Stop Abuse of Traditional Practices for Political Gain:FLP

The Fiji Labour Party (FLP) has criticized Lynda Tabuya’s use of the matanigasau (traditional apology) to seek reinstatement in government, calling it an insult to i-Taukei culture.

FLP assistant secretary-general Taina Rokotabua said Tabuya’s decision to involve her chief and the Vanua of Nacolase in presenting the apology to the Fiji Government was a blatant disregard for traditional protocols.

“Did Lynda Tabuya present her matanigasau to her family, tokatoka, mataqali, and yavusa before dragging her Chief, the Vanua of Nacolase, and both the Burebasaga and Tovata confederacies to do her dirty job for her, just so she can be reinstated as Minister?” Rokotabua said.

She accused Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and the People’s Alliance Party (PAP) of setting a dangerous precedent by blending i-Taukei culture with politics for their own agenda.

“It now seems like the traditional ceremony of the matanigasau is being enacted as a part of PAP’s disciplinary process,” she said.

Rokotabua added that proper standards of political accountability should have been followed.

“The normal rules of good conduct should have been followed, and Lynda Tabuya fired after confirmation that she had made the nude video which was later leaked on social media.”

She warned that traditional reconciliation protocols should not be misused for political survival and personal gain.