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Recently, the current DDP Pryde had directed Police Commissioner Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho to drop the two counts of indecently insulting or annoying a person that was filed against NFP leader Biman Prasad. He was alleged to have hugged and kissed the cheek of Ari Taniguchi, the wife of former NFP provisional candidate Hiroshi Taniguchi, on two separate occasions in July and August of this year. *Instead of letting the Court decide, Pryde concluded that 'the credibility of the complainant (Mrs Taniguchi's evidence) under cross-examiantion would not meet the evidentiary threshold and therefore would not be likely to result in a conviction'.
*Pryde spent thousands of dollars of taxpayers' money in putting the former CEO of FHL, Fareed, through the courts on similar charges.
Fijileaks: The former DPP Rayawa should provide a statement to Police Commissioner Qiliho regarding alleged past indecent behaviour on Prasad's part as Rayawa alleges on his Facebook page.
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Mrs Ari Taniguchi, Police Statement:
"This act was not welcomed at all by me because it is not in our culture to touch someone without their permission. We stand, at least a meter away, and bow in greeting, even with close associates. And, since Mr Biman Chand Prasad has stayed in Japan in the past, I'm sure he must be aware of this culture as well. I want police to investigate this case and Mr Biman Prasad to be taken to task."
STATEMENT TO FRIENDS OF USP VOTING IN FIJI’S ELECTION 2022.
TURN UP AND MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT
We will be casting our votes on 14 December.
Nine political parties are contesting. Apart from Fiji First Party (FFP), the other serious contenders are Rabuka's People’s Alliance Party, Prasad/Tikoduadua’s National Federation Party (NFP), and Gavoka's Social and Democratic Party (SODELPA). SODELPA has been imploding for some time!
Since 2018, FFP government has withheld Fiji's contribution to USP. All other parties have campaigned to pay what Fiji owes. Most of us would like to see a change of government because of the government’s refusal to pay its contribution which stands at FD$85 million.
As preposterous as it may sound, it means that eight small member countries such as Tokelau (pop. 1,400), Niue (1,600) and Tuvalu (11,300) are subsidising Fiji, having the largest population with nearly a million people!
Despite five independent investigations confirming corrupt practices by the former Vice Chancellor and President (VCP), and confirming the current VCP’s report on the corruption, the government continues to shield the former VCP and his supporters.
Through its domineering presence in Council, the government lobbied hard to terminate the current VCP, Dr Ahluwalia’s contract. When Council rejected it, the government unprecedentedly deported Dr Ahluwalia and his wife Gestapo-like. It declared them persona-non-grata in the same shameful manner as the late pre-eminent Pacific Historian Dr Brij Lal and his family.
With Council’s support, USP is being run from Samoa Campus, home of current Chancellor (Head of State Tuimaleali'ifano) former mother and daughter Pro Chancellors (Fetaui and Fiame Naomi Mata'afa), and VCP Professor Ahluwalia.
There are three serious implications of the Fiji debt.
First, institutional utilities and student services are likely affected as maintenance and upkeep of buildings and facilities are compromised.
Second, the growing vacancies across a number of academic, professional and support staff will not be filled quickly, thereby increasing the work-load of an already overstretched staff.
This is exacerbated by the protracted delays in the issuance of work permits to expatriates and regional staff from member countries such as Tonga and Solomon Islands.
Staff shortage threatens availability and variety of programmes (e.g. Pasifika orientated programs in Governance, Law, Social Sciences, Climate Change, Engineering, MBA etc), erosion of quality of teaching and research output.
The third and most critical is the obvious collateral damage to the education of students (35,000 to 40,000 in 2022) and 50 years of capacity building with an alumni of 60,000 plus across the globe.
For USP to continue as the premier university to nurture and realize the spirit of Pasifikan regionalism, a change is necessary.
In 2018, the FFP narrowly won by 150 votes. A groundswell of support is evident for Rabuka’s Peoples Alliance Party (PAP), and Prasad/Tikoduadua’s National Federation Party (NFP). To make the change and ensure USP’s survival, make your vote count.
Voting is at the polling stations shown on the voter registration card. For iTaukei voters intending to travel to the islands and villages before 14 December, before traveling, check the polling station shown in your voter registration card and avoid disappointment.
WE must turn up and not waste OUR votes on FFP, smaller parties and independent candidates.
God Bless Fiji and USP.
Rev. 135 Nov. 2022.
Nine political parties are contesting. Apart from Fiji First Party (FFP), the other serious contenders are Rabuka's People’s Alliance Party, Prasad/Tikoduadua’s National Federation Party (NFP), and Gavoka's Social and Democratic Party (SODELPA). SODELPA has been imploding for some time!
Since 2018, FFP government has withheld Fiji's contribution to USP. All other parties have campaigned to pay what Fiji owes. Most of us would like to see a change of government because of the government’s refusal to pay its contribution which stands at FD$85 million.
As preposterous as it may sound, it means that eight small member countries such as Tokelau (pop. 1,400), Niue (1,600) and Tuvalu (11,300) are subsidising Fiji, having the largest population with nearly a million people!
Despite five independent investigations confirming corrupt practices by the former Vice Chancellor and President (VCP), and confirming the current VCP’s report on the corruption, the government continues to shield the former VCP and his supporters.
Through its domineering presence in Council, the government lobbied hard to terminate the current VCP, Dr Ahluwalia’s contract. When Council rejected it, the government unprecedentedly deported Dr Ahluwalia and his wife Gestapo-like. It declared them persona-non-grata in the same shameful manner as the late pre-eminent Pacific Historian Dr Brij Lal and his family.
With Council’s support, USP is being run from Samoa Campus, home of current Chancellor (Head of State Tuimaleali'ifano) former mother and daughter Pro Chancellors (Fetaui and Fiame Naomi Mata'afa), and VCP Professor Ahluwalia.
There are three serious implications of the Fiji debt.
First, institutional utilities and student services are likely affected as maintenance and upkeep of buildings and facilities are compromised.
Second, the growing vacancies across a number of academic, professional and support staff will not be filled quickly, thereby increasing the work-load of an already overstretched staff.
This is exacerbated by the protracted delays in the issuance of work permits to expatriates and regional staff from member countries such as Tonga and Solomon Islands.
Staff shortage threatens availability and variety of programmes (e.g. Pasifika orientated programs in Governance, Law, Social Sciences, Climate Change, Engineering, MBA etc), erosion of quality of teaching and research output.
The third and most critical is the obvious collateral damage to the education of students (35,000 to 40,000 in 2022) and 50 years of capacity building with an alumni of 60,000 plus across the globe.
For USP to continue as the premier university to nurture and realize the spirit of Pasifikan regionalism, a change is necessary.
In 2018, the FFP narrowly won by 150 votes. A groundswell of support is evident for Rabuka’s Peoples Alliance Party (PAP), and Prasad/Tikoduadua’s National Federation Party (NFP). To make the change and ensure USP’s survival, make your vote count.
Voting is at the polling stations shown on the voter registration card. For iTaukei voters intending to travel to the islands and villages before 14 December, before traveling, check the polling station shown in your voter registration card and avoid disappointment.
WE must turn up and not waste OUR votes on FFP, smaller parties and independent candidates.
God Bless Fiji and USP.
Rev. 135 Nov. 2022.
The government is not in a position to misuse taxes just because somebody is putting political pressure on them, says FijiFirst General Secretary Aiyaz-Sayed-Khaiyum.
He made this comment during a campaign meeting last night after he was asked by a University of the South Pacific student why the government’s annual grants to the university are on hold.
The environmental science student claimed that they have not been able to go on field trips or even conduct laboratory work because they have been advised by USP that they do not have enough money to fund certain school projects.
In response, Sayed-Khaiyum says that the government had requested an independent investigation be conducted after allegations of financial discrepancies were raised by the University’s pro-chancellor and the chair of the audit risk committee.
“We’ve said this so many times, we’ve said it in Parliament-our Prime Minister has said it but they are not doing it so they are saying, don’t vote for FijiFirst and unfortunately, there is a lot of propaganda going on around it so I urge USP students through you, you can be their spokesperson now to go back and tell them what’s the reason.”
Sayed-Khaiyum claims that USP still has funds; thus, they are making such remarks to students about the financial status of the university because they want the students to feel aggrieved, blame the government, and then refuse to vote for FijiFirst.
FijiFirst Leader Voreqe Bainimarama says the government is aware of the concerns raised by Fijians about bias in the media and the lies and misinformation spread by their opponents.
“Their lust for power is so great that no lie is too low for them.They even lie about how many people going to FijiFirst meetings.Why? Because they are afraid. They know that the majority on this country wants what is best for families and future generations, something they can never deliver.So they lie and lie and lie some more.”
The two leaders say they’ve felt the support of Fijians everywhere they’ve gone, and they’re grateful because FijiFirst is the only party with a plan, principles, and a track record of success.
He made this comment during a campaign meeting last night after he was asked by a University of the South Pacific student why the government’s annual grants to the university are on hold.
The environmental science student claimed that they have not been able to go on field trips or even conduct laboratory work because they have been advised by USP that they do not have enough money to fund certain school projects.
In response, Sayed-Khaiyum says that the government had requested an independent investigation be conducted after allegations of financial discrepancies were raised by the University’s pro-chancellor and the chair of the audit risk committee.
“We’ve said this so many times, we’ve said it in Parliament-our Prime Minister has said it but they are not doing it so they are saying, don’t vote for FijiFirst and unfortunately, there is a lot of propaganda going on around it so I urge USP students through you, you can be their spokesperson now to go back and tell them what’s the reason.”
Sayed-Khaiyum claims that USP still has funds; thus, they are making such remarks to students about the financial status of the university because they want the students to feel aggrieved, blame the government, and then refuse to vote for FijiFirst.
FijiFirst Leader Voreqe Bainimarama says the government is aware of the concerns raised by Fijians about bias in the media and the lies and misinformation spread by their opponents.
“Their lust for power is so great that no lie is too low for them.They even lie about how many people going to FijiFirst meetings.Why? Because they are afraid. They know that the majority on this country wants what is best for families and future generations, something they can never deliver.So they lie and lie and lie some more.”
The two leaders say they’ve felt the support of Fijians everywhere they’ve gone, and they’re grateful because FijiFirst is the only party with a plan, principles, and a track record of success.
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An EYE-WITNESS STATEMENT TO POLICE: From an Indo-Fijian HINDU woman who was also present at the dinner hosted by the Taniguchis
