PM Rabuka open to Tabuya’s return

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is ‘open’ to have backbencher Lynda Tabuya reinstated as a Minister. Mr Rabuka made his intention known when he was door-stopped by this masthead outside the Parliament precincts yesterday.

He did not specify which portfolio she would lead. Mr Rabuka had removed Ms Tabuya from the Coalition Cabinet last December over an explicit video of her dancing surfacing on Christmas Eve. Ms Tabuya admitted to the authenticity of the video; she claimed the video was for her husband, Robert Semaan whom she divorced in 2016.

The reputational damage cast upon on the former Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection has been criticised by political commentators and government critics. Mr Rabuka said: “The time is right when she’ll make the approach to the party.”

“She’ll probably be making that approach later this week also,” he said. "After that (approach) the party will decide whether she will be reinstated or not.”

When approached yesterday, Ms Tabuya said: “I haven’t made that approach”. She declined to address questions on whether she will make the approach. 

Ms Tabuya formally retained her parliamentary seat last month following the conclusion of the disciplinary hearing by the People’s Alliance (PA) Party Legal and National Disciplinary Sub-Committee (LNDSC).

A press release stated that the party determined that the video was not intentionally published or released by Ms Tabuya and she did not intend to cause disrepute to the party. “However, the fact remains that public figures like parliamentarians should understand that their private lives will be subject to public scrutiny,” the release stated.

“As such, public figures and national leaders must always be mindful of this and take extra care to avoid such situations as what has happened in this case. She has expressed deep regret for what has taken place. She has apologised in writing to the Party and its members and has undertaken to safeguard against the repeat of such incidents. In the spirit of forgiveness, reconciliation and second chances, it has been agreed that Honourable Tabuya will remain an MP.”

In the 2022 General Elections, Ms Tabuya secured 11,965 votes – the fourth highest, trailing former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

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