- suitable road map by June 30 2007

- appointing of VP in accordance with the Constitution

- upholding of every facet of the Constitution, including human rights, freedom of expression and independence and integrity of the judiciary

- go back to the camp and stay there

- bring back the GCC and respect their independence

- lift the Public Emergency Regulations, and

- no more of this crap about invoking the doctrine of necessity

In other words, if Bai wants his money he has to swallow his pride and reverse everything he's done over the past few months.

He's already started by diplomatically apologising to the US for wrongly directing the removal of the barricades at Loftus Street.

But that's not enough, Bai.

I imagine there will be more grovelling in the coming weeks. Just try to read between the lines and you will see a very remorseful Bai... quick with the mouth but a little slow in the head!

Stay tuned.

The Bai Effect

Ever since Bai became the Commander of the FMF, he has managed to ruin the good name and reputation of the FMF, nationally and internationally.

Before Bai, the FMF's reputation as a professional outfit, particularly in peacekeeping duties, gave the people of Fiji something to be proud of.

The green uniform could be worn by Fiji soldiers in public with pride and the members of the public would show respect and reverence for the once great institution.

In the few short years that Bai has held office as Commander, the image and reputation of the FMF has deteriorated badly.

Nowadays, the public either fear them or hate them intensely, or both.

There is no more respect for those that wear the "green" or "white" uniform.

The international community has turned its back on the FMF and the UN continue to hire them only because they need them.

Now that he's done destroying the good reputation of the FMF, Bai has assumed actual power of the country and begun his campaign to destroy the good reputation of our beloved Fiji Islands.

He has isolated Fiji from the rest of the world and is now destroying all the institutions and values that we hold dear.

All under the guise of "cleaning-up" up non-existent corruption.

Will someone please put this madman down!

Army Outbursts

Ever since 5/12, Bai and his cronies in the army have been making some really wild statements in the media.

Bai has personally threatened and insulted journalists, politicians, chiefs, foreign diplomats, foreign ministers and even foreign prime ministers.

Driti has directly insulted and threatened the ambassadors, and by extension the governments, of the United States of America, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

Bai has called the NZ Prime Minister and Foreign Minister liars and has barred them, and the Prime Minister of Australia entry into Fiji.

Bai has called the members of the Great Council Chiefs a bunch of drunkards who need to go and sit and drink home brew under a mango tree.

These outbursts are almost always a knee-jerk reaction to sensationalised media reports. They are always arrogant, aggressive and unjustified.

Bai and Driti have explained that their outbursts are the result of pure frustration at the "war of words" being waged against them by journalists, NGOs, foreign governments and organisations.

Personally, I think they are frustrated because they are only now just realising that they really don't know much about what it takes to run a country. It was always easier for them to criticise the government from the outside, but its a whole lot different when you're in the drivers seat.

Perhaps then, they should now admit that they have neither the experience, diplomacy or patience to run a country like Fiji.

As Sitiveni Livani aptly stated in his letter to the editor today (FT 19/04/07):-

At the end of the day soldiers are trained in the use of weapons, diplomats are trained in the use of words.

Mahen's True Agenda - The Root Cause of Our Problems

Mahendra Chaudhary's personal goal is to weaken Fiji's reliance on the tourism industry.

How does he intend to do this?

Well, he convinces the interim PM (who is really too stupid to know any better) that hotel developers are making millions of dollars in profit and only a small part of this is being realised by the Fiji government.

He and Pramesh Chand then hoodwink Bai into agreeing to implement policies that they say are aimed at recovering some of this wealth from the hotel developers.

Bai of course sees the wisdom in this because if theres one thing he knows, its that his Government's coffers are empty.

What Bai, in his unfathomable ignorance, does not realise is that the policies suggested by Mahen and Pramesh are in fact aimed at scaring away potential hotel developers.

Once Bai agrees, Mahen and Pramesh implement their policies through the Finance Ministry and FIRCA. Sometimes, more direct action is taken, like when Mahen used his boys Felix and Urai to do the dirty work at Natadola.

But what is the purpose of this exercise, you might ask?

In short, Mahen and Pramesh want to implement a policy of Indianisation in Fiji.

Mahen is not being racist, although he will gladly play the race card if it suits him.

He is just being a politician, and a very shrewd one at that.

What he really wants is to revive Fiji's dependence on sugar.

Why? Because 98 percent of sugarcane growers in Fiji are Indians.

Their grievances (ranging from expiring leases to expiring sugar protocols) will always be a source of employment for a fighter like Mahen.

In other words, in order to keep his job, Mahen needs Fiji to rely more on sugar and less on tourism.

If Fiji diversifies, like everyone is saying it should, then Mahen will lose control of his electoral powerbase (the sugarcane belts) and will have to return to being a Trade Unionist, if they'll have him back.

Long term, Mahen is not doing this for himself. Afterall, he is getting by in years.

He is doing it for his son and heir apparent, Rajendra Chaudhary.

So you see, Mahen has hoodwinked us all.

He has whispered sweet nothing into Bai's ears, and Bai, whether by some misplaced sense of patriotism or just pure lunacy (or greed), has believed Mahen and allowed the Ministry of Finance to spearhead the destruction of Fiji's only money making industry - tourism. An industry where it is the indigenous Fijians, who for once, reap the benefits.

When the dust finally settles, Fiji will find itself without tourism as a major money earner. And, now that Gold is in doubt, we will have no choice but to turn once again to sugar, just as Mahen and Pramesh had planned it.

When that happens the good old days of Indian dominance in national politics will return in full force.

Whenever Mahen wants something done, the sugarcane growers will hold the national economy to ransom by threatening to go on strike.

When this finally happens, Bai, Epeli Ganilau, Leweni and Roko Lui and other key military officers will be left scratching their heads wondering what the hell just happened?

They will of course all have their 12 pieces of sliver in their pockets because that was their goal.

But they will never fully appreciate just how Mahen was able use their greed to hijack the country and how he used Fijian soldiers to overthrow a Fijian Government to do it.

Bai and his greedy bunch must be ruing the day when FMF soldiers finally realise what it really means to continue to follow the orders of these self-serving military leaders.

In the short term, it will mean new 4x4s and big houses for the pro-Bai officers and small pay increases and promotions for the rank and file.

It will mean the dawn of a new age for Fiji where we are completely reliant on sugar (ie. Mahen's goodwill) for our very survival.

It will mean the destruction of the GCC and all the traditional values we, as Fijians, hold dear.

And most of all, it will mean our slow but sure demise, spiritually, culturally and economically.

Non-Transparency International Fiji?

Hari Pal Singh is a well known businessman in Fiji.

In his spare time, he is also one of those sneaky bastards deeply involved in the planning and implementation of 5/12. Yes, one of those "shadowy figures" former Police Commissioner Andrew Hughes was always talking about.

What is most disturbing about this revelation is that Hari Pal Singh is also the current Chairman of Transparency International Fiji.

TI Fiji's vision is:-

A Fiji that is free of corruption and with a strong and sustainable National Integrity Sysytem.

Its mission is:-

To eradicate corruption in Fiji by mobilising stakeholders to promote and strengthen Fiji's National Integrity System.

Admiral statements indeed.

But, very hollow when you consider that the Board of TI Fiji is actually chaired by a person widely known to be one of Bai's greatest supporters.

Its no wonder TI Fiji hasn't made any public condemnations about the deteriorating integrity of the IG, nationally and internationally.

There have been no condemnations about the growing nepotism in the IG.

There has not even been a single comment from TI Fiji about the so called Army Complaints Centre, which is quickly turning into a cesspool of corruption.

My sources say that officially, TI Fiji does not want to get involved in Fiji politics.

Imagine that! An NGO and political pressure group now conveniently choosing to be apolitical.

We don't have to be part of TI Fiji to know that "transparency" is about the eradication by public exposure of dishonest and shady actions and decisions by self-serving government officials and public figures hell-bent on enriching themselves.

TI Fiji's own Mission Statement necessitates their involvement in Fiji's politics.

It is an unavoidable fact that to achieve their purpose, TI Fiji must speak up publicly against the self-serving decisions of Bai and his IG.

Afterall, TI Fiji certainly wasn't shy about taking sides when it was criticizing the SDL government for their controversial Qoliqoli and RTUC Bills. Or was that done only serve the personal interests of its Chairman, ie. sucking up to Bai.

Why the silence now?

Why has there been no condemnation of recent appointments of Bai's family, friends, colleagues and supporters (including Hari Pal Singh himself who was recently confirmed Rewa Rice Chairman as a reward for his continuing support for Bai and the IG) .

Hari Pal Singh's close association with Pramesh Chand (one of the biggest benefactors of the coup and known 5/12 plotter) should also be looked into.

By continuing to retain its self-serving Chairman, TI Fiji is quickly losing all credibility as Fiji's watchdog against corruption.

Reliable sources have confirmed this is exactly why Richard Naidu resigned in disgust from TI Fiji.

Hari Pal Singh should do the right thing and resign as Chairman. And, if he doesn't and if the remaining directors do nothing, TI Fiji will lose what little credibility it has left.

Sayed Khaiyum's Girlfriend Favours?

Reliable sources have confirmed that while interim AG, Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum, was Colonial's General Manager Legal, his girlfriend was (upon his recommendation) appointed to the position of Manager Legal (ie. his immediate sub-boss), even though she is not a qualified lawyer.

Late last week, the Girlfriend resigned from Colonial to join none other than the newly established Anti-Corruption Unit, again on Khaiyum's recommendation.

Perhaps, Khaiyum just wants his girl close to him. I don't know.

My sources say that as she was leaving, she wanted to take several Colonial files with her.

Her bosses thought she was overstepping her mark and aptly refused telling her to piss off because the files were company property - and they were right!

My source then tells me that a short time later, two military trucks arrived at Colonial's HQ and armed soldiers stormed the premises and demanded the release of the files.

Needless to say, the poor Colonial staff could do nothing as the soldiers ransacked the place and removed the files.

I am now begining to wonder if Fiji's Anti-Corruption Unit is actually the interim IG's New Gestapo Unit.

They certainly are acting like it!

Under normal times, abuse of power like this would have attracted a corruption investigation. But now that it is being done by the same people charged with weeding out and ending corruption, it seems more and more like we've just given the keys to the hen house to the foxes!

Rt Epeli Bankrupt?

Reliable sources have confirmed that the only reason why Rt Epeli Ganilau was sworn in after the other interim cabinet ministers is because he had a Bankruptcy Case to deal with.

It seems that Rt Epeli was very eager to join the ranks of the interim regime (now looking more like a "permanent" administration) because he badly needed the money.

However, he couldn't make the swearing in because the Bankruptcy Case was still pending.

Fortunately for him, an Indian businessman and big supporter of 5/12 paid off his debts on the day of swearing in thus paving the way for one the greatest idiots of time to take office!

But it seems this is not the end of the story.

It is widely known that Rt Epeli owes a lot more people alot more money, even his Bankers are reportedly frustrated at the way he sidesteps his responsibities.

Reliable sources have now confirmed that Rt Epeli Ganilau is the only cabinet minister, ever, to demand "cash payment" of his fortnightly salary from Government.

It seems the incumbant Fijian Affairs Minister is worried that the people he owes money to may try to take his pay if it should be paid directly into his Westpac Bank Account.

Please Epeli Ganilau, if you can't pay your debts don't borrow the money!

The Heat Is On

Reliable sources have confirmed that Mahen and Bune are openly bickering at the cabinet meetings of the interim IG.

No effort is made to hide their disgust for one another and this is causing some concern for the remaining members of the interim cabinet.

Chief amongst their concerns is what will happen when Bai gives up his PMship and returns to the camp.

All indications are that neither Mahen or Bai will accept being deputy to the other.

Mahen was particularly peeved when Bune got the Public Enterprise portfolio.

Bune seems to like rubbing his small victories in Mahen's face.

In short, all is not well on the western front!

Conflicting Interests

I have recently been informed that Roko Lui is a shareholder in Niranjan.

If this is true (and it is very easy to confirm), it means that Roko Lui's involvement in the decision by the military and interim IG to rent so many vehicles from Niranjan has the makings of a scandal to rival the agriculture scam.

How much money does Niranjan stand to make from governmental and military rentals of the vehicles. Some estimates say it may well run itno the millions.

How much of this will be paid as dividends to Roko Lui?

How much went into Bai's pocket?

The corruption continues.

More to come once these reports are verified.

Interim AG

A reliable source from Colonial has confirmed that interim Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum was on the verge of being sacked for incompetence at the time he decided to accept the "call for national service".

This goes a long way to explaining why the guy appears so incompetent as AG.

This also explains why he insists on surrounding himself with expat and army lawyers to advise him on matters an AG is already supposed to know.

And what exactly do these expat and army lawyers know about running a country?

Its no wonder the quality of Bai's legal advice is so bad.

Well Bai. You chose him. At least now you can say... sa baleti au ga!.

GCC Suspension - Wheres the Law Society?

Bai's decision to suspend further meetings of the GCC may be his most stupid one yet.

It begs the question who the hell is advising him?

Could it be that the advice is coming from the two NZ expat lawyers consulting the interim AG? Why are they here?

Why hasn't the Fiji Law Society done anything about this.

Bai's decision to suspend the GCC because it did not endorse his, ahh sorry the President's nomination for VP is wrong, morally and legally.

Furthermore, his announcement that the President will now go ahead and appoint the VP without GCC endorsement is contrary to the provisions of section 92(1) of the Contitution.

Section 92(1) states:-

92(1) If the office of Vice-President becomes vacant, the President nominates for Vice-President another person who is eligible to become Vice-President and that person becomes Vice-President if the nomination is supported by the Bose Levu Vakaturaga.

Clearly, if a VP is chosen without GCC endorsement, it will be a breach of section 92(1). I don't have to be a lawyer to see this.

Who then is going to take Bai to task.

I always thought that the FLS was our last hope - the guradians of the law in Fiji.

Didn't their member take an oath to uphold the law (and isn't the Constitution the highest form of law in Fiji)?

The actions (or rather inaction) of the FLS in these difficult and trying times will define the way society views lawyers for many years to come. Moreover, it will define how lawyers will view themselves.

If they do nothing, the FLS and its members will be regarded for all time as the ones who dropped the ball and let the legal system breakdown.

The Courts cannot initiate the challenges.

It is up to the members of the legal fraternity to do this.

The people of Fiji are relying on you lawyers.

It is time for lawyers to stop taking from society and perform their civic duty.

Certain members of the legal fraternity like Tupou Draunidalo, Richard Naidu and Tevita Fa are doing their bit and giving us hope that this illegal regime will be held accountable for their unlawful actions.

They may not all be SDL supporters, but they are all true guardians of the law.

I remember a time when the FLS was very vocal and even prepared to go to Court to challenge some of the SDL's more contraversial legislative initiatives.

But now, their silence is deafening.

Bai is ripping the Constitution to shreds and turing Fiji into his own personal dictatorship and the FLS is sitting there and doing nothing.

Please Mr Devanesh Sharma:-

(1) write to your NZ counterpart and enquire why they have two members assisting an illegal regime here in Fiji;

(2) take out an action to challenge the legality of the takeover;

(3) offer to sue the interim regime on behalf of the GCC.

Do something. Do anything.

Just don't sit there in silence and hope no one will notice.

Correction on Driti

Driti has not resigned as earlier posted on this blog.

The error is regretted.

It has been reported on Fiji Live that Driti addressed the contingent of Fiji soldiers leaving for Iraq on 23 April.

He then made a statement that the ambassadors of USA, UK and Australia tried to get him to overthrow Bai shortly before the coup.

Driti then threatened to close the embassies of Australia and New Zealand if should "ever come in to power someday".

He said maybe he should have this as his goal and he hopes the governments of Australia and New Zealand are listening.

Does this mean Driti has designs on the Commander's job?

No wonder Bai is having difficulty sleeping at night.

Bai Bewildered?

The comments by Bai on Fiji Times Online today are a real gem.

Bai said that he was "bewildered" by the GCC decision to reject the President's nomination for Vice President.

Initially, I was myself bewildered that Bai used the word "bewildered".

I'm sure he said it.

I'm not so sure he can pronounce it.

I'm absolutley sure he can't spell it.

But he seems to know what it means, so... we'll let it go.

Then, we ask ourself, should Bai really be "bewildered" that the GCC rejected his, ahh sorry the President's nomination.

A few short months ago, Bai was renouncing the GCC saying:-

"If the GCC committee and their advisers cannot meet the military's demands, then they should meet under a mango tree and enjoy home brew."

Now he is saying Rt Epeli is being unfairly:-

"penalised and crucified for having responded to a genuine call of national service"

Come on Frankie, thats a load of crap and you know it!

We just had a general election. We already chose those who we wanted for national service and it did not include Epeli Nailatikau, Epeli Ganilau, Bernadett Ganilau or any other Nailatikaus or Ganilaus or other candidates from the National Alliance Party of Fiji.

But some how they all seem to have found their way into your lineup!

You self-serving bunch of hyprocrites!

Bai, I can only hope that one day your soldiers will wise up to the fact that you are using them to advance your own personal agenda.

And just when I thought you couldn't get any dumber, you go and make a comment like this:-

''We need to rise above our narrow personal agrendas and make decisions for the greater good of the country as a whole.''

I rest my case.

GCC Rejects Nomination

Yesterday, the GCC rejected the nomination by the President of a new Vice President.

The President had nominated current interim Foreign Minister, Rt Epeli Nailatikau.

The relevant law which governs the nomination/appointment of a new Vice President is section 92(1) of the 1998 Fiji Constitution.

That section provides:-

92(1) If the Office of the Vice President becomes vacant, the President nominates for Vice President another person who is eligible to become Vice President and that person becomes Vice President if the nomination is supported by the Bose Levu Vakaturaga.

It is clear a Vice President cannot be appointed without the endorsement or support of the BLV.

What is not clear is why the BLV rejected the nomination.

There are strong indications that the Chiefs of Kubuna and Burebasaga felt strongly that Rt Epeli was not an "eligible" candidate.

It is said that Rt Epeli was considered ineligible because he had accepted a position in the "illegal interim regime".

He was also considered ineligible because it is widely known amongst the Chiefs (and common people alike) that, despite his denials, Rt Epeli Nailatikau together with Rt Epeli Ganilau, Adi Koila Mara and a few other self-serving leaders, were behind the December 5 Coup which ousted the democratically elected SDL government only a few short months after its landslide victory at the polls.

A victory made possible by overwhelming support (approximately 95%) of indigenous Fijians.

It is also common knowledge that the military and Rt Epeli Ganilau are behind the President's nomination.

Yesterday's rejection by the Chiefs of Kubuna and Burebasaga is therefore an unprecedented slap in the face for the military and is by far its most humilating defeat todate.

It is also a clear indication of the shifting loyalties within the Matanitu Tovata. Perhaps if the Tui Cakau were allowed to attend the GCC meeting, the opposition to the nomination would have been unanimous.

I have no doubt that the Chiefs of Kubuna and Burebasaga intended no disrespect whatsoever to His Excellency The President. But, we can all be sure that the underlying message from the GCC is as clear as day.

The GCC supports the President but does not appreciate or condone the military's involvement in the President's decisions. The interim regime is illegal and its decisions are by extension also illegal. Particupation in the interim regime is strongly discouraged.

The President's Office is now out of legal options.

The two NZ consultants working for the interim AG must be racking their brains trying to find a way to push forward the nomination anyway.

Rt Epeli Ganilau has even suggested "throwing out" troublesome chiefs then having the BLV reconsider the nomination.

But the reality is the President must now make another nomination.

For the sake of our country, this time please choose wisely.

P Driti Resignation?

There are strong rumours out there that P Driti has resigned from the Military following a series of very vocal and sometimes physical disagreements with Frank B at Delainabua over some of his (and his IG's) recent policies and appointments.

Rumours are that P Driti is unhappy that the boys in "white" are benefiting from this coup more than the boys in "green".

Some say P Driti wants an equal share of the spoils of war between green and white.

Other rumours seem to suggest that P Driti is pissed off with Frank B's recent policy initiatives and thinks he is being controlled and manipulated by Mahen and Parmesh Chand.

According to rumours, P Driti believes both men have a concealed personal and policital agenda quite different from the Military's (purported) objectives.

Rumours are also circulating that late last week the military had set up strategic road blocks around Suva because they were looking for P Driti, who apparently had pulled out his weapon in the heat of an arguement with Frank B late last week.

There are also strong rumours that Roko Lui is miffed at being passed over for VP in favour of Rt Epeli Nailatikau and is throwing a tantrum at Delainabua to express his disappointment.

It appears then that all is not well within the officers ranks at Delainabua.

Perhaps a change in leadership is now warranted?

Fiji Sevens Win

Congratulations to Serevi and the boys on their incredible win against a strong Samoa side in Adelaide on Sunday evening.

Fiji salutes you all and we thank you for giving us some hope and happiness especially during these difficult times in our country's history.

Lets hope Frank B (or his puppet IG) will be gracious enough not try to "coup" the credit for the hard-earned victory from the boys.

The boys worked hard for it.

They deserved it.

Bainimarama v United States of America

It never ceases to amaze me just how stupid our interim PM Army Commander Frank Bainimarama can be.

This is exactly the reason why we need to vote in our leaders.

Our leaders need to go through the usual selection process so that we can weed out the intelligent ones from the "blockheads".

Threatening the US Ambassador, and by extension the US Government, is childish and best and at worst, most dangerous.

Fortunatley for us, the Amercians are sensible enough to recognise these thinly veiled threats for what they really are - the desparate ramblings of a madman whose feelings have been injured because he was refused a visa!

How much more petty and immature can the Commander be!

A good leader would not put his men in harms way just because his bloated ego has been cut down to size.

A good leader would swallow his pride and express respect but regret for the decision taken by the Americans.

The US afterall is a soveriegn country and they can deny entry to anyone they damn well please.

Frank B must remember that in the end, we all reap what we sow ("sa baleti au ga")

He is continuing to show his true colours and is exhibiting none of the qualities of true leader.

The selfish little boy from Raiwaqa is leaving no doubt in people's minds that he does not have the patience, intelligence, diplomacy or experience to run our beloved country.

Please Frank B, go back to the barracks... and stay there!

Barking Dogs Seldom Bite

I was reading with interest the vitriolic comments made by so called "coup-supporters" obviously opposed to the contrary views of pro-democracy bloggers.

At the heart of the diatribe by these morons was the allegation that such pro-democracy bloggers were "dogs" ie. cowards. Cowards who criticized the military and the IG under the anonymity of blogs.

These comments got me thinking. Are we really cowards for setting up anonymous blogs and websites to express our adverse views against the military and the IG?

Why not express our views openly under our true identities?

The reason is simple.

When you speak out in Fiji, you are either beaten up or you are threatened with personal violence or even death, or both. And, when you are threatened, the threats of personal violence do not end with you, they extend to your families and loved ones.

People like me who feel strongly about the restoration of democracy in Fiji fear losing control of our beloved country of to an uneducated idiot like Bainimarama far far more than we fear personal harm to ourselves. However, when it comes to our families and loved ones, we have reason to pause because we are not sure whether we want them to suffer for our beliefs.

No, we are not cowards. We would gladly knuckle up with any soldier who comes our way with but his bare fists. But they don't come with just their bare fists do they? No. They come armed to the teeth (helmets and all)!

Clearly then, the military believes and therefore behaves as if we are at War!

It is unfortunate that the language of War seems to be the only language that the military are conversant in these days. But at the end of the day, whether we like it or not, we are, for lack of a better word, at War!

And who are the participants of this War?

Our supporters, the silent majority, now number in excess of 500,000. How do I know? Because the election results in favour of the deposed SDL government is absolute of proof of this.

The opposition. The military numbers about 3,000.

We fight with words. They fight with guns and bullets.

This means they can harm us physically, maybe even permanently. They might even try to kill us. But we represent FREEDOM. And freedom is an idea. It cannot be killed. It transcends and lives through us.

The army is no doubt aware that the "silent majority" is simmering at the continued unlawful actions by the military. The unwarranted killings. The unjustified removals of key personnel for key ministries and government statutory bodies. The continuous censorship of media and personal freedoms. The imposition of unjustified pay cuts and retirement age limits. The destruction of the tourism industry. The rise in nepotism and corruption. The appointment of failed politicians to replace proven ones. And the list goes on.

Some in Fiji don't want to rock the boat. They sit on the fence. They are happy to do nothing. They become complacent. They accept what happens around them and say "it doesn't concern me" until one day, it happens to someone they love or care about.

Others say that they are happy so long as they are not being hassled or imprisoned by the military.

I say such happiness is the most insidious prison of all.

Some of you have wives. Some of you have families. All of you have lives.

Consider each of them as you ask yourself this question, are they a part of the past, or are they a part of the future? If they are a part of the future then they, as you, must play your role in shaping the future of our beloved country.

You must stand up for your beliefs and be counted.

Freedom, after all is not free. It has price. It must be earned.

And finally to the proponents of 2006 coup, remember barking dogs seldom bite... but do you really want to take the chance!

God Bless Fiji.

Idiot of the Year Award

I know it may seem a little too early in the year to be handing out the IDIOT OF THE YEAR AWARD but I can't help it. We have so many potential winners out there…

…and the Nominees are:-

(1) FRANK B for promoting family values almost as much as he promotes family members.

Memorable quotes include:-

"This Army will protect the rights of all citizens of Fiji" (said just before they began a campaign of terror against the good citizens of Fiji);

"No one in the Army will benefit from this coup" (said just before he appointed himself Interim President and then Interim PM);

"My aim is to end corruption" (said just before he appointed his brother Timoci B as Census Commissioner).

(2) LEWENI (IG spin doctor and former military bandboy) for continuing to publicly comment on matters he has absolutely no knowledge on. Fiji's own Comical Ali.

Memorable quotes include:-

"We haven't really interfered with the media. All we have done with the media is getting them to report the truth."

"Human rights abuses in Fiji were relatively minor and international sanctions imposed after the recent coup have had little impact."

(3) SAYED KHAIYUM for making just about everyone else in the IG look like rocket scientists.

(4) COL. DRITI for being the IG's resident sadomasochist. Note however that rumours of his recent catfight with Frank B has upped his cool ratio with the general public, but not by that much.

(5) SHAISTA SHAMEEM for being the shyster that she is.

The ballots are in and the Winner is...