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Khaiyum to Gavoka: "Registrar of Companies files readily available"; If so, why THE FILE on Midlife Investments Ltd which you declared you bought land from is NOT in their system - make file available to Fijileaks!

26/8/2015

7 Comments

 
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The Supervisor of Elections should readily make available asset declarations of all election candidates for inspection; so far
Khaiyum's cousin Saneen is hiding from Fijileaks!

Dear Editor

Ashneel Sudhakar says he used to get 100k salary but he declared only 50k during his candidate registration.

He declared that he received $50k salary from his law firm. 

On his Facebook post he wrote he used to get 100k for 5 days 8 hours. 

Did he lie then? Or is he lying now? If his FB comment is correct then he obviously made a false declaration.

He is whining now he is getting 50k for 24 hours 7 days.

Please can you check with the Supervisor of Elections and revert back to us.
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Fijileaks: Its over a year and Fiji's Police Commissioner is yet to act on a criminal complaint Fijileaks founding editor Victor Lal had filed against Sudhakar,  Khaiyum's Justice, Law & Human Rights Committee chairman:

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DOUBLE STANDARD: Aiyaz Khaiyum sends in army and police to round up and terrorize native Fijians after some disaffected groups call for a Christian state and yet is harbouring an Indo-Fijian MP Sudhakar who openly and publicly via his Facebook threatened to 'Moretin' Lal & others!

And Khaiyum's self-confessed "Goonda Boy" keeps taunting Lal (21/8/15)

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MEMORY JOLTED: Where is 'Sex Goddess' Rupika Nandan (liking Sudhakar's post) - is she still with Ratu Inoke Kubuabola as
Special Adviser on Foreign Affairs?

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http://www.fijileaks.com/home/lording-it-with-inoke-kubuabola-businessman-himmat-lodhia-stands-accused-of-bankrolling-foreign-ministers-election-and-using-connection-to-get-top-jobs-for-son-and-sex-goddess-with-the-foreign-ministry

                 ______________________


http://www.fijileaks.com/home/kama-sutra-scandal-at-university-of-fiji-now-dr-mahendra-kumar-that-you-have-re-surfaced-in-the-fiji-sun-please-contact-fijileaks-editor

From Fijileaks Archive

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UPDATE ON RUPIKA NANDAN:

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TIGHT GRIP: Mohammed Saneen is refusing to squeeze out any financial details on Bala, Sudhakar, Koya and many other candidates from all political parties

And what about the asset declarations of Faiyaz Koya?

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7 Comments

Aiyaz Khaiyum to Karavaki: "The general election is the only thing that determines whether a Government lasts and not by any other means"; No, missing By-Election Provision would have determined longevity!

26/8/2015

8 Comments

 

* By-elections are a gauge by which the popularity of the incumbent government is measured;
* By-elections can make real difference to balance of power when a ruling party's majority is lost in by-elections through deaths, resignation etc etc!
* Now, in Fiji, we have an electoral system where losers from all parties are waiting to be inducted into Parliament under Father Arms/Khaiyum's d'Hondt system, with Khaiyum enjoying unfettered power for next 4 years

“As the military regime was more or less acting outside the Constitution, the NCBBF should take the opportunity to push through the electoral reforms and amend the Constitution, by taking advantage of the military authority and ignoring the legal constitutional requirements for making such changes”. - Father David Arms, later one of the Election Commissioners

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Sayed-Khaiyum responds to Karavaki warning
Thursday, August 27, 2015

ATTORNEY-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the general election was the only thing that determined whether a Government lasts and not by any other means.


He made the comment in Parliament during his right of reply to comments made by Opposition Member of Parliament Semesa Karavaki who said the end of the Government was near. Mr Karavaki did not withdraw his statement when asked by the Speaker, Dr Jiko Luveni whether he wanted to do so.

Mr Karavaki while contributing to the Sugar Industry Amendment Bill 2015 said the commissions had been removed with appointing authorities now vested on the Minister for Sugar.

Comparing with biblical stories, Mr Karavaki said even God instructed his people to make appointment through His criteria.

He added if that wasn't followed in Fiji, his fear was that this Government was bringing a structure to exert control over all avenues.

"They are taking over God's position and my fear is that this country is going to the brim of collapse," Mr Karavaki said.

He added if Government does not relook at the way it's going, then the end of this Government was near; this he said, was not associated to any current happening in the country.

"I say this with great conviction, I know my message is totally different; I have been convicted to give this message because if this Government does not relook at the way it's going, then, I am also convicted that the end of this Government is near.

"The end of this Government is near, I am not speaking on any other things happening, it is the conviction that I am given to say this because if we see here, even the appointments, the power if only granted to the minister to appoint certain people which are specified here," he added.

Government MP Samuela Vunivalu raised a point of order saying that it was seditious to say that the end of Government was near where Speaker Dr Jiko Luveni asked Mr Karavaki if he wanted to withdraw that statement.

He later asked the Speaker of what he said that was seditious. Source: Fiji Times

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8 Comments

RIGHT RESPONSE BUT WRONG REASONING: Bainimarama rejects Ratu Naiqama's request to debate indigenous Fijian issues but SODELPA must not institute Inquiry unless real "Gaunavinaka" reveals himself or herself!

25/8/2015

6 Comments

 
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For what next: "[email protected]": FijiFirstParty general secretary Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum planning coup at Xmas against party leader Frank Bainimarama. Money collected by Bainimarama overseas stolen by him; he is planning to also steal money in October after the 'Bula Dinner Ball Cruise in Sydney'". Just imagine if every party starts following "Gaunavinaka" precedent?
Sodelpa could grant "Gaunavinaka" anonymity
after establishing his or her true identity; financial claims in 'Gaunavinaka Report' - [email protected] - already in doubt!

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Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama will not meet with the President of the SODELPA Party nor participate in a symposium ‘to discuss issues of discomfort challenging the Indigenous Fijians.’

In response to a request by Ratu Naiqama seeking a direct symposium with him, Bainimarama said there will be no such symposium, gathering or meeting with him (Ratu Naiqama).

“I am astonished that with SODELPA tearing itself apart, its President, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu, a suspended member of Parliament would get so desperate to create a diversion by wanting to hold a symposium with me,” Bainimarama stated.

“Instead of this cheap publicity stunt, Ratu Naiqama who is desperate to make himself relevant to the Fijian political landscape, would do well on his return from Australia to hold a symposium on the crisis within the opposition partly caused by the power struggle between him and the Opposition leader, Ro Teimumu Kepa.

“Even SODELPA’s supporters are perplexed by this internal conflict within the party, which is robbing Fiji of an effective opposition as SODELPA members scrap among themselves.”

“There is an old political saying – that a party that cannot govern itself cannot govern the country. And every Fijian must now be offering thanks for the fact that SODELPA lost the last election because it clearly cannot govern itself. The hunger for power by desperate individuals within that party is making SODELPA, its policies, its leadership and the party itself irrelevant for a modern and vibrant Fiji.”

Bainimarama said the majority of the Fijian people, in particular youth and the young want to live in a stable and economically prosperous country.

“People like Ratu Naiqama, with their old politics of fear and fear mongering, cannot provide this. Equally, their claim that the iTaukei and their land, religion, culture and identity are under threat is not true. On the contrary, the position of the iTaukei has never been stronger. For anyone to claim otherwise is a lie and the Fijian people should take no notice of liars.”

“I want to make a couple of things clear. The security of the state and the stability of our nation is my responsibility as the country’s elected leader, not Ratu Naiqama’s. The Fijian people gave me that mandate almost a year ago and they expect me to uphold their trust. And I give the nation my solemn undertaking that I will.

“People like Ratu Naiqama are out of their depth when they comment on law, order and stability. Indeed, the fact that he is asking me to ‘release’ people who have been charged and are before the courts shows that he does not even have the basic understanding that the Judiciary is independent of the Executive.

“People like him have always used the implicit threat of instability or taken advantage of it to make themselves relevant and gain political power.”

Bainimarama said the current security operation led by the police with the assistance of the RFMF is to protect our new democracy from certain forces who do not accept the will of the Fijian people as expressed at the election.

“They must not be allowed to succeed in their attempts to challenge our democracy and enforce their own will on the nation.  I also want it known that if we find any politician, businessman or any other person aiding and abetting anyone that wants to create instability, they will also face the full brunt of the law,” he said.

“I and my Government will uphold the integrity of our democracy rather than give comfort to those who intend to thwart the will of the people, create instability and damage our economy.

“Our Constitution addresses all these age old problems and gives us, including the iTaukei, the ability to focus on development, improve our living standards and have more prosperity in our beloved Fiji.” Source: FijiTV One.

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2015: Subdued and frightened? Tavua residents in the midst of soldiers
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2000 Speight Coup: "We don't care for your military might"

Fijileaks: If we are to accept Bainimarama's portrayal of Ratu Naiqama as 'someone desperate to make himself relevant to Fiji's new political landscape', then Gaunavinaka's claims that the "Kepa camp" (if it really exists) wanted to keep Sodelpa presidency out of Naiqama's reach takes a new twist, casting dent on Mosese Bulitavu's crusade to oust Ro Kepa as leader! Clearly, Bainimarama holds Ratu Naiqama in very low esteem!

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Extract from "The Gaunavinaka Report"
http://www.fijileaks.com/home/the-gaunavinaka-report-fijileaks-publishes-the-report-which-is-causing-rupture-in-sodelpa-ranks-and-jubilation-in-fiji-sun-newsroom-and-in-fijifirst-theft-party-as-khaiyum-yet-to-reveal-truth-on-midlife-investments-ltd-which-he-claimed-sold-him-th

http://www.fijileaks.com/home/the-gaunavinaka-report-retired-colonel-raivoce-was-refunded-30000-loan-20000-principle-and-10000-interest-fijileaks-investigation-found-he-was-refunded-1326124-plus-5-interest-66307-total-1392431
http://www.fijileaks.com/home/gaunavinaka-report-bulitavo-tells-ro-kepa-stop-your-selfishness-and-deceit-and-wait-for-sodelpa-internal-inquiry-ro-kepa-mp-bulitavo-collaborating-with-fiji-firsts-propaganda-arm-the-fiji-sun-to-smear-me
6 Comments

CLOTHING UP his fortune in off-shore account? As Khaiyum pushes Bill to tackle undeclared income from off-shore investments, did the United Apparel 'CLOTH KING' Ramesh Solanki hide his wealth from former wife?

25/8/2015

9 Comments

 
PictureJosephine Solanki
THE Tax Administration (Amendment) Bill 2015, Aiyaz Khaiyum claims, is one of the tools he is using to fight the spread of the black economy, involving money laundering and undeclared income from off-shore investment. In June 2013 Fijileaks had published the following story (below) Garment manufacturing tycoon Ramesh Solanki, along with Kalpana, Rajendra Kumar and Meena Jekishan, exposed in the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists’ exploration of the secretive world of offshore companies and tax haven, eliciting comment from one Josephine Solanki (21/8/2015 09:16:03): "Very interesting & not surprised to find. I was married with this tyranny Ramesh Solanki when transaction took place right under my very nose going unnoticed. Surprisingly after he had hidden his monies with his two daughters involvement he presented me with divorce papers in 2007."

Now, sources close to the Solankis' claim that Ramesh Solanki presented in court he had no money under his name and that the company was owned by his three daughters and ownership documents were allegedly backdated which meant Josephine Solanki got nothing from him despite being married and worked daily at their factory United Apparel Fiji Ltd for 15 years of their marriage. Even today, sources claim, he is allegedly hiding his wealth behind his three daughters in case Josephine Solanki makes a claim. Ramesh Solanki was very close to Sitiveni Rabuka (1997-1999); Laisenia Qarase (2000-2006); Bainimarama (2006 to date). Bainimarama gets all his suits done at Solankis'. Khaiyum appointed one of Solanki's nephew as PSC Board Member. Fijileaks could not obtain a comment from Ramesh Solanki.


Fijileaks: This is one of those employers that leads the campaign for the minimum wage to be kept well below the poverty line and over the years succeeded. A $2.32 an hour minimum wage for workers now, with Wages Council's no longer in existence. They have succeeded with previous governments keeping the minimum wage well below $2. They continue to claim business as bad but personally do exceptionally well, if the allegations levelled against them by Josephine Solanki, is true.
Why is this allowed in Khaiyum's Fiji?


From Fijileaks Archive (June 2013):


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The Solanki 'Palace' was built around the theme 'Gone With The Wind':

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9 Comments

WAKE UP, YOU KANA LOTO: Bainimarama comes to sleep in Parliament!

25/8/2015

15 Comments

 
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The Speaker must be very attentive, conscious and fully aware of what is happening within The House when it is in session. He or she must pay close attention of the conduct of Members
(Standing Order 116 in the Fourth Edition, May 2006 ).


Standing Order 116 (10) states "A Member may not interrupt any Member who is speaking by any disorderly expression or remarks, running commentary or IN ANY OTHER DISODERLY MANNER."

In some jurisdictions, sleeping and snoring in The House is tantamount to disorderly and discourteous behaviour .

In regard to sleeping (plus snoring ) in The House, the Speaker can signal the Sergeant-at-Arm to walk gracefully to the sleeping Member and tactfully wake him  or her up. 

However, in unusual circumstance where more Members are sleeping at the same time, the Speaker can adjourn the House momentarily and let the Members " liven up " a bit.

However, if the Speaker himself or herself is also in slumber land, OTI VAKADUA!

Too SCARED to sleep in his own BED - so falls asleep in public places:

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15 Comments

World Rugby tells FRU: No freebee tickets for Frank Bainimarama, the President of FRU; he says he is not going, for 'we need to fund raise for the team'; whatever happened to the Vodafone's $40m sponsorship?

25/8/2015

7 Comments

 
Fijileaks to FRU president Frank Bainimarama:

1) Why Do the People Of Fiji still need to fundraise for the national 15s team to the Rugby World Cup, when the Vodafone sponsorship of the FRU is worth $8 a year, $40m over five years?

2) Or is the truth of the matter contained in the June 12 2015 letter to Vodafone in which FRU accuses the FNPF-owned mobile company of ‘at best misleading, at worst fraudulent’ behaviour?

3) Is this alleged misleading or fraudulent behaviour by Vodafone why the country’s citizens are still being pressed to fundraise for the Fiji team using You Tube begging clips from 15s coach John Mckee and 7s coach Ben Ryan?  

http://www.gofundme.com/FijiGamePlan


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Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama who is also the President of the Fiji Rugby Union is unlikely to attend the World Cup in London England.

World Rugby has informed the Fiji Rugby Union that there aren’t enough funds to pay for Bainimarama’s attendance.

He says his inability to watch the game in London is nothing compared to what it means to the country to have the Flying Fijians take on the big names.

“It’s a team to be reckoned with. We have a wonderful team which has matured over the last few world cups. We have good management and training cadre. People of Fiji need to get together and tell our team that we’re behind them and we want 80 minutes rugby.”

The Fiji Rugby Union offered to pay for Bainimarama’s trip to the World Cup as FRU President.

However this was turned down by the PM who says we still need to fundraiser for the team itself. Source: FBC News


7 Comments

CONSTITUTION DAY: Aiyaz Khaiyum says 7 September 2016 will be public holiday to create awareness on his, 2013 Constitution,  he imposed on Fiji after burning the Draft Ghai Constitution - will the public be told TRUTH!

24/8/2015

19 Comments

 

From Fijileaks Archive:

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19 Comments

Gaunavinaka Report Update: MP Mosese Bulitavu informs Speaker to excuse his absence from Parliament next week; he needs to resolve the on-going stand-off between him and Sodelpa for sake of 'Macuata'

23/8/2015

44 Comments

 
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44 Comments

AIYAZ KHAIYUM: Seditious activities will ruin Fiji and create economic instability; he was responding to the arrest of scores of native Fijians now facing sedition charges but he should know history of SEDITION!

21/8/2015

18 Comments

 

“And any responsible Government or Party needs to say that any destabilisation is not good for the country. Everything is under control but the fact is that destabilisation is not good for the country. Any political party which is interested in the progress of this country needs to condemn such activities. These people are of course innocent unless proven guilty but it does not mean that a Party cannot comment that any form of destabilisation is bad for the country.” - Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum attacking other political parties

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From Fijileaks Archive:

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AIYAZ SAYED KHAIYUM has come full circle. He first came to our attention in 1987, and later in 1988, notably as a member of The Democracy 18, a group of 18 (not all Indo-Fijians) who publicly defied coupster Sitiveni Rabuka's decrees and protested in Suva's Sukuna Party on 14 May 1988. He, along with the other protesters, was arrested and locked up at the Suva police station. The protesters were bailed the next day, Sunday, and on Monday fronted court. They were all subjected to degrading treatment when an old police truck was parked outside their cells and the engine revered so that smoke pumped into their police cells.

The Bomb-Maker of 10 Bakshi Street


On 14 May 1987 Rabuka and his racist henchmen (including two present Bainimarama/Khaiyum regime Cabinet Ministers Ratu Inoke Kubuaobla and Filipe Bole) had turned the lives of Indo-Fijians upside down; to be precise, the coup happened 108 years to the day when their Indian indentured labourer ancestors had arrived in Fiji on 14 May 1879. The young Khaiyum was then a trainee television producer at the Kerry Packer Channel Nine-owned Television Fiji office on Gordon Street.
Unlike native Fijians who melted away after the 2006 coup, the Indo-Fijians and their sympathizers were a well-organized and determined group after the 1987 coups. It was agreed to take the fight to Rabuka and his regime, even if it meant bloodshed and violence on a large scale. We are well aware of the tons of weapons - The Guns of Lautoka - that was shipped to Fiji to overthrow the Rabuka government. Hardly anything is known about Khaiyum and his bombers.

During the early stages of the coup, the Indo-Fijian opponents of the coup needed a 'coalition of the willing', to borrow a political phrase used to describe collective participants who came together to topple dictator Saddam Hussein. Khaiyum came forward and took charge of making homemade bombs, from his garden shed at Bakshi Street in Suva.

TO BE CONTINUED

Fijileaks to resume Part Two:

18 Comments

STANDING UP to Ro Kepa! Fijileaks Readers: Who is Mosese Bulitavu?

21/8/2015

12 Comments

 
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HON. M.D. BULITAVU.- Madam Speaker, the honourable Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, the honourable Leader of the Opposition and honourable Members, one of the world’s earliest and most recognised philosophers, the great Shakespeare had once said: “There is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.  Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries.  On such a full sea are we now afloat, and we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures.”

            Madam Speaker, I rise to speak in this august Chamber for the first time and it is a great privilege and honour to be able to do so.  I owe that privilege to the people of this great nation, who have entrusted in me their trust to be their voice in this august Parliament.  I wish to assure them of my undivided loyalty, to living up to their trust, that I will represent their interests and needs first, before my own.

            I aspire to live up to the expectations of our people and make meaningful contributions in this Parliament.  I also aspire to maintain, if not improve the high standards set by my predecessors, all who have walked along the corridors of Parliament since Fiji gained Independence are leaders of great vision!

            Madam Speaker, at this juncture, it would be remiss of me to go on any further without first congratulating you on your ascension as Fiji’s first female Speaker of Parliament.  In fact, you are the first female to hold such a position in the South Pacific.  I join those who have already spoken before me, and the many others who will after me, to tell you that this is indeed a great day for all women in this part of the region.  It signifies the recognition that women can equally be leaders in our society and that there can no longer be any excuse to tolerate inequality of gender.  On that note Madam, well done and all the best for the next four years.

            I wish at this point, to pay tribute to a number of people.  Firstly, my campaign team in Macuata.  I was blessed to share a common vision with a team of great men and women who like me, believed in a greater calling for Fiji; a nation that recognises Fiji is at a crossroad; a calling to determine the direction to travel to ensure we each a desirable destination for our young nation.  First to my campaign team, party agents, financial members, supporters, family and friends, thank you for the common purpose and endless days and nights spent together under the hot sun and in the still of the night.  For days, speaking our thoughts and aspirations for the interests of our people and the many others, and with the blessing of God decided that I was believable enough to be their representative in this august Parliament.

            My special thanks to the vanua of Caumatalevu; the vanua of Cakaunitabua; the vanua of Lalagavesi and the Turaga Bale Na Tui Cakau, for his outstanding leadership that has held Vanua Levu together.

            Madam Speaker, I am also grateful to my colleagues and mentors at the Vitivou Forum. who have since 2012 recognised my talents and have encouraged and guided me along  my journey.  To all of you, my warmest vinaka vakalevu.    

            You do not get to this place without stalwart support from many quarters, but there is one source of support more important than any other - your family.  My wife, Rasala, who has been a bedrock of my life for nearly ten years.  I thank God for her life and the inspiration she has provided to me at all times.  I also acknowledge our children, whom I look at daily and remind myself as to why I must fight; to ensure that they have a better future and one where they will have an equal opportunity at the starting line; a future that is void of racial intolerance and minute political bickering; a future in which indigenous Fijian aspirations are acknowledged, nurtured and supported; a future in which the business skills and the prowess of Fijians of other ethnicities now a part of our great nation are learned, and passed on to all our communities for the benefit of a shared learning and adoption.

            Madam Speaker, in 1951, a baby girl was born.  She was the fourth and the youngest child of  Ratu Tevita Ranuinui and Anasimeci Ramunua of Wasavulu, Labasa.  The baby girl was born into a family of provincial administrators, with her father being the Turaga Buli Labasa at the time, and she grew up with the strict disciplines of the Colonial era.  She was much loved and taught the disciplines of life, of being a good Christian.  She was taught to be a lady and a good mother.  The baby girl was Elina Ranuinui.  Elina later became a school teacher, a good seamstress, she was the best cook in my mind, and a well acknowledged Sunday school teacher.  She was an unparalleled role model and motivator.  She was my mother and she passed away just four months ago.

            Madam Speaker, I acknowledge and pay tribute to her today.  She is the reason why I am here.  Her privileged and chiefly upbringing never influenced her to be anything less, other than a humble, practical woman, who ensured that her only child in her later years was taught all she herself was taught.  For that, I will forever be indebted and humbled.  It was her that brought me onto this path.  Even whilst dressing me as a young boy for Sunday school in my best white, she would tell me that one day, I will be a political leader.

            Since those early days, I have been fascinated by politics.  Tragic but true, I have dreamt of standing in this very place and pleading the interests of our people many times.  At 32 years of age, I am here and I look forward to your guidance and that of the honourable Members to be a representative, deserving of our people.

            Madam Speaker, there comes a time in the history of nations when their people must become fully reconciled to their past, if they are to go forward with confidence to embrace their future.  Our nation, Fiji has reached such a time.  That is why Parliament is assembled here today, to deal with a new democratic process of taking Fiji forward.

            Fijians are a passionate and practical lot.  For us, symbolism is important but unless the great symbolism of reconciliation is accompanied by an even greater substance, it is little more than a clanging gong.  It is not sentiments that makes history but our actions.

            I humbly stand here today, firstly to offer an apology to the honourable Prime Minister and to the Interim Government for my own role in Fiji’s political history.  I had and still have strong political aspirations, especially for the things that an iTaukei and a freedom fighter like me holds so dear.  Though my political dreams were clear, like any human, I am also vulnerable to error of judgement and I know that I cannot undo some things I have already done.  However, I can atone for some of it by seeking forgiveness and moving forward.

            It is my hope therefore, to be acknowledged as equally useful as all other honourable Members without stain or prejudice, based on the principle of interpretation as stipulated in Section  3 (1)  of the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji, which promotes the spirit of human dignity, equality and freedom.

            I am here, Madam Speaker to appeal to this Parliament to reach out to each other and heal our past wounds.  Learn from it and help build a better future for all our children.

            I fondly remember today that there are times when in our human frail bodies, we feel there is no other reason to go on.  The human spirit offers you restitution in the form of the briefest of smiles.  I take an example here of one of the darkest periods in my life.  As I languished in my prison cell, and when it seemed like my conviction was pushed to the limits, I would see a glimmer of humanity in one of the guards.  Perhaps just for a second, but it was enough to reassure me and keep me going.

            It is this human affection, whether intended or not, that I ask that we exercise without boundaries in this august Parliament.  If Fiji is to progress and for us to be long remembered as the 50 Members of Parliament who really united Fiji, we must break all barriers and embrace each other’s differences.  After all, we are here in Fiji to stay.  Just as the quote goes, “A man’s goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.”  I plead to each one of us to reach across the racial, cultural and religious barriers and make this work.  I am inspired to say; “Yes we can and yes, we will.”

            Madam Speaker, I appeal to our honourable Prime Minister, in particular this afternoon, to help us all move forward.  I appeal, on behalf of all political prisoners, to reconcile our differences, embrace our shared humanity and moments of vulnerabilities and to forgive each other.  Saint Paul, said “conscience I say, why is mine judge by another.”

            I have no doubt in my mind that many who have now lived behind bars for a large part of their lives have discovered the Kingdom of God and have renewed their spiritual minds.  They seek an opportunity to move on with their lives, end a life of an outlaw and reunite with their families.

            Madam Speaker, I plead with the honourable Prime Minister today, to end the pain and sorrow silently suffered by families, individuals, communities by creating a policy for national reconciliation.  It does not have to be immediate, but the work towards the reality can start now.

            The words of the late Nelson Mandela is so true when he stated that, “A man who takes away another man’s freedom is a prisoner of hatred.  He is locked behind the bars of prejudice and narrow-mindedness.  I am not truly free, if I am taking away someone else’s freedom, just as surely as I am not free when my freedom is taken away from me.  The oppressed and the oppressor alike are robbed of their humanity.”

            Madam Speaker, freedom is indivisible, the chains on any Fijian were the chains on all of them.  The chains on all Fijians were the chains on one.


            Madam Speaker, I now wish to draw our attention to the economic and social development of our nation.  Our challenge for the future is to embrace a new partnership between indigenous and non-Indigenous Fijians.  The core of this partnership, for the future, is the closing of the gap between races on economic achievement, business success, educational achievement and employment opportunities.

            It is no coincidence that we have broken down social barriers, at the same time we have economic ones.  For example, in the last 40 years, the role of women in the workplace has grown enormously, as signified by your appointment Madam Speaker.  Likewise, the leading of the battalion march at Friday’s Fiji Day military parade by a number of women.  Fiji has also become much more ethnically diverse.

             We have a vibrant multi-cultural, multi-religious community and significant population from India, China, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific, amongst other nations.  When it comes to economic issues, my instinct is for open markets, free competition and as little State interference as possible.  And when it comes to social issues, I start with the same preference.  I am a believer in the rights of the individual and I am suspicious of the State seeking to exercise control over personal choices.  Of course, it is not always easy to brand an issue as social or as economic, and it is hard to get good social outcomes unless you have the money to spend on them.

            This brings me to address His Excellency the President’s statements in opening this session of Parliament.  In His Address, His Excellency outlined the many plans Government intends to implement for our people, come 2015.

We have a vibrant multicultural, multi religious community and significant populations from India, China, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific, amongst many other nations.

When it comes to economic issues, my instinct is for open markets, free competition and as little state interference as possible. When it comes to social issues, I start with the same preference. I am a believer in the rights of the individual and I am suspicious of the state seeking to exercise control over personal choices. Of course, it is not always easy to brand an issue as social or as economic and it is hard to get good social outcomes unless you have money to spend on them. 

This brings me to address His Excellency the President’s Address in opening this session of Parliament. In his address, His Excellency outlined the many plans Government intends to implement for our people come 2015. I applaud the plans that will see $10 million, for example, directed at assisting indigenous Fijians improve their land. May I add, Madam Speaker, that this was a common manifesto item with SODELPA and the other political parties  had offerings on land matters as well.

This is an area we all recognise that needs our concerted support and cooperation. However, without restrain Madam Speaker, I ask that as policy makers, we devise ways to ensure that the funding truly benefits the people it is intended for. The shape and form in which this assistance will reach our people, I hope will be properly thought out. The way forward is land innovation and productivity.

In my own personal experience, administering the land leases of our people in the Tikina of Labasa has been a challenge, especially with the recognised fact that indigenous Fijians are often asset rich but cash strapped thus the capital needed to allow us to develop subdivisions, or to implement commercial farming has almost always been non-existent. The funding provided thus by government often just reaches the implementation phase of infrastructural requirements. These have so often required developers to become a necessary part of the development and further, under the current iTaukei Land Trust Board Act, this acerbates the challenge. The developer owns the lease because of his capital and the land owner is confined to just receiving lease money twice a year. A framework must be adopted to enable financial literacy training, skilled training and embody the right style of leadership to steadily move towards indigenous enterprise contribution through industry outputs to be reflected in GDP proportionate to the composition of their indigenous population.

I am compelled to at this stage, to ask that Government considers reviewing policies on business ownerships as well in towns and cities, The lucrative businesses are at present mostly in the hands of Fijians that are not indigenous. Can we please remove the clique that exists in our urban economic spin areas and truly encourage indigenous Fijian participation in business.

I also hold fears that business tycoons from beyond our shores will make huge investments in Fiji and in the process are allowed to control key aspects of commercial operations in this country which hopefully will not extend to some other form of political control. As a business man it is frustrating to be victims of elite tycoon politics, and it would be a sad day for this country if international investors take some commercial and political control of this country.

His Excellency has outlined the intent of Government to provide the basic needs of water and electricity to the most needy members of our society free of charge and with reduced cost. Government also wants to support the education of our children, our most important assets for our future. Free tuition beginning from kindergarten is similar to the aspiration of the SODELPA party and it recognises the importance of laying a solid foundation for the formative years of our children’s education.

Short of criticising all this giveaway’s for our people that many claimed were vote buying tactics, I will choose to believe that the Government has genuine intent to level the playing field for all communities in Fiji so I will restrain my comments at this stage to a conservative caution on national spending and affordability.

I am motivated to help Fiji a fairer, stronger, more prosperous, more secure, more inclusive nation. To be a voice for rational policy making which recognises some basic realities to remove the mentality of slavery caused by colonisations indirect rule system that affects 3rd world countries.

  Madam Speaker, I would like to mention some specific policy areas in which I will be closely monitoring. Relevant to my interest, I will highlight issues that affect our public enterprises, trade and commerce. I intend to promote liberalisation of trade by influencing the Government of the day to give power back to the people.

Madam Speaker, the Government’s expenditure is well above our national revenue, I suspect that Government has no choice but to negotiate the sale of some of its assets. We only sell assets when they are not making any profit. My focus will be for the threshold to be met whereby public enterprises, trade and commerce provide the harmony for the Government to have the ability to repay debt and cut taxes in one end and on the other allow wealth generated from private sector revenues to pay for social services.

My second area of focus is commercialising innovation: moving smart ideas from the laboratory to the marketplace. This means closer ties between research  institutions and industry. It means choosing key areas of research where we can build real scale and leverage into a national competitive advantage.

My third area of focus is making Government more efficient and productive. That includes more uses of contestability and contracting out in choosing the providers of services. It means better use of information technology.  In the private sector, there is a huge focus on giving customers a simple one click approach to completing a transaction. Where is the one-click mentality in Government?

Let us get serious about evidence based policy, using randomised trials to test whether specific programmes actually work. Let us look at using the price signal more extensively to best allocate scarce resources. I think we need less intrusive regulation which uses the power of incentive to secure outcomes.

Madam Speaker, the prayer of this august House seeks blessings of God on the nation. God’s formula is simple “…where there is unity, God commands  his blessing…”

With those words, I wish this august House well in its deliberations. May God bless our people and may God bless the Republic of the Fiji Islands."

"Madam Speaker, I am also grateful to my colleagues and mentors at the Vitivou Forum. who have since 2012 recognised my talents and have encouraged and guided me along  my journey.  To all of you, my warmest vinaka vakalevu."  

About the Vitivou Forum: 

1.1   The starting point for this submission is the 1874 Deed of Cession. Prior to the Deed being signed, the territories, lands and waters of Fiji were under the sole authority of the High Chiefs of Fiji. The Deed of Cession transferred governance from the High Chiefs to the British Crown. This transfer of authority was not without certain conditions, one of which was that the rights and interests of the High Chiefs of Fiji were guaranteed under Article 7 of the Deed of Cession.

1.2   Article 7 states, in part, that:

On behalf of Her Majesty, His Excellency Sir Hercules George Robert Robinson promises (1) that the rights and interests of the said Tui Viti and other high chiefs the ceding parties hereto shall be recognized so far as is and shall be consistent with British Sovereignty and Colonial form of government.

1.3   Since Cession, the Chiefs of Fiji have had extensive formal recognition – traditional Fijian ownership and governance has been recognized and protected. More recently, the Great Council of Chiefs (“the GCC”) has been the vehicle by which the rights of the Chiefs have been given national expression. This is the first time, since Cession, that the Paramount Chiefs and leaders of the Fijian community, are facing a real likelihood of the eradication of their traditional administration, representation and governance systems, something that was guaranteed by the Queen of England under the Deed of Cession, and subsequently reflected in successive Constitutions. Such actions would be a breach of the promises contained in the Deed of Cession.

1.4   The Vitivou Forum is the initiative of the three Paramount Confederacy Chiefs. The Fijian administration divides the territory of Fiji into three distinct confederacies, as depicted in the map attached as Annex A. In turn, under each confederacy are 14 provinces, each with their own Provincial Council. Below the Provincial Councils are the District Councils, 189 in total and below these are 1,169 Village Councils.

1.5   The GCC, which exercises powers and responsibilities set out in the 1997 Constitution and the Fijian Affairs Act, is made up of representatives from the Provincial Councils, along with six members appointed by the Minister for Fijian Affairs and a number of ex-officio members.

1.6   Shortly after the 2006 coup, in April 2007, the GCC was suspended while carrying out their roles and responsibilities under the 1997 Constitution. Despite this suspension, the three Paramount Confederacy Chiefs have continued to liaise with each other in an effort to return Fiji to Parliamentary democracy. Numerous efforts, on the part of the Chiefs, including by the late Chairperson of the GCC, were made to engage with the Prime Minister. One meeting was held between the Prime Minister and one of the Paramount Confederacy Chiefs, the Tui Cakau, on the 20th December 2010. Further meetings had been agreed upon but were later abandoned via a public announcement of the Prime Minister. In March 2012, the Great Council of Chiefs was abolished.

1.7   As a result of this suspension of the operation of and the eventual abolition of the Great Council of Chiefs, the Paramount Confederacy Chiefs initiated the establishment of the Vitivou Forum Inc. Ltd. so that the chiefly structure could, on an interim basis, continue to have a national voice until the re-establishment of the GCC or some similar public entity.

1.8   The Vitivou Forum is registered as an incorporated zero capital company. Its objectives are as follows:

a)      To bridge the gap of understanding between communities and promote respect for diversity of ethnicity and culture in Fiji through education and the harmonization of traditional and modern values and structures;

b)      To ensure the interests of all ethnicities in Fiji are given due consideration;

c)       To conduct policy research in economic, social, environmental and cultural matters and work with stakeholders to achieve the requisite outcomes;

d)      To advocate and advance understanding in relation to governance models of practices which are based on traditional and customary governance and are accountable, transparent and democratic;

e)      To provide for its members an opportunity to pursue spiritual, cultural, social, economic, educational goals and outcomes;

f)       To build strategic partnerships with public and private actors at the national, regional and international levels;

g)      To cooperate with other networks and organizations within and beyond the region which have similar objectives.

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The Gaunavinaka Report and Vitivou Forum Inc:

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