Blog Archives

STINKING REASON: Now, we are told that because MINISTER Bala's trial clashed with a judicial workshop, it has to be moved to new date - JUNE!

27/1/2016

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WORKSHOP BEFORE JUSTICE? The Judicial Department had announced Bala's trial date long ago, so when and why was the hurry to cancel the trial and conduct a training workshop for judicial officers? Who conducted the workshop? Are DPP and Police Prosecutors so bad that on the day they were supposed to prosecute Bala, they had to be sent on judicial training workshop? The ready motormouth so-called Law and Order Minister Khaiyum must provide answer to the general and mostly law-abiding public! What is so SPECIAL about Parveen Bala that a bloody Judicial Workshop was more important than his TRIAL? Since Bala will be freed in a stage-managed trial, let this killer GO FREE NOW, instead of subjecting his victim's widow and her three children to further anger, helplessness, stress, pain and humiliation until June 2016;
Fijileaks to FFP government defenders: How would you have felt or reacted if every time this Bala was summoned to appear in court charged with killing one of your own family members, either the magistrate was hiding in sugarcane fields or in this instance, the entire judiciary (including State prosecutors) were sent on some dubious judicial training workshop?

Fijileaks: When military dictators form political parties, devise electoral system that could be easily rigged, and use threats, fear, and bribery - endorsed by willing collaborators (like Professor Vijay Naidu and others)- what one gets is corruption, tyranny, and abuse of power - for those supporting 'dictator's party and government' know that the people have no recourse to either MILITARY or POLICE (and even JUDICIARY and the PRESS) for redress: what we are witnessing in Fiji is real 'Orwellian Animal Farm': for the military and police are FijiFirst Party government! Minister Parveen Kumar Bala's case is the PROOF! Fjileaks: Why didn't Lautoka Magistrates Court hold the trial in some piggery farm once it found out that the trial was clashing with workshop? Who is running it?

From Fijileaks Archive, 19 January 2015:

SURPRISED? Oh, no, another example - after getting rid of ACP Brown; Qiliho will be appointed to make sure that Bainimarama, Khaiyum and other cronies never face justice and come election time, he will decree that Fiji is not ready for a general election given the law and order situation in Fiji, just like when he asked that deposed PM Qarase be confined to Mavana after the 2006 treasonous coup; after all Qiliho fears trial for he is one of the most vile human rights abuser since 2006:

http://www.fijileaks.com/home/hounded-out-assistant-police-commissioner-henry-brown-resigns-ending-30-years-of-illustrious-police-career-informs-qiliho-the-team-tasked-to-investigate-him-brown-are-facing-criminal-and-other-charges

And this EU Ambassador Andrew Jacobs should go and see Bala's victim family to learn first-hand the state of access to justice in Khaiyum's Fiji:

This "Mr 800 Votes" whose law firm is representing Bala is another case in point - hiding behind the sulu of military, police and judiciary, he has been threatening all and sundry who are not singing praise to FFP:

THE SHAMEFUL SEVEN: AIYAZ KHAIYUM'S WILLING 'EXECUTIONERS'

http://www.fijileaks.com/home/the-interview-that-lifted-the-lid-on-election-commissioner-fijileaks-reproduces-professor-vijay-naidus-interview-with-bruce-hill-of-pacific-beat-radio-australia-he-did-not-give-us-adequate-respect

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INTERNET OWNER SINGH AND PLOT TO TOPPLE GOVERNMENT: We look behind the scene about the businessman and his allegations which thicken plot; how he also ends up implicating FFP MPs in his statement!

26/1/2016

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KUT-IN-TWO: Rumours swirl that Education Minister Mahendra Reddy who used to allegedly refer to Aiyaz Khaiyum as "Kattu (Snipped) Minister" has been SACKED? Was he colluding with his Ministry staff to put in late procurement orders with Finance Ministry, a portfolio he told voters will automatically be his if he was elected to Parliament?

TODAY'S DIARY REMINDER:
Renee Lal v Reema Gokal: According to ILPC, the Suva lawyer Renee Lal was served summon to appear before the ILPC TODAY (27 January 2016) charged with
7 counts of professional misconduct and one count of unsatisfactory professional conduct

Who is Rajneel Singh? We let him tell through his own Police Statement:

In his police statement he finger points to one of the Ra sedition suspects but claims "I can only identify the customer by face and not by his e-mail address found in my computer...but Singh then names one: ***************

Fijileaks: To be continued

KUT-IN-TWO: Rumours swirl that Education Minister Mahendra Reddy who used to derisively refer to Aiyaz Khaiyum as "Kattu (Snipped) Minister" has been SACKED? He was colluding with his Ministry staff to put in late procurement orders with Finance Ministry, a portfolio he told voters will be his if he was elected to Parliament!

Fijileaks: Reddy has made many similar appointments (see letter below). Another one is at Jai Narayan College where someone named Krishna Pillay has been appointed from 5d to 1d level jumping 7 steps

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Wadan Narsey: Whose data is it anyway - extracted from Fijian public?

25/1/2016

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By Professor Wadan Narsey

Every year, large amounts of tax payers’ money are used by government departments (including the Fiji Bureau of Statistics) to extract data from a reluctant public.

The public, including households and companies, answer hundreds of tedious questions giving sometimes quite sensitive data to government survey staff.
More money (taxpayers and donors) is then used to convert the raw data into useful “reports” with tables of statistics, often accompanied by solid, policy recommendations.

Once the reports are published, they can be used not just by government ministries, but also NGOs, donors, academics and the public, to try and understand whether our society and economy are going in the right or wrong directions; whether government policies are working or not; and what policies we need to make our lives better.

The “virtuous data cycle” is complete, thereby encouraging the public to willingly take part in the next cycle of data gathering.

But, for the last five years, this virtuous cycle has been broken by the Bainimarama Government, which has suppressed useful reports and denied the public important useful information, some of which may have negative results.

This points to a much deeper malaise in Fiji- that the decision-maker(s) in government are freely able to reduce public access to information, resulting in a manipulated “democracy”.

Why are individual Cabinet ministers not challenging this suppression of reports which they themselves would like to see publicized and discussed in order to advance their own work?

I refer to just four examples, but no doubt there are more.

The 2007 Census Reports
With a census held every ten years (one planned for 2017), every household is required by law to give detailed information on the household, every occupant, their age, their relationship to the head of household, the number of children women have had, and all kinds of other information such as the kind of dwelling, numbers of rooms, the household assets etc. A gold mine of information.

When the reports for the 1996 Census were published in 1999 by the then Government Statistician (the late Mr Timoci Bainimarama) many end-users were dismayed that it had taken three whole years to produce the required reports, while the ABS or NZBS would take only a year.
Sadly, Fiji’s delays in publication have got worse, since then.
For unstated reasons, some of the analytical reports for the 2007 Census have still not been published, NINE YEARS LATER, while the FBS is now even preparing for the 2017 Census.
These Census analytical reports contain enormous amounts of useful information about birth, education, work and death in Fiji; about women’s fertility; about infant mortality; about adult mortality and life expectancies; about education levels.
They can tell the government and the public exactly what is happening to the development state of all the inhabitants of our country, in a comprehensive manner, far superior to sample surveys.
Who therefore in the Bainimarama Cabinet has refused to allow the Fiji Bureau of Statistics to publish some of the reports, the first Fiji government to ever to do so, and why?

Employment and Unemployment
In 2010-11, the FBS conducted an excellent nation-wide survey of employment and unemployment.
The households recorded how much time each person in the household worked, paid and unpaid, in what occupations and industries, for how much time, for how much income received; and also how much time each person devoted to playing sports, religious activities, kava drinking, TV/videos, etc. all of interest to Ministries of Health, Women and Social Welfare, Education, Youth and Sports.
The Reports document fascinating results, and differences by urban/rural, males/females, elderly and young, by districts, all of enormous use to government ministries such as Labor, Women and Social Welfare, Youth, Health, as well as civil society organizations like FWRM, FCOSS, and organizations concerned about NCDs.
For the 2004-05 EUS, which I had also analyzed, the findings were discussed and used by all the stakeholders in national workshops held in Suva, Nadi and Labasa, co-organized by the FBS and myself.
Funded by AusAID, I again did this analysis for the 2010-11 EUS, and the Final Report (Fiji Women and Men at Work and Leizure) was prepared and ready for publication in late 2013.
But the Bainimarama Cabinet has refused to allow its publication, the first time that a Fiji government has ever interfered thus with the work of the FBS.
Was it because there were a few negative results about employment and real incomes between 2005 and 2011 which may not have helped the Bainimarama Government in the 2014 Elections?
But it is now two years after the Report was completed and it has still not been published, while the FBS is preparing for the next EUS.

Income and Expenditure Surveys
When income and expenditure surveys are done, households also record their incomes and expenditures for the year as well their detailed expenditures for two weeks through a diary.
The findings have great use for a wide variety of policy measures: poverty analysis and alleviation measures; a wide range of food security issues; social welfare policies;
Virtually all government departments and civil society organizations are interested in the findings, and the previous survey results (which I also analyzed for the FBS) were also disseminated through national workshops held in Suva, Nadi and Labasa.
With the USP Economics Department ordered not to host these workshops, they gleefully facilitated by Fiji National University and Dr Mahendra Reddy, the current Minister for Education.
The 2013-14 Household Income and Expenditure Survey has been completed, the data finalized and the World Bank is apparently analyzing the data.
But the local consultant who assisted in the previous analysis and the national workshops (yours truly), has been shut out, for reasons that can only be guessed at.
[The FBS has just released some results (19th January 2016), but it is not known what poverty line standards were used, and what were the WB-guided adjustments made to the income measures. Such adjustments can make a big difference in the results. They have in the past (see the next edition of USP’s Journal of Pacific Studies)]
The previous Government Statistician (the late Mr Timoci Bainimarama) refused to allow the Fiji Government to interfere politically with their choice of consultant.
As in other technical spheres of government, the process of localization has also been now reversed in statistical analysis.

The 2011 STEPS Report?
When health and nutrition surveys are done, great effort is taken to find what people consume as food, their substance abuse such as consumption of alcohol, tobacco and kava, their weights and heights, their general state of health, the diseases they have, and many other useful matters concerning good and bad health,
Look at the excellent Report on the 2002 STEPS done by the Ministry of Health, WHO, FSM, and the Menzies Center for Population Health Research (available on the Internet).
There was a similar 2011 STEPS done, but the Report is not being released, except in dribs and drabs.
Why is the full Report not being released, Minister of Health?
What can the public think when it is told by one MoH expert (Fiji Times, 11 January 2016) that the current NCD situation is so bad that optimistically, it will take three generations for the NCDs problems to be resolved. Oh dear. I suspect he is not exaggerating, and is even optimistic].

The wider issues
This article started by asking “whose data is it”?
Of course, the data belongs to al the citizens of Fiji who provide the data and the resources for the data analysis and writing of reports, which are intended to be used for public policy formulation.
The data does not belong to any one Minister or the government of the day.
If there is to be public confidence in FBS data, no Minister should interfere at all with the work of the FBS or the publication of its reports.
Today, the FBS is under the tight control of the Minister of Finance and Attorney General and all things important (Aiyaz Khaiyum) and Cabinet permission is required before any publication is approved.
Sadly, as with other similar claims, the Bainimarama Government also has the dubious honor of being “the first ever government in the history of Fiji” to suppress the reports of the FBS.
Some proactive government Ministers might want to see the reports published, but do not have the required influence in Cabinet because the election results clearly indicate that they had minimal electoral support or “mandate”.
It is now endemic that civil servants themselves will not complain for fear of losing their jobs, while they can expect no support from the PSC.
The Reserve Bank of Fiji could consider reviving the now defunct “Statistics Users’ Committee” which included representatives from the RBF, the private sector and the universities, so that the FBS may be supported in their quest for total independence, integrity and timeliness of their statistics. But will they? I seriously doubt if they will.
The fact that the end users of statistics have so far failed to raise their voices is indicative of the total shallowness of Fiji’s current “democracy”.
The Bainimarama Government is succeeding in filtering and censoring the data that reaches the public, aided by a collaborating media: any hint of good outcomes is widely trumpeted; data on things going wrong is suppressed or simply not given prominence.
While the intelligent and well-off in Fiji have recourse to the Internet, the ordinary rank and file among Fiji has succumbed to a Stalinist style control of information, while happy to be fed a daily diet of information about rugby sevens and Bollywood escapism.
Addition The Fiji Times of 25/1/2016 quotes Aiyaz Khaiyum pouncing on the FBS Press Release to boast about the reduction of poverty in Fiji based on the 2013-14 HIES. He has refused to explain why he has not given permission for the 2010-11 EUS Report to be released (that report had adverse statistics). The public should note therefore that the Bainimarama Government readily releases any bit of positive information, while suppressing the negative.

The public may be asking: are the results accurate? They may be so, but the FBS has so far refused to give me the detailed raw data to verify that their results are correct, or whether differences in methodology may also explain some of the supposed reduction in poverty.
There is likely to have been some reduction of poverty in some sectors in the economy, but the FBS report does not clarify the origins of the reduction of poverty.

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HURLING ABUSE: As ILO Team arrive in Fiji, former High Court judge turned diplomat Nazhat Shameem becomes subject of abuse - former Fiji lawyer Rajendra Chaudhry brands her "Regime Whore" on his Facebook

25/1/2016

20 Comments

If so, can these former post-coup interim regime cheerleaders be described as "Regime's Pimps' who perpetuated tyranny on Fiji?

Rajendra Chaudhry's post raises questions of wider import: was his father Mahendra, Daniel Urai, Felix Anthony and others also part of the inner circle who plotted the coup with Frank Bainimarama?; US ambassador Larry Dinger has revealed what Mahendra Chaudhry conveyed to him:

""Mahendra Chaudhry, former PM deposed by the 2000 coup and still head of the FLP, phoned today to let the Ambassador know he intends to accept Bainimarama's offer of the Finance, Public Enterprises, and Sugar Reform portfolios. He put it in terms of having to move Fiji forward and get back to democracy ASAP. When the Ambassador noted how disastrous the past coups had been for Fiji and for Chaudhry personally on two occasions, Chaudhry suggested this coup is different because the Qarase Government was so awful...Fiji could not have survived another five years...Interim Finance Minister Chaudhry is showing his vindictive side. Under the interim government, Chaudhry crony Vayeshnoi is Sports Minister and Chaudhry son Rajendra is on the FSC board."

Coming soon:

“I have always maintained that the initial Victor Lal articles (published in the Fiji Sun) were motivated by spite, malice and outsized ego. The articles were the product of a conspiracy hatched between Lal and certain media people here, including the departed publisher of the Fiji Sun [Russell Hunter], to not only defame me and have me removed from office but also to divide and weaken the interim Government” - Bainimarama's Interim Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry denying he received a single cent from Haryana

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INTERNET CAFE OWNER SINGH AND CONSPIRACY TO OVERTHROW GOVERNMENT: His Police Statement accuses one of the Ra sedition suspects and reveal him liaising with Khaiyum, Qiliho and Rosy Akbar!

24/1/2016

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Full statement coming soon!

http://www.fijileaks.com/home/fantasist-or-suspect-in-alleged-assassination-plot-e-mails-found-in-internet-cafe-owners-computer-police-and-military-sources-claim-they-suspect-kishore-kumaar-and-rajneel-singh-duped-qiliho-into-action

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TEXTBOOK DICTATOR: Education Ministry is not in his Ministerial book but he makes it his right to lodge complaint with FICAC against Education officers after requests to waive the tenders for the printing of textbooks

24/1/2016

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This 'Textbook Dictator' should ask FICAC to investigative him and Reddy over the nepotic appointment of FFP election loser Mohammed Dean!

Fijileaks Archive, October 2015:

http://www.fijileaks.com/home/insider-appointment-reddy-to-ministry-of-education-transfer-ffp-election-loser-mohammed-dean-to-dr-saukhat-ali-sahib-campus-in-nadi

As in 1987, the campaign to get rid of the present crop of corrupt and lawless thieves will have to be intensified, locally and internationally! But we must make sure that Mahendra Chaudhry like imitators are no way involved - for remember he used racism, captivity and tyranny to become
$2million plus secret millionaire, gifting $50,000 to his daughter!

THE HUNT FOR MAHENDRA CHAUDHRY'S HARYANA MILLIONS - THE INSIDE STORY. In response to requests from Fijian journalism students and journalists in Fiji, we have agreed to serialize soon Victor Lal and Russell Hunter's three-year hunt for Chaudhry's secret millions which he was hiding in Australian and New Zealand bank accounts, and how Bainimarama and Khaiyum tried to prevent the revelation! Moreover, if Hunter had caved in to threats, intimidation and lawsuits - and not run the revelation, Chaudhry might have become a FFP Minister in 2014!

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Henry Brown's interrogators re-appear in court with others charged with RAPE of the late Viliame Soko; also facing court was Bainimarama's former bodyguard Pita Matairavula, now a military intelligence operative

22/1/2016

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Their case has been adjourned to 5th of next month; Sitiveni Qiliho re-instated them and now they are part of the team tasked to investigate former ACP and Director of Intelligence, Henry Brown

LAW AT THE LOWEST EBB IN KHAIYUM'S FIJI

Fijileaks to Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice: "Would you allow yourself and your family members to be interrogated by a bunch of police and military officers who are charged with BRUTAL RAPE and INSTRUCTING OTHER POLICE OFFICERS TO MAKE FALSE STATEMENTS? We are not defending ACP Henry Brown but what we are objecting to is the presence of these alleged rapists, liars and torturers tasked by acting Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho to interrogate Brown! Why these police and military officers have not been suspended from duties? Why are they allowed to investigative other suspects in your Police Stations? Like other citizens they should be IMMEDIATELY SUSPENDED - ACP Brown was sent on leave pending investigations. What guarantee do we have that Superintendent Manasa Talala and Corporal Viliame Vereivalu, who are charged with rape, and instructing other fellow Police Officers to make false statements, will not shove their police batons like they did on Soko, up yours or your wife's rectums if and when you two are taken in for questioning over the false declaration of assets under your political parties decree? Qiliho's cock-up must not be followed by a cover- up"

* The composition of the Commissioners Task Force team [tasked to investigate Brown] led by Superintendent Manasa Talala who together with another member Corporal Viliame Vereivalu are currently facing criminal charges in relation to Vilikesa Soko’s death in custody in Nadi. These charges were laid with other Police Officers by an Internal Affairs investigation when Internal Affairs Department was under my portfolio. How can a police officer investigate a senior officer when he is facing criminal charges in open court under my direction through Director Internal Affairs?
* "The presence of Military Intelligence officers daily in the Task Force office also does not augur well for me, as these are the military officers I had ordered investigated in the ‘You Tube’ beating." - Brown to Qiliho, resignation letter

MAD DOG Gaddafi captured, dragged through the streets, punched and kicked and shot dead

The once powerful dictator Saddam Hussein captured and later hanged for crimes against his own people. Military intervention breeds power hungry satans who will steal and cheat to become political leaders and run government

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DRACULAS GUARDING THE BLOOD BANK: 'Manasa Talala and Viliame Vereivalu are also charged with attempting to defeat the course of justice by instructing other police officers to make false statements' - DPP Office

21/1/2016

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And yet these two Police Officers, who are also accused of RAPING the late Viliame Soko, are part of Qiliho's Investigation Team against Brown!

Fijileaks: It is time the local media confronted Qiliho over the composition of the investigation team as alleged by ACP Henry Brown; there is nothing in the Media Decree from stopping them and if the 'media mongrel' Raj comes out with his whip, he should be told to 'b****r off!

"The presence of Military Intelligence officers daily in the Task Force office also does not augur well for me, as these are the military officers I had ordered investigated in the ‘You Tube’ beating." - ACP Henry Brown, resignation letter

And this man should be told to SHUT UP if he can't see INJUSTICE in Fiji!

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HOUNDED OUT: Assistant Police Commissioner Henry Brown resigns, ending 30 years of police career; informs Qiliho the team tasked to investigate him (Brown) are facing serious criminal and other charges!

21/1/2016

19 Comments

This is what Assistant Police Commissioner Henry Brown had emailed to that overdressed pretend to be police officer, mouth-piece
acting police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho from the RFMF:

* The composition of the Commissioners Task Force team [tasked to investigate Brown] led by Superintendent Manasa Talala who together with another member Corporal Viliame Vereivalu are currently facing criminal charges in relation to Vilikesa Soko’s death in custody in Nadi. These charges were laid with other Police Officers by an Internal Affairs investigation when Internal Affairs Department was under my portfolio. How can a police officer investigate a senior officer when he is facing criminal charges in open court under my direction through Director Internal Affairs?
* The other members of the Commissioners Task Force are former members of the ‘Strike Back Unit’ which I had demobilised and transferred officers out due [to] the increasing number of complaints (of assaults/brutality or of missing exhibits). I am also made aware that the team consists of an officer who, I had transferred out from the Drugs Unit due to his unscrupulous behaviour dealing with informers (this can be verified by officers at CID/HQ)
* The integrity of this investigations could not have been so alarming if another Chief Officer appropriately Force Inspector General or Deputy Commissioner of Police would have overseen it, but for SSP Luke Navela to act in my position in my absence and at the same time oversee investigations against me, does not come close to fair and unbiased. The silence in this issue by Chief Officers also indicates that this was not a consultative decision
* My other two concerns are that of witnesses being intimidated after being called several times to the Task Force Office to go through their statements (suggesting changes). Again a member of the Task Force and the witness who will not speak out for obvious reasons reliably informed me.
* The presence of Military Intelligence officers daily in the Task Force office also does not augur well for me, as these are the military officers I had ordered investigated in the ‘You Tube’ beating."
* The Fiji Police Force runs deep in my blood as I have built my life around me and the blue blood cannot be replaced. I will never change anything, as I will always stick to the oath I took of carrying out my duties without fear or favour
* I will make arrangements for my uniform and other accessories be returned appropriately - Assistant Police Commissioner/Chief Intelligence and Investigations Officer, Henry Brown, in his resignation letter to acting Police Commissioner Qiliho; see full letter below:

Assistant Commissioner Brown

19th January, 2016

The Acting Commissioner Of Police
Fiji Police Headquarters
Vinod Patel Complex
Laucala Beach Estate
Suva

Dear Sir

Resignation

I submit herewith my resignation from the Fiji Police after thirty (30) years of lustrous career, serving in almost all aspects of policing with effect from 20th January 2016.

I am submitting my resignation under duress, as the internal inquiry against me is contrary to good governance and best practices of our organisation. The inquiry also lacks the transparency and accountability, the two attributes that clearly forms the principles of the 2013 constitution of Fiji.

I have noted a number of flaws in the process and wish to highlight a few that I strongly feel will deny me natural justice. This whole process also contradicts a number of internal policies, not to mention our 2013 constitution particularly section 16 (Executive and administrative justice) which articulates “every person has the right to executive or administrative action that is lawful, rational, proportionate, procedurally fair and reasonable prompt.

The fact that I was sent on leave straight after resuming (days) from leave is unconstitutional. A leave is an entitlement, which is earned and taken on leisure and /or not taken, compensated by the organisation. A leave cannot be forced (as in this case) to clear up some ‘ghost allegation’. The Commissioners powers under section 129 of the Constitution still has the oversight of the values and principles enshrined in the constitution particularly professional ethics and integrity.

I am still not aware as to who is making the allegation, and on what capacity. My last conversation with your goodself before ‘sent’ on leave was querying details of the allegation to which you told me that you do not have anything and it is with the minister. I requested for a copy of any documents available and you had assured me that you have not read anything and provide me a copy as soon as you get something. (But still thought fit/adequate to send me on leave) (It is exactly one month now).

The composition of the Commissioners Task Force team led by Superintendent Manasa Talala who together with another member Corporal Viliame Vereivalu are currently facing criminal charges in relation to Vilikesa Soko’s death in custody in Nadi. These charges were laid with other Police Officers by an Internal Affairs investigation when Internal Affairs Department was under my portfolio. How can a police officer investigate a senior officer when he is facing criminal charges in open court under my direction through Director Internal Affairs?

The other members of the Commissioners Task Force are former members of the ‘Strike Back Unit’ which I had demobilised and transferred officers out due the increasing number of complaints (of assaults/brutality or of missing exhibits).

I am also made aware that the team consists of an officer who, I had transferred out from the Drugs Unit due to his unscrupulous behaviour dealing with informers (this can be verified by officers at CID/HQ) .

I am also concerned that what started as an internal inquiry, become what appears to be a criminal investigations as a premature report of Abuse of Office (of a case which is pending appeal in the High Courts) has been lodged at Totogo Police Station.

The allegation is so baseless (flawed information) that the drugs seized and kept through a chain of evidence handlers (and order of high court) had to be re-opened and tested although the seal is intact and recognised by the analyst. The re-testing (still not sure under whose authority but it is now a contempt of court issue) has proven that it was NEVER tampered with. (Sadly I put this down to lack of knowledge and experience).

The integrity of this investigations could not have been so alarming if another Chief Officer appropriately Force Inspector General or Deputy Commissioner of Police would have overseen it, but for SSP Luke Navela to act in my position in my absence and at the same time oversee investigations against me, does not come close to fair and unbiased. The silence in this issue by Chief Officers also indicates that this was not a consultative decision.

The Task Force has reliably informed me that there are two (2) other allegations i.e. one in Valelevu and one in Nausori that the team is looking into however both appears to have been adequately explained by the Divisional Crime Officers. Instead of wasting a lot of resources in the witch-hunt, I would strongly advise to make available to the Task Force a document from Police Headquarters outlining the delegation of powers. Releasing a suspect for more evidence is NOT closing the file.

My other two concerns are that of witnesses being intimidated after being called several times to the Task Force Office to go through their statements (suggesting changes). Again a member of the Task Force and the witness who will not speak out for obvious reasons reliably informed me. The presence of Military Intelligence officers daily in the Task Force office also does not augur well for me, as these are the military officers I had ordered investigated in the ‘you tube’ beating.

With thirty (30) years of experience, appropriate qualifications and as the head of the specialised Directorates like the Intelligence Bureau and the Criminal Investigations Department, I have the expertise to recognise a procedurally (un) fair investigations and a “ghost allegations” which is fast becoming a witch-hunt.

You have advised me that some officers are talking (about the allegation) to the Minister (I still have no idea as to which Minister), however this sets a bad precedent when Ministers (politicians) listens to junior officers and sends senior officers on leave without a proper initial inquiry. The basic rule of investigations (if you have not been advised yet) is that the person (or the state) making the allegation has to prove the allegation not vice versa where the person accused has to disapprove the allegation or prove his innocence.

The way I have been briefed from inside the Task Force is that the team has no reasonable grounds at all to even interview me under caution as it totally lacks substance. Nevertheless, I have consulted my legal counsel Mr Devanesh Sharma of R. Patel Lawyers for representations and if a statement is required than the team can correspond through my counsel.

The Fiji Police Force runs deep in my blood as I have built my life around me and the blue blood cannot be replaced. I will never change anything, as I will always stick to the oath I took of carrying out my duties without fear or favour.

As such I kindly request if this resignation be accepted amicably because I will not be making any press statement unless any negative press release is made from the organisation.

By copy of this Mr Devanesh Sharma is advised to prepare any queries that you may have.

I will make arrangements for my uniform and other accessories be returned appropriately.

Thank you and wish the Fiji Police Force all the best. May the spirits of “Salus Populi” continue to be the strength.

Henry Brown
Assistant Commissioner of Police
Chief Intelligence and Investigations Officer.

POLICE IMPOSTOR? Acting Police Commissioner Qiliho

QILIHO RESPONDS TO BROWN'S RESIGNATION: "Brown's claim of duress is false"

Assistant Commissioner of Police and Chief Investigation Officer, Henry Brown has resigned. Acting Police Commissioner, Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho confirmed that he received Brown’s letter of resignation yesterday.

Qiliho said Brown claimed that he tendered his resignation under duress which Qiliho said Brown must prove. Acting Commissioner of Police, Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho this morning confirming that the former Chief of Intelligence and Investigation, Henry Brown has tendered his resignation.

According to the head of the Police, ACP Brown in his resignation letter claims he has been denied justice. “ACP Brown was sent on leave with full pay so as to allow the investigation to be conducted thoroughly and fairly. More importantly the decision to send him on leave was to ensure that justice was ensured and keeping him at work as the head of the investigation unit would have been an obstacle and would have presented challenges taking in to account the office he holds and his responsibilities” said Qiliho

Qiliho said that Brown’s claim is false as there are processes that need to be followed.

“We have finished the first phase of the investigation where we look for evidence. At the completion of this first phase consultation was made with the Office of the Director Public Prosecution for a neutral legal opinion. The Office of the DPP has identified sufficient evidence which would have resulted in having Mr Brown being interviewed under caution”

The Acting Commissioner of Police added that the former head of intelligence also raised other issues about investigations against him. “He has also raised concerns on the issue of junior officers investigating senior officers. He should understand very well that through the hierachy of CID, he is the senior officer holding the top position and that is one of the main reasons during the entire process” said Qiliho

Since the initial phase of the investigation has been completed the Police now have some option of how to handle Brown’s case.

“The decision to lay any charges will be made from the office of the DPP after the investigation is completed. If the file is submitted to FICAC then the decision will be up to the Deputy Commissioner FICAC” said Qiliho
Brown is still away overseas. - Source: Fiji TV News

From Fijileaks Archive:

19 Comments

CHOPPY debate over LOMAIVITI PRINCESS III: As Bainimarama launches Goundar's new ship, Canadians in uproar why it was sold for $F3m when five years ago it had $C15m refit? Did FFP regime chip in extra millions?

20/1/2016

19 Comments

British Columbia Ferries [BCF] continues to keep secret the sale price of the Queen of Chilliwack, the 38-year-old vessel now plying Fijian waters as Lomaiviti Princess III, and operated by Goundar Shipping Ltd

"The project to extend the life of the 33-year-old Queen of Chilliwack began in December 2010, with the first phase of a two-phase project that will allow the vessel to continue in service until it is retired in 2016 or later. The first phase of this $15million project includes new car deck watertight doors, new propeller seals, new instrumentation and control systems, and new lifesaving systems. The Queen of Chilliwack is expected to return to service by the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2012." - BCF Annual Report, 2010/11

Fijileaks: Subarmani "George" Goundar had claimed to Fiji Times in March 2014 that he was in “Canada for more than five weeks to seal the deal on the third vessel,” which was “bought for $3 million”. Strange, the vessel was ONLY listed for abrupt sale and one day viewing in April 2015. On 9 September 2015 Goundar told Fiji media that he finally sealed the deal on Friday 4 September to buy the Chilliwack. He said the negotiations over the acquisition took about two years. The BCF spokeswoman Deborah Marshall said in a recent statement that the Queen of Chilliwack was sold to N&J Mechanical Distributors Ltd of Vancouver B.C., who subsequently sold the vessel to Goundar Shipping of Fiji in September 2015. In August 2015 Bainimarama inspected it with Goundar. Did Bainimarama travel to Canada in August on a private visit to give his seal of approval? Or did his FFP government financially chip in ?

Fijileaks:
* The Queen of Chilliwack, after a $15million upgrade, was expected to be retired in 2016 or later;
* In March 2014, a story in the Fiji Times stated that George Goundar, managing director of Goundar Shipping Ltd, a former long-serving employee of B.C. Ferries, was in “Canada for more than five weeks to seal the deal on the third vessel,” which was “bought for $3 million” ($C1.8 million); it was to sail to “Fiji from Canada” after amendments to Fiji’s maritime laws came into effect;
* However, B.C. Ferries spokeswoman Deborah Marshall said in a recent interview that the Queen of Chilliwack wasn’t sold to Goundar Shipping until September 2015; later confirmed by Goundar; however, he didn't state that he bought it off N&J Mechanical Distributors Ltd of Vancouver B.C;
* On 14 January 2016 BCF issued a press release stating the following:
(a) BC Ferries conducted a competitive bid process related to the sale of the Queen of Chilliwack;
(b) BC Ferries posted a Request for Expressions of Interest on the company’s website in April 2015 to attract bidders;
(c) Six previously identified interested parties were also contacted to advise them that the ship was for sale;
(d) Two potential bidders attended a vessel viewing and BC Ferries received two compliant bids in May 2015;
(e) The bids were competitive with each other and BC Ferries evaluated the bids, which stipulated the company’s preference to sell the vessel for ongoing trade;
(f) The vessel was ultimately sold to N&J Mechanical Distributors Ltd of Vancouver B.C., who subsequently sold the vessel to Goundar Shipping of Fiji in September 2015;
(g) BC Ferries cannot disclose the price the company received for the Queen of Chilliwack, as three other ferries will be retired soon and offered for sale. The company needs to protect the competitive bid processes for those sales and maximize the price received for those ships.
Fijileaks: So, it is clear that Goundar did not buy it off BCF nor he had bought the Queen of Chilliwack for $3million in March 2014, as he boasted to the Fiji Times. When Bainimarama visited Canada and was inspecting the vessel, was it owned by N&J Mechanical Distributors Ltd, Vancouver B.C, who subsequently sold it to Goundar in September 2015?
* In January 2016 the FFP government amended the Ships Registration Act 2015. The Bill to amend the Ships Registration Act 2014 was passed in Parliament on November 20, 2015 (two months after BCF claims Goundar purchased the Chilliwack); amendment gave room for Goundar to purchase the 38-year Queen of Chilliwack for $3million; **the old Bill had prevented ship owners from registering ships that were over 20 years old; Goundar had written to Bainimarama to change the old Bill;**
* In August 2015 Bainimarama visited Canada and along with Goundar inspected the Queen of Chilliwack (a month later, in September, sold to Goundar); and now renamed Lomaiviti Princess III; see below Frank Bainimarama and wife Mary inspecting Queen of Chilliwack with Goundar

On 19 January Bainimarama launched the Queen of Chilliwack as Lomaiviti Princess III

"George’s own story is one that I believe is symbolic of the new direction that Fiji is taking and the new vision that drives my Government’s decisions. He returned to Fiji, after migrating to British Columbia, because he never forgot the country of his youth, his beloved Fiji. He placed his confidence in my Government and in our policies, and the ability of our people to move Fiji forward towards greater stability and prosperity. I am pleased to announce that Goundar Shipping will also invest $10 million over the next three years to bring two more ships and construct a 5,000 ton floating dock..." - Frank Bainimarama, 19 January

“I would like to first thank the Prime Minister for his faith and support in paving the way for me returning as an investor to this country. We enjoy the good business environment and the incentives by your Government,” Mr Goundar said. “At this point in the history of this nation, my history did not matter. My sense of gratitude goes to this Government in making me feel that I am a Fijian and I belong to this great country.” - Goundar

HON PM BAINIMARAMA SPEECH AT THE LAUNCHING OF GOUNDAR SHIPPING NEW SHIP

1/19/2016

Honourable Ministers,
Mr. George Goundar, President of Goundar Shipping,
Friends and employees of Goundar Shipping,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Bula vinaka and a very good evening to you all.

Each time we inaugurate a new service or a new piece of national infrastructure, we take another step—a step that breaks barriers, a step that brings Fijians closer together, a step toward greater national prosperity, a step that creates more opportunity for Fijians. That is because a road, an electrical grid, a school or a ship is more than what we see before us, more than its physical form.

Every investment we make is an investment in people. And every investment we make weaves and strengthens the fabric of our national life. So a modern, well-equipped school building is not just a building; it is a future of learning and possibilities for the children who will one day lead this country. And a road is more than a ribbon of asphalt; it connects families, it creates community, it gives farms and factories access to markets.
In that way, this ship, the Lomaiviti Princess III, is more than just a ship. If it were only a ship, I probably would not be her to launch it. But this ship is part of our national communications network. To be truly united for commerce and connected as a nation, Fiji needs a network of highways, air routes and maritime routes that link Labasa to Lautoka, Rotuma to Suva, and Koro and Kadavu to Taveuni.

Sea travel needs to be as modern, comfortable and safe as highway travel, integrated in purpose and function until it forms one seamless web. The Lomaiviti Princess III does that. Last week I was in the North, and I had the pleasure of inaugurating the new highway extension linking Nabouwalu to Dreketi. It is part of a highway that winds through the very heart of Vanua Levu, and it is critical to the economy and social well-being of the island. And the Nabouwalu Jetty is one of its most important points. When this ship docks at the Nabouwalu Jetty, it will effectively extend that highway directly to Viti Levu.

Well, we have had ships before, of course, but the new Lomaiviti Princess III is bigger and more comfortable. It will carry more people and more vehicles, and it is worthy of the nation I believe we are capable of becoming.

I am a retired Navy man, and I know what it is to be at sea. When I travel our islands to visit with and listen to the Fijian people, I travel by ship. I most certainly do not fly! So I understand what it is to spend many hours over open water, to know that your life depends on the skill, experience and judgment of the captain. I know what it means to have confidence in the professionalism of the crew, and I understand the peace of mind that comes from knowing that the ship is properly maintained and that the company keeps to the highest maritime standards.

This ship did admirable service in British Columbia, Canada, before Goundar Shipping bought it and upgraded it for service here in Fiji. Prior to a recent amendment to the ship registration decree in the budget session, ships older than 20 years could not be brought into Fiji. But thanks to this common sense reform, these older vessels can be imported once they’ve met stringent safety requirements. This allows older vessels that still carry a lot of value, to be re-fitted to serve our market without sacrificing the safety of our passengers.

We now have the flexibility to enlarge our shipping fleet and provide more opportunities to invest in shipping services to our outer islands as opposed to subsidising un-economical inter-island air services. In this way, we improves our services and better spend tax-payer funds without losing vital access to our outer island communities.

I also understand as well as anyone that people need basic creature comforts on the 10- to 12-hour voyage between Suva and Savusavu. It’s a long voyage, so the attention to keeping passengers comfortable is important: The film room, the cabins, the comfortable lounges, the children’s play areas, all make the voyage shorter and easier to endure. This ship will also service a route to Kadavu, great news for a growing tourism destination that can now look forward to even greater development.

This vessel can carry 700 passengers and the vehicle deck where we sit right now has the capacity to load 40 ten wheeler trucks or 150 cars. And it has comfortable seating, cabins and dining facilities, play areas for children, emergency medical care, and accommodations for the disabled. The Fijian people deserve no less.

This new vessel is also bringing employment opportunities for 40 people who will become members of the ship’s crew. This will be a great opportunity to gain experience on the open seas and begin a rewarding career helping us stay more connected as a nation.

I am pleased to note that Goundar Shipping’s stated vision is “to continuously improve the island coastal travel experience in Fiji through excellence in service and innovation” and that it values safety, environmental responsibility, integrity and service. Those are the values that George Goundar learned from his family and community growing up in Koro. They are the values that make Goundar Shipping an ideal partner for Government, because those are the very values that drive my government and the very values that will propel Fiji into the future.

George knows that Goundar Shipping is more than a business. It provides a vital service, and that makes it a business that serves the people, that upholds the national interest, and that keeps the well-being of the Fijian people foremost.

George’s own story is one that I believe is symbolic of the new direction that Fiji is taking and the new vision that drives my Government’s decisions. He returned to Fiji, after migrating to British Columbia, because he never forgot the country of his youth, his beloved Fiji. He placed his confidence in my Government and in our policies, and the ability of our people to move Fiji forward towards greater stability and prosperity.

I am pleased to announce that Goundar Shipping will also invest $10 million over the next three years to bring two more ships and construct a 5,000 ton floating dock. This is a huge investment for our shipping industry and will be the first dock of its kind in Fiji. It will give us space for even larger ships and allow us to build our shipping industry into a modern and efficient operation that will bring greater development and growth to our island economy.

I’ve gone all over the world re-connecting with our Fijian diaspora because I believe that we are strongest when we stand united as a global community. So I take a lot of pride in George’s decision to return and in Goundar Shipping’s further investments, because both reflect commitment to our new Fiji.

It is for everyone’s benefit when our Fijian family abroad contributes their resources and expertise to help build up our country and invest in our ability – so I will continue to re-build our relationships with Fijians across the globe and encourage them to take advantage of the investment opportunities and incentives that await them back home in Fiji.

Today, those efforts have brought us the Lomaiviti Princess III and a promising future for our shipping industry and in the days to come, I look forward to the future infrastructure development and investment opportunities we can bring to the Fijian people.

With those few words, I now officially launch Lomaiviti Princess III.

Fijileaks: A Commission of Inquiry 'chilliwhacking' BCF to disclose how much was the Queen of Chilliwack sold for to N&J Mechanical Distributors Ltd and subsequently on to Goundar Shipping Ltd will lead to the depth of truth as British Columbians are drowning in high ferry fares and raging in sea of anger over the fire sale of the sea worthy Chilliwack:

Gary Holman was elected as the MLA for Saanich North and the Islands in May 2013. He serves as the lead advocate and spokesperson for Democratic Reform and is Deputy for Environment and BC Ferries. In July 2014 Gary was made a Deputy for Fisheries.

"BRITISH Columbians facing massive increases in ferry fares deserve to know why BC Ferries poured $15 million into a refit for a vessel, then practically gave it away. BC Ferries spent $15 million refitting the Queen of Chilliwack, then almost immediately turned around to sell it at more than a $13 million loss. It’s no surprise that Christy Clark’s government and BC Ferries are hiding the sale price of the Queen of Chilliwack to a company in Fiji. They sold this ferry for a fraction of the cost of what they paid to refit it.” - New Democrat deputy spokesperson on BC Ferries Gary Holman.

Fijileaks: Both Fiji First government and Goundar Shipping are not responding: whether Bainimarama's government chipped in the extra millions, for it beggars belief that BCF would just give away the Queen of Chilliwack for a measly $3million when it spent over $15m refitting it?

By Stephen Hume,
Vancouver Sun
January 14, 2016

The Queen of Chilliwack was sold to a Fijian ferry company owned by a former BC Ferries executive. Meanwhile, Sunshine Coast residents are complaining about the “junk ferries” used to replace their ailing regular service ship. Powell River Mayor David Formosa called the repeated mechanical problems forcing ferries out of service for the 48,000 residents of the Sunshine Coast both a fiasco and “a huge problem.”

Residents complain that replacement “junk ferries” have been foisted on them.

This is not just a problem for inconvenienced Sunshine Coast residents. It’s a public relations shipwreck for BC Ferries.

Three times in the last year residents had to cancel long-scheduled medical appointments, business meetings or family visits because BC Ferries couldn’t maintain the reliable service levels its service contract specifies.

Last week BC Ferries warned truckers hauling freight to Powell River about space limitations. Relief vessels for the out-of-service Queen of Burnaby — engineers are trying to fix a recurring propulsion problem — carry far fewer vehicles.

And so truckers hauling everything from fresh produce to baby food were urged to travel via Vancouver Island, avoiding the Earls Cove-Saltery Bay crossing, which links the north and south portions of the Sunshine Coast. That ferry carries only 49 vehicles and won’t take reservations. This lengthens by 40 per cent Vancouver-Powell River travel for the time-sensitive trucking business.

So why did BC Ferries sell off the newly refurbished Queen of Chilliwack when it did, thus reducing its relief capacity when adequate replacement vessels can’t be ready before year’s end?

How much did BC Ferries get for selling this asset for which the public paid — and how much will that return help offset new equipment costs? Reports are that the ship was sold for $1.8 million, an 88-per-cent markdown from the value of its refits. BC Ferries won’t disclose price.

The first question is justified because relief vessels deployed to the Sunshine Coast represent a service reduction. An actual service reduction requires approval by the ferry commissioner. This skates by under a provision for temporary service disruptions due to mechanical failure.

The second question is justified because the public paid to refit the Queen of Chilliwack to top operational condition. It could have served as a relief vessel. Instead it was sold. It seems reasonable to ask what the return on that investment was and how it compared to opportunity losses from inadequate relief service. And it’s disingenuous for BC Ferries not to disclose the selling price by arguing disclosure might undercut bidding for future sales of obsolete ferries.

BC Ferries bought the Queen of Chilliwack for $10.8 million in 1991. The corporation then spent more than $20 million in three refits — $2.2 million in 1991, $3.1 million in 1996 and $15 million in 2010. These refits conveniently extended its life across the period in which replacement vessels would be under construction.

Yet last April, BC Ferries abruptly listed the ship, which it noted was in “operational reserve” and ready for use. The closing date for sale was set for 24 days later with one day for viewing. The Queen of Chilliwack was snapped up by a former senior BC Ferries manager who left and started a ferry company in the South Seas. The buyer described the ship as being “of very high standard, has updated technological equipment and state of the art passenger facilities.” [Fijileaks: We may recall that Goundar had claimed to Fiji Times in March 2014 that he was in “Canada for more than five weeks to seal the deal on the third vessel,” which was “bought for $3 million” - a month and year before it was even listed for sale?; BCF spokeswoman Deborah Marshall said in a recent interview that the Queen of Chilliwack wasn’t sold to Goundar Shipping until September 2015; a month after Bainimarama inspected it with Goundar.]

Deborah Marshall, director of public affairs for BC Ferries, confirmed the Queen of Chilliwack was sold to Goundar Shipping Limited, an inter-island ferry service in Fiji launched five years ago by George Goundar. A native Fijian and marine engineer by training, Goundar spent more than 20 years in senior roles with BC Ferries, according to the company’s website.

In 2011, Goundar purchased the decommissioned Queen of Prince Rupert, renamed it the Lomaiviti Princess and started a new inter-island cargo and passenger service, which is now Fiji’s largest.

So how much did Goundar pay for the Queen of Chilliwack, what was the actual value of refits and what was the rationale for pricing and sales timing? If BC Ferries isn’t saying, more of the travelling public should be asking anyway.

Ferry customers, whose fares increased at rates that far outstrip inflation, provided 98 per cent of BC Ferries’ revenue on major routes in fiscal 2015. Their provincial government is the de facto owner. Taxpayers have a legitimate interest in knowing the return on an asset for which they paid the lion’s share, especially when that sale and its timing result in reduced service for many travellers without alternatives. The Vancouver Sun, 14 January 2016

February 2015: Purchase Ships 20 years or less

THE Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) will no longer register overseas purchased ships that are over 20 years old. This is in accordance with Section 3(c) of the Ship Registration (Amendment) Act 2014, which came into force on January 1, 2015. This move however has not been welcomed by the Local Shipowners Association, who said that MSAF was unprofessional in imposing these strict guidelines within a short period of time without proper consultations. Goundar Shipping owner, George Goundar said government could have looked into the manufacturers and details surrounding the assembling and make of the vessels. "No one here in Fiji can afford to buy brand new vessels, not even the Government," Goundar said. He said they had won a tender for two vessels which was expected to arrive into the country before Easter. "This has affected our operations and the purchasing of the third and fourth vessel has been put on hold, because of this new law," Goundar added. He said he would write to the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and Transport Minister Pio Tikoduadua to raise his concerns on this new law. (Source: Fiji Times (FT))

January 2016: Ships Act opens way to purchase vessels over 20 years old

SHIPPING operators wishing to purchase vessels that are more than 20 years old can now do so, but at the discretion of Transport Minister as stated in the newly-amended Ships Registration Act 2015. The Bill to amend the Ships Registration Act 2014 was passed in Parliament on November 20 last year and this gave room for Goundar Shipping Ltd to purchase a 38-year-old vessel, now named the Lomaiviti Princess III. The old Ships Registration (Amended) Act 2014 disallowed the registration of vessels that were more than 20 years old. Goundar said the previous owner had completed an upgrade of the vessel two years ago, and it's now one of the most technologically advanced in the country. "I had worked on this vessel in 2002 when I was in Canada, so I'm familiar with this vessel," Goundar said.

Fijileaks: How could Goundar have bought Queen of Chilliwack in March 2014 when BCF put out Request for Expression of Interest on
28 April 2015?

RFEOI No.1 – 2015 VRP Sale of BC Ferry - Queen of Chilliwack

BC Ferries intends to sell the Queen of Chilliwack (QoC) and hereby invite potential bidders to submit responses to this request for expression of interest. This offer is open now and closes on Friday 22 May 2015 at midnight Pacific Standard Time.

The QoC is a Ro-Ro passenger vehicle ferry of approximately: 100 meters, 3440 tons displacement, 700 tons Deadweight capacity, passenger and crew capacities of 380 and 19 respectively, with a car capacity of 115 with the two platforms deployed. The vessel is powered by four Bergen 6 cylinder diesel engines rated at 1150 Brake Horsepower each driving four mechanically connected right angle drives. The vessel’ Class of voyage is “Near Coastal 2” and is classed by Lloyd’s Register of Canada. Documentation applicable to the vessel will be available to the bidders for review at the open house on 13 May 2015 in Richmond British Columbia Canada.

BC Ferries provides the information in this package for the sole use of prospective buyers who intend to submit an expression of interest regarding this vessel offered for sale. Prospective buyers use this information at their own risk and while BC Ferries believes the information to be accurate when it was collected, it does not warrant or guarantee the information in any way.

The Queen of Chilliwack is in an operational reserve condition and ready for sale after the expression of interest has closed. The actual sale closing date will be negotiated with the successful bidder. The vessel will be available on one day only for showing / tour on Wednesday 13 May 2015 at the BC Ferries Fleet Maintenance Unit, 12800 Rice Mill Road, Richmond British Columbia, Canada, V6W 1A1 from 10:00 – 15:00 local time. Prospective bidders must pre-register for this tour by contacting the undersigned in writing (e-mail is sufficient) indicating number of participants and company or organization being represented. Bidders must have approved safety footwear, i.e. steel toed shoes or boots, and will be required to sign a standard waiver of liability before entering the shipyard.

BC Ferries’ preference is to sell the vessel for ongoing trade, but expressions of interest from ship breakers will also be taken in the event that an ongoing trade sale is not forthcoming.

Your expression of interest should reference the Queen of Chilliwack, RFEOI number 1-2015 VRP, and should briefly describe:
• the applicable company, group or person interested in purchase of this vessel;
• the intended use of the vessel; and
• the proposed terms of sale (timing, price, equipment included, and any other conditions).

Please contact the undersigned if you should require any additional information to prepare your expression of interest for purchase.

BC Ferries is not under any obligation to award a contract, and reserves the right to terminate or amend the RFEOI process at any time for any reason. Award of a contract is conditional upon approval thereof by BC Ferries Executive Management. These conditions are solely for the benefit of BC Ferries and may be unilaterally waived by it. By submitting a Proposal bidders acknowledge and agree that BC Ferries may for any reason cancel or amend this RFEOI process at any time whether prior to the Closing Date or following the Closing Date, provided that a written Contract has not been executed. After cancellation, BC Ferries will not be under any obligation to any Bidder and BC Ferries may reissue a request for expression of interest for the same or a similar project at any time after cancellation of this RFEOI, or negotiate directly and conclude an agreement with any Bidder or other third party at any time.

Your expression of interest, complete with offer details should be submitted for the purchase of the Queen of Chilliwack, directly to me via e-mail ([email protected]) or to my attention at BC Ferries, 1321 Blanshard Street, Suite 500, Victoria BC, Canada, V8W 0B7 by facsimile or registered mail.

Key Dates
Published: April 28, 2015
Closing Date: May 22, 2015
Closing Time: 12:00 pm

"The vessel will be available on one day only for showing / tour on Wednesday 13 May 2015 at the BC Ferries Fleet Maintenance Unit, 12800 Rice Mill Road, Richmond British Columbia, Canada, V6W 1A1 from 10:00 – 15:00 local time. Prospective bidders must pre-register for this tour by contacting the undersigned in writing (e-mail is sufficient) indicating number of participants and company or organization being represented. Bidders must have approved safety footwear, i.e. steel toed shoes or boots, and will be required to sign a standard waiver of liability before entering the shipyard." -
BCF's Request For Expression of Interest, 28 April 2015

Just look at their shoes - can you see the approved safety footwear - i.e. steel toed shoes or boots - NO - and Bainimarama was in Canada only in August 2015, when Queen of Chilliwack was already sold to N&J Mechanical Distributors Ltd; it is quite likely they are viewing it with the new owners, who sold it on to George Goundar in September 2015.
Goundar can't have bought it in March 2014 for $3million?

Fiji Sun, 9 September 2015: 'Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama had visited the MV Queen of Chilliwack in Canada last month – which according to Mr Goundar: “The PM was very impressed with the vessel’s state-of-the-art facilities and high standard condition.”...Mr Goundar explained that the new vessel is 36 years old but is of very high standard, has updated technological equipment and state of the art passenger facilities. He revealed that the previous owner had spent more than $FJD 40 million ($28 million Canadian) on upgrade and maintenance just two years ago.'; Fijileaks: According to BCF, it sold Chilliwack to N&J Mechanical Distributors Ltd after the bid closed in May 2015, who went on to sell it to Goundar shortly afterwards - in September 2015; which of the two owners was Goundar referring to when he cited the upgrading costs of millions of dollars? We are at sea for answers to the questions!

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From Fijileaks Archive, 19 January 2015:

And this EU Ambassador Andrew Jacobs should go and see Bala's victim family to learn first-hand the state of access to justice in Khaiyum's Fiji:

This "Mr 800 Votes" whose law firm is representing Bala is another case in point - hiding behind the sulu of military, police and judiciary, he has been threatening all and sundry who are not singing praise to FFP:

THE SHAMEFUL SEVEN: AIYAZ KHAIYUM'S WILLING 'EXECUTIONERS'

TODAY'S DIARY REMINDER:Renee Lal v Reema Gokal: According to ILPC, the Suva lawyer Renee Lal was served summon to appear before the ILPC TODAY (27 January 2016) charged with7 counts of professional misconduct and one count of unsatisfactory professional conduct

Who is Rajneel Singh? We let him tell through his own Police Statement:

In his police statement he finger points to one of the Ra sedition suspects but claims "I can only identify the customer by face and not by his e-mail address found in my computer...but Singh then names one: ***************

Fijileaks: Reddy has made many similar appointments (see letter below). Another one is at Jai Narayan College where someone named Krishna Pillay has been appointed from 5d to 1d level jumping 7 steps

If so, can these former post-coup interim regime cheerleaders be described as "Regime's Pimps' who perpetuated tyranny on Fiji?

Coming soon:

Full statement coming soon!

This 'Textbook Dictator' should ask FICAC to investigative him and Reddy over the nepotic appointment of FFP election loser Mohammed Dean!

Their case has been adjourned to 5th of next month; Sitiveni Qiliho re-instated them and now they are part of the team tasked to investigate former ACP and Director of Intelligence, Henry Brown

LAW AT THE LOWEST EBB IN KHAIYUM'S FIJI

And yet these two Police Officers, who are also accused of RAPING the late Viliame Soko, are part of Qiliho's Investigation Team against Brown!

Fijileaks: It is time the local media confronted Qiliho over the composition of the investigation team as alleged by ACP Henry Brown; there is nothing in the Media Decree from stopping them and if the 'media mongrel' Raj comes out with his whip, he should be told to 'b****r off!

"The presence of Military Intelligence officers daily in the Task Force office also does not augur well for me, as these are the military officers I had ordered investigated in the ‘You Tube’ beating." - ACP Henry Brown, resignation letter

And this man should be told to SHUT UP if he can't see INJUSTICE in Fiji!

This is what Assistant Police Commissioner Henry Brown had emailed to that overdressed pretend to be police officer, mouth-pieceacting police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho from the RFMF:

From Fijileaks Archive:

British Columbia Ferries [BCF] continues to keep secret the sale price of the Queen of Chilliwack, the 38-year-old vessel now plying Fijian waters as Lomaiviti Princess III, and operated by Goundar Shipping Ltd

On 19 January Bainimarama launched the Queen of Chilliwack as Lomaiviti Princess III

Fijileaks: How could Goundar have bought Queen of Chilliwack in March 2014 when BCF put out Request for Expression of Interest on28 April 2015?

Archives

TODAY'S DIARY REMINDER:
Renee Lal v Reema Gokal: According to ILPC, the Suva lawyer Renee Lal was served summon to appear before the ILPC TODAY (27 January 2016) charged with
7 counts of professional misconduct and one count of unsatisfactory professional conduct

This is what Assistant Police Commissioner Henry Brown had emailed to that overdressed pretend to be police officer, mouth-piece
acting police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho from the RFMF:

Fijileaks: How could Goundar have bought Queen of Chilliwack in March 2014 when BCF put out Request for Expression of Interest on
28 April 2015?