12 Comments
"Both of our former Prime Ministers have already been disqualified from participating in the 2014 elections as a direct consequence of their convictions and Mr Qarase has already served his time. Yet two of their 3 usurpers, not only remain free, they are eligible to contest the general election that has been denied to the two Prime Ministers they overthrew"Both former military commanders, remain free and despite being responsible for the overthrow of the 1987 and 2006 parliaments, both of them are eligible to contest the 2014 elections, because of the immunity they enjoy which protects them from having to ‘face up’ to any criminal charges for carrying out coups and overthrowing the elected governments of the people in 1987 and 2006 - MICK BEDDOES STATEMENT [No 24 /2014] [April 20 2014] The UFDF today challenged the AG to release details of the supposed recommendations he claimed was made by the election experts that his former Permanent Secretary for Justice Mohammed Saneem be appointed Supervisor of Elections. The UFDF said in a statement today that since the surprise announcement of Mohammed Saneem as Supervisor of Elections information has come to their notice that suggests neither Australia nor New Zealand or the private experts they fund ‘recommended’ Mohammed Saneem for the job as was claimed by the AG when he announced the appointment. The UFDF said that given these new developments, the AG should immediately release the details of the recommendations he claimed to have been made when he said quote ‘He [presumably Laurie McGrath] and the other consultants that carried out the assessment for us, in the event that Lurie was not able to take up the position, recommended that the permanent secretary responsible for elections Mr Mohammed Saneem take up the position of Supervisor of Elections’ unquote. The UFDF said it has been very reliably informed that none of the experts made any such recommendation. What they were asked to do was make ‘comment’ on Mr Saneem as an individual and naturally being the person they have all been engaged with for some time now as part of their role as consultants for the elections office, their comments on the individual would have been favorable. However there was no ‘recommendation’ made as the AG has claimed. The UFDF said if the AG insists it was a recommendation, then for such a critical appointment the experts would have no doubt put pen to paper to justify why they would pick the least qualified, with no previous experience as voter let alone Supervisor of elections. Especially when he like the others failed to meet the criteria set. After all, according to the AG himself of the 3 Fijians and 10 foreigner applicants, 1 withdrew and the rest failed to meet the criteria set? Question: Was Saneem one of the applicants? He obviously did not meet the criteria, so why would the technical experts recommend someone with ‘zero’ experience? In a Fiji Sun report of Sept 2013 titled AG – We’re looking for the best Supervisor of Elections’ the AG is reported as saying quote ‘ the Bainimarama government was particularly encouraging applications from elections experts overseas ‘ unquote The UFDF says although it is a rare thing, they actually agree with the sentiments expressed by the AG in that same Fiji Sun report when he said quote ‘it is very important that this position be filled by an individual with necessary skills and expertise, who can build capacity in the elections office and who can ensure that Fiji’s national elections are conducted in a fair, transparent and credible manner’ unquote. The UFDF said Mr Khaiyum went on to say quote ‘Preferably, applicants must have at least 15 years experience in conducting elections and must be able to demonstrate that they have the skills and capacity to conduct national elections in one day using best international practices’ the UFDF says it agrees with the points mentioned by the AG! But as always what the Bainimarama government says and what they actually do are two very different things as we demonstrate below:- 1: WHAT THEY SAID: We’re looking for the best Supervisor of Elections? AG Sept 2013 WHAT THEY DID: 3 Fijians and 10 foreigner applicants, 1 withdrew and the rest failed to meet the criteria set so they appointed the ‘least qualified’ 2: WHAT THEY SAID: The Bainimarama government was particularly encouraging applications from Elections experts overseas: AG Sept 2013 WHAT THEY DID: Appoint a local 3: WHAT THEY SAID: It is very important that this position be filled by an individual with necessary skills and expertise, who can build capacity in the elections office and who can ensure that Fiji’s national elections are conducted in a fair, transparent and credible manner’ AG Sept 2013. WHAT THEY DID: Appoint the least qualified person, who was not only too young to vote in the 2006 elections so has never participated in an election, let alone manage one. This does not demonstrate at all the process for appointing the Supervisor as being fair, transparent or credible. 3: WHAT THEY SAID: Preferably, applicants must have at least 15 years experience in conducting elections and must be able to demonstrate that they have the skills and capacity to conduct national elections in one day using best international practices’ AG Sept 2013 WHAT THEY DID: Appointing a supervisor who has ‘zero’ years experience in conducting elections when the requirement is a minimum of 15 years is not ‘Best International Practice’ The UFDF said that given the emergence of this new information and given that not one of the stated selection processes outlined by the AG has been followed, the voters of Fiji have a right to know:-
RESIGN AIYAZ KHAIYUM!By VICTOR LAL |
Stop the personal attacks and improper language: Pio Tabaiwalu tells Pita Waqavonovono Do not use swear words in the social media and get away from personal attacks as you are now an official of a political party. That is the message from the General Secretary of the Social Democratic and Liberal Party Pio Tabaiwalu to SODELPA’s Youth Council Interim President Pita Waqavonovono. Tabaiwalu confirmed that he had to speak to Waqavonovono after he used swear words and improper language on his twitter account while speaking about the proposed Fiji First. “Yes I have spoken to Pita about the comments. He relayed to me that he apologized for the language that he had used. The twitter account is the personal account of Pita. It’s not an official SODELPA twitter account but in the same instance we are telling him that since now he is occupying a high position in the party that he has to be more careful in the language that he uses especially in the social media. To us the words that he used, some of our supporters will not take too kindly to the swear words that were there.” Tabaiwalu then said Waqavonovono may have done this because he was taken in by the military in December 2006. However, he stressed to Fijivillage that SODELPA does not condone the improper language used by Waqavonovono. “I think this is a personal issue from him and I think he reacted that way. That’s about his personal experiences. It’s not that we are condoning what he said. I think we are just sympathetic that he went through that kind of treatment. We said that the position that he holds as a party official he can no longer make these statements publicly. We categorically told him that he can no longer use those kinds of language in the public arena.” When questioned by Fijivillage, Tabaiwalu admitted that as they approach the general elections, they have to focus on issues that affect the people in the country, and not make personal attacks based on personal emotions. “We are trying to tell our people that we are above personal vilification. We try to keep within the issues. Yes I think that it is certainly proper that we do that. We are concentrating on the issues. They are young people coming into politics. They have to learn the ropes very quickly. They should learn to keep above the personal attacks at this stage.” Fijivillage spoke to Pita Waqavonovono twice today. We tried to get an interview on this issue. He opted not to make any comments to us. Source: Fijivillage News | LIES and PROPGANDA from Bainimarama's camp Fijileaks Editor: We will recall that it was Kishore Kumar who had objected to Sodelpa's application for registration. See the following: http://www.fijileaks.com/2/post/2013/04/frank-bainimaramas-political-civil-servant-epeli-vuase-and-kishore-kumar-exposed-as-two-objectors-against-sodelpa.html |
The visit to Viseisei, Vuda, by Voreqe Bainimarama and his campaign crew out to collect signatures for his party has angered some villagers for their complete disregard of village protocol while on a stopover. Some villagers openly criticized the entourage for showing no respect to village protocols especially Bainimarama himself. Bainimarama was spotted wearing shorts and sandals in the village green on his way to the Chiefly bure of Vunisei. A villager who wished to remain anonymous said that never in the history of their existence has a Government leader show complete disrespect to village protocol walking around the village with shorts, let alone entering the chiefly residence with the kind of dress he was wearing. "Even tourists that visit our village know what to wear when they come on village tours", she said. She was so furious that she labelled Bainimarama as a "Kaisi" walking around the village with his sandals and shorts. "Luve ni kaisi, luvata nomu i vava ni o taubale e noqu darata", she said with anger. How dare he comes into my village with his circus team disregarding Village protocols.? His Fiji First campaign bus, taxi and other vehicles all drove into the village green and parked infront of the church. Bainimarama walked into the Chiefly House and sat during the welcome ceremony with his shorts and he was seen later leaving the bure with the sandals in his hands. Some members of his campaign team were also seen to be wearing long pants and shorts, breaching the village's dress code during their short stay. Source: Kacivaka Na Dina. | |
Bainimarama hands out election year bribes in full scholarships in breach of TELS protocols
Lucky students sing praises of PM
First year Fiji National University students, Napolioni Yauraki and Sulia Tinaiwati, got more than they wished for yesterday after meeting the Prime Minister in Suva.
They were part of the more than 100 students and parents who were at Suvavou House to voice their concerns regarding the Tertiary Education Loans Scheme commonly known as TELS.
With both parents unemployed and living in Nasigasiga Village in Dreketi, Macuata the students of Koronivia had each other to lean on yesterday as they tried out their luck. Mr Yauraki already has a scholarship studying agriculture for two years but he missed out on his accommodation because he failed to submit his invoice on time. Ms Tinaiwati, on the other hand was there to seek an accommodation allowance as well although she was not a scholarship holder. Instead, she was given a six year scholarship for Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry studies. Both students said they do not want to be a burden on their relatives. “My parents would be really happy and I can’t wait to relay the message to them. It’s not easy living with relatives which is the very reason why I wanted to stay in the hostel. When I was told that my invoice was late, I was worried about who was going to pay for my fees. “It’s my lucky day and I thank the PM for assisting me,” Mr Yauraki said. Ms Tinaiwati said it was a blessing not only for her but also for her family. “I came here with high hopes of getting an accommodation scholarship but the PM gave me a full scholarship for my six years of studies,” the former Dreketi High School student said. “My parents will no longer worry about my fees. All that’s left is for me to do my part, repay my scholarship and give back to my family. The PM was such a nice a man.” Source: Fiji Sun, 14 April 2014.
First year Fiji National University students, Napolioni Yauraki and Sulia Tinaiwati, got more than they wished for yesterday after meeting the Prime Minister in Suva.
They were part of the more than 100 students and parents who were at Suvavou House to voice their concerns regarding the Tertiary Education Loans Scheme commonly known as TELS.
With both parents unemployed and living in Nasigasiga Village in Dreketi, Macuata the students of Koronivia had each other to lean on yesterday as they tried out their luck. Mr Yauraki already has a scholarship studying agriculture for two years but he missed out on his accommodation because he failed to submit his invoice on time. Ms Tinaiwati, on the other hand was there to seek an accommodation allowance as well although she was not a scholarship holder. Instead, she was given a six year scholarship for Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry studies. Both students said they do not want to be a burden on their relatives. “My parents would be really happy and I can’t wait to relay the message to them. It’s not easy living with relatives which is the very reason why I wanted to stay in the hostel. When I was told that my invoice was late, I was worried about who was going to pay for my fees. “It’s my lucky day and I thank the PM for assisting me,” Mr Yauraki said. Ms Tinaiwati said it was a blessing not only for her but also for her family. “I came here with high hopes of getting an accommodation scholarship but the PM gave me a full scholarship for my six years of studies,” the former Dreketi High School student said. “My parents will no longer worry about my fees. All that’s left is for me to do my part, repay my scholarship and give back to my family. The PM was such a nice a man.” Source: Fiji Sun, 14 April 2014.
The Khaiyum brothers Fiji Broadcasting (FB) Commission television station FBCTV ran a news bulletin reporting that the illegal Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum was studying whether the postings by former Suva lawyer Rajendra Chaudhry, now temporarily living in Sydney, against Justice Paul Madigan was contempt of court. Chaudhry posted the comments on his Facebook after Justice Madigan found Mahendra Chaudhry guilty of breaching the Exchange Control Act. Fijileaks wants to remind its readers and the general public that this very illegal regime disobeyed Fiji High Court orders and deported Fiji Sun publisher Russell Hunter and Fiji Times publisher Evan Hannah when the two papers had highlighted Chaudhry's tax files in 2008; of course, then Mahendra Chaudhry was the "darling of the regime" holding the position of Finance Minister in Bainimarama's interim government. One equally wonders whether Justice Paul Madigan is in contempt of court for taking up position as a High Court judge when the Fiji Court of Appeal ruled in 2009 that the Bainimarama government was an illegal regime. The Court also confirmed that the doctrine of necessity could not be used to justify a ‘revolutionary regime’. The losers, on 10 April 2009, abrogated the 1997 Constitution of Fiji. Qarase v Bainimarama [2009] FJCA 9; ABU0077.2008S (9 April 2009) - Court of Appeal, Fiji. The Court concluded its judgement as follows: Declarations and Orders" The Court hereby:(1) Declares that:(a) the assumption of executive authority and the declaration of a State of Emergency by the First Respondent; (b) the dismissal of the First Appellant from the office of Prime Minister and the appointment of Dr Jona Baravilala Senilagakali as caretaker Prime Minister;(c) the advice that Parliament be dissolved by Dr Senilagakali;(d) the order by the First Respondent that the Parliament be dissolved;(e) the appointment on 5 January 2007 of the First Respondent as Interim Prime Minister and of other persons as his Ministers by President Uluivuda;(f) the purported Ratification and Validation of the Declaration and Decrees of the Fiji Military Government Decree of 16 January 2007, subsequently renamed as a Promulgation of the Interim Government of the Republic of Fiji, by which decree President Uluivuda purported to validate and confirm the dismissal of the First Appellant as Prime Minister of Fiji, the appointment of Dr Senilagakali as caretaker Prime Minister and the dissolution of Parliament;were unlawful acts under the Fiji Constitution. (2) Declares that in the events that have occurred it would be lawful for the President acting pursuant to section 109(2) of the Fiji Constitution, or as a matter of necessity, to appoint a caretaker Prime Minister to advise a dissolution of the Parliament and the issuance of writs for the election of members of the House of Representatives." | |
Fijileaks Editor: The Fiji Times reporter, it can be revealed, was the late Spike Padarath, the husband of Fiji Labour Party president Lavenia Padarath.
editor@fijileaks.com
ARCHIVES
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
October 2012
September 2012