Lenora Qereqeretabua will go down in the annals of Fijian parliamentary democracy as the first parliamentarian to utter such swear words in the debating chamber.

The National Federation Party MP unashamedly used parliamentary privilege to hit a new low by using iTaukei swear words that she claimed Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama used against her colleague Pio Tikoduadua.

She then made a poor attempt to translate them into English.

It was uncouth and unbecoming of a female member of Parliament to descend to the gutter level to say words that were simply vulgar and inappropriate for the august house.

It was designed to achieve a dramatic effect to her desperate bid to seek sympathy and support for Mr Tikoduadua.

Because of the vulgarity of the words in question this newspaper cannot publish them because to do so would put it in the same league as Ms Qereqeretabua.

They should not be used for any purpose at all, particularly for theatrics and cheap political gain.

She claimed she heard those words said. Does she have an audio recording to support her claims?

Dignity and decorum

Even if the words were accurately recorded, it was irresponsible and improper for her to repeat them on live television broadcast when the whole nation is watching and listening particularly families and the young people.

In Parliament, we hear a lot of talk about decorum, dignity and respect from both sides of the House.

Ms Qereqeretabua blew it to smithereens on Friday.

A point of order call should have been made from the Government side objecting to the quoting of the words in question and calling on her to withdraw those offending words from her statement.

Cultural no-no

She caught everyone by surprise including the people watching her.

They were shocked by her total lack of cultural sensitivity.

In the iTaukei culture it’s a no no to use swear words in a room full of family and relatives, especially brothers and sisters. It’s the same with other cultures also.

It may have reflected the background of her speech writer, but then again she would have read the speech before delivering it.

The fact is she should have known better.

CCTV camera

Ms Qereqeretabua has also used social media to attack Government over the alleged termination of a staff of the Parliament Secretariat over the release of a video footage.

She has cursed the Government members with families.

The fact is they had nothing to do with it.

Secretary-General Viniana Namosimalua had interviewed the staff who admitted releasing the video. It was shot using the official camera of Parliament.

The video was not from Parliament official CCTV camera.

It must also be remembered that any video footage can be edited or doctored to suit a specific agenda.

What is of great concern is the extent in which she had gone to discredit Mr Bainimarama and his Government.

Cursing them is a sign of deep bitterness and desperation.

Edited by Epineri Vula

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