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Tabuya 'An Ideal Minister For Information' Fiji's PM Says
Margot Staunton, Senior Journalist
Fiji's Prime Minister is set to restore a backbencher to cabinet after she appeared in a private video dancing naked.
Sitiveni Rabuka told the Fiji Sun that he believed MP Lynda Tabuya would make an ideal Minister for Information.
"That is a suitable portfolio for her with her personality and her accessibility to the press and the media people," Rabuka said.
"I have indicated that she can be back in Cabinet, " Rabuka said, but did not specify whether her addition would prompt a Cabinet reshuffle.
Tabuya made a Matanigasau or traditional apology to the Government on Wednesday, saying she had brought disrepute to Parliament, the Government and the people of Fiji.
A statement on the Fiji Government's facebook page said:
"In the presentation of her matanigasau to Government, Tabuya apologised for her actions.
"She stated that the only way to move forward is for one to learn from one's mistakes and continue to contribute in what she can offer to the people of Fiji."
"Ratu Apakuki Nanovo, a Turaga ni Vanua o' Nacolase, Tavuki presented the Matanigasau on behalf of Tabuya and the Chiefs of Kadavu, saying they wished to apologise on behalf of a daughter of Kadavu who had wronged the Government".
Rabuka dumped the former Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection 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 Philip 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.
The People's Alliance Party decided not to expel Tabuya last month, "in the spirit of second chances."
'Sick and tired'
A former Fiji Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry declined to comment except to say;
"I'm sick and tired of Lynda Tabuya, I'm sick and tired of Sitiveni Rabuka and I'm sick of how this country is being run."
Chaudhry, who heads the Fiji Labour Party, had welcomed Tabuya's dismissal from Cabinet and believed she should have been expelled from the People's Alliance Party.
On the FLP'S Facebook page, he said:
"Prime Minister Rabuka would have saved his government and PAP a lot of embarrassment and ridicule had he acted on similar reports of Tabuya's indiscretions earlier."
"If the MPs themselves have any respect for the sanctity and decorum of Parliament , they should have her referred immediately to the Parliamentary Privileges Committee for the expulsion from the House.
"It is also a matter which should be separately investigated by the Police for drug and pornography offences."
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