And SODELPA candidates who missed out on election tickets, and those still waiting to hear, demand answers from Rabuka on PDP's Lynda Tabuya. When did she apply to join SODELA? When did she send her application to stand as an election candidate? When was she interviewed? Who interviewed her? Is she still PDP or SODELPA? Above all, SODELPA supporters are demanding to read the so-called MOU signed between Sitiveni Rabuka and Lynda Tabuya and Vijay Singh
Fijileaks: There is nothing wrong in politicians and political opportunists changing parties but in Tabuya's case she LIED to the FINAL WIRE

People’s Democratic Party leader Lynda Tabuya yesterday (7 December 2017) brushed aside rumours claiming she was joining the Social Democratic Party (SODELPA). “I am not a member of SODELPA, I remain a leader of PDP,” she said. “As a party leader it is in the mandate of the management board to continue talks with other parties and it is the mandate of my management board to continue talks with SODELPA just like I am with NFP (National Federation Party) and the smaller parties about the way forward.” Ms Tabuya said she was not amongst the 51 candidates approved by SODELPA. Fiji Sun, 8 December 2017

A day later after her Lasulasu
OPERATION KIDACALA:
RABUKA'S 30th Candidate IS....Lynda Tabuya

THE MIRROR CRACKED: POLITICS AND PARTY LOYALTY TURNED UPSIDE DOWN

[Sitiveni] Rabuka says the newly chosen SODELPA Vice President Vijay Singh and Lynda Tabuya have personally accepted the challenge in resigning from PDP and joining SODELPA.  Former PDP Leader Lynda Tabuya says they are glad to unite with SODELPA to fight the 2018 general elections. Tabuya says they needed to rethink their strategies moving forward. She says pre‑elections coalitions is just not legally possible in the current election system. Tabuya says they have chosen to join SODELPA because their policies are similar:
Fijivillage, 9 December 2017   
Fijileaks: Questions to Lynda Tabuya and Vijay Singh:
1) Have you two resigned from the PDP?
2) If so, when did you resign?
3) Who accepted your resignations?
4) Who is temporarily in charge of PDP?
5) When did you join SODELPA?
6) Tabuya when did you apply to be CANDIDATE? When were you (if at all) interviewed by the SODELPA SELECTION COMMITTEE? Right up to 8 December, and a day before the announcement of candidates, you were insisting that you were not a member of SODELPA. You claimed you were still leader of PDP in talks with SODELPA. But on 9 December Rabuka claimed you had resigned from PDP and have joined SODELPA, with Singh appointed as a VP for SODELPA?
7) Why should there be a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) if you two have resigned from PDP and joined SODELPA. A MOU is a document that expresses mutual accord on an issue between two or more parties. MOUs are generally recognized as binding, even if no legal claim could be based on the rights
7) On what grounds did the PDP Management Board, to use your own statements, grant you authority to sign a MOU with Sitiveni Rabuka? Come off, its like a Board of Trustees granting former Directors the powers to sign off multi-million dollar deals? Who are you two fooling? Or are you two surrounded by FOOLS in PDP and SODELPA?
9) If you two have resigned and joined SODELPA, why the hell should you two be exempt from the rules and regulations of SODELPA Party Constitution?
8) Vijay Singh, you have become a VICE-PRESIDENT of SODELPA, so what is this garbage MOU that you have signed with Rabuka, allegedly at the behest of the PDP Management Board? Have you merged PDP into SODELPA?
10) Have you two informed of your departure to the Supervisor of Elections?
We call on the Election Supervisor to look into the whole shenanigan?
PDP slogan was: REAL CHANGE. Now, you have changed political sides, you have no bloody right, power, or privilege to be signing an MOU with Rabuka.
You have to be treated as any SODELPA member, without any grace or favour
10) Lynda Tabuya, go and ask FLP leader Mahendra Chaudhry about MOUs with Sitiveni Rabuka. This man is the biggest liu muri in Fiji. Only an ignorant fool, devoid of history, will make a 'DEAL WITH THE DEVIL"

Lynda Tabuya and Vijay Singh: What are the contents of the MOU? Was it signed before or after you resigned from the PDP? And if you had joined SODELPA after your resignations, what right do you have to bring PDP policies into the SODELPA camp? Either you are SODELPA or PDP. You can't be both? There are a host of other questions, and that is why we are calling on the Supervisor of Elections to step in and conduct an inquiry

ADI CAKOBAU GIRLS CONNECTION with SODELPA general secretary Adi Litia Qionibaravi at play?

As anticipated, Peceli Rinakama, the 2000 convicted coupist with George Speight is now SODELPA candidate. And Simione Drole? Is he the same Drole who, while serving his time on Nukulau Island for his role in the Speight coup, had turned State witness and had testified against other coup accomplices Timoci Silatolu and Jo Nata? Drole had told the Silatolu-Nata TREASON trial that it was Silatolu who gave the final go-ahead for the overthrow of the Mahendra Chaudhry government on 19 May. Drole told the court that the day before the coup they met Silatolu at the Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei (SVT) party's office in central Suva. Rabuka had led his SVT party into the 1999 general election, only to be trounced at the poll. In 2003, Rinakama alleged that Rabuka's SVT party was behind the 2000 coup, and that it had plotted to overthrow the Chaudhry government even before it took office. And, is Mitieli Bulanauca the same Bulanauca who, in the political upheaval that followed the Speight coup, was appointed to the interim Cabinet formed by Laisenia Qarase as Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources?
Welcome to COUPCOUP Politics, with SODELPA, led by Father of Coups, Sitiveni Rabuka,  already having lost the moral high ground to raise the issue of 2006 coup in the 2018 election

OPERATION KIDACALA (Surprise) was the code name Sitiveni Rabuka had assigned to his treasonous plan when he overthrew the
Dr Timoci Bavadra government in 1987

SITIVENI RABUKA ON TABUYA AND SINGH:
“They have accepted the challenge to resign from PDP and join the SODELPA ranks. Their loyalty still lies with their original party and they’re coming with the basic and real platforms which the PDP is run on. We find that those are in harmony and that the principals [Fijileaks: Its PRINCIPLES] and the values of SODELPA and we have received them with open arms and this morning I’ve been authorized to sign the
MOU with PDP.”

LYNDA TABUYA ON RABUKA:

“We with SODELPA has come to an agreement that this will be our united fight to continue to fight for the rights of workers and there are rights that are currently in the labour laws will be reviewed and made more fair to workers and this we have come together in unity and cooperation and in this spirit we are here today. Now I’ve been asked the question, why support Rabuka? I dont know if Rabuka’s ever been asked a question why support Tabuya or Prasad? Why support Rabuka? We support Rabuka and Rabuka supports us.”

REVEALED: The author of the controversial Gaunavinaka Report was SODELPA MP MOSESE BULITAVU, says MICK BEDDOES

BULITAVU ACCUSED

15 August 2015: Mosese Bulitavu to Adi Litia Qionibaravi and others. Subject: E-mail that was sent to Tui Cakau at 11pm last night

TRANSLATION "The Caucus has decided that a letter of complaint, already drafted by Karavaki, be forwarded to the GS on the leadership in the office. I state here that the caucus masterminded operation Gaunavinaka. I prepared the report and organised its leak as our mouths have been shut. We have discussed between SODELPA Naitasiri and CBM SODELPA and father Kilipati has given his approval to clean up the opposition office. In light of the above and at the risk of the party being deregistered I have requested whip and opposition leader to resign and we also wish to state that we will forward our resignation so that a clean-up can be done."

"After berating me for asking a question the Anare Jale Committee said that I had no evidence? That is true, I had no evidence at the time. But I was suspicious enough, that I asked the question which they did not answer and instead turned my questions into accusations. But now 16 months later, the evidence that proves my suspicions to be accurate has surfaced by way of an email sent to Adi Litia by Hon Mosese Bulitavu on August 15th 2015. Adi Lita Qionibaravi knew about Gaunavinaka all along, and withheld this vital and incriminating bit of evidence from both Anare Jale’s Investigating team and the Disciplinary committee" - Beddoes, 7 December 2017

"I recently came into possession of a copy of an email from Hon Mo Bulitavu to Adi Litia Qionibaravi and Sainiana Radrodro dated August 15th 2015 in which he stated that Hon Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu had been sent the same email at 11pm the night before. The contents of this email are telling and it allows me finally [to] be in a position to put together the missing pieces of the jigsaw called Gaunavinaka. All of the characters who participated in and helped orchestrate this abuse of due process remain in the party management today. All of us who were wrongly accused by Hon Mo Bulitavu were simply ignored. My only motivation for doing this at this time is to finally establish the ‘TRUTH’ about what happened and to expose those individuals who remain in SODELPA today who collectively fabricated the report called Gaunavinaka and orchestrated an entire investigation to hoodwink the unsuspecting members, into believing they were trying to establish the truth when in fact their investigation was an effort to ‘discredit; Hon Ro Teimumu Kepa, Hon Ratu Isoa Tikoca, the late Adi Laufitu Malani, our parliamentary staff and me." - 
MICK BEDDOES, 7 DECEMBER 2017

BEDDOES 'Although the Disciplinary Committee at a Management Board meeting did recommend the expulsion of Hon Mo Bulitavu in its final recommendations, Adi Litia fervently defended Hon Mosese Bulitavu and quickly moved a motion to Pardon him. He was made Deputy Whip' - Beddoes

The Gaunavinaka Report that was published by Fijileaks on 20 August 2015. We will not disclose our source of the report

COUPING: Adi Litia accused of couping against Beddoes. Here she is with the
1987 coupist and SODELPA leader Rabuka

INJUSTICE In a letter to me dated April 16 2016, SODELPA General Secretary L.Q.Qionibaravi, outlined the 5 issues I was accused of and investigated for. Against each of these issues she included the findings of the Anare Jale Investigating Committee as well as the findings of the Disciplinary Committee. Their findings are so different it is clear that the Anare Jale Committee was out to find us guilty of what we had been accused of, whereas the Disciplinary Committee looked at the rules and the evidence and ruled accordingly. [Refer Example Table 1 below]

Anare Jale

5. Hon Mosese Bulitavu claims in Paragraph 3 that he compiled the report, and that Hon Karavaki compiled the complaint. The words here that make the distinction of the two documents are ‘ivola’ (in P1) and ‘repote’ (in P3). It is interesting that during discussion I had with Hon Karavaki, he indicated he was just asked to put his signature on the documents and nothing else, however according to Hon Mosses’ email, Hon Karavaki was definitely involved!

Table No 1: Adi Litia’s reference to a ‘fifth issue I was accused of” Table 4: Page 2 Copy of email from Mo Bulitavu to Sainiana Radrodro and Adi Litia Fijileaks: We are yet to obtain comment from Mosese Bulitavu

Table 2: Questions I asked on August 17 2015 that Adi Litia converted into accusations and her Fifth Issue. TRANSLATION Many people are blaming the Fiji sun for discrediting the party however the truth is that the caucus has been at the root of it all. We have been made a fool of as we have not been involved in any decision making. Our thinking is that Ratu Yavala comes in as replacement to the opposition leader. If the inquiry is not well conducted hon Aseri Radroro's role in PAC will be weakened. We have no more confidence in the opposition leader or whip. Many people are asking as to who is the author of the (Gaunavinaka) report, I am requesting that the party deals with this issue. We have asked GS to stand up straight and she is awaiting a decision from you. My apology for the negative light cast on the party and your name (Desperate times needs desperate measures) The caucus at this time is minus us. I am requesting your decision be straight and clean. Wishing you all the best. Your obedient servant, Mo

From Fijileaks Archive, 20 August 2015:

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

From Fijileaks Archive, 10 December 2015:

We won't be surprised if Ratu Isoa Tikoca is not given SODELPA ticket. The Gaunavinaka Report had accused him of undermining 'Indigenous Rights'

On the other hand, Whip-Ratu Isoa Tikoca (MP) a fall out from Bainimarama’s administration being Ambassador to PNG and the master-mind of the iTaukei Foundation established at the Bosevanua in Bau to sign a memorandum with the government under the United Nations Declaration for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) with intention to undermine the Yanuca Resolutions. The Yanuca letter was endorsed by the Vitivou Forum Inc. and the Fiji Native Tribe Congress to prove to the ILO Convention 169 Committee of Experts that the argument by the Bainimarama government that majority of indigenous Fijians had accepted the reforms directed to remove their group rights through the adoption of the People’s Charter is not true, indigenous peoples were not consulted of the imposed changes. Both indigenous groups are co-chaired by the Leader of the Opposition and Tui Cakau, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu (MP) with many heads of chiefly domes in Kubuna, Burebasaga and Tovata Confederacies. Opposition Whip-Ratu Isoa Tikoca (MP) after he was sacked and his passport held until he fully settled the money he used for his son’s tuition fees who was studying in Australia, presented his iTaukei Foundation concept to negotiate on behalf of Tailevu province to the Government, but failed to convince Bainimarama. He brought his concept to SODELPA and was allowed to present it the party headquarters trying to convince the party with Bainimarama’s abusive emails. It was only in January, 2014 that Ratu Isoa Tikoca (MP) entered the SODELPA movement - Reclaiming Fiji. How can these individuals be trusted and given very key decision making positions at the Opposition Office? -
The Gaunavinaka Report

"It is unfortunate to state that the appointment of Richard Naidu as the Opposition’s nominee was the decision of the Leader of the Opposition alone and did not reflect any consensus with the caucus or the party. She pushed her way through to get her choice despite members of the caucus suggesting other nominees...In the recent resignation and the appointment of the new RFMF Commander, the Opposition Office acted without the direction, knowledge and permission of the party by publically saying in the media that the acting appointment of Viliame Naupoto as new Commander was ‘in order’ because it was procedurally agreed at the Constitution Commission. The Leader of the Opposition and her nominee Richard Naidu made a blanket undertaking that the Chairperson is allowed to make interim three months appointments. The President [Ratu Naiqama] had expressed his disappointment and questioned the Leader of the Opposition in a written letter on 3 August 2015 on the validity of the position of the Opposition Office taken especially one done without his understanding, without consultation as to the position of the party." - THE GAUNAVINAKA REPORT

"Without the consultation of the caucus and the management board of the party she announced that the leader of the National Federation Party [Biman Prasad] is the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee. The Leader of the Opposition gave away a key position of every opposition majority party that will give the National Federation Party (NFP) mileage for the 2018 elections. The conspiracy was later revealed to be created by Laufitu Malani and Eci Kikau of the NFP. This is a serious breach of the party constitution."

"Without the consultation of the caucus and the management board of the party she announced that the leader of the National Federation Party [Biman Prasad] is the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee. The Leader of the Opposition gave away a key position of every opposition majority party that will give the National Federation Party (NFP) mileage for the 2018 elections." - Gaunavinaka Report

"Ratu Sai" was responding to allegations against Sakiusa Raivoce in the Gaunavinaka Report. Raivoce is on the Selection Committee to select SODELPA candidates for the 2018 general election

From Fijileaks Archive, 20 August 2015:

UPDATE: "I have read your latest statement in the blog-site and I agree with the report, because that is the amount the SODELPA Opposition Office in Parliament borrowed from me. I did not even ask for an interest, they offered it to me. I don't know where the $30k and the $10k interest came from as reported by Gaunavinaka." - Sakiusa Raivoce to Fijileaks

Fijileaks Investigation Team's finding:
* Raivoce paid for the Opposition Office staff wages & petty cash from the date that the General Secretary of Parliament terminated all staff on 9 January 2015 until the Opposition received their $225,000 deposit.
* Raivoce stepped in to provide a bridging loan and Sodelpa agreed to the nominal interest rate in exchange.
* Sodelpa provided a wage listing and petty cash reimbursement each week and he advanced the money.
* In March Sodelpa refunded him $13,261.24 plus 5% interest of $663.07. He was paid $13,924.31 in total.
* Had Raivoce not stepped in, Sodelpa would have had to close the office or ask the staff to work for free.
* Raivoce had agreed to loan $10,000 initially and the interest was to be $500

The SODELPA selection committee deliberating on applications for the 2018 lineup at the party office. Raivoce on the left of Laisenia Qarase

"I prepared the GAUNAVINAKA Report and organised its leak as our mouths have been shut."

TRANSLATION "The Caucus has decided that a letter of complaint, already drafted by Karavaki, be forwarded to the GS [General Secretary Adi Litia Qionibaravi] on the leadership in the office. I state here that the caucus masterminded operation Gaunavinaka. I prepared the report and organised its leak as our mouths have been shut. We have discussed between SODELPA Naitasiri and CBM SODELPA and father Kilipati has given his approval to clean up the opposition office. In light of the above and at the risk of the party being deregistered I have requested whip and opposition leader [Ro Kepa] to resign and we also wish to state that we will forward our resignation so that a clean-up can be done."

"The Caucus has decided that a letter of complaint, already drafted by Karavaki, be forwarded to the GS [General Secretary of SODELPA, Adi Litia Qionibaravi, on the leadership in the office. I state here that the caucus masterminded operation Gaunavinaka. I prepared the report and organised its leak as our mouths have be."

SODELPA (Rabuka) will release the remaining list of candidates today
(Saturday, 9 December 2017)

The FULL GAUNAVINAKA REPORT:

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

VICTOR LAL: 'If native Fijians and traitor Indo-Fijians want history to repeat itself, sure, go ahead and embrace this racist, coupist, treasonist Sitiveni Rabuka to lead Fiji. We will continue our fight, opposing COUPISTS who have brought so much death, destruction, and decay to our native Fiji. And, don't try and tell me, of all people, Fiji belongs to native Fijians. Waqatairewa, I am not the QUEEN OF FIJI. The real Queen was deposed by Rabuka so that he could reduce Indo-Fijians to second class citizens, become Major-General, and  turn Fiji into a Republic, supported by chiefs and NBF thieves in 1987. Oh, as a petty commoner, he also became 'Queen' of Chiefs - chairman of Great Council of Chiefs. There is no denying that shortly after his coup, Rabuka and his followers had embarked on a mission of cultural genocide against Indo-Fijians.'

We had resisted partaking in news reports that had been pumped out against SODELPA MP ASERI RADRODRO by bottle picker Sitiveni Rabuka's 'wheel-barrow boys' and the media

* The devil is in the details: Radrodro scored the highest total score, in equal percent, with another candidate but coupist Rabuka has been trying to infiltrate SODELPA candidacy list with the likes of Peceli Rinakama who was elected to Parliament in the 1999 election, representing the constituency of Naitasiri for the Fijian Association Party

* During the 2000 failed coup, he joined the Cabinet of George Speight. 

* Following the coup, he switched his allegiance to Ratu Naiqama's the Conservative Alliance, but failed to win re-election in the 2001 election

* In 2003, he alleged that Rabuka's Soqosoqo ni Vakavulewa ni Taukei (SVT) party was behind the 2000 coup, and that it had plotted to overthrow the Chaudhry government even before it took office

* Shortly afterwards he was charged with taking an unlawful oath for purporting to join Speight's Cabinet, and in 2004 he was convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment

* Rinakama was granted early release for good behaviour in December 2005, having served half his sentence

* In 2005 it was alleged that Rinakama had benefitted from a US$13 million fraud in the agriculture ministry in 2001

* In 1987, the deposed Prime Minister Dr Timoci Bavadra had predicted that Rabuka's coups would unleash tribalism and provincialism whose effects will be felt for years to come

* No where is this more pronounced than in the make up of the SODELPA Selection Committee

* They hail from Lau, Rewa, Tailevu and Cakaudrove, led by coupist Sitiveni Rabuka, who should NEVER have been chosen to lead the party

* What is his CV for the job. Zilch. The opportunist and coupist had been hiding from the Bainimarama regime since 2006, and is now charged with selecting and shaping the SODELPA candidate list for the election

* It was none other than Rabuka who dragged the sorry saga of his daughter and her former husband Aseri Radrodro's bust up into the public domain in his resignation letter (published by Fijileaks) when he was forced to withdraw from SODELPA

* Since then, not a day passes when his "wheel barrow boys" have not stopped demonizing Aseri Radrodro regarding Rabuka's daughter

* What they have not disclosed is that she was no "angel" -  and that is why Rabuka chose NOT to take the matter up with the Police. Go and ask the KUBUABOLAS. We will rest the case, for the time-being. Rabuka must not be allowed to get his way against SODELPA MP Aseri Radrodro

* WE CALL ON SODELPA TO KICK THE BOTTLE PICKER OUT AS LEADER OF THE PARTY, IF IT WANTS TO WIN ELECTION. He should be appointed Frank Bainimarama's COP23 BOTTLE PICKER AMBASSADOR
FIJI IS STILL PICKING UP THEIR 'COUP RUBBISH'

"People are commenting [on social media] on comments without even checking out the facts. If somebody says today a frog has eaten a horse, then people will start commenting, "Oh my God what color was the frog?" as opposed to actually checking out the fact if the frog had eaten the horse or not. And frankly, you can verify those facts very, very easily." - Khaiyum

In his keynote address at the International Anti-Corruption Day celebrations in Suva, Aiyaz Khaiyum stated that there is a culture in Fiji of people commenting on social media posts without verifying their facts. It was vital, he said, that people addressed issues in a factual manner instead of just basing their information on rumors.

Fijileaks: In the last five years we have presented to him and the world a series of factual stories (including our Founding Editor-in-Chief VICTOR LAL informing him in 2008 that his fellow Interim Finance Minister Mahendra Pal Chaudhry was hiding $2million in Australia) but like our analogy of the FROG and the MONKEY, he not only makes no effort to verify our facts but condescendingly dismisses them, and ensures through his media decree that these revelations remain hidden from Fiji's local media readers. Why didn't he, as a lawyer, and a fellow Muslim, make any effort to verify the credentials of the Islamic cleric scholar and 'barrister' Zain Siddiqi? Since 2011, he has been hob-nobbling with Siddiqi at Indo-Fijian Muslim gatherings. Has he now issued a banning order against Siddiqi? Since when has he woken up to preach about transparency and accountability? What about the Auditor-Generals Reports? What about the Ministerial Salaries? What about the Prime Minister's Cyclone Winston Funds? The list is endless, and Fijians like the FROG IN THE WELL, are struggling to get the facts out from him

BUT THE FROG STILL BELIEVES THAT IT IS
KING OF THE WELL (Raja!)

In March 2017, the Solicitors Regulation Authority in England intervened into Siddiqi's practice at Saints Solicitors LLP in Birmingham to protect clients' interests. In 2007, Siddiqi and two others had also pleaded guilty in the Manchester Magistrates Court in England to various charges of providing or aiding and abetting the illegal immigration advice or services. The TRIO, the court heard, had set up a bogus immigration advice service in Cheetham Hill, Manchester. They pretended they were being regulated by the British government when they were not.

Why was Siddiqi allowed to preach to Maunatul Islam Fiji in 2011, and in 2017? WELCOME 2011: Aiyaz Khaiyum and Zain Siddiqi at the Maunatul Islam Fiji FIJI: A PARADISE FAST LOSING ITS SOUL TO SHADY CHARACTERS And Fijian journalists are too frightened to confront or question the new 'KING OF FIJI'

AIYAZ SAYED KHAIYUM WITH SIDDIQI AT THE MAUNATUL ISLAM FIJI IN 2011

In 2011, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Aiyaz Khaiyum was the chief guest when Siddiqi spoke at the Maunatul Islam Fiji. He acknowledged Khaiyum's attendance in his opening remarks. In March 2017, the Solicitors Regulation Authority [SRA], UK, had stopped Siddiqi's legal firm Saints Solicitors LLP from operating, took possession of all documents and papers held by the firm, and took possession of all money held,  to protect clients' interests and money, in the public interest. In 2007, Siddiqi and two others had pleaded guilty in the Manchester Magistrates Court in England to various charges of providing or aiding and abetting the illegal immigration advice or services. The TRIO had set up a bogus immigration advice service in Cheetham Hill, Manchester. They pretended they were being regulated by the British government when they were not, Manchester Magistrates Court heard. On what grounds did the Fiji Immigration Department admit Siddiqi into Fiji in 2011, and most recently, to preach during the Prophet Mohammed's birthday celebrations? One of the Siddiqi bothers, Shaykh Faizul Aqtab Siddiqi, in 2007, established MAT  - Muslim Arbitration Tribunal, and is chairman of its Governing Council. Unlike most sharia councils and tribunals, MAT has legal status under the 1996 Arbitration Act and its rulings can be enforced by the British courts, provided that both parties in the dispute agree to give it the power to rule on their case. Many opponents of MAT argue that the tribunal condones domestic violence and physical abuse against Muslim women, and that it undermines equal rights and protection under the law, and often rules unfairly in favour of men. MAT has denied the charges. According to the tribunal's website, it specialises in Islamic divorce, inheritance law and Islamic wills, family meditation and mosque dispute resolution. Faizul Siddiqi has been branded a hardline cleric, who led a thousand-strong, gender-segregated march in protest at Charlie Hebdo’s use of images of Prophet Mohammed after 11 of the magazine’s staff were murdered by terrorists in Paris 

Fijileaks: WILL AIYAZ SAYED KHAIYUM BOOT HIM OUT OF FIJI?

In March 2017, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in England intervened into Siddiqi's practice at Saints Solicitors LLP in Birmingham. Reasons/basis: Siddiqi had failed to comply with the SRA Accounts Rules 2011 and the SRA Principles 2011 which are rules made under Sections 31 and 32 of the Solicitors Act 1974 (as amended). In April 2017, the suspension of Siddiqi's practising certificate for 2016/2017 was terminated subject to conditions

DEFACED: Siddiqi's Saints Solicitors in Birmingham The screeching headline in The FIJI SUN

An intervention is a step taken to protect clients' interests and money, in the public interest. In March 2017, the SRA had stopped the firm from operating, took possession of all documents and papers held by the firm, and took possession of all money held.

In March 2017, a statement from the SRA said the company and its managers "failed to comply with the SRA Accounts Rules 2011 and the SRA Principles 2011 which are rules made under section 9 of the Administration of Justice Act 1985". Afifa Kiran, Safdar Akhtar, Zain Siddiqi and Nusrat Hussain, who practiced at Saints Solicitors in Birmingham, were all subject to the intervention order. James Dunn of London firm Devonshires had been appointed as intervening agent.

The Fiji Times, Tuesday 5 December 2017

Fijileaks: Siddiqi's CV is at odds with his Facebook profile and Fiji media headlines that he is a Barrister of High Court of England and Wales. On his Facebook profile he claims he has an LLM from Staffordshire University. But on his LinkedIn page he states he has a LPC (Legal Practice Certificate) from Staffordshire University (1996-97). If so, then he is a SOLICITOR and NOT a BARRISTER of the High Court of England and Wales. In fact, he has to be a SOLICITOR, for it was the Solicitors Regulatory Authority which first suspended his practising certificate for 2016/2017. Has the 'Shaykh' taken the Fiji Muslim League, the Fiji media, and the Indo-Fijian Muslims in Labasa for a ride during Prophet Mohammed's Birthday celebration?

Pictured at an event in Fiji

A TRIO who set up a bogus immigration advice service in Cheetham Hill, Manchester, have been brought to justice. They pretended they were being regulated by the government when they were not, Manchester Magistrates Court heard.

The three men, Gurvinder Singh Suthi of Handsworth, Birmingham, Tasib Yusaf of Snienton, Nottingham and Zain Siddiqi, a solicitor also based in Handsworth, pleaded guilty to various charges of providing or aiding and abetting the illegal immigration advice or services.

By law, anyone offering immigration advice or services must be regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) unless they are a member of a designated professional body, such as the Law Society. Although, as a solicitor, Siddiqi was qualified to provide immigration advice or services, his two co-defendants were not. As the court heard, however, Mr Siddiqi had at one point owned the business that allowed Suthi and Yusaf to provide immigration advice illegally.

Operating as Doctor Qureshi & Company and trading from offices on Cheetham Hill, Manchester, the trio were claiming the business was regulated by the OISC and even displayed an OISC logo in their window as proof. Despite a visit from the OISC clarifying that they were not regulated and that as such they were breaking the law, they continued to offer immigration advice and services regardless.

Immigration Services Commissioner, Suzanne McCarthy, said: "The law exists to protect people from incompetent immigration advisers. It is my office's responsibility to enforce that and we will prosecute those who deliberately flout the law and take advantage of their clients."

Ms McCarthy went on: "This group all knew that they needed to be regulated by my office. Instead they chose to operate outside the law and without regard for the protection of their clients, so I am delighted with the outcome of this case. I think it sends a clear message to other people considering providing immigration advice without being appropriately regulated - either act within the law or you will find yourself in court."

The Saints Solicitors had a branch office at 78 Dickenson Rd, Manchester

His description of Aiyaz Khaiyum as "King" (said in jovial style) should also be interpreted in the context of his request that since he [Khaiuym] was the acting Prime Minister - "King, as they would say in India" - he should grant Indo-Fijian Muslims the permission for them to march on Prophet Mohammed's birthday, as is the practice in many Muslim countries. Unfortunately, the SODELPA RACISTS are making a mountain out of a molehill. For God's sake, at least the Maulana was not claiming that Allah had whispered in his sleep to make the request to "KK - King Khaiyum". Remember SODELPA leader Sitiveni Rabuka's claim: 'God whispered in my sleep to carry out the coup, for Hindus and Muslims are pagans who must be converted to Christianity."  He had planned the coup in utter secrecy and had termed his treasonous plan as 'Operation Kidacala'. The Maulana, on the other hand, could have approached Khaiyum in secrecy to obtain a marching permit from the police. But he did not do so, and only mentioned the idea of a march on Prophet Mohammed's birthday in passing during his sermon. We must also not forget that the peaceful Maunatul Islam Association has been in Fiji since 1942, long before the racist Rabuka was born. The Association was led by that great late Indo-Fijian leader Siddiq Moidin Koya, including his father Hajji Moidin Koya. The MIA can not be equated with many dubious Christian groups operating in Fiji. The Maulana was simply speaking as an Indian Muslim to Indo-Fijian Muslims, many who told Fijileaks afterwards that they were struggling to understand his long winded sermon in Arabic/Urdu fiery tongue. There is nothing in the full video which is inflammatory, except him jovially referring to Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum as "King - Fiji ke Raja" in an All India setting. The Maulana forgot that he was speaking to an Indo-Fijian Muslim audience. According to the sources, even Faiyaz Koya and Aiyaz Khaiyum were struggling to comprehend most of his preaching until he mentioned "Raja". But as we pointed out previously, the Maulana should have been corrected on some of his misinformed statements. However, he did not once refer to FFP government or Fijian politics. Nor did he explain to his audience that SAYED, Arabic sayyid, means 'master', 'lord' or 'chief'. Ironically, after losing the 1999 general election, it was Rabuka, a petty commoner, who became chairman of the Great Council of CHIEFS [SAYYIDS], and later a life-member. In September 2006, Rabuka called for the abolition of Fiji's chiefly system and for the nationalisation of land owned by native Fijians: "The indigenous Fijians will argue that this will leave them with nothing but in the end, it's for the good of all. We'll all benefit in the end."

Fijileaks: We have a history of falling for the well healed 'heavenly messengers' - remember the South Korean Reverend Moon and his counterpart Pastor Benny Hinn fighting for the soul and wallet of Fijians in 2006:

Then PM Qarase and Pastor Benny Hill

The president of the Methodist Church was quoted as saying he would direct Benny Hinn to the St Giles Psychiatric Hospital and the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva because these are the places where people require urgent healing.

"There is no doubt that many people in Fiji will be falling and fainting in January at the hands of Hinn, although his detractors claim that his whole show is a charismatic delusion, and he is a charlatan. He is not a faith healer but a fake healer, they say. The Methodists in Fiji have reservations about the televangelist, and the leader of the Indian Division of the Methodist Church, Reverend Emmanuel Reuben, said Fiji did not need overseas preachers since many different churches in the country provided the gospel to those who hunger for it. He said overseas evangelists like Hinn and Binn do more damage than good when they come to the country. The Methodist Church, in general, while it welcomes the Hinn visit, is concerned about the various new methods of worship being introduced into the country."
VICTOR LAL, Fiji Sun Opinion Column, December 2005

Maulana Ahmad Nakshabandi from Hyderabad in India (with Aiyaz Khaiyum) was speaking at the Prophet Mohammed's Birthday celebrations in Ba's Maruru Jamie Mosque

Maulana Ahmed Nakshabandi with Aiyaz Khaiyum and Faiyaz Koya

FOR THE RECORD: Maulana Ahmed Nakshabandi from Hyderabad in India (with Aiyaz Khaiyum and Faiyaz Koya) was speaking at the Prophet Mohammed's Birthday celebrations in Ba's Maururu Jamie Mosque (see video below). Aiyaz Khaiyum and Faiyaz Koya were chief guests at the Maunatul Islam Association of Fiji that represents about 30 per cent of the Sunni Muslims in Fiji who are mostly followers of the Shafi school of jurisprudence. The followers of Imam Shafi in Fiji are the descendants of Muslims of Malayalam origin who came to Fiji under the indenture system from Kerala in South India between 1903 and 1916. The organisation originally operated under the name of Then India Maunatul Islam of Fiji since it was officially formed in 1942. The name of the Association was changed in 1982 to Maunatul Islam Association and its head office is situated at 72 Vomo Street, Drasa/Vitogo in Lautoka. One of the most prominent past President and Speaker of the Association was the late Siddiq Moidin (S.M.) Koya, the leader of the National Federation Party and Leader of the Opposition. His two sons, Faizal (NFP) and Faiyaz (FFP), are still active and prominent members of MIA in Fiji. HAJJI Moidin Koya (with cap in the front row picture below) was national president of MIA, Fiji. He was the father of the late S. M. Koya

HAJJI Moidin Koya (with cap in the front row) was national president of MIA, Fiji.
He was the father of the late S M Koya

WATCH VIDEO BELOW WHERE KHAIYUM IS DESCRIBED AS "KING OF FIJI". Opinion is divided on whether Khaiyum is "SULTAN OF FIJI" or "KINGFISHER". Moreover, the Maulana also wrongly claims that it was FFP Minister Faiyaz Koya who obtained a public holiday on Prophet Mohammed's birthday when the truth is the birthday has been a public holiday for decades. Religion, mixed with untruth and echoes of politicking, must be discouraged at such holy gatherings. Faiyaz Koya, sitting next to the Maulana, should have corrected him on the spot. During his lecture the Maulana was at one point interrupted by Khaiyum as he was lavishing praise to jokingly say to him (the Maulana):
'You should be in politics.'
WE, however, have no objection to the Maulana's presence in Fiji. After all, preachers from different Hindu and Christian sects are regular visitors to Fiji. The Maulana's description of Khaiyum as 'King' in the current Fiji context is open to different interpretations - depending on one's view of Khaiyum. And, we must not forget that racist, coupist, SODELPA leader and Methodist lay preacher
Sitiveni Rabuka:
"Hindus and Muslims are pagans who need to be converted to Christianity, if not we will all become pagans like them"

The other Sunni Muslim organisation in Fiji, the FIJI MUSLIM LEAGUE, represents all other Sunni Muslims in Fiji who are mostly followers of the Hanafi school of jurisprudence. In 2000, in LETTERS TO EDITOR, they were viciously savaged by 'Student Khaiyum, University of Hong Kong'

"Most Muslims in Fiji know that certain officials treat the League and its branches as their own little fiefdoms. Fiefdoms, where nepotism is known to be rampant at most times; where certain families and individuals have reigned as executives literally for decades; where children and families of well-to-do officials benefit from scholarships which were and are meant for poor students; where chairs of numerous committees are held by single individuals; where businessmen and business interests are over represented; where women, the youth, various provinces and other denominations are either underrepresented or not represented at all; where appeals to religious dogma and unity are utilized in response to queries of administrative/financial discrepancies and where certain individuals view the League merely as a means to acquire access to power, influence and ultimately money - all under the guise of protecting Muslim interests...The executive of the League cannot and does not represent the political opinion, views, philosophies of individuals or the bulk of Muslims in Fiji. These self appointed guardians do not speak for the masses."

Letter: Critique of FML decision to make submission to Constitution Commission

by A S Khaiyum

The claim by some executive members of the Fiji Muslim League ('League') that Muslims support a review of our [1997] Constitution [of Fiji] and demand separate seats merely because the executive says so is a gross misrepresentation of the views of the everyday and majority of Muslims in our country.

The executive lack the mandate to speak as a representative body for Muslims since the League has been and is essentially an administrative institution managing and maintaining mosques, schools, orphanages, a sugar cane farm and real estate.

In addition to the lack of mandate the arguments and justifications espoused by the executive for a review and separate seats are flawed. They are flawed because our [1997] Constitution [of Fiji], in particular the Bill of Rights, namely, sections 38(2) and 35 more than adequately guarantee and protect religious freedom and minority rights. Indeed if an almost identical South African Bill of Rights provision protects the rights of the minority South African Muslims then what is so special about and differentiates Muslims in Fiji?

On the basis that last century the then nascent League made submissions on separate seats, it is argued today that so called Muslim rights will be achieved if these seats as submitted then are allocated now. To refer to a resolution passed some seventy years ago, in an era with its own specificities and dynamics, as justification for separate seats in today's Fiji illustrates a complete ignorance and denial of our political, social and constitutional history/experience as a nation-state.

Indeed if we were to hark back and uphold the standards of 1929 then commoner indigenous Fijians and women would not have the right to vote. Fiji and the rest of the world have moved along. Clearly such absurd referrals to the past illustrate an enormous vacuum in basic critical thinking and analysis, discourse and a general prevalence of obscurantism within the executive.

Furthermore, it aptly demonstrates a complete ignorance of contemporary developments in and interpretations of Islamic law and jurisprudence vis-a-vis constitutional, human rights and international law and conventions. More tragically, however, the opportunism of the executive displays the absence of and lack of belief in justice, compassion, selflessness and basic human decency.

Most Muslims in Fiji know that certain officials treat the League and its branches as their own little fiefdoms. Fiefdoms, where nepotism is known to be rampant at most times; where certain families and individuals have reigned as executives literally for decades; where children and families of well-to-do officials benefit from scholarships which were and are meant for poor students; where chairs of numerous committees are held by single individuals; where businessmen and business interests are over represented; where women,the youth, various provinces and other denominations are either underrepresented or not represented at all; where appeals to religious dogma and unity are utilized in response to queries of administrative/financial discrepancies and where certain individuals view the League merely as a means to acquire access to power, influence and ultimately money - all under the guise of "protecting Muslim interests."

Indeed the absence of proper representation, transparency, accountability and ultimately legitimacy also plague other local institutions in contemporary Fiji.

The executive of the League cannot and does not represent the political opinion, views, philosophies of individuals or the bulk of Muslims in Fiji. These self appointed guardians do not speak for the masses.

Therefore, the current administration and all Fiji Islanders must understand and recognize the majority of Muslims who believe in basic human decency, justice, democracy and constitutionalism reject the idea of separate seats and/or a review of our [1997] Constitution [of Fiji].

Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum
University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong
[email protected]

Maulana Ahmed Nakshabandi's visit to Fiji has divided Indo-Fijian Muslims

Feroz Gulam Mohammed Book 024, Number 5176: 'Ali b. Abu Talib reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) forbade wearing of silk and yellow clothes, and the gold ring, and the reciting of the Qur'an in the ruku' (state of kneeling in prayer)

BA, 3 December 2017: Maunatul Islam Association of Fiji national Eid meelaadunnabi jalsa with Acting prim minister attorney general Aiyaz sayed khaiyum and trade and tourism minister Faiyaz Siddiq koya and moulanas mohammed Ahmed Naqshbandi from Hyderabad, India, Sayyed sufi Ajmal Qibla from Nizamuddeen Darga in New Delhi

Shafii School of Law (Jurisprudence):

School of Islamic law founded by Muhammad ibn Idris ibn al-Abbas ibn Uthman ibn Shafii in the eighth century. Prominent in Egypt, Palestine, and Jordan with a significant number of followers in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Hejaz, Pakistan, India, and Indonesia and among Sunnis in Iran and Yemen. Official school for Ayyubid dynasty in Egypt, and prominent during the Mamluk regime that followed. Displaced by the Hanafi school there when the Ottomans occupied Egypt in 1517. Combined knowledge of fiqh as practiced in Iraq with that of Hejaz. Considers hadith superior to customary doctrines of earlier schools in formulation of Islamic law. Denies preference (istishan) as source of law.
Source: The Oxford Dictionary of Islam