PROFESSOR TO POLITICIAN:
*How could someone who spent all his academic career teaching university students how to prepare accounts (truthfully) fail to present honestly his own (and his wife's) income, assets, property, shares, and thousands of dollars in banks under the Political Parties Act 2013? Was he out to deceive the taxman? Or was he hiding them from Aiyaz Khaiyum?
*Shockingly, it went on for Ten years, Fiji, 10 YEARS.
Fijileaks spent the last three months scouring through his declarations.
*In his recent FBC TV interview, he arrogantly dismissed the allegations, claiming his lawyers have written to FICAC. Well, he was referring to the first batch of complaints against him in February: GGI and a few others.
**We tested the original complaint and found several more, including his role in the formation of Lotus (Fiji) and, more seriously, the possible evasion of thousands of dollars in Capital Gains Tax, that warrant an immediate investigation by the Director of the Criminal Investigations Department and Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FCRS),
*We will be handing our file on Lotus (Fiji) and CGT to the Fiji Police.
*We once again call on FICAC to charge him, and failing that, for the RFMF to invoke its powers in the Constitution of Fiji and remove him as Finance Minister and DPM.
*The Ministor for Finance maintains control over public spending, sets the direction of Fiji's economic policy and strives to achieve strong and sustainable economic growth.
*FCRS, currently under the control of his NZ buddy - doodwallah or soodoo- is empowered, among other duties, to catch TAX DODGERS.
Professor Biman Chand Prasad, NFP leader, CV
*After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and economics from the University of the South Pacific, he pursued a Masters of Commerce from the University of New South Wales and Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Queensland.
*Prasad became a lecturer at the University of the South Pacific in 1986. He was President of the USP staff Association from 1999 - 2006, head of the School of Economics from 2003 to 2007, and Professor of Economics and Dean of the faculty of Business and Economics from 2007 to 2011.
*He is Associate Editor of the Journal of Fijian Studies and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Pacific Studies. Professor Prasad has published several books and journal articles. He has done consultancy work for many regional and international agencies and governments in the South Pacific region.
*In April 2014, Prasad resigned as Professor of Economics from the University of the South Pacific to pursue a political career. He continues to hold Adjunct Professorships at the Griffith University, James Cook University and Punjabi University in Patiala, India.
Fijileaks: After we finish with his statutory declarations, we will reveal Biman Prasad, his wife and Ganesh Chand's role in Pacific Polytech.
Prasad has handed over $6million of taxpayers' money to PP.
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*Biman Prasad gave $200,000 of taxpayers' money to his wife and his chamcha Ganesh Chand, trustees of the Global Girmit Institute, to organise a two-day international girmit conference at USP, where his wife Rajni Chand is a lecturer.
*Did the Two Chands, Rajni and Ganesh, receive 'a corrupt benefit'?
*How can Prasad give money to an Institute when he does not admit its existence in his declarations? Under the Political Parties Act, he must disclose his wife's affiliations with any corporation or other organisation in Fiji or abroad held by her, Rajni Kaushal Chand.
*After Fijileaks had exposed his wife as a trustee of the GGI, Prasad went on the offensive, and deploying the LYING TRAITS that he used in his statutory declarations, claimed that his wife was a former GGI and that he declared to the Coalition Cabinet of his wife's link to GGI, who approved the $200,000.
*But where it mattered, legally, in the Political Parties Act, he never mentioned that his wife was a trustee, as required by law.
*Therefore, he should be charged under the Political Parties Parties Act.
*$60,000 LAND. Similarly, while as director of Lotus Tours and Transfers Ltd, he had put a plot of land in Matasawalevu to obtain a bank loan for the company. He never declared that he owned that plot of land worth $60,000 in his declarations.
*He should be charged for failing to disclose the $60,000 worth of land.
*He should be charged with failing to declare that his wife was (is) a TRUSTEE of the Global Girmit Institute. The two Chands and a third trustee, Hirdesh Sharma, should be considered for the charge of obtaining corrupt benefit, which is $200,000.
*In its '2016 Lotus Tours & Transfers Ltd Business Proposal', the company was seeking for refinance of existing debts and additional funding for purchase of fleet for operation of car rental business from HFC Bank. The total debt subsequent to successful refinance and additional funding sought was stated at $802,500.
*The total funding, the 'Business Proposal' claimed would be secured against the following securities to be pledged by the company and the Directors (Prasad, Chand and Kumar) as follows:
* 1st Registered Mortgage Debenture
*First Registered Mortgage over Residential Property comprised in Crown Lease 12167, being Lot 25 on SO 1878, situated at Bulai Rd, Laucala Beach Estate, Suva, with current market valuation of $400,000.
*First registered mortgage given by Biman Chand Prasad over residential property comprised in Certificate of Title 27032, being Lot 9 on DP 5799, situated at Matasawalevu, with current market valuation of $60,000.
*Biman Prasad did not declare this piece of land in his statutory declarations.
From Fijileaks Archive, 8 August 2024
*When did Biman Prasad wake up in bed and discover that his WIFE was a founding TRUSTEE of the Global Girmit Institute since 2017?
*Was it in May 2023 when he was caught out giving $200,000 to his wife and Ganesh Chand of the GGI during the Girmit celebrations? FICAC must act against Biman Prasad, read to him the Political Parties Act
*How can Prasad have handed $200,000 of public funds to his wife's Global Girmit Institute (when in his declarations to the Fiji Elections Office he doesn't mention her association with GGI) but later, when exposed by Fijileaks, he claimed that he had told the Coalition government Cabinet of his wife's link to GCI?
*If so, how come he had omitted to disclose to the Registrar of Political Parties in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023 that his wife was a trustee of the Global Girmit Institute?
*The GGI was de-registered in 2022 after it had failed to submit its accounts, but the trustees re-registered it in 2023.
*BIMAN PRASAD must be charged and fronted before the court.
*Our revelations regarding the falsehood and omissions in his statutory declarations from 2014 to 2024 and his controversial dealings as director of Lotus (Fiji) Ltd (50% share) are far more comprehensive and exhaustive with supportive documents, compared to the original complaint that was filed against him by a complainant (NOT us) in February 2024.
*When he went on FBC TV to rubbish the claims, he was talking about the original complaint filed against him on 12 February 2024.
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Deputy Prime Minister Professor Biman Prasad says his lawyers are handling the matter regarding Acting Deputy FICAC Commissioner Francis Puleiwai wanting to sanction charges against the MP. Puleiwai had earlier today written a letter to the Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga where it’s stated that FICAC is looking at laying charges against Prasad in relation to a complaint against him dealing with his asset, income and liabilities declaration. Prasad has told FBC News that his lawyers have already communicated with FICAC and rejected any basis of charges and then that he will not be making any further comments.
From Fijileaks Archive, 28 February 2024
Ms Ana Mataiciwa,
Acting Supervisor Fiji Elections,
Fiji Elections Office,
Suva, Fiji
12th February 2024.
Dear Ms Mataiciwa,
Re: Party Leader- Biman Prasad- False and Non Declaration under the Political Parties
Act 2014.
I am writing this letter to lodge an official complaint regarding one Biman Prasad who is the Party Leader of the National Federation Party which is currently in the Coalition Government.
I note that Biman Prasad has declared that his income being $188,000 per annum, however he failed to declare the FNFP contribution as it added on top of his salary under the Parliamentary Remuneration Act 2014, excluding his personal contribution as required by law (Attached as exhibit 1- Parliamentary Remuneration Act 2014). I state the following:
1. Under section 24 (1)(A) (B) (i) which stipulate one must declare total assets whether in Fiji or Abroad (including money and other property) in their possession or under their control. Therefore, I argue that FNPF contributions and any funds is considered personal property as one can have access to funds as stipulated in the withdrawal provisions of the fund being FNPF. Therefore, Biman Prasad should have declared his contributions and the amount held by FNPF. I note the case precedent used by Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum whereby in one of his previous declarations he declared his FNFP declarations. Therefore, the same must apply in this case.
2. I note that Biman Prasad failed to declare his travel allowances during his overseas travel and the amounts he received. That evidence is in office and can be verified upon your perusal of his declaration.
3. I noted that Biman Prasad failed to declare that he is the Governor of the Asian Development Bank in Fiji. As that position is not Gazette to him under the Parliamentary Remuneration Act 2014 it is thus separate to his Minister of Finance Post- which must be declared under section 24 (1) (ab) (iv) of the Political Parties Act where a person must declare any directorship or other office in a corporation or other organisation whether in Fiji or Abroad held by each of them. In support I attach exhibit 2- Asian Development Bank Documents stating that Biman Prasad is Governor of the Reserve Bank.
4. I note that Biman Prasad did not declare that his wife one Dr Rajni Chand is the trustee of the Global Girmit Institute and that it facilitated the funds of $200,000 given by the Coalition Government. The Not for Profit Organisation was re-registered in 2023, after it deregistered in February 2022 for failing to supply its financial statements as required under the laws of Fiji. The period of re-registration falls within the required period upon which Biman Prasad is required to declare in his 2023 Financial Declaration (Attached is exhibit 3- Global Institute Deed of Trust and
Registration Documents).
5. I note that Biman Prasad did not declare his connection to Ganesh Chand and Hirdesh Sharma whom are the registered Trustees of the Global Girmit Institute upon whom received $200,000 of Tax payers funds. This is a breach under section 24
(a) (b) (iii) of the Political Parties Act. I submit that no tender was called in relation to the event organisation.
6. I note that Biman Prasad declared that he owns 50 percent shares in Lotus Construction Pte Limited, however upon obtaining the registration documents and the Article of Association – it was established that Biman Prasad only has a 5 percent share in Louts Construction and not the 50 percent share he claims in his declaration (Attached as exhibit 4- Lotus Construction Pte Limited Registration Documents and the Article of Association). Fijileaks: Corrective. Our investigation reveal that Sunil Chand gifted Biman Prasad 5% shares in Lotus (Fiji) when they registered the company on 15 March 2014. The next year, Chand transferred 45% shares out of his 95%, making Prasad a 50% shareholder in Lotus (Fiji). Prasad did not reveal the identity of Lotus from 2014 to 2022 until he became Finance Minister. He revealed the identity in his 2023 statutory declaration.
6.2. The document was re-lodged in 2022 with the date of the Article of Association dated and signed in 2014 and upon which the re- registration occurred in 2022.
7. I note that one of the directors of Lotus Construction upon which Biman Prasad has shares in is Sunil Chand (Please refer to exhibit 4). Biman Prasad did not declare the business connection with Sunil Chand who has the same Lotus Construction company in Australia thus being a breach under section 24 (a) (b) (iii) of the Political Parties Act 2014 (Attached is exhibit 5- Louts [Lotus] Construction registration in Australia).
8. Biman Prasad’s spouse Dr Rajni Prasad [Chand] did not declare that she is Chairperson to Femlink Pacific (Please note she has held this position 2009 to date), therefore being a breach under 24 (1a) (d) of the Political Parties Act (Attached is exhibit 6- Femlink Document stipulating that Dr Rajni Prasad is the Chairman of the organisation). Dr Rajni Chand may/may not be receiving a salary from this post nonetheless it was a non-declaration.
9. I note that Biman Prasad and Dr Rajni Chand have not declared under section 24 (1) (a,b (iii) and 24 (1A) (c) of the Political Parties Act 2014 their business transaction to one Dr Ganesh Chand who is the co-trustee of the Global Girmit Institutre as previously mentioned. However, due to the business transaction the fact must be taken into account is that Biman Prasad allocated $1 million to Pacific Polytech whose Advisor is Dr Ganesh Chand. Please note that there was no tender process in line with the Laws of Fiji. Please note that Pacific Polytech has not submitted that their Audit reports as required. The funds was transferred in 2022 to Pacific Polytech.
I therefore submit this complaint for the breaches under the Political Parties Act 2014 upon which I understand that whilst some elements of this complaint cannot be handled by your office.
You must, therefore, refer the matter to FICAC under section 18 of the Political Parties Act.
*Complainant's name withheld by Fijileaks.
Acting Supervisor Fiji Elections,
Fiji Elections Office,
Suva, Fiji
12th February 2024.
Dear Ms Mataiciwa,
Re: Party Leader- Biman Prasad- False and Non Declaration under the Political Parties
Act 2014.
I am writing this letter to lodge an official complaint regarding one Biman Prasad who is the Party Leader of the National Federation Party which is currently in the Coalition Government.
I note that Biman Prasad has declared that his income being $188,000 per annum, however he failed to declare the FNFP contribution as it added on top of his salary under the Parliamentary Remuneration Act 2014, excluding his personal contribution as required by law (Attached as exhibit 1- Parliamentary Remuneration Act 2014). I state the following:
1. Under section 24 (1)(A) (B) (i) which stipulate one must declare total assets whether in Fiji or Abroad (including money and other property) in their possession or under their control. Therefore, I argue that FNPF contributions and any funds is considered personal property as one can have access to funds as stipulated in the withdrawal provisions of the fund being FNPF. Therefore, Biman Prasad should have declared his contributions and the amount held by FNPF. I note the case precedent used by Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum whereby in one of his previous declarations he declared his FNFP declarations. Therefore, the same must apply in this case.
2. I note that Biman Prasad failed to declare his travel allowances during his overseas travel and the amounts he received. That evidence is in office and can be verified upon your perusal of his declaration.
3. I noted that Biman Prasad failed to declare that he is the Governor of the Asian Development Bank in Fiji. As that position is not Gazette to him under the Parliamentary Remuneration Act 2014 it is thus separate to his Minister of Finance Post- which must be declared under section 24 (1) (ab) (iv) of the Political Parties Act where a person must declare any directorship or other office in a corporation or other organisation whether in Fiji or Abroad held by each of them. In support I attach exhibit 2- Asian Development Bank Documents stating that Biman Prasad is Governor of the Reserve Bank.
4. I note that Biman Prasad did not declare that his wife one Dr Rajni Chand is the trustee of the Global Girmit Institute and that it facilitated the funds of $200,000 given by the Coalition Government. The Not for Profit Organisation was re-registered in 2023, after it deregistered in February 2022 for failing to supply its financial statements as required under the laws of Fiji. The period of re-registration falls within the required period upon which Biman Prasad is required to declare in his 2023 Financial Declaration (Attached is exhibit 3- Global Institute Deed of Trust and
Registration Documents).
5. I note that Biman Prasad did not declare his connection to Ganesh Chand and Hirdesh Sharma whom are the registered Trustees of the Global Girmit Institute upon whom received $200,000 of Tax payers funds. This is a breach under section 24
(a) (b) (iii) of the Political Parties Act. I submit that no tender was called in relation to the event organisation.
6. I note that Biman Prasad declared that he owns 50 percent shares in Lotus Construction Pte Limited, however upon obtaining the registration documents and the Article of Association – it was established that Biman Prasad only has a 5 percent share in Louts Construction and not the 50 percent share he claims in his declaration (Attached as exhibit 4- Lotus Construction Pte Limited Registration Documents and the Article of Association). Fijileaks: Corrective. Our investigation reveal that Sunil Chand gifted Biman Prasad 5% shares in Lotus (Fiji) when they registered the company on 15 March 2014. The next year, Chand transferred 45% shares out of his 95%, making Prasad a 50% shareholder in Lotus (Fiji). Prasad did not reveal the identity of Lotus from 2014 to 2022 until he became Finance Minister. He revealed the identity in his 2023 statutory declaration.
6.2. The document was re-lodged in 2022 with the date of the Article of Association dated and signed in 2014 and upon which the re- registration occurred in 2022.
7. I note that one of the directors of Lotus Construction upon which Biman Prasad has shares in is Sunil Chand (Please refer to exhibit 4). Biman Prasad did not declare the business connection with Sunil Chand who has the same Lotus Construction company in Australia thus being a breach under section 24 (a) (b) (iii) of the Political Parties Act 2014 (Attached is exhibit 5- Louts [Lotus] Construction registration in Australia).
8. Biman Prasad’s spouse Dr Rajni Prasad [Chand] did not declare that she is Chairperson to Femlink Pacific (Please note she has held this position 2009 to date), therefore being a breach under 24 (1a) (d) of the Political Parties Act (Attached is exhibit 6- Femlink Document stipulating that Dr Rajni Prasad is the Chairman of the organisation). Dr Rajni Chand may/may not be receiving a salary from this post nonetheless it was a non-declaration.
9. I note that Biman Prasad and Dr Rajni Chand have not declared under section 24 (1) (a,b (iii) and 24 (1A) (c) of the Political Parties Act 2014 their business transaction to one Dr Ganesh Chand who is the co-trustee of the Global Girmit Institutre as previously mentioned. However, due to the business transaction the fact must be taken into account is that Biman Prasad allocated $1 million to Pacific Polytech whose Advisor is Dr Ganesh Chand. Please note that there was no tender process in line with the Laws of Fiji. Please note that Pacific Polytech has not submitted that their Audit reports as required. The funds was transferred in 2022 to Pacific Polytech.
I therefore submit this complaint for the breaches under the Political Parties Act 2014 upon which I understand that whilst some elements of this complaint cannot be handled by your office.
You must, therefore, refer the matter to FICAC under section 18 of the Political Parties Act.
*Complainant's name withheld by Fijileaks.
From Fiji Sun Archives, 2007 and 2008: Warning to Biman Prasad
