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happening [that] much because the challenges that are National Unity (GNU) is basically “assimilating the FijiFirst
confronting us right now … when you think about climate independents” into the Coalition.
change, or the high debt problem that we have, they require “So instead of a GNU, it’s simply going to be a broader
perhaps a multi-faceted approach to leadership. [Instead], Coalition of the three parties, plus independents.”
what we have been seeing is perhaps more hero complex … There’s also the question of how that might impact present
that ‘I have the solution’.” Coalition arrangements.
Another factor is Fijian politics being based on a “client- “Unless the Coalition bond was too watertight” for any of
patron component where if you didn’t vote for a particular the changes to suddenly take place, roping in some of the
politician, you will be neglected”, says Catanasiga. independents “might cause instability” within the coalition
“We have forgotten that politics is about serving people, it’s because the National Federation Pary and SODELPA would now
not about serving our own interests. And that’s what saddens be aware “they are readily dispensable”.
us as NGOs as we look on and they [government] make Adjunct Professor in Development Studies and Governance
decisions without prioritising the needs of those who voted for at the University of the South Pacific, Vijay Naidu believes
them.” Rabuka would be in a “very advantaged position” if that
The growing public disquiet over a series of major botch ups happens because he can sever ties with SODELPA and “give
in the Coalition’s 18 months in power finally escalated into Radrodro the boot” for being a thorn in his side.
what was seen as a public vote of no-confidence with the pay Much of Rabuka’s first year in power in 2023 was marred
rise episode. by Radrodro’s repeated public defiance of the Prime Minister
No less than the government’s own Fiscal Review as Education Minister, until Rabuka replaced him citing
Committee (FRC) sounded the alarm bells this time around. insubordination.
In a letter to Prasad, FRC Chair Richard Naidu said that
government “will lose citizen’s support if they don’t work Shaping the future
effectively and productively in the nation’s interest”. Despite a steady series of fumbles in Rabuka’s leadership,
Naidu said the committee’s view, based on the broad public including the botched Cabinet reshuffle last year, Radrodro’s
sense “is that the government is not working to full capacity removal from the Education portfolio, then reinstatement,
or productively” and that the saga “was another dent in the alleged sex scandal between two Cabinet ministers, and
public confidence”. the latest salary increase fiasco, Rabuka remains unfazed
because his political survival is linked to the vanua, says
A surprise motion Ratuva.
When the Parliamentary Emoluments Committee submitted “The vanua connection is still a powerful force in the
its report to Parliament in April 2024, there was agreement background because it still gives Rabuka the provincial
between all three Coalition partners to put the report on the electoral support and political mana.”
backburner. Ratuva says it’s an “identity issue” with many indigenous
Hence, it was a surprise to some members when they were voters because a leader like Rabuka “enriches their
suddenly told on the morning of May 24 that the motion to ‘Taukeiness’”.
vote on the report’s recommendations was being brought Thus, Rabuka retaining Siromi Turaga in a separately
before the House. created portfolio as Minister for Justice (despite replacing him
The motion had not been tabled in that day’s Order Paper, as Attorney-General while blaming him for underperforming)
meaning Parliament had not been notified of the motion and Lynda Tabuya keeping her job as Minister for Women and
that week or even the day before, as is standard practice. Children despite being removed as Rabuka’s Deputy Party
Which meant that when it was moved the next day, it was an Leader because of an alleged sex and drug scandal, could be
extraordinary motion. attributed to keeping their provincial origins on-side.
One member of the special committee on emoluments said Nevertheless, bread and butter issues are now increasingly
if he had known there would be a push to vote for the report’s central to many iTaukei, says Ratuva.
recommendations, he would have never agreed to be on the “The increasing poverty, unemployment, drugs, poor health,
committee. lack of opportunity and social disillusionment are more potent
According to insiders, it was evident there was a faction issues than vanua links.”
within the Coalition that eventually pushed for the report While the timing of the Budget delivery may have helped
to be brought before the House for a vote – despite strong Rabuka negotiate one more self-inflicted disaster, the glaring
objections from other members. irony is that just as his first coup threw Fiji into more than
Chaired by Lynda Tabuya (People’s Alliance Party - PAP), the 30 years of political wilderness, the demise of FijiFirst may
emoluments committee included Ro Filipe Tuisawau (PAP), well turn out to be the true test of how Rabuka uses the
Aseri Radrodro (Social Democratic Liberal Party – SODELPA), opportunity to shape Fiji’s political landscape for a second
and Alvick Maharaj and Mosese Bulitavu of the then-FijiFirst. time.

A broad coalition - Reported by Joe Yaya
According to Ratuva, Rabuka’s idea of a Government of

12 Islands Business, June/July 2024