*Last month, we disclosed that the Public Service Commission is in turmoil, with Commissioners complaining that they are being forced to rubber stamp nominations from the three-legged Coalition parties.
*They were shocked when Parmesh Chand, PS for Civil Service, Public Enterprise, allegedly put his name forward for consideration as the next ambassador to Japan.
*He was really miffed, and felt humiliated, when he found out that he came last on the interview sheet.
*Now, our reliable sources in the Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs claim Bainimarama's former PS and PAP failed candidate has arm-twisted Rabuka to change the selection process rules so he can be re-considered as Fiji's new Ambassador to Japan.
*We are told he wants the same salary as he is currently enjoying in his current position.
*The Japan posting is the most sought after posting in the diplomatic service because of huge pay and benefits, and the Japanese culture of arriving at the Fiji Embassy with 'Yens stuffed in Brown Envelopes'
  |  |
*We have had a long running feud with this SNAKE, who caused the late Fiji Sun publisher RUSSELL HUNTER, and I, so much grief when we tried to hold him to account when he was Bainimarama's PS. We have held him in low esteem, a masi polo, wanting to remain close to power.
From The Fiji Sun archives, 2008
State to target Denarau Island company for investigation
E-mails focus on Martin Darveniza of Tabua Investments Ltd
By VICTOR LAL
Martin Darveniza, the chief executive of Tabua Investments Ltd, responsible for the overall development of Denarau Island, could be a subject of future investigation, according to an e-mail leaked to me from the Prime Minister’s office.
The e-mail, dated 2 June 2008, is to the interim Prime Minister from his principal private secretary Parmesh Chand, in which he writes to his boss: “Prime Minister, Sir, these contacts would be very important if ever there is an investigation on Martin Darveniza – PC”. Mr Chand was forwarding an e-mail, dated 10 May 2008 and headed “Contacts”, from the president of Australia/Fiji Business Council, R.G. (Bob) Lyon, who had written as follows: “Hi Parmesh, Here are the contacts in relation to that matter we discussed.”
Although the e-mail is silent on the “matter discussed”, Mr Lyon, the former chairman of the ANZ Bank Pacific region, gave the names and e-mail addresses of the following persons as useful contacts: Radisson- Graeme Woodley; Paul Adams; Golf Terrace Apartments - Ross Porter; Sheraton Denarau Villas - Ian Rodwell and lawyer (Nadi) – Peter Lowing.
Mr Adams is a property developer of Carrus Corporation in Tauranga, New Zealand. Mr Porter was president of the Australia-Fiji Business Council. Ian Rodwell is the founder of the Adcorp Marketing Communications Group, and is also chairman of Denarau Villas Limited (Fiji) in conjunction with Sheraton Hotels in Fiji. Tabua Investments Ltd is carrying out the development of all residential areas on Denarau Island. The company is owned by BIL Ltd out of Singapore and has been involved with Denarau Island since 1996. Since its involvement, the company has successfully developed the Sheraton Denarau Villas project and several residential precincts.
Mr Lyon is presently the non-executive chairman of ANZ’s Pacific business, and is based on Denarau, and President of Australia/Fiji Business Council.
In April of this year, the interim Prime Minister addressed the business council at a dinner at the Tanoa Plaza, in the presence of Mr Lyon, explaining why the interim government took some actions which “some commentators as well as media have described as anti-business or even draconian in their terminology”.
Commodore Bainimarama told his listeners: “You will be aware that the Interim Government was and is faced with the mammoth challenge of undoing years of bureaucracy, systems, inefficiencies, blatantly wrong decisions, and mindsets which are all impediments to making our economy more robust, efficient and investor-friendly. We have had unscrupulous leaders and politicians who have never thought of the nation of Fiji but only of themselves and their political ambitions. There also have been widespread instances of abuse, mismanagement and corruption”
He continued; “You will appreciate tackling all these issues confronting our country at this time is by no means an easy feat. Obviously when we take decisions, largely thinking outside the box and taking into account the bigger picture, people with entrenched and vested interests are likely to be affected. They, with the help of some media and NGOs have been most vocal, focusing particularly on bringing about negative vibes and tarnishing the image of the Interim Government”.
Commodore Bainimarama told the audience: “Some of you might also have the view that Government interventions of late have been too harsh and as such, counterproductive to our image and credibility or for that matter our efforts in creating a more enabling business environment. In this regards, I would like to reassure you that the Interim Government is not in the business of unnecessarily intervening in the work of the private sector. It is only when we have credible evidence that justifies our intervention, we have not hesitated in taking the actions necessary to protect the interest of Fiji and her people”
In June 2005, the deposed Vice President Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, while opening the Golf Terrace Apartments at Denarau had said that he was pleased to officiate because he was for four years, “one of two lawyers, along with my former colleague Wylie Clarke, who looked after Tabua Investment Limited’s legal affairs at Howards lawyers including the Golf Terrace Apartments”.
For Ratu Joni, “As an indigenous Fijian, it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that I see the Yavusa e Tolu of Narewa and Nakavu enjoying the benefits of this and other developments. It is due in large part to Tabua’s enlightened self-interest that it’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Mr Martin Darveniza, has pursued. He has also managed to convince Tabua’s masters in Singapore of the efficacy of doing so and I pay tribute to them. This approach is a template for other developments for it involves Fijian as partners and not just as menial workers in the tourist industry”.
He added: “The relationship with the Yavusa e Tolu has been by turns a testing one. At times it has been fraught. At other times, it has been friendly and even warm. Yet even when it has been at its most tense, there has been mutual respect underscored by the recognition of a mutuality of interests. In all this, I acknowledge Martin Darveniza’s indomitable spirit and his openness to the wise and gentle counsel of the Tuidrakis (father and son) and other elders the Yavusa e Tolu. Martin will tell you that two qualities needed in dealing with indigenous landowners are patience and persistence.”
According to Ratu Joni, Mr Wylie and him often privately joked that “Martin was the Governor-General of Denarau. With the advent of the Golf Terrace Apartments, I think we can now elevate him to Viceroy”. We do not know why Mr Darvineza, a former solicitor, might be subject to future investigation.
But during the debate on the controversial Qoliqoli Bill, Mr Darvineza was quoted as saying the following:
“Some people believe that efforts should be made to dissuade government from proceeding, but they have made it very clear they will proceed with this, and this needs to be recognised.
“Too often in the past operators and developers stood in one corner and resource owners stood in the other. I believe the way forward is to bring them together. It’s very imperative that such a broad-based programme is undertaken. We have to bring the two minds together.”
In 2003, Mr Darveniza was on deposed Prime Minister Mr Qarase’s “Think Tank Advisory Group”, which also included Radike Qereqeretabua, Y. P. Reddy, Mahendra Patel and Jesoni Vitusagavulu.
None of those cited in the e-mails could be reached for comments.
The e-mail, dated 2 June 2008, is to the interim Prime Minister from his principal private secretary Parmesh Chand, in which he writes to his boss: “Prime Minister, Sir, these contacts would be very important if ever there is an investigation on Martin Darveniza – PC”. Mr Chand was forwarding an e-mail, dated 10 May 2008 and headed “Contacts”, from the president of Australia/Fiji Business Council, R.G. (Bob) Lyon, who had written as follows: “Hi Parmesh, Here are the contacts in relation to that matter we discussed.”
Although the e-mail is silent on the “matter discussed”, Mr Lyon, the former chairman of the ANZ Bank Pacific region, gave the names and e-mail addresses of the following persons as useful contacts: Radisson- Graeme Woodley; Paul Adams; Golf Terrace Apartments - Ross Porter; Sheraton Denarau Villas - Ian Rodwell and lawyer (Nadi) – Peter Lowing.
Mr Adams is a property developer of Carrus Corporation in Tauranga, New Zealand. Mr Porter was president of the Australia-Fiji Business Council. Ian Rodwell is the founder of the Adcorp Marketing Communications Group, and is also chairman of Denarau Villas Limited (Fiji) in conjunction with Sheraton Hotels in Fiji. Tabua Investments Ltd is carrying out the development of all residential areas on Denarau Island. The company is owned by BIL Ltd out of Singapore and has been involved with Denarau Island since 1996. Since its involvement, the company has successfully developed the Sheraton Denarau Villas project and several residential precincts.
Mr Lyon is presently the non-executive chairman of ANZ’s Pacific business, and is based on Denarau, and President of Australia/Fiji Business Council.
In April of this year, the interim Prime Minister addressed the business council at a dinner at the Tanoa Plaza, in the presence of Mr Lyon, explaining why the interim government took some actions which “some commentators as well as media have described as anti-business or even draconian in their terminology”.
Commodore Bainimarama told his listeners: “You will be aware that the Interim Government was and is faced with the mammoth challenge of undoing years of bureaucracy, systems, inefficiencies, blatantly wrong decisions, and mindsets which are all impediments to making our economy more robust, efficient and investor-friendly. We have had unscrupulous leaders and politicians who have never thought of the nation of Fiji but only of themselves and their political ambitions. There also have been widespread instances of abuse, mismanagement and corruption”
He continued; “You will appreciate tackling all these issues confronting our country at this time is by no means an easy feat. Obviously when we take decisions, largely thinking outside the box and taking into account the bigger picture, people with entrenched and vested interests are likely to be affected. They, with the help of some media and NGOs have been most vocal, focusing particularly on bringing about negative vibes and tarnishing the image of the Interim Government”.
Commodore Bainimarama told the audience: “Some of you might also have the view that Government interventions of late have been too harsh and as such, counterproductive to our image and credibility or for that matter our efforts in creating a more enabling business environment. In this regards, I would like to reassure you that the Interim Government is not in the business of unnecessarily intervening in the work of the private sector. It is only when we have credible evidence that justifies our intervention, we have not hesitated in taking the actions necessary to protect the interest of Fiji and her people”
In June 2005, the deposed Vice President Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, while opening the Golf Terrace Apartments at Denarau had said that he was pleased to officiate because he was for four years, “one of two lawyers, along with my former colleague Wylie Clarke, who looked after Tabua Investment Limited’s legal affairs at Howards lawyers including the Golf Terrace Apartments”.
For Ratu Joni, “As an indigenous Fijian, it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that I see the Yavusa e Tolu of Narewa and Nakavu enjoying the benefits of this and other developments. It is due in large part to Tabua’s enlightened self-interest that it’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Mr Martin Darveniza, has pursued. He has also managed to convince Tabua’s masters in Singapore of the efficacy of doing so and I pay tribute to them. This approach is a template for other developments for it involves Fijian as partners and not just as menial workers in the tourist industry”.
He added: “The relationship with the Yavusa e Tolu has been by turns a testing one. At times it has been fraught. At other times, it has been friendly and even warm. Yet even when it has been at its most tense, there has been mutual respect underscored by the recognition of a mutuality of interests. In all this, I acknowledge Martin Darveniza’s indomitable spirit and his openness to the wise and gentle counsel of the Tuidrakis (father and son) and other elders the Yavusa e Tolu. Martin will tell you that two qualities needed in dealing with indigenous landowners are patience and persistence.”
According to Ratu Joni, Mr Wylie and him often privately joked that “Martin was the Governor-General of Denarau. With the advent of the Golf Terrace Apartments, I think we can now elevate him to Viceroy”. We do not know why Mr Darvineza, a former solicitor, might be subject to future investigation.
But during the debate on the controversial Qoliqoli Bill, Mr Darvineza was quoted as saying the following:
“Some people believe that efforts should be made to dissuade government from proceeding, but they have made it very clear they will proceed with this, and this needs to be recognised.
“Too often in the past operators and developers stood in one corner and resource owners stood in the other. I believe the way forward is to bring them together. It’s very imperative that such a broad-based programme is undertaken. We have to bring the two minds together.”
In 2003, Mr Darveniza was on deposed Prime Minister Mr Qarase’s “Think Tank Advisory Group”, which also included Radike Qereqeretabua, Y. P. Reddy, Mahendra Patel and Jesoni Vitusagavulu.
None of those cited in the e-mails could be reached for comments.
