‘Is Rabuka forgetful or plain fickle?’: Chaudhry says Fiji PM ‘unfit to lead’

Margot
Staunton, Senior Journalist

A former
Fijian prime minister has called Sitiveni Rabuka “unfit to
lead the country” and “frequently
inconsistent”.

Labour leader Mahendra Chaudhry made
the comment after Rabuka did
a u-turn on restoring a backbencher to Cabinet who he
demoted after she appeared in a private
video dancing naked.

Rabuka told The Fiji Times
this week that it would be inappropriate for Lynda
Tabuya, the former minister for women, children and social
protection, to be reinstated to a ministerial
position.

Less than two weeks ago, he told Fijian
media that Tabuya would make an ideal minister for
information, after she made a Matanigasau, or traditional
apology, to the government.

Chaudhry told RNZ Pacific
that Rabuka’s lack of consistency on important issues is a
real concern.

“As the head of government, one would
expect him to be consistent. He lacks consistency and he has
done this many times on important issues,” he
said.

“Many people are questioning his ability to run
the government responsibly in such a situation when he keeps
changing his mind without giving reasons for
it.”

Chaudhry said on the FLP’s facebook page: “Oi-lei
Prime Minister, when are we going to rely on anything you
say as the final word on any issue?”

“Is Rabuka merely
forgetful or is he just plain fickle?”

Three days ago,
Rabuka told Fijian media that Tabuya would not be restored
to Cabinet.

“Why should she come back and go straight
to the front bench?” he said.

“There are other MPs who
have behaved and acted in accordance with Cabinet
rules.

“They have followed the law and have not
breached any of our conditions.”

Lynda
apologises

In her apology, Tabuya admitted that she
had brought disrepute to parliament, the government and the
people of Fiji.

Several days later, Rabuka told the
Fiji Sun that Tabuya would suit the Information
portfolio, with her personality and accessibility to the
press.

“I have indicated that she can be back in
Cabinet.” he said.

Rabuka dumped her from Cabinet last
December after the explicit video went viral on Christmas
Eve.

Tabuya, who remains an MP, claimed at the time
that the video was made for her ex-husband Robert Semaan,
and that her phone was stolen and hacked.

She later
lodged a complaint with the police cybercrime unit, who have
identified two suspects involved in the leak.

She said
last month she would take
legal action against the editor of Fijileaks, who she
alleged leaked the video.

The ruling People’s Alliance
Party decided not to expel Tabuya last month, “in the spirit
of second chances.”

RNZ Pacific has reached out
multiple times to Rabuka’s office for
comment.

© Scoop Media