Controversial, profanity-laden remarks made by the head of the Fijian Teachers Association (FTA) while defending Indigenous chiefs and threatening to “roast” critics in earth ovens have sparked a major political storm.
On Monday, FTA general-secretary Paula Manumanunitoga made a Facebook post weighing in on the constitutional reform debate currently dominating the country.
It comes as Fijians prepare to mark their 56th Independence Anniversary on Saturday.
Manumanunitoga specifically challenged those who he believed questioned the place and role of iTaukei chiefs in the governance of Fiji.
“Saying they do not have a place in the administration of this country, didn’t anyone tell you how and why you’re here in this country instead of your original country?,” he wrote in all capital letters in the post.
“How quickly you have forgotten how you have come to exist here in Fiji? You and your kind are here because of the decision our chiefs made to cede Fiji to Queen Victoria of Great Britain in October 1874.
“So shut the [expletive] up and mind your own business before we catch you and roast you in earth ovens !!!! You’re free to go anywhere, do whatever business you like but do not be disrespectful to belittle our chiefs or become thick-headed by whatever you’ve achieved in this country.”
Paula Manumanunitoga made a Facebook post threatening non-indigenous people in Fiji of roasting them in earth ovens for questioning the place and role of iTaukei chiefs in the governance of Fiji.
Screengrab / Facebook/Paula Manumanunitoga
His post, which is public, remains online and has attracted widespread criticism from political figures and the public.
Major political leaders have condemned Manumanunitoga’s remarks, calling them “disgraceful”, “disturbing” and “racially divisive”.
The Fijian government has remained silent on Manumanunitoga’s comments with no statements made by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka or his Information Minister Lynda Tabuya, who is usually vocal against harmful and divisive digital communications.
However, Fiji’s Women and Children’s Minister Shashi Kiran has called for his resignation, to which Manumanunitoga has also hit back, saying Kiran had not released any statements when “they were swearing at our chiefs”.
Fiji’s parliamentary opposition leader Inia Seruiratu and the National Federation Party leader Biman Prasad have both called for Fiji Police to investigate his statements.
Seruiratu wants police to determine whether Manumanunitoga has committed any offences under Fiji’s laws relating to threats, incitement to violence and communal antagonism.
“No individual, regardless of their position, ethnicity or standing in society, should be above the law,” he said.
Social Democratic Liberal Party (Sodelpa) leader Aseri Radrodro said while Manumanunitoga is entitled to his views “freedom of expression must be exercised with responsibility, maturity, and respect”.
“There comes a time when we must draw a clear line between standing up for our traditional leaders and resorting to hostility, vulgarity, and explicit threats against our fellow citizens,” Radrodro said.
He warned that such rhetoric risks creating deep ethnic divisions among Fijians.
“Our chiefs are integral to our history, identity, and the fabric of our nation, and they should not be subjected to personal attacks or contempt. However, defending our chiefs does not require threatening others or telling our fellow citizens to ‘shut up’ and leave.”
Manumanunitoga issues public apology
Manumanunitoga has now issued a public apology for his remarks and is claiming that he is being wrongly labelled a racist.
Soon after RNZ Pacific published this story around midday on Friday, he issued an apology to the Indo-Fijian community and anyone else who he said may have been offended by his comments.
“This post was purely done in retaliation to racist remarks that was addressed to Fiji’s chiefs posted on various Facebook posts and comments by some Indo-Fijians who I particularly addressed my comments to,” he wrote.
He said the alleged negative comments was a “direct insult” to the iTaukei community.
“And no one dared to address it, not even the very people who are now calling me ra racist nor government officials or parliamentarians.”
However, he said he had many friends and colleagues who are Fijians of Indian descent “who we share many good times together and help each other in times of need”.
“I normally get along with people of different races but for me personally I cannot take negative racism and remarks lying down.
“Please accept my sincere apology. Please forgive me If I may have offended you in any way,” he wrote on Facebook in all capital letters.
