Blog Posts

MEMORY LOSS or Self-Aggrandisement on Rabuka's part. After Ratu Epenisa Cakobau's installation as Vunivalu, Rabuka claims Epenisa's father had asked him in 1981: 'Look after Epenisa. I kept my promise'.

12/3/2023

MEMORY LOSS: In Rabuka's posting below, he claims that the late Captain Ratu Savenaca Draunidalo was Aide-de-Camp to the late Governor-General Ratu Sir George Cakobau in 1981 when he went up to Government House where Ratu Sir George allegedly told Rabuka,
'Mo qai nanumi Epenisa tiko' (Look after Epenisa).
Fijileaks: Draunidalo was never aide-de-camp to Ratu Sir George but in 1987 was one of the ten hooded gunmen who stormed Parliament and overthrew the Bavadra government. His ex-wife Adi Kuini was at the time of the 1987 coup married to Dr Timoci Bavadra.
The aide-de-camp to Ratu Sir George Cakobau in 1981 was Rabuka's cousin, the late retired Colonel Mataisai Lomaloma, not Colonel Draunidalo.
Why does Rabuka suddenly remember his conversation with Ratu Sir George during
Ratu Epenisa Cakobau's installation last Saturday?
Is he claiming personal credit for it?
Sorry, Fiji, and especially his cheerleaders, it does NOT ADD UP.
Even if the late Draunidalo was an aide-de-camp to Ratu Sir Goerge, it beggars belief that of all i-Taukei Fijians, Ratu Sir GeorgeCakobau entrusted the welfare of Ratu Epenisa to Sitiveni Rabuka - 'The Chosen One'* - in 1981

‘I kept my promise’---Forty Two Years Later

"Watching the pomp and pageantry of the installation of the Turaga Bale na Vunivalu, na Tui Kaba on Friday took me back some 42 years. I was Commanding Officer of the Fiji Battalion with the UN Interim Forces in Lebanon in 1981, and I had returned to Fiji for a short holiday. In Suva, I was told that HE the Governor General wanted to see me at Government House. Ratu Sir George Cakobau was of course my Commander in Chief, so I went up. He was also the Turaga Bale Vunivalu, na Tui Kaba. Brigadier Ian Thorpe was then Commander of the RFMF, and Captain Ratu Save Draunidalo was aide-de-camp of Ratu Sir George. “Mo qai nanumi Epenisa tiko,” (‘Look after Epenisa’) was Ratu Sir George’s parting words to me on that day. With Ratu Epenisa’s installation in Bau on Friday, those words have come to pass. I had kept my promise."

The late Ratu Sir George Cakobau

Fijileaks Founding Editor-in-Chief: We were intimately connected with the Cakobau family, for my father was not only President of the Alliance Party's Tailevu branch but he was also responsible for the campaigns of Ratu Sir George Cakobau and Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, the successor to Ratu Sir George as Governor-General of Fiji. Both won the Tailevu North/Ovalau Open seat in the 1970s.
In the 1980s, Ratu Epenisa Cakobau used to join a Fiji Sun colleague (the late Eparama Turaga) and I for a cuppa* at the old Anchor Inn, Victoria Parade. He was occasionally joined by one of the Mara siblings and the then British High Commissioner to Fiji.
We wonder if Rabuka had sought clearance from his Commander, which is normal military protocol, in order to pay courtesy call on the Governor-General who was the Commander in Chief in 1981?
Surely, Ratu Sir George at that time would not even have a clue if Rabuka would become a Commander of the RFMF, let alone execute the coup 6 years later in 1987?
And if Ratu Sir George did, in fact, ask him to look after Ratu Epenisa Cakobau, why didn’t Rabuka do anything about it when he was Prime Minister from 1992 to 1999?
Why does he suddenly remember this conversation with Ratu Sir George during Ratu Epenisa Cakobau's installation last Saturday?
Is he claiming personal credit for it?
Sorry, Fiji, and especially his cheerleaders, it does NOT ADD UP.
*Isa, Lets PRAY if he Suffered a Memory Loss about 1981

NO FLIGHT RISK, BAILS GRANTED: Magistrate Seini Puamau concluded DPP conceded Bainimarama and Qiliho were NOT flight risk. She ruled the two should be granted bails and rejected request to impose curfews

11/3/2023

Sharma and Gul Fatima, defending Bainimarama and Qiliho

BLUE ON BULE: The two Police Officer complainants against Qiliho

Serupepeli Neiko

Reshmi Dass

BIMAN Prasad's $10million BRIBE to USP so Police could lay the charge against Bainimarama and Qiliho. Social media buffs claim Prasad bribed USP VC Pal Ahluwalia to return to Fiji and sign off Police STATEMENTS

11/3/2023

Fijileaks: We say, BOLLOCKS. We had revealed most of the RORT at USP since 2014, based on highly confidential docs leaked to us for years. The former USP 'Voodoo Economics Professor' needs 14 financial advisers and now public input into his BUDGET to fix the economy.
Of course, he now needs $10million to fill the gap in the coffers, and has to find another $100million owed to the USP by FFP government

SOCIAL MEDIA BUFFS on the continuing miracle number 'ONE' - 'Power of One Signature from Ahluwalia' - that they allege saw Bainimarama and Qilho charged, locked up, and bailed to answer allegations that the two blocked investigations into USP corruption.
Ahluwalia had angered the FFP government over an internal report he wrote in 2019 – that was subsequently leaked – detailing allegations of widespread financial mismanagement within the university, abuse of entitlements, unearned promotions and millions of dollars improperly spent under former administrations seen as closely allied, politically, to the Bainimarama government.

From Fijileaks Archives

PIO TIKODUADUA to FIJI POLICE, 'Do NOT listen to Politicians...except me'. Former army Commander Naupoto slams Tikoduadua for interfering and ordering Police to reverse decision on Reclaim the Night Marchers

10/3/2023

Viliame Naupoto:
"It is reported that Hon Tikoduadua spoke on the phone with Shamima Ali and directed her to “give the phone to the officer” and talked directly to the police officer to reverse his decision and allow what he had initially directed the marchers not to do. The Minister responsible for the Police has no power to do what he did. The Minister is only allowed to issue general policy directions to the Commissioner of Police according to section 129(6) of the Constitution."
'I hope he will not extend his illegal actions to the RFMF.'

MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS AND IMMIGRATION IS AGAIN OVERREACHING HIS MINISTERIAL MANDATE

STATEMENT BY HON VILIAME NAUPOTO -- Opposition Spokesperson for Home Affairs and Immigration.

The Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration, Hon Pio Tikoduadua is continuing to do damage to the reputation and morale of the Fiji Police Force by intervening directly with the tactical-level police teams deployed on the ground, as shown recently by his so-called intervention to the work of the Fiji Police who were deployed to supervise the Reclaim the Night March on Wednesday 08 March 2023 as widely reported by the Media.

It is reported that Hon Tikoduadua spoke on the phone with Shamima Ali and directed her to “give the phone to the officer” and talked directly to the police officer to reverse his decision and allow what he had initially directed the marchers not to do.

The Minister responsible for the Police has no power to do what he did.

The Minister is only allowed to issue general policy directions to the Commissioner of Police according to section 129(6) of the Constitution.

In addition, Section 129 (5)(b) of the Constitution states that “The Commissioner of Police is responsible for the deployment and control of its operations and subject to subsection (6), is not subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority in relation to those matters.

The two disciplined forces under his portfolio, the Fiji Police and the Republic of Fiji Military Forces are hierarchical and function through a chain of command. Hon Tikoduadua should understand this, given his military background.

Military Officers know of this saying “If the military is a machine, then the chain of command is the oil it runs on”.
When he broke the chain of command as he did to the Police that day he broke and lowered the morale of police personnel, he embarrassed those police officers on the ground and discredited the integrity of the Police Commissioner and all those Police Commanders down the chain of command right to the policeman he spoke to directly on the ground.

He only must ask himself if, as a Lieutenant Colonel, he finds out that a politician had talked directly to a Sergeant he had deployed for a specific mission and changed his orders.

Honourable Tikoduadua should be reminded that he is a politician and not an operational commander.

Hon Tikoduadua is one who harps about dictatorial and authoritarian leadership, but during my time as Commander RFMF, my line minister and even the Prime Minister will call me first if they are alerted to an issue regarding the operations of RFMF at any level.

His actions that day were not only illegal but dictatorial and authoritarian to the core. Hon Tikoduadua has no legal right to do what he did, and he needs to apologize to the Commissioner of Police for his mistake, and I hope that he quickly learns the functions and the mandate of a Minister so that the damage he has done and continues to do to the Police Force is minimized and repaired.

I hope he will not extend his illegal actions to the RFMF.

The Honourable Minister must cease such interference as it, together with actions of other ministers and their cronies are fundamentally undermining the rule of law and breaching our constitution.

GET OUT OF JAIL CARD - Become Methodist Church PASTOR in Prison. One of three pardoned by President on recommendation of Mercy Board is Albertino Shankar. He was jailed for raping, murdering Chinese woman

9/3/2023

Chants of safe homes, streets, taxis, nightclubs, supermarkets, ending violence and rape against women and children echoed in Suva this week as hundreds took part in the Reclaim The Night March

**Fijileaks:* Albertino Shankar, among the first three to be pardoned since Rabuka's Coalition came to power, featured prominently in all the news media outlets, including on the Fiji Government Facebook page. But none of them informed us what was Shankar's crime that he was locked up behind bars. From our research, we found that he, and an accomplice, were jailed on 4 July 2003 by the former Chief Justice Anthony Gates for raping and murdering a Chinese woman in her own flat.

"This was, as I said in summing up the case, a truly dreadful crime. A 34 year old Chinese lady, a Ms Tang, living alone in a flat awakens to find two men entering through her bedroom window after midnight.

According to the Accused, their plan was to steal from Ms Tang. They did eventually do just that, and this might have remained a case of house breaking. But the two Accused, commencing with Albertino, then raped Ms Tang. Francis [Narayan] followed after and raped her also. Each Accused raped her for a second time whilst they remained in the flat. They are not charged with rape, but I take what they said they did into account as an aggravating feature of this murder case.

Shankar

But to avoid any struggling and any chance of Ms Tang shouting out for help, before each raped her a second time, they taped her ankles with scotch tape or masking tape and bound up most of her face with tape, and tied her hands behind her back with wire.

All of this account comes from the prisoners’ own admissions made to the police. The Accused then discussed in front of Ms Tang what they were going to do with her. Though there was some initial reluctance on the part of Francis, both agreed eventually that she would have to be killed because she would recognise them again. It is likely she knew Albertino as a person who lived downstairs at the same block of flats.

Albertino brought a piece of rope from another room wound it several times around the victim’s neck, and strangled her. Francis held her legs. She struggled, until she ceased breathing and died.

Just prior to the strangling, no doubt realising what the 2 Accused were deciding to do with her, Ms Tang kept pleading with them "I don’t want to die. I don’t want to die." It is not difficult to imagine the horrific ordeal that faced the victim in her final moments.

Her life was taken with hardly a thought, ruthlessly, callously.
Justice Anthony Gates, 4 July 2003

SENTENCE: Justice Anthony Gates

[1] Albertino Shankar and Francis Narayan you have been found guilty by the court of the offence of murder. The sentence fixed by law for such an offence is that the convicted person shall be sentenced to imprisonment for life. There is no discretion allowed to the court in a murder case to sentence to a lesser term.

[2] It is well known that convicted persons sentenced to life imprisonment usually do not serve the full term, that is serve imprisonment for the rest of their lives. Most have their sentences reduced after serving a considerable term such as 10 or 12 years.

[3] In this case I had called for submissions from counsel on whether I should recommend a minimum period to be served under the provisions of section 33 of the Penal Code.

[4] Ms Narayan, submitting for both prisoners, informs me that the actual period of imprisonment is usually 14 years, but that the latter part is allowed to be served in the community outside of the prison walls.

[5] It is significant here that the prisoners were very young when they committed this offence. Albertino was aged 17 years 9 months. He is now 20. Francis was aged 21 at the time, and he is now 23. I keep in mind their youth.

[6] They are not from well off homes. They did not get far with their education. Albertino appears to have drifted between a home with his single mother and a home with his elderly grandfather. Francis’ home appears more stable, yet he got involved in an offence of bulk store breaking in 1999 and served a term of imprisonment of 9 months. Albertino has not previously been before the courts.

[7] Both have had casual work, but nothing of permanence or promise.

[8] Neither has shown any remorse for what they have done. Both maintain their innocence. But both were emotionally moved when asked if they had anything to say prior to sentence and in addressing the court.

[9] Mr Rabuku has made no submissions on behalf of the State on the question of whether there should be a recommendation of minimum service. Ms Narayan says the recommendation should be of 5 years only, since they have been on remand now for 2 years 3 months, equivalent to a full term of 3 years 9 months.

[10] I take that period of remand into account when arriving at the appropriate order.

[11] This was, as I said in summing up the case, a truly dreadful crime. A 34 year old Chinese lady, a Ms Tang, living alone in a flat awakens to find two men entering through her bedroom window after midnight.

[12] According to the Accused, their plan was to steal from Ms Tang. They did eventually do just that, and this might have remained a case of house breaking. But the two Accused, commencing with Albertino, then raped Ms Tang. Francis followed after and raped her also. Each Accused raped her for a second time whilst they remained in the flat. They are not charged with rape, but I take what they said they did into account as an aggravating feature of this murder case.

[13] But to avoid any struggling and any chance of Ms Tang shouting out for help, before each raped her a second time, they taped her ankles with scotch tape or masking tape and bound up most of her face with tape, and tied her hands behind her back with wire.

[14] All of this account comes from the prisoners’ own admissions made to the police. The Accused then discussed in front of Ms Tang what they were going to do with her. Though there was some initial reluctance on the part of Francis, both agreed eventually that she would have to be killed because she would recognise them again. It is likely she knew Albertino as a person who lived downstairs at the same block of flats.

[15] Albertino brought a piece of rope from another room wound it several times around the victim’s neck, and strangled her. Francis held her legs. She struggled, until she ceased breathing and died.

[16] Just prior to the strangling, no doubt realising what the 2 Accused were deciding to do with her, Ms Tang kept pleading with them "I don’t want to die. I don’t want to die." It is not difficult to imagine the horrific ordeal that faced the victim in her final moments.

[17] Her life was taken with hardly a thought, ruthlessly, callously.

[18] The defence at one point appeared to hint at responsibility for the crime lying with one of Ms Tang’s friends.

[19] The inhabitants of Fiji must be made to feel secure in their homes. They should be able "to sleep easily", to feel secure. Housebreakers are to be deterred or at least punished. Housebreakers who go on to commit rape on the occupants, need even more severe punishment. To those who having committed those two serious crimes, go on to destroy the evidence, and to murder the occupants can expect no mercy from the courts. The courts have a duty to inflict condign punishment.

[20] But I have arrived at a recommendation for a minimum term to be served that will not destroy your lives. It will allow some hope for a fresh start when you are released. It is to be hoped that when that time comes you will indeed be able to start afresh and to make something of your lives.

[21] Accordingly you are both sentenced to life imprisonment and I recommend that you each serve a minimum term of 17 years imprisonment.

REVELATION: Let us hope that Shankar has really found the calling of God in Prison. Otherwise, we could say with Revelation 21:8
"But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Inmate Albertino Shankar is now a newly-inducted Methodist Church pastor.

A man convicted for murder has taken on a new conviction - to be Christ-like.

Albertino Shankar was yesterday inducted by the head of the Methodist Church's Indian division, Reverend William Lucas, as a lay preacher or vakatawa.

It's been 10 years since the 28-year old was sentenced to prison for murder.

Shankar spent three years studying to be a preacher and in August last year, passed his final exam with flying colours.

Mr Lucas described the induction as historical for the Dilkusha Circuit and paid tribute to those involved in the prison ministry.

"Sometimes we don't see that as important but this is the result of the message that has been shared there (prison)," he said.

"The mission of the church is to save souls and we should look at people with compassion and love so that they know that our God is a loving and forgiving God."

Shankar said becoming a preacher was far from his mind and not his will.

"Everything we plan gets diverted by God," he said.

"Whatever He wills for everyone is the best."

Shankar was not a Christian, in fact, he only heard of the Bible while in prison.

Reverend Anil Reuben was in charge of the prison ministry with Dilkusha Methodist Church.

He said from 2003 to 2008, 16 prisoners from the Nasinu prison were baptised.

"I baptised Albertino in 2004," he said. "The baptism was done in the little river in Nasinu, which they now use for duck farming."

Mr Reuben said since then, Shankar has taken a keen interest in the faith.

Shankar said it was through the prison ministry program that he confessed to past mistakes.

"I then began to pray for myself and for others," he said. "I have seen those prayers come to pass and that's what convinced me to change."

Shankar said it took commitment and sacrifice to become a preacher.

"I spent a lot of sleepless nights studying," he said.

"The Bible concludes to one word - love.

"The more we love each other the more we will see God in our midst and all He wants is to be in our midst."

Shankar said he would participate in pre-release program at Nasinu Prison but said he had not yet applied for his release.

"I prefer to get into the prison ministry from outside," he said.

"It's difficult to penetrate from the inside and easier from outside.

"I believe that through prayer every barrier can be broken, all it takes is commitment."

Following his induction, Shankar thanked the congregation for welcoming him, saying it was the first time for him to step into a church.

"It's warm and beautiful," he said of the atmosphere.

"Every love that God showed Timothy, I feel here today.

"I won't say I am there, I'm on my way."

Shankar plans to pursue studies to become a church minister.

Source: The Fiji Times 23 Jan 2012

THREE ex-offenders were granted Presidential Pardon by His Excellency, the President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere at the State House today.

Mr. Albertino Shankar
Mr. Iliesa Duvuloco
Mr. Veremo Peceli Masidole

In his address at the ceremony, President Katonivere highlighted that the grant of Presidential pardon is made possible by the guidance and advice of the Mercy Commission, which exists by virtue of section 119 of the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji.

“On the petition of any convicted person, the Commission may recommend that the President exercise a power of mercy by either granting a free or conditional pardon; postponing the carrying out of a punishment, whether for a specific or indeterminate period; or by remitting all or part of a punishment.”

“The process begins when there is an application of pardon made to the Chairperson of the Mercy Commission.”
President Katonivere highlighted that his primary concern is also the motto of the office that he holds which must always be the pillar of national unity by carrying out his duty keeping in mind the greatest good of all the people of Fiji.

“As a citizen, a traditional chief and a father and grandfather, my first concern is to be true to my own convictions and my own conscience.”

“To the Pardonees, on behalf of all Fijians, I welcome you back into society with the trust that you will treasure this moment and this act of forgiveness. I hope that today’s public Grant of Presidential Pardon shall be the catalyst for reconciliation, national progress and healing.”

President Katonivere further outlined that the grant of pardon ceremony is to show acceptance from the society and all citizens of Fiji, as our Pardonees have served their time.

“The programmes carried out by the Fiji Corrections Services to up skill an incarcerated person so they come out with skills that they will be able to utilise in order to assist them and their families livelihoods through the Yellow-Ribbon programme is applauded.”

Present at the event was the Attorney-General Siromi Turaga Acting Chief Justice Mr Salesi Temo, Acting commissioner for Fiji Corrections Service Mrs Salote Panapasa, members of the Mercy Commission and senior officers of the Fiji Corrections Services.

USPGATE: FRANK Bainimarama and Sitiveni Qiliho charged following complaint laid with Police by USP in July 2019 regarding activities of former staff members. We repeat. It all started with Rabuka's 1987 Coups

9/3/2023

Hiding behind IMMUNITY that Rabuka extracted at the point of the gun, we saw Indo-Fijian academics at USP abducted and beaten up; one even whacked for hours in a military cell for writing a negative review of the Coupist's book, No Other Way,* in which he had justified his two racially motivated coups.
He appointed a military lackey ISIKELI MATAITOGA as his DPP who later travelled to London to extradite the gun runner Mohammed Rafiq Kahan and other members of the Movement for Democracy in Fiji. Mataitoga failed in his bid to extradite the put pro-democracy activists.
Later, the same thug resurfaced as Coupist Bainimarama's ambassador to Japan and other countries, and lately we saw him back in Rabuka's Fiji, talking about settling up a Foreign Service Institute.
One of the most high profile to surface from the USP in 1987 was the late Professor Asesela Ravuvu, who was appointed by Rabuka to chair the racist and autocratic 1990 Constitution of Fiji.
Our Founding Editor-in-Chief and Ravuvu bitterly clashed at a highly charged conference organised by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London. Bascially, Ravuvu, parroting Rabuka, was claiming that Fiji was only for 'iTaukei Fijians'. All others were second class citizens.
It was under the racist 1990 Constitution that Rabuka was elected, twice, as Prime Minister of Fiji. Now, he is back as Prime Minister, replacing another coupist Frank Bainimarama.
We should not be surprised with Bainimarama being charged, along with former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho.
Rabuka started the militarisation of the Police Force force when he appointed Savua as Police Commissioner.
Since 1987, Fiji has been run by Coupists, Convicts and Criminals.
Just look at Suva lawyer Richard Naidu; he and the NFP leader and former USP professor BIMAN PRASAD think there is nothing wrong in Naidu to be appointed to chair the Financial Review team, when his sentencing is still pending before the Fiji High Court.
"Oh, all charges and convictions of opponents were purely politically motivated, and at the behest of the Bai-Kai Dictatorship'.
CRY THE BELOVED COUNTRY.
Welcome to the Coupcoup Land of Fiji
Bainimarama and Rabuka must be investigated over the Military's Regimental Funds - thousands of dollars missing

Former Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended Police Commissioner, Sitiveni Qiliho have officially been charged with abuse of office and will be kept in custody tonight.

Chief of Intelligence and Investigations, Acting ACP Sakeo Raikaci says they will appear in the Suva Magistrates Court at 8am tomorrow.

Acting ACP Raikaci says given the seriousness of the charge, they could not grant bail to the two as it is not a bailable offence.

Additional security will be provided for the special court sitting tomorrow.

The charges have been sanctioned against Bainimarama and Qiliho.

The maximum penalty for abuse of office is 10 years imprisonment.

The Crimes Act states that if the act is done or directed to be done for gain, then the maximum penalty is 17 years imprisonment.

Director of Public Prosecutions, Christopher Pryde had sanctioned the charges of abuse of office following a review of the police evidence docket.

Pryde says the charges relate to a complaint laid with the police by the University of the South Pacific in July 2019 in relation to the activities of former staff members of the university.

The DPP says Bainimarama and Qiliho are alleged to have arbitrarily and in abuse of the authority of their respective offices, terminated an active police investigation. The police have also been requested to undertake further investigations into other matters arising from this case and more charges may be laid against other suspects in due course.

From the Archives, By Russell Hunter and Victor Lal, February 2012,
The New Zealand Herald

By RUSSELL HUNTER and VICTOR LAL

Fiji's chief of police made a private call to his New Zealand counterpart urging him to arrest Commodore Frank Bainimarama a few weeks before the military leader seized power in a coup in December 2006.

It was reported at the time that a request had been made through Interpol and rejected by the New Zealand Government but only now can details from behind the scenes be [re]vealed.

In November 2006 then Police Commissioner Howard Broad took the call from his Fiji counterpart Andrew Hughes, an Australian, who wanted to know if Commodore Bainimarama had committed any offence under New Zealand law for which he could be arrested.

Teams of police officers from both forces worked over a weekend and agreed the future dictator could be charged in New Zealand with perverting the course of justice in a foreign jurisdiction.

The planned charge related to remarks made by Commodore Bainimarama in New Zealand regarding an investigation into his alleged sedition in Fiji.

Mr Hughes sent two senior officers - an assistant commissioner and a senior detective - to New Zealand to liaise in the planned arrest.

"Then Howard Broad had a change of heart," said Mr Hughes. "He said New Zealand Foreign Affairs preferred a political solution.

"I argued it was his decision as Police Commissioner as to who should be charged in New Zealand."

At the time Commodore Bainimarama was in New Zealand for his granddaughter's christening and the Foreign Minister at the time, Winston Peters, had taken the opportunity to broker talks between him and elected Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase aimed at diverting Fiji's lurch towards a military takeover.

A day later, Mr Hughes received a call from Mr Broad.

"He sought my assurance that no NZ citizen would be endangered in Fiji as result of an arrest," said Mr Hughes.

"Of course I would do all in my power to protect all the people in Fiji but a blanket assurance of that kind was not possible. It would be like me asking him for a similar assurance covering all Fiji people in New Zealand. It wasn't possible to give him that.

"In the end, Mr Broad told me, 'Well, we're not going to arrest him."'

Mr Broad, now retired, told the Weekend Herald yesterday in a written statement that he remembered the call well.

"I remember it as a highly unusual request to consider an allegation against the Chief of Defence Force of a neighbouring country's properly constituted Government.

"I remember giving this decision a lot of consideration because it contained complex operational, legal and policy issues. I made the decision but I took a lot of advice. I remain comfortable with it."

He said some aspects of Mr Hughes' explanation did not accord with his recollection but he did not specify what they were.

In Suva, the Fiji police force had been awaiting an opportunity to arrest the commodore on the sedition charge but were unable to penetrate his heavily armed personal security detail - rarely less than 12-strong at any given time.

"I had earlier taken a brief of evidence to the DPP," said Mr Hughes, "and it was agreed that there was a case to answer on a sedition charge.

"We wanted to arrest and charge Commodore Bainimarama but he was permanently covered by heavy security. I was very keen to avoid an armed confrontation between the police and the military. So we waited."

As Prime Minister Qarase waited at Suva's Nausori airport to board a New Zealand Air Force VIP jet to take him to the Peters-brokered talks in Wellington, he was surprised to be joined by Mr Hughes, who then explained that the arrest plan was unlikely to come to fruition. Mr Qarase was shocked.

The Fiji Police Commissioner boarded the flight and in Wellington he met a deputy secretary for foreign affairs but was again told the New Zealand Government's position was that a political or diplomatic solution was preferred.

Aware that the police were ready to arrest him in Suva, Commodore Bainimarama had made it one of his many conditions for any settlement that the police commissioner would have to go.

Mr Hughes had, a week previously, sent his wife and sons to Australia having received credible information that they could be targeted by a military snatch squad.

In Wellington, he sought consular advice which was that he should not return to Fiji. He never did.

Mr Hughes also considered the safety of his own loyal officers who would try to protect him from military arrest.

The 2006 coup was the commodore's fourth attempt.

In 2000 during the negotiations that ended the Speight hostage crisis he suggested that the military should run the country for up to 50 years but Speight - and the president - would have none of it. In 2004 and again in 2005 he planned to take over the Government but his senior officers refused to commit treason.

All were sacked.

By December 2006 it was now or never for Commodore Bainimarama. It was widely agreed amongst informed observers of the events of 2006 in Fiji, including the diplomatic community, that without Commodore Bainimarama the RFMF would be rudderless.

Had Commodore Bainimarama been arrested in New Zealand the Fiji military would have been unable and unwilling to proceed with the removal of the Qarase Government.

The then US ambassador to Fiji, Larry Dinger, summed it up when he told his masters in Washington in a cable leaked by WikiLeaks regarding the New Zealand arrest plan.

"Being passive with bullies only encourages them. An arrest abroad might be the only way to enforce a criminal charge and remove the Bainimarama thorn," he reported.

Labour's foreign affairs spokesman Phil Goff, who did not deal with the issue, could not confirm Mr Hughes' account.

However, he could understand why no arrest was made, saying such a course of action would mean a country lost its credibility as a mediator for dealing with crises.

"I scarcely think you were going to lure a person here under false pretences only to arrest him. That would be seen as an ambush and bad faith and it wouldn't have resolved the situation within Fiji. "

A series of documents smuggled out of Fiji tell a vastly different story. Bainimarama not only wanted the job but had tried three times previously to seize control of the nation.

His first attempt occurred during the negotiations to end the George Speight hostage crisis in August 2000. Several of those present confirmed that the Commodore - who had tacitly supported the Speight coup - declared that the military should lead the nation "for the next five, 10 or 50 years".

A heated argument between Speight and Bainimarama ensued, ending only when President Ratu Josefa Iloilo said a democratic solution was the only way forward.

Bainimarama proposed that banker and businessman Laisenia Qarase should lead an interim government with elections after one year. But to his frustration he found his "advice" to the interim government was routinely shunned.

By December 2003 the Qarase government - tired of the Commodore's constant and often public interference - was reluctant to renew his term, due to expire in April the following year.

When Bainimarama got wind of this, he flew into a rage and ordered his senior officers to start planning a coup. But he reckoned without senior officers who counselled against such action and finally refused to implement his orders.

On January 5, 2004, secret advice to Bainimarama not to stage a coup warned of the chaos and damage that could follow.

The document, composed and signed by Lieutenant Colonel Jeremaia Waqanisau, Colonel Alfred Tuatoko, Colonel George Kadavulevu, Colonel Samuela Raduva and naval commander Timoci Koroi, reads in part:

"We feel that the interests of the RFMF (Republic of Fiji Military Forces) and the nation have been overridden by your personal wishes ...

"Under the circumstances there is no way you can justify your intent and impending action. On the other hand the consequences of such action would be catastrophic for Fiji. The despair and suffering will be unbearable and longer lasting than that experienced after 1987 and 2000."

None of the officers agreed to be interviewed.

However, the later "redress of wrong petition" also contains a statement by Tuatoko, who wrote: "In my interview with [Bainimarama] he stated that he would forcefully remove the present government if his term as Comd RFMF was not renewed.

"I advised him that such an act was illegal and amounted to treason. I advised him that there are legal ways to settle his disagreement with government and that he must follow that legal path. Comd said that doing so would take too much time. He said that removing the government would be legally wrong but was morally correct."

This document was sent to the Minister for Home Affairs, Joketani Cokanasiga, and is likely to have been seen by Qarase. Incredibly, nothing was done. A senior minister told Hunter at the time: "We're not too worried about him [Bainimarama]. He doesn't have the support at the camp that he thinks he has."

The aborted coup of January 2004 persuaded the Government that the soldiers would not obey their commander if he ordered them to commit treason by removing it.

In December 2005, Bainimarama decided to try for a third time. He had been reappointed, so his job was no longer an issue, but he knew Police Commissioner Andrew Hughes had no intention of backing off a murder inquiry into the deaths of five members of the elite Counter Revolutionary Warfare unit, kicked to death by loyalist soldiers after the November 2000 mutiny.

There was also anger in sections of the officer corps (by now mostly hand-picked Bainimarama men) that the Qarase Government was "soft" on those involved in the 2000 coup.

Bainimarama had sacked the five officers who refused to carry out his first attempted coup and appointed Lieutenant Colonel Jone Baledrokadroka as Land Force Commander - effectively his deputy. He told Baledrokadroka to prepare plans for a military takeover.

Like his brother officers before him, JB (as he was known) refused to be involved in treason. He was told to take leave and not come back but again the coup had to be postponed.

JB told Hunter on the day of his dismissal: "I saw an order that I deciphered as treasonous and I could not accept it."

By May 2006, in the full realisation that Bainimarama's reappointment had not bought off its troublesome military commander and with a fresh election victory under its belt, the Cabinet wanted him gone.

There was talk of surcharging him for the blatant abuse of military funding in the army's "Truth and Justice" campaign that sought to influence voters during the 2006 election. It came to nothing - but Bainimarama was to hear of it and it fanned the flames of his fury.

With the dismissal of JB he was able to surround himself with an officer corps that owed their positions to him alone. His coup would take place within a year.

Claim strongman threatened to kill officer

Fiji leader Frank Bainimarama threatened to kill a former top army officer who challenged his 2003 coup plan, according to the officer's written testimony.

The late Lieutenant-Colonel Jeremaia Waqanisau refused to carry out the Commodore's coup order and took a new job as CEO at the Ministry of Home Affairs.

In a file note at the time he recalled in January 2004 the Commodore barged into Home Affairs Minister Joketani Cokanasiga's office with several bodyguards, accusing Waqanisau of raising an army against him.

"Bainimarama further said had it not been for the minister I would have been dead already, and next time the military came back to finish what they started he would personally lead [them] to town and make sure I would be the first to die.

"I told Bainimarama when he came down next time he should come alone, without his weapon and his armed body guards and then try to kill me. He became furious challenging me to a fight taking off his [weapon] and posing for a fight... I said I didn't want to fight him and he should go away. The minister was holding him back and eventually pushed him out the door."

Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama says Victor Lal and Russell Hunter have personal vendettas against him.

By GRAHAM DAVIS

(Fiji-born Graham Davis is now an award-winning print and broadcast journalist in Australia. He has covered major events around the world.
He blogs at grubsheet.com)

Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has strongly denied claims made by two former Fiji journalists that he tried to mount three coups before his takeover in December 2006.

In two articles in the New Zealand Herald, the Oxford-based academic and author Victor Lal and Russell Hunter, the expelled former publisher and editor-in-chief of the Fiji Sun, said Commodore Bainimarama had tried to take over the country after the Speight coup in 2000, and then again in 2004 and 2005.

The latest article details what the authors say is leaked correspondence from some of Commodore Bainimarama’s fellow officers urging him not to proceed and warning that they would oppose him.

In an interview in Suva, Commodore Bainimarama said the allegations were “not true”.

In the case of 2000, Mr Lal and Mr Hunter reported that Commodore Bainimarama demanded the military should be given the authority to rule Fiji for 50 years but this was opposed by the then president, Ratu Josefa Iloilo.

ALREADY IN CONTROL

Denying the account, Commodore Bainimarama said he was already in control of Fiji in 2000. “For their information, I was in charge of the nation in 2000, so I took over in 2000. I gave the government to (Laisenia) Qarase”.

The Prime Minister said it was historical fact that he had handed the reins of power to Laisenia Qarase hoping that he would govern for all Fijians and not just the indigenous majority.

“Everyone knows the story of 2000 when I came in, so why they changed this and (have) people believing it, I don’t know”.

Commodore Bainimarama also denied subsequent attempts to seize government before his takeover in 2006.
He said: In 2004 and 2005, there was no intention then to remove the government because I was trying to tell the government to play ball.

“There was a build-up of animosity between us and the government of the day, but there was no intention then to remove them because I was trying to get them to change their stance on the Qoliqoli (coastal resources) Bill and the racism that was rife. I was trying to persuade Qarase that he was wrong but there was no talk of us wanting to do coups then.”

The Prime Minister also responded to the account by Mr Lal and Mr Hunter that the former Australian police chief in Fiji, Andrew Hughes, tried to persuade NZ police to arrest him during a visit there in the lead-up to the 2006 coup.

According to their report, Mr Hughes believed that comments made by Commodore Bainimarama during the visit constituted grounds for a NZ charge of perverting the course justice.

These comments related to an ongoing police investigation in Fiji into whether Commodore Bainimarama could be charged with sedition for threatening to overthrow the government of Laisenia Qarase. In the event, the New Zealanders refused to act, primarily because of fears for the safety of NZ citizens in Fiji if the arrest provoked a backlash in the military.

IGNORED THE HUGHES PLAN

The Fijian leader said he’d been aware at the time of the Hughes plan to have him arrested but had ignored it
.
“I didn’t think much of it because I think this guy is a twit. I mean, who would think of getting away with the arrest of a defence force chief in the Pacific, especially an Australian coming to arrest a commander of the Fiji Military Forces”, he said.

Noting that the then NZ Police chief, Howard Broad “had more sense” than Hughes to reject the request, Commodore Bainimarama said the arrest attempt “didn’t surprise him” and he believed that Andrew Hughes was acting on the instructions of the Australian Government.

“I have no doubt about that. The government of the day (Qarase’s SDL) were puppets in the hands of the Australians so Hughes was doing the bidding of both the Qarase government and the Australian Government”, he said.

The Fijian leader said the arrest attempt did not change his behaviour in any way. “We’d already made up our minds on what we were going to do and that was to remove Qarase,” he said.

PERSONAL VENDETTA

He also launched an attack on Mr Lal and Mr Hunter, claiming they were engaged in a personal vendetta against him.

“You should look at the writers. They are not credible people. Victor Lal runs down everyone in Fiji. So does Russell Hunter”.

The prime minister said Mr Hunter was motivated by anger that he’d been expelled from Fiji after 2006.

“He got the kick from here so obviously he will try and retaliate,” Commodore Bainimarama said.

JUDICIAL MUSICAL Chairs: Convicted Suva lawyer and NFP NAIDU's court docket taken over by A-G's Office and new Judge assigned to case. What about Prasad-MrsTaniguchi case, for CJ hearing case Suspended?

8/3/2023

The Chief Justice Kamal Kumar was hearing Mrs Ari Taniguchi's judicial review challenge against the A-G and DPP NOT to prosecute BIMAN PRASAD. The case had been adjourned to 21 March for further legal submissions. On 30 January CJ Kumar was SUSPENDED as Chief Justice by President Wiliame Katonivere after allegations of misbehaviour. In Naidu's case, the Judge who found Naidu guilty of bringing Fiji judiciary into disrepute and was going to sentence him (Naidu) has FLED to Sri Lanka.
This week Biman Prasad appointed Richard Naidu to chair the Financial Review Committee.
Coming soon: We will reveal inaccuracies in the A-G Chamber's affidavit calling for the dismissal of Mrs Taniguchi's case, and a separate Legal Opinion on why DDP Pryde was wrong to discontinue the charges against NFP leader and Rabuka's Deputy PM and Finance Minister

Fijileaks: In its affidavit dated the 3 February 2023, the A-G's Chambers erroneously claims that Prasad was NEVER charged, when there is significant amount of evidence that he was charged and bailed to appear in court on 15 November 2022.
On 8 November the DPP intervened and discontinued the case against Prasad. Our legal opinion challenges Pryde's decision (which we will publish at a later date).
Shockingly, the NFP has removed from its Facebook page all the postings regarding the case against its leader, including confirmation from the party's general secretary that Prasad had been charged with two counts of indecently insulting or annoying a female. However, other evidence proves that the A-G Chamber's is WRONG to claim that no charges were filed against Prasad. PERJURY IN A-G's Affidavit?:

CONVICTED LAWYER Chairman of Prasad's Fiscal Review COMMITTEE. Richard Naidu is awaiting sentence after he was found guilty of bringing judiciary into disrepute. Shocking appointment but in Fiji, 'Law is an Ass'

7/3/2023

Fijileaks: The judge who convicted Naidu has FLED Fiji and we are in the dark when the Suva lawyer will now be sentenced. He was going to call FIVE witnesses to mitigate on his behalf.
We have nothing personal against Naidu but it is shocking, in fact, deplorable, that someone who could even be sent to PRISON, has been appointed by Prasad (himself facing a judicial review challenge from Mrs Ari Taniguchi for DDP deciding not to prosecute him) to chair the Fiscal Review Committee that has been tasked to develop appropriate expenditures, revenue, and taxation for the country.
The Committee has 14 members:
•(Chair) Richard Naidu– Commercial and taxation lawyer and a partner of the law firm of Munro Leys
•(Deputy Chair) Lisa Apted – partner of KPMG Fiji, chartered accountant and tax professional (sister of Jon Apted who is partner, Munro Leys)
•Reaaz Ali – company Director and entrepreneur from Nadi
•Vani Catanisiga – Co-ordinator of the Fiji Council of Social Services
•Edwin Chand – a company director and businessman from Labasa
•Neelesh Gounder – Economist and Deputy Head of School (Research) at the School of Accounting, Finance and Economics at The University of the South Pacific
•Matelita Katamotu – a business adviser and eco-tourism entrepreneur in Namosi
•Fantasha Lockington – Executive Director of Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association
•Kirti Patel – Librarian and community activist from Lautoka
•Pradeep Patel – Partner of BDO Fiji, a chartered accountant and tax professional
•Naibuka Saune – Chief Executive of Merchant Finance Limited
•Viliame Takayawa – A company Director and member of the SODELPA Management Board
•Barry Whiteside – A company Director and former Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji
•Mereia Volavola – A business consultant and former chief executive of the Capital Markets Development Authority.
Most are welcome appointments but we also have NFP lackey and USP economist Goundar, the librarian and failed NFP candidate Kirti Patel (141 Votes), Labasa businessman Edwin Chand, son of failed NFP candidate Pramod Chand.
Welcome to Prasad's new Fiji, Oops, Khaiyum's 'Old Crony Fiji'
Missing Industries: No one from Agriculture, Mining, Timber, Aviation, Education, Building, Shipping, Aviation and Oil industries. Prasad, the so-called 'Smart KaiIndia' Finance Minister, should have examined which major industries contribute to taxes, and he should also have asked FRCA to provide him a list first of high tax paying industries. It seems the new 'Smart KaiIndia' doesn't understand corporate Fiji. What about his NFP political chamcha and the real monetary economist WADAN NARSEY? He is missing from the list.

What a JOKE. Here is the failed NFP candidate Kirti Patel: 141 VOTES

Pradeep Patel – Partner of BDO Fiji, a chartered accountant and tax professional.
Fijileaks: Our Founding Editor-in-Chief first encountered PRADEEP PATEL in 2008 when he (our Editor) exposed that Coupist Bainimarama's Interim Finance Minister and line manager of FRCA, Mahendra Chaudhry, was hiding $2million from the Fijian taxpayers in Sydney bank account.
NALIN PATEL and PRADEEP PATEL, as partners in the firm of G. Lal & Co, now trading under the franchise name BDO & Associates of Level 10 FNPF Place, 343 Victoria Parade, Suva, were representing Chaudhry and dealing with FRCA regarding the $2million.
We will reveal full details later but we had reported the brothers to the DPP for further investigation

Pradeep Patel

Nalin Patel

2004: The questionable Harbhajan Lal letter to FIRCA – Forgery or Falsification of Facts?

16 June

FIRCA writes to Mr Chaudhry granting him extension till 15 August 2004 to provide information in relation to investments held overseas

14 August

Nalin Patel of G. Lal & Co writes on behalf of Mr Chaudhry to FIRCA asking for an extension till 15 September. Informs FIRCA that Mr Chaudhry has appointed him as his tax agent and confirms that the information was being completed

18 August

FIRCA grants extension

6 September

Nalin and Pardeep Patel of G. Lal & Co meet FIRCA’s Madhu Sudhan (now working with G.Lal & Co) and state that information would be submitted by 15 September 2004

9 September

Harbhajan Lal of Haryana or someone purporting to be him writes his letter to Mr Chaudhry regarding the funds collected in India

13 September

Nalin Patel writes to FIRCA asking for further extension of time until 15 October 2004

21 September

FIRCA writes to inform no further extension will be granted after 15 October

5 October

FIRCA officials meet with Nalin Patel in Madhu Sudhan’s office to discuss Harbhajan Lal’s letter; seek more substantive evidence to support the letter (see 5 October “Note” for full details)

22 October

FIRCA writes to Nalin Patel regarding the evidence he had on hand at the 5 October meeting

Agree to amend the income tax returns

Refuse to allow tax credits due to lack of documentary evidence

FIRCA still to pursue the source of funds

Document (Harbhajan Lal letter) explaining source of funds insufficient for FIRCA purposes

10 November

Mr Chaudhry pays $86,069.62.

In 2008 Victor Lal wrote to Nalin Patel before publishing his findings on 24 February 2008 but Mr Patel never acknowledged or replied to a series of questions sent to him.

On 20 August 2012 Victor Lal wrote to Nalin Patel asking the following questions

Dear Nalin

Bula.

Did You/Pradeep read the contents of Harbhajan Lal's letter dated 9 September 2004, which is in direct contrast to the evidence you were presenting to FIRCA on his [Mr Chaudhry’s] behalf?

When was the first time you came into possession of Harbhajan Lal's letter?

From all the correspondence to FIRCA there are so many inconsistencies - the letter was written on 9 September and you chaps were still asking for extension on the 15 September.

Please note that I am not blaming you for anything but I need to ascertain certain facts

Warm regards
Victor Lal

Three days earlier, on 17 August 2012, Victor Lal had written to Nalin Patel:

Bula Nalin

You may recall I contacted you regarding Mahendra Chaudhry's tax details. You neither acknowledged nor replied to my set of questions that I had sent you in 2008.

To date, I have not been able to locate Harbhajan Lal in Haryana, and now Justice Goundar's judgment quotes a letter from Delhi Study Group, which was never a part of your exchanges, on behalf Mr Chaudhry, with FIRCA in 2004.

I would be very grateful if you could comment on the attachment, especially with the Prime Minister calling upon accountants to take a more active role in the Constitution making in Fiji.

When did you submit that Harbhajan Lal letter dated 9 September 2004 to FIRCA that year?

Did you have a copy of the Delhi Study Group letter dated 12 October 2004 also but chose to submit the Harbhajan Lal one?

Look forward to hearing from you.

Warm regards
Victor Lal

RACIAL INSULT. SASHI KIRAN is Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation. With Lynda Tabuya lording it up on global stage, Rabuka appoints Health Minister Lalabalavu as acting 'Women Minister'

6/3/2023

And Biman Prasad wraps himself in the political sari without protesting on Sashi Kiran's behalf.
Why have Assistant Ministers if the Rabuka-Prasad-Gavoka Coalition bring a Minister from another department to act as ACTING MINISTER? We were told Assistant Ministers are needed to run an efficient government.

Imagine appointing someone as Deputy Speaker instead of NFP's Lenora Qereqeretabua, who is the official Deputy Speaker.
The snub to Sashi Kiran is another proof that Fiji is heading toward i-Taukeization of the country.
SHAME, and SHAME especially on NFP leader BIMAN PRASAD.
In fact, Kiran should have been appointed Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, and not 'cash-rich' Lynda Tabuya.
The Coalition government should hang its head in shame as we commemorate International Women's Day.
GENDER EQUALITY = RACIAL DISCRIMINATION AGAINST KIRAN

Beyond 33% – The Economic Empowerment of Fiji Women and Girls. The REPORT's author Wadan Narsey should tell his political chum and NFP leader Biman Prasad to appoint more women to Boards, not men 'chums'

5/3/2023

NFP chums: Prasad and Narsey

THE PATELS: DAKSESH PATEL, the Australian based, non Fiji resident, son of NFP stalwart and businessman VINOD PATEL, was recently appointed by BIMAN PRASAD to the ATH Board.
*The appointment is no different from Bai-Kai dictatorship government. Daksesh Patel was (maybe still is) Aiyaz Khaiyum's best mate, and donated to FijiFirst Party, in breach of the Political Parties Act.

He is still on the FNFP Board. The Government owns 49% of ATH and FNFP 51%. There is a clear conflict of interest, and DAKSESH PATEL must be fired from both the boards.
In July 2022, while calling on the FFP government for transparency in the sale of Fiji Airways shares, Rabuka had expressed his concerns about the conflict of interest that many Fiji Airways board members had with people like Daksesh Patel and Sanjay Kaba.
*Biman Prasad, on the other hand, in December 2016, was calling for an inquiry into the Vinod Patel company, including another FFP funder R C Manubhai:
"Government must institute an independent investigation to determine how many millions of dollars of taxpayer funds has been paid to two hardware companies (Vinod Patel and R C Manubhai) despite them failing to supply building material under the Help for Homes Initiative, specifically designed for swift rehabilitation following devastation caused by Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston."
Fijileaks to Finance Minister Biman Prasad: SACK DAKSESH PATEL

Conclusion

The statistical data in this Report is a mixture of positive news and negative news in all the areas of Employment, Average and Total Incomes, Unpaid Household Work and Leisure activities.

The economy has not grown healthily, discouraged by the 2006 coup and COVID. Females have increased their Labour Force employment more than Males who have gone backwards slightly. But the increases for Females have been in generally low income jobs.

The Female Average Incomes have not kept pace with Male Average Incomes, and hence the % Gender Gaps in Average Incomes have widened. Nevertheless, the increase in numbers employed in Paid Work have still been large enough to counter the reducing average incomes, resulting in the overall result that the Female share of Total Incomes has slowly been rising.

That trend may have stopped during COVID and may even have reversed. The next EUS (probably in 2023-24) will give some definitive statistics. Although Males are increasing their unpaid household work, they are still not doing enough household work. Females are still doing the bulk of the Unpaid Household Work in the Labour Force, the Student Population and Other categories such as the retirees.

The extra burdens imposed on Females in the Labour Force are resulting in extremely high levels of Total Work per week (in excess of 60 hours per week), especially for Employees, Employers and Self-employed. There is naturally a resulting reduction of time for leisure activities for Females, beginning from Primary School ages and extending into the working ages and retirement.

There is also a serious problem of Females not participating in sports beginning from primary school with the gender gaps with Males increasing into working ages and retirement. This lack of participation in sports has serious implications for their health and physical wellbeing. Part of the problem is the lack of physical sports facilities, as well as cultural attitudes. There is a problem of significant proportions of men devoting excessive time to kava gatherings, reducing their ability to undertake their fair share of unpaid household work.

Click to read the FULL REPORT here

From Fijileaks Archive, 7 December 2016

Fijileaks: We should not be surprised with the behaviour of R C Manubhai
Ltd. According to the Auditor-General’s Report for 2013 (which Khaiyum only released after the 2014 election), $543,251 was paid to R.C. Manubhai for house materials that were not fully delivered to Cyclone Evan victims. "The recipients of the assistance could not commence with the rehabilitation works due to part supply of materials from the supplier despite payment already made." But Khaiyum did not act to stop R C Manubhai from being involved in the Help for Home Initiative after Cyclone Winston. He had either not read the A-G's 2013 Report or was rewarding one of the FFP financial donors.

Aiyaz Khaiyum also appointed four directors from R C Manubhai on boards (FDB, LTA, WAF chair and FRA chair) and one from Vinod Patel
(FEA chair). We say remove them, and launch special probe into their companies Help for Home Initiative payment scam. These companies must not be permitted to "ride out the storm" despite Khaiyum "shutting the gates on them after the horse has bolted" - with cyclone victims having swiped their Help for Home Initiative credit cards with them

"Government must institute an independent investigation to determine how many millions of dollars of taxpayer funds has been paid to two hardware companies despite them failing to supply building material under the Help for Homes Initiative specifically designed for swift rehabilitation following devastation caused by Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston. The Attorney General and Minister for Economy’s announcement that hardware companies Vinod Patel and R C Manubhai will not be part of the 2nd phase of this Initiative and would have to pay a nominal interest and penalty due to their failure to provide hardware material to victims of TC Winston is simply not good enough. The AG’s statement is like “shutting the gate after the horse has bolted”. These two largest hardware companies in the country have already been paid millions of dollars after they swiped the Help of Homes Initiative cards despite knowing fully well that they did not have the rebuilding material. This is similar to obtaining money under false pretences." NFP Statement

"The 2nd phase of Help for Homes Initiative is worth $20 million. But the first phase was worth $88 million. The two largest companies of R C Manubhai and Vinod Patel would have enjoyed the largest share of funds worth $88 million allocated for the Initiative, given their dominance of the local hardware industry. It is only fair that an independent investigation is instituted into the Initiative to establish claims of possible corruption and mismanagement as well as why and how these two companies received payments without supplying building material."

December 5, 2016

MEDIA RELEASE

Independent investigation needed into Help for Homes Initiative

Government must institute an independent investigation to determine how many millions of dollars of taxpayer funds has been paid to two hardware companies despite them failing to supply building material under the Help for Homes Initiative specifically designed for swift rehabilitation following devastation caused by Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston.

The Attorney General and Minister for Economy’s announcement that hardware companies Vinod Patel and R C Manubhai will not be part of the 2nd phase of this Initiative and would have to pay a nominal interest and penalty due to their failure to provide hardware material to victims of TC Winston is simply not good enough.

The AG’s statement is like “shutting the gate after the horse has bolted”. These two largest hardware companies in the country have already been paid millions of dollars after they swiped the Help of Homes Initiative cards despite knowing fully well that they did not have the rebuilding material.

This is similar to obtaining money under false pretences. Any ordinary citizen who would have done the same thing, would have been swiftly charged and hauled before the Court. It also shows Government’s calling for expression of interest and selecting companies to supply material appears to have been a cosmetic exercise because it failed to ascertain whether each company had the stock necessary to supply material. And in the event it was out of stock, what was the timeframe to obtain, import and supply material?

Cyclone victims are still waiting for supply, six months after they visited these hardware outlets and purchased building material under the Initiative. Many are still living in tents and temporary shelters, and even under the open sky because the small tents are being used for safekeeping of their household items.

But the hardware companies have already been paid. The AG is treating this as a trivial matter when it is an issue of rebuilding lives. He should be transparent and accountable to the taxpayers and inform the nation how much each of the two hardware companies ( Vinod Patel & R C Manubhai) have been paid from the $88 million provided under phase one of the Initiative. And what is the total amount paid to each of the two companies for non-supply of material.

The AG must also revisit his statements on this issue from April 2016 and how he glorified the whole Initiative and the ability of Government and hardware companies to help the victims swiftly rebuild their homes. At the same time Government moved the False Information Bill in Parliament, which was enacted on 26th April, prescribing heavy fines and imprisonment terms for people who falsified claims of damages to their properties.

The Opposition had then pointed out in Parliament that while Government was going beyond the Crimes Decree to penalise people under the False Information Act, there was no legislation prescribing strict compliance by hardware companies to the Help for Homes Initiative.

We had also pointed out that Government should have accepted our suggestion of providing a sum of $5,000 each to TC Winston victims to rebuild homes. This would have allowed people to shop for building material at different hardware outlets and would have been more efficient and effective.

The 2nd phase of Help for Homes Initiative is worth $20 million. But the first phase was worth $88 million. The two largest companies of R C Manubhai and Vinod Patel would have enjoyed the largest share of funds worth $88 million allocated for the Initiative, given their dominance of the local hardware industry.

It is only fair that an independent investigation is instituted into the Initiative to establish claims of possible corruption and mismanagement as well as why and how these two companies received payments without supplying building material. Government seemingly ignored concerns raised by the Opposition very early into the Initiative that cyclone victims were not being supplied the material they paid for with the Help for Homes Initiative cards.

No business must ever be allowed to charge money for service it cannot provide. To do so would be considered a scam.

Authorised by: -

Hon Professor Biman Prasad
NFP Leader

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