Sitiveni Rabuka and Lynda Tabuya (file image). Photo: Facebook / Lynda Tabuya
Fiji's Prime Minister has made another u-turn over disgraced backbencher Lynda Tabuya and promoted her to the role of Information Minister.
In December, Sitiveni Rabuka dismissed Tabuya as the Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection after she appeared in an explicit private video dancing naked.
Four months ago, Rabuka told local media that it would be inappropriate to restore Tabuya to Cabinet.
In a statement on Monday, Rabuka announced that he is handing over his information portfolio to Tabuya.
"She is well-suited to spearhead the government's public relations machinery through the Ministry of Information." he said.
Tabuya is expected to be sworn in by President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu during a ceremony on Tuesday afternoon.
In March, Rabuka told the media he had decided against elevating her to the front bench.
"Why should she come back and go straight to the front bench," he said at the time, when asked whether she would be given another ministerial position.
Rabuka said that there were other members of parliament who had behaved and acted in acordance with Cabinet rules.
"They have followed the law and have not breached any of our conditions."
The Prime Minister said he would not remove any sitting Cabinet minister to accommodate her.
His comments came less than two weeks after he said Tabuya would make an ideal Information Minister.
Tabuya, who maintains she was the victim of gender-based cybercrime, had just made a Matanigasau, or traditional apology, to the government for her conduct.
In her apology, she admitted that she had brought disrepute to parliament, the government and the people of Fiji.
Several days later, Rabuka told the media that Tabuya would suit the Information portfolio, with her personality and accessibility to the press.
"I have indicated that she can be back in Cabinet." he said.
Rabuka dumped her from Cabinet last December after the explicit video went viral on Christmas Eve.
She remained an MP and claimed at the time that her cellphone was stolen and hacked. She maintained that the video was made for her ex-husband Robert Semaan.
Tabuya later lodged a complaint with the police cybercrime unit, who have identified two suspects involved in the leak.
She claimed in February that she would take legal action against the editor of Fijileaks, who she alleged leaked the video.
However, the London-based editor Victor Lal said he has not heard from Tabuya or her lawyers.
The ruling People's Alliance Party decided not to expel Tabuya from the party in February, "in the spirit of second chances."
The about face earlier this year prompted a former Fijian prime minister to call Rabuka "unfit to lead the country" and "frequently inconsistent."
Labour leader Mahendra Chaudhry said on the party's Facebook page: "Oi-lei Prime Minister, when are we going to rely on anything you say as the final word on any issue?"
"Is Rabuka merely forgetful or is he just plain fickle?" Chaudhry said.
