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ITALIAN Flavour to FijiFIRST PARTY Donation, beefed up with thousands into 'donation steak' - a cocktail of non Indo-Fijian FFP donors, with The Whittons and The 'Macdonals' joining in the 'FFP DONATION Meal Deal'

15/10/2020

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Tony and Brigid Whitton

THE WHITTONS $65,000: A TOUR through the FijiFirst Party Donation List throws up an array of donors, with the owners of Rosie Holidays (which rebranded in 2018 to Rosie Travel Group, RTG), the country's largest inbound tourism operator, topping up the donor chart among the non Indo-Fijian FFP donors, with $65,000. The RTG also owns and operates two of the country's premier island resorts on the Mamanuca Group - Malolo Island Resort and Likuliku Lagoon Resort.

TONY Whitton with his proud mother Rosie Whitton

As we have pointed out previously, most of these donations are legitimate under the Donation Decree. Moreover, the scion of the Whitton family, Rosie Whitton's own rise from rag to riches in the founding of their tourism business empire, is much to be admired and emulated in Fiji. RTG's managing director Tony and his wife Brigid Whitton made a donation of $5,000 on 9 August 2014. It was via Direct Debit to FFP Treasurer Vimlesh Kumar. On 31 August 2017, Tony, Brigid and Rosie Whitton donated $10,000 each ($30,000), and on 8 October 2018, Tony and Brigid donated $10,000 each ($20,000), followed by Rosie on 30 October 2018: $10,000. Total: $65,000. In March this year, Tony Whitton reported that the company lost $15million in sales as a result of lost business from COVID-19 and 25 executives had taken a ten per cent pay cut to sustain the company which employs 600 people https://www.fijitimes.com/tourism-tycoon-loses-out-on-sales/
RAG TO RICHES: https://fijiplus.com.fj/dream-makers-rosies-scion-tony-whitton/

On 15 June 2014, the Italian-born businessman Flaviano Pisoni, the owner of The Italian Shop, donated $5,000 to FijiFirst Party. Flavio (as he is known) made his money on the motor racing circuit in Europe and drives the only Ferrari in Fiji.

FLAVIANO PISONI in 2012 - Two years before the donation in 2014

On the same day, the restaurant maestro Richard 'Cardo' Slatter beefed up the donation with his $2,000 to the FijiFirst Party. Both donations were received by Treasurer Vimlesh Kumar

Hannah Raffe and Brian Kirsch

HANNAH RAFFE, of the Plantation and Lomani Island Resorts on Malolo Lailai Island in the Mamanuca Group, donated $5,000 on 9 August 2014, via Direct Debit, to FFP Treasurer Kumar. The two resorts are part of Raffee Group of Hotels. The family also own Fiji Gateway opposite the Nadi International Airport terminal. Plantation Island which was founded by her late father, Reginald, celebrated its 50th anniversary last November. Her husband Brian Kirsch, of Robinson Crusoe Island Resort, also donated to FFP. On 18 September 2017, Kirsch donated $5,000. RN: 858. There is no evidence who received the donation. On 8 November 2018, he donated another $5.000. There is no receipt or who from FijiFirst Party received the $5,000 from Kirsch. In August 2020, he was elected President of the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association. We wrote to Hannah Raffe but received no reply from her.

CAROL SMITH, the owner of Musket Cove donated $20,000 to FFP. On 28 October 2014, she donated $10,000 to FFPHQ. RN:1036. Four years later, on 14 October 2018, she donated $10,000 but both R/N and Receiver are missing from donor list

In 2014, came flying TIM and SUSAN BOYCE with their $10,000 for FFP. They donated via Direct Debit (70) to the party treasurer Vimlesk Kumar. The couple own the Pacific Flying School in Nadi.

The Pacific Flying School is subsidiary Joyce Aviation (Fiji) Ltd.The owners and directors, Tim & Susan Joyce, have been living in Fiji for the past 11 years. They established Tandem Skydive (Fiji) Ltd and Adventure Sailing Fiji in 2004, Joyce Aviation (Fiji) Ltd (trading as Heli-Tours Fiji) in 2009 and recently purchased (July 2014) Sunflower Aviation Limited / Pacific Flying School Limited.Tim is the Managing Director & CEO for each of these companies.

There were also small donations to FijiFIRST Party. On 9 October 2014, GENE CALVERT donated Fifty (50) Dollars. And BRUCE and LESLIE PHILLIPS, on 9 August 2014, $500 to the FFP Treasurer Kumar.

We have already noted Marc Mcelrath 'Mcdonal's $10,000 to FFP. His mother, BEVERLeY FLORENCE, joined the 'FFP Meal Deal', donating $10,000 on 10 October 2018. There is no record of any receipt issued or who at FFP received the donation. On 14 October 2018, PATRICIA MARY FERRIER WATSON donated her $100 to FijiFIRST Party.

TO BE CONTINUED

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FIJI@50: POSTMAN FAT REVEALS IDENTITY OF HIS MAKER: He says his maker is MR NAREND PRATAP, an Upholstere who doubles up selling handmade idols of Hindu Dieties and lives on Waila Feeder Rd in Nausori

13/10/2020

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We have just received confirmation from Postman Fat
that NAREND PRATAP is the 'Statue Maker':

OUR EARLIER POSTING:
GOD AGAINST GHOSTS: MR PRATAP is 53-years old. He can be seen making his idols and lives about 200 metres from the Waila Methodist Church. "You saw my leather sulu. It is because Pratap is an upholstere and not a sculptor," Postman Fat told us. However, he is too scared to reveal more at this stage, for Pratap is also a Hindu excorcist, claims Postman Fat, who allegedly has a reputation in Waila for ritualistic 'healing' and excorcism of evil spirits attachments and black magic or spells. He says HINDUS from all over Fiji place orders for his handmade dieties but are often disappointed with the deities long or short noses, half cropped ears, elephantisis legs etc, but because of his so-called magical powers to excorcise tivoros, they dare not complain to him. One buyer says he paid $200 for two idols, 50cm in height.
When we asked the Postman why he (the postman) was meandering in the corridors of the CWM Hospital in Suva, he said, 'Oh, because Pratap's father used to make DENTURES at CWM Hospital. Pratap learnt his trade from his father, who is retired now.' He says we shouldn't blame PRATAP for the SHODDY AND LAUGHABLE POSTMAN FAT but POST FIJI for commissioning PRATAP who is not a Sculptor but Idol Maker. "I was crying whole evening after Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama unveiled me to the world. It was nothing like me. I was neither HE nor SHE and not even UNISEX Postie. So, the Suva City Council workers came around like thieves in the night and removed and dumped my Statue at the Samabula Depot. I am told Pratap was paid around $2,000. Please, spare HIM but those at Post Fiji, including its CEO, should ALL BE SACKED."
Fijileaks: Postman Fat will send us more details with photos of his creator etc in the next post. We say: SACK those at POST FIJI who commisisoned Pratap!

POSTMAN FAT claims POST FIJI, in exchange for Pratap's work for them, was planning to sell his handmade HINDU deities from their Postie Shops

POSTMAN FAT looking for the CWM Hospital Dentures Ward.
We are looking forward to his next POST for us, with more details

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DESERVED HONOUR TO DOUGHTY CHAMPION: Dr Adi Mere Tuisalalo Samisoni richly deserves FIJI@50 Independence Commemorative Medal

13/10/2020

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“Give them this day their daily bread: Mere Samisoni”
(The Fiji Times, 28 Nov. 2015)
By Professor Wadan Narsey

At the heart of every dynamic growing economy, is the strange beast called the “entrepreneur”.

Fiji’s economic future depends on having enough entrepreneurs, either our own or foreigners, whose efforts are essential if the economy is to grow healthily. Dr Mere Samisoni is one of the rare breed of Fijian entrepreneurs who everyone in Fiji knows about, not because she is a SODELPA politician, but because she is in the business of selling Fiji their daily bread through her chain of Hot Bread Kitchens.

This article is the first in a series I will be writing for the Fiji Times, exploring some of Fiji’s genuine entrepreneurs, who ordinary Fijians can be inspired by, and who they can emulate.

What is an entrepreneur?
To answer this most difficult question you could enroll for expensive degrees in business studies or MBAs, and be “taught about entrepreneurship” by people who have never run a business in their lives. Or you could google with the phrase “characteristics of entrepreneurs” which will give you hundreds of interesting articles. Or, of greater relevance, look at Fiji’s own amazing entrepreneurs, both local and expatriate, who have:
* taken water from a borehole in a Ra cow paddock, and sold it throughout the world, earning hundreds of millions of dollars;
* imported wheat from Australia to Fiji, made biscuits sold back to Australia, despite the double transport costs;
* imported textiles from Australia to make garments sold back to Australia, despite the double transport costs;
* converted coconut oil from a terminally ill coconut industry, into most successful up-market beauty products;
* successfully processed ginger, while most agriculture projects in Fiji continue to fail despite all the government support.
These examples suggest that an entrepreneur is not the “run of the mill” business person like a shop-keeper, although shop-keeping itself can be a challenge as many disasters from the EIMCOL scheme will testify.
He or she is certainly not the business person who has managed to obtain business privileges such as a monopoly license, or tariff protection, or subsidies from government and taxpayers, virtually guaranteeing profits which are ultimately paid for, at increased cost, by consumers.
No, an entrepreneur is one who enters a highly competitive market, and succeeds in some unique kind of way, without any special favors from government.

Mere is an entrepreneur
So Dr Mere Samisoni, the creator of Hot Bread Kitchens, is an entrepreneur.
Hold on, you might ask, there are hundreds of bakeries around in Fiji. What is so special about Hot Bread Kitchen? Of course, there have been hundreds of bakeries in Fiji’s history, mostly run by Chinese families, like KW March in Toorak or Yee Man Sue (my wife’s grandfather) in Korovou selling famous wood-fired bread all over Tailevu. In recent years, seeing the profits made by Hot Bread Kitchen, many super-markets have also set up their own bakeries.

Hot Bread Kitchen was started in 1982, and has become a “brand name”, whose consistent quality is recognized by the public. Perhaps it was inspired by similar bread-shops in Australia, that Mere may have come across. But it sells a wide range of products not provided by the typical corner bakery, and whose prices are less than those of the other trendy boutique bakeries. Hot Bread Kitchen premises are health and safety compliant, miles superior to the typical corner bakery.

It employs staff on union rates or better, and makes proper FNPF payments, unlike the typical corner bakery.
It pays its proper taxes to FRCA, unlike many corner bakeries, who I suspect under-declare their incomes.
In recent years, Hot Bread Kitchen also had to cope with price control imposed by a Commerce Commission, despite bakeries being a competitive industry, and in total disregard of quality of the bread.

The miracle is that despite all these cost disadvantages relative to its competitors, Mere’s Hot Bread Kitchen has been a great success, growing into a chain of shops all around the country. The highest compliment for Mere is the number of competitors which have sprung up, imitating Mere’s Hot Bread Kitchen.
Mere Samisoni is also an indigenous Fijian, an obvious role model for budding Fijian entrepreneurs.

Mere’s explanation for success
If you ask Dr Mere Samisoni what she attributes her success to, you get answers, some you would expect from a person with an MBA and a doctorate in business studies (as Mere has), but also some which are peculiarly Fijian, with relevance only in the minds of the believers.

At a very personal level, Mere attributes her success partly to the great role model provided by her mother, Mere Levu, coming from a poor background in Lomaloma (Lau), schooled only to Class 3, but with great devotion to the principles of Christianity.

Her mother taught the family the importance of: knowing the difference between right and wrong; prudence, frugality and saving, hard work, discipline, acting responsibly with “care and love”; taking up any business opportunity that came along, such as hiring out punts or sewing clothes even while working as a house-girl; and, remembering that even Jesus Christ had to make a living from carpentry.

I suspect that Hindu, Muslim and Buddhist entrepreneurs might say similar things.

But Dr Samisoni also points out that you have to engage in research: decide on your product; identify your market; identify the competition; having a solid pricing policy; have a business plan; make sure you have adequate savings before applying for loans; to work when you need to work and not just the regular “office hours”; paying attention to detail; emphasizing team-work and networking; investing in technology; investing in yourself; and even having an exit strategy, “just in case”.

All these factors are of course recognized globally as the characteristics of “entrepreneurs”.

Mere Samisoni also emphasizes as did Dr Ropate Qalo in his analysis of his family firm (Mucunabitu Iron Works), that indigenous Fijians especially needed to understand that cash flow is not the same as profits; that businesses must pay for employees, purchase raw materials and many other expenses, and save in order to grow the business.

Is this just the MBA and doctorate in business studies “explaining ex post” what has already occurred?

Because I suspect that there are many entrepreneurs in Fiji who follow precisely the same principles without a single degree to their name.

I suspect that Mere Samisoni was following these principles even before she acquired her degrees.

I suspect Mere recognized early on that providing Fiji consumers “every day with their daily bread”, of good quality, with perseverance, discipline, and hard unceasing work, must translate into good profits, whether the consumers recited the Lord’s Prayer or not.

Mere also recognized that with rising incomes, man “does not live by bread alone” but also want to buy multi-grain bread, buns, scones, pies and even roti.

I suspect that the same principle of selling essential products that Fiji’s consumers need, is also behind the phenomenal success of another entrepreneur, Hari Punja (another article).

Mere Samisoni, despite her advanced age of 76, has no intention of retiring, and, like all genuine entrepreneurs, is venturing into new products.

Leaving her Hot Bread Kitchen chain of 25 shops to her children to run, Mere is also now selling solar lighting and electrical chargers, which can make life easier for rural and maritime people.

The Fiji economy could do with a lot more entrepreneurs like Mere Levu and her daughter, Mere Samisoni.

From Fijileaks Archive: 13 December 2016

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REST IN PEACE: BLAST FROM THE PAST - Mrs HARI SHANKAR lived through racial horrors of Rabuka's 1987 coups, and much more...SHE departed from this world 10 October - on Fiji's 50th Independence Day

13/10/2020

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The late Sama Shankar was the sister of the late SIR VIJAY SINGH's mother. He was the former Speaker of Parliament, Cabinet Minister and Attorney General who was part of the Alliance Party delegation to London in 1970 that negotiated Fiji's Independence from Great Britain. He was detained after Rabuka's racist coups and his passport seized, prompting him to ask: “What kind of normalcy is [Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau] thinking about when things like this happen.” For sometime Sir Vijay was declared a persona non grata by Rabuka, as if FIJI belonged to HIM. While Sir Vijay died in New Zealand from cancer in September 2006, Mrs Shankar - 97 years old - died peacefully at her Flagstaff home in Suva on 10 October 2020, 50 years to the day her brother had negotiated our independence.
HER own dramatic role after the 1987 coups, and the UNDIGNIFIED treatment Rabuka and his racist THUGS subjected her to, is another story, for another day. Mrs Shankar will be cremated at the Dignified Crematorium on Wednesday, 14 October at 2pm (Fiji time).
As for Sitiveni Rabuka, we say with Isaiah (48:22):
'There is no peace, says the Lord, for the evil-doers.'
REST IN PEACE, SAMA SHANKAR

RACIAL THUGGERY REWARDED ON FIJI'S 50TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY
In 1987, hiding under the SULU of Indigenous Rights, he did not hesitate to persecute SIR VIJAY SINGH, the very Indo-Fijian who, with other native Fijian chiefs, had made it possible for this THUG to be a FREE MAN in Fiji on 10 October 1970. Sir Vijay's AUNT, SAMA SHANKAR, was sadly another statistic in Sitiveni Rabuka's sadistic catalogue of torture and horror after GOD reportedly whispered into his EARS to WAKE UP, for their was NO OTHER WAY for him but to hide under Balaclavas - 'Coronavirus Face Masks' - and seize POWER in Independent FIJI. Sadly, Sama Shankar was taken away from us on 10 OCTOBER 2020. But, thankfully, for the courage of her nephew, and countless others, she will be cremated in her BELOVED FIJI, reminding the ponga Methodist lay preacher Rabuka [Rambhuka - Hindu God Ram is Bhuka - Hungry] and his rabid native Fijian nationalists Ecclesiastes (3:20):
'All Go to One Place. All Are From The Dust, To Dust All Return.'

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COLLECTOR'S ITEM IN FFP DONOR LIST: Nads Handcraft Fiji owner and an avid Antique Collector BABU GANESH legally donated $10,000 to Fiji First Party. But NO Receipt to verify donation nor FFP Receiver Identity

13/10/2020

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The avid antique collector donated to FFP
on 14 October 2018

Aiyaz Khaiyum took $10,000 from Collector of rare Fiji Times editions (1870-1970) and went on to abuse the newspaper and continues to ridicule it at every opportunity, inside Parliament, and outside in Public

WHAT A JOKE! He broke his own DONATION DECREE by not issuing RECEIPTS to DONORS nor recording identity of FFP Donation Receivers. We do not know if he received the donations in CHEQUE through
Post Fiji or CASH in a Black Suitcase?

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PONGA POSTMAN RELEGATED TO SECOND CLASS: Now, Post Fiji chairman Lawrence Tikaram, licking wounds, claims Postman Statue was only meant to be out for 12 hours to mark the World Postman Day

12/10/2020

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LAWRENCE TIKARAM claims the Statue has been
"relocated back to the Post Fiji office for safe keeping"
When Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama unveiled the Statue, we were never told that it will disappear in the next 12 hours, and most probably end up in the CWM Hospital in Suva so 'Postman Fat' could undergo further treatment for the terrible 'elephantisis'. When will FFP, through Tikaram, STOP fooling Fijians. Remember that Instant Charger chap with his phoney charger!
Fiji@50 - A Bloody Laughing Stock of the World

SHROUDED IN MYSTERY: Some say 'Postman Fat' doing his mail rounds at CWM Hospital in Suva

TAKEN FOR A FOOL, AGAIN: When will Bainimarama WAKE UP and TELL AIYAZ SAYED KHAIYUM TO STOP PORTRAYING HIM AS A FOOL

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PONGA ARTIST - FIJI50 POSTMAN FAT: FFP and Post Fiji commissioned an Indo-Fijian ponga artist who makes statutes of Indian deities to give us 'Fiji's Postman Pat'. They should have asked their donor Peter Rankin

11/10/2020

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On 6 March 2017, RANKIN donated $10,000. Receipt No: 1098, although we don't know who from FFP accepted his donation, and his name on the list is spelt as RANKING. A year later, on 2 October 2018, he donated another $10,000. Total: $20,000. There is no evidence of any receipt issued nor who at FFP received his donation. As we pointed out, both Law[e]rence Tikaram, the Post Fiji Board Chairman and Manjula Dayal, Board Director, donated $10,000 each to the FijiFirst Party in 2018 and 2014. Meanwhile, the poor PONGA ARTIST's short-lived 'Postman Fat' was quietly removed and dumped at the Suva City Council Samabula depot. A few days earlier, Bainimarama had done the ponga artist proud by unveiling the statute in the heart of Suva. Public pressure saw the 'Postman Fat' - suffering terrible 'elephantisis' - disappear from Suva City
WHY THE FIJI MEDIA ARE NOT REPORTING 'POSTMAN FAT' MISSING?

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FIRST CLASS DONATIONS TO FIJIFIRST PARTY: The POST FIJI Board Chairman LAW[E]RENCE TIKARAM and Board Director MANJULA DAYAL donated to FijiFirst Party - Tikaram in 2018 and Dayal with family in 2014

11/10/2020

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ALTHOUGH FijiFirst Party donor list has spelled LAWRENCE wrong,
he is the one and same person. On 6 November 2018, Tikaram donated $10,000 but it seems he never bothered to obtain a receipt as proof nor there is any evidence as to who in FFP accepted his donation. Manjula Dayal, on the other hand, donated $10,000 on 3 July 2014, and Receipt Number 0036 was issued to her by the party treasurer Vimlesh Kumar

ISA, FIJI AT 50: LAUGH OUT LOUD, KAILA!

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COACH, CAR, FUEL Owners HITCH RIDE on the FijiFIRST Party Donation Bus. BIG HUG to FFP from RUPS BIG BEAR Managing Director, and more Abuse of Political Parties Funding Decree LOOPHOLE on $10,000 Limit

11/10/2020

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HISH, Cheques in Brown Envelopes and Cash in Black Suitcase for FijiFirst Party

50 years on...Fiji's FIRST UNISEX Postie

FULLY ARMED: These soldiers are not shopping but strutting around with guns in Tavua, August 2015

Rups Big Bear Managing Director Shiri Narayan Rup donated $10,000 on 8 March 2017. R/N 1673. No proof of who at FFP accepted the donation

BUSSED INTO SUVAVOU HOUSE: FFP general secretary, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, with members of the Fiji Bus Operators Association, 1 December 2016 [BELOW], met to discuss the problems in Fiji's bus industry. Some are also big donors to the
FijiFIRST PARTY

In September 2006, Kadar Buksh Ltd was purchased by Nisar Ali Shah, who became the Executive Chairman of the bus company. His son Tasdig Ali Shah joined as CEO. While Nisar donated $10,000, Tasdig, on 16 July 2014, donated $5,000 to the FijiFirst Party

Ajit Singh of Tacirua Transport speaking at the Suvavou meeting, December 2016

AJIT SINGH, Managing Director, Tacirua Transport Ltd
7 July 2014: $10,000 (FFP HQ);
30 Janaury 2017:
Ajit Singh: $10,000 (RN: 972)
Anjani Singh: $10,000 (RN: 982)
Ratni Singh: $10,000 (RN: 989)
RECEIVER at FFP: Mystery
TOTAL: $40,000

“Our expenses remain the same, pay is still unchanged, but loading had dropped because of social distancing and non-essential travel. Under such circumstances, the Government initiative is not enough...The cost of doing business is high, Mr Ajit Singh said. He said the company’s worst fears of shutting down business because of coronavirus may be realised sooner than anticipated unless better incentives are introduced.

https://fijisun.com.fj/2020/03/31/tacirua-transport-government-initiative-not-enough/

ON 17 March 2017, ASHOK KUMAR, KRISHAN KUMAR and SANDEEP KUMAR DONATED $10,000 each but there is no evidence who at FFP received these $30,000 from them. In 2014, another Kumar, Ashish who manages Interlink Shipping Line Ltd which is part of Raiwaqa Bus Service and Ashok Transport Ltd DONATED $10,000 to FFP

Krishnan Kumar $10,000

CLOSE SAVE: ONE of their haulage carriers lately

Ashok Kumar at the wheels

https://www.fijileaks.com/home/riding-it-out-with-ffp-raiwaqa-bus-company-directors-donated-40000-despite-repeated-complaints-and-now-fiji-high-court-orders-company-its-driver-to-pay-125000-to-two-victims-of-sigatoka-bus-fire

ROBBING PETER TO PAY PAUL: The Rabukas on one of their buses. This bus goes from Suva to Natovi by boat, then to Naobuwalu and same bus to Labasa. Ashish Kumar who manages Interlink Ferries donated $10,000 to FFP not to SODELPA

Zane Dean: $12,500

ZANE DEAN, Director, Shahabud Dean Transport Ltd, Nadi, and former President of Fiji Bus Operators Association (2009-11): $12,500 to FijiFIRST Party,
11/9/2014: $2,500; 9 June 2017, $10,000

PROFIT FOCUS: ONE of Nadi’s prominent bus operators believes bus companies need to make a profit in order to grow Fiji’s transport industry. Mr [Zane] Dean said the company suffered a loss when accepting passengers for free. “We are losing money when we do that and that’s something that has to be considered. There should be a way to ensure that the company does not bear the costs because we need to re-invest in our business. We have provided our balance sheets and our earnings to them and they can decide which way the fare should go. Whether it should go up or down.”
Zane Dean, Fiji Times, 9 November 2017. In June 2017, he had donated $10,000 to FijiFirst Party, the money he could have spent to provide FREE ride to school children. VOTERS: What did he get in return for his legitimate $12,500 donation to FFP?

$10,000 from Reginald Rajnesh Mohan, Managing Director, Dee Cee's.
He donated to FijiFirst Party on 16 November 2018

Reginald Mohan

TAXING NOT FAR BEHIND THE BUS OWNERS: In August 2018, Raben Bhan Singh was elected President of the Fiji Taxi Association. The Fijian Elections Office's Industrial Election Team had conducted the elections. On 20 March 2017 Singh, of Singhs Taxis and Rentals, donated $10,000. Ravindra Singh, on 4 September 2014, had donated $5,000 to FFP

TIK TOK, TIK TOK BUT TIKO KECE TAXIS DIDN'T DIG INTO ITS WALLET

Fijileaks: TO BE CONTINUED

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FIJI AT 50: WHIPPING UP FURTHER INSULT TO THE DEAD - Convicted KILLER of John Whippy, and former naval chief Francis Bulewa Kean, gets Fiji50 Independence Commemorative Medal - CRIME PAYS IN FIJI

10/10/2020

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GONE TOO SOON: Killer Kean robbed Mrs Whippy and family their beloved husband JOHN WHIPPY who did not live to celebrate HAPPY FIJI50 DAY. KEAN'S REWARD: FIJI DAY MEDAL: "The utter devastation to Mrs. Ana Whippy’s family and her grieving loss were simply described by her victim impact statement. Mr. Kean your assault took away the father of an eight-year old girl and six-year old boy. Your assault also took away a husband. It has left his widow heartbroken, restless and distressed by the worry of her future prospects.They are, however, not the only victims. Your assault undoubtedly also took away the happiest day in any young couple’s life. Their marriage will forever be remembered by these sad, tragic events." - Justice Gerard Winter, 2007

"The accused [FRANCIS BULEWA KEAN] then came up to John Whippy and punched him three times in the face. John Whippy first hit his head against the taxi light then fell heavily to the ground on his back. While he was lying on the ground Francis Kean kicked him on the chest. The accused was dragged away by an unidentified woman but returned to kick John Whippy’s head. Asaeli Duvusole intervened and grabbed the accused warning him to do no more harm. John Whippy lay unmoving by the side of the taxi. A Corporal of the Fiji Military Forces checked his pulse he could find none. John Whippy was lifted into the taxi and quickly taken to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital. Doctor Ashika Lata Sen saw John at 1.46am. He did not have either a pulse or cardiac rhythm and he was not breathing. Despite her best efforts to resuscitate him John Whippy did not revive. He was pronounced dead at 2.20am on 31st December 2006...Doctor Samberkar Prasad conducted a post-mortem examination. The Doctor attributed the cause of death to the pressure of bleeding inside John’s skull fatally damaging his brain. The Doctor found that blunt impacts to the head caused this. Dr. Prasad is of the opinion that despite any earlier assault on the deceased the subsequent assault by the accused would have hastened Mr. Whippy’s death."

Crime Pays: Manslaughter Convict to Prisons Commissioner to Medallist.
What criteria was employed to decide if Kean and other convicts were deserving of the Fiji Independence Commemorative Medal? NONE!

"On Saturday the 30th of December, 2006 Mr. Samuel Whippy married Ms. Ateca Bainimarama at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Suva. The wedding reception was held at the Royal Suva Yacht Club. John Whippy a relative of the groom attended the reception. Francis Bulewa Kean, Commander of the Fiji Naval Forces and uncle to the bride joined the celebration. During the course of the evening several fights broke out between guests. The deceased was involved in some of those fights. He was drunk. At about 2.00am John Whippy left the Yacht Club with Peter and Samuel Whippy. They talked. The groom bade them farewell. Peter went to get a taxi to take both him and John home. When the taxi pulled up Peter sat in the back seat and he told John Whippy to get into the car. As John Whippy was assisted to the taxi he was in an ugly drunken mood. I accept he used vulgar language that provoked Mr. Kean into firmly telling him to mind his language and go home. In his drunkenness the deceased ignored this direction and kept up his belligerent tirade. Francis Kean then left the Suva Yacht Club and ran towards Mr. John Whippy yelling in Fijian, "Stop that taxi." The accused then came up to John Whippy and punched him three times in the face. John Whippy first hit his head against the taxi light then fell heavily to the ground on his back. While he was lying on the ground Francis Kean kicked him on the chest. The accused was dragged away by an unidentified woman but returned to kick John Whippy’s head. Asaeli Duvusole intervened and grabbed the accused warning him to do no more harm. John Whippy lay unmoving by the side of the taxi. A Corporal of the Fiji Military Forces checked his pulse he could find none. John Whippy was lifted into the taxi and quickly taken to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital. Doctor Ashika Lata Sen saw John at 1.46am. He did not have either a pulse or cardiac rhythm and he was not breathing. Despite her best efforts to resuscitate him John Whippy did not revive. He was pronounced dead at 2.20am on 31st December 2006. Mr. Kean, John Whippy’s life was precious and its value should not be underestimated. There must be exceptional circumstances before the court can suspend a term of imprisonment. I have searched for those circumstances in your case but can find none. An immediate prison sentence must be imposed. You are sentenced to
eighteen (18) months in jail."
Gerard Winter
JUDGE
At Suva
Friday 26th October, 2007

State v Kean [2007] FJHC 69; HAC 037.2007 (26 October 2007)

IN THE HIGHCOURT OF FIJI
AT SUVA
CRIMINAL JURISDICTION

CRIMINAL CASE NO.: HAC 037 OF 2007

BETWEEN:

THE STATE
Prosecutor

AND:

FRANCIS BULEWA KEAN
Accused

Counsel: Ms. A. Prasad & Ms. S. Puamau – for the State
Mr. H.A. Shah – for the Accused

Date of Hearing: Thursday 25th October, 2007
Date of Sentence: Friday 26th October, 2007

SENTENCE

Background

[1] On Saturday the 30th of December, 2006 Mr. Samuel Whippy married Ms. Ateca Bainimarama at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Suva. The wedding reception was held at the Royal Suva Yacht Club.

[2] John Whippy a relative of the groom attended the reception. Francis Bulewa Kean, Commander of the Fiji Naval Forces and uncle to the bride joined the celebration.

[3] During the course of the evening several fights broke out between guests. The deceased was involved in some of those fights. He was drunk.

[4] At about 2.00am John Whippy left the Yacht Club with Peter and Samuel Whippy. They talked. The groom bade them farewell. Peter went to get a taxi to take both him and John home.

[5] When the taxi pulled up Peter sat in the back seat and he told John Whippy to get into the car. As John Whippy was assisted to the taxi he was in an ugly drunken mood. I accept he used vulgar language that provoked Mr. Kean into firmly telling him to mind his language and go home. In his drunkenness the deceased ignored this direction and kept up his belligerent tirade. Francis Kean then left the Suva Yacht Club and ran towards Mr. John Whippy yelling in Fijian, "Stop that taxi."

[6] The accused then came up to John Whippy and punched him three times in the face. John Whippy first hit his head against the taxi light then fell heavily to the ground on his back. While he was lying on the ground Francis Kean kicked him on the chest. The accused was dragged away by an unidentified woman but returned to kick John Whippy’s head. Asaeli Duvusole intervened and grabbed the accused warning him to do no more harm.

[7] John Whippy lay unmoving by the side of the taxi. A Corporal of the Fiji Military Forces checked his pulse he could find none. John Whippy was lifted into the taxi and quickly taken to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital.

[8] Doctor Ashika Lata Sen saw John at 1.46am. He did not have either a pulse or cardiac rhythm and he was not breathing. Despite her best efforts to resuscitate him John Whippy did not revive. He was pronounced dead at 2.20am on 31st December 2006.

[9] Doctor Samberkar Prasad conducted a post-mortem examination. The Doctor attributed the cause of death to the pressure of bleeding inside John’s skull fatally damaging his brain. The Doctor found that blunt impacts to the head caused this. Dr. Prasad is of the opinion that despite any earlier assault on the deceased the subsequent assault by the accused would have hastened Mr. Whippy’s death.

The Victim

[10] The utter devastation to Mrs. Ana Whippy’s family and her grieving loss were simply described by her victim impact statement. Mr. Kean your assault took away the father of an eight-year old girl and six-year old boy. Your assault also took away a husband. It has left his widow heartbroken, restless and distressed by the worry of her future prospects.

[11] They are, however, not the only victims. Your assault undoubtedly also took away the happiest day in any young couple’s life. Their marriage will forever be remembered by these sad, tragic events.

The Accused

[12] Mr. Kean at 41 years old you have achieved much. Your military comrades describe you as a dedicated, determined and firm member of the Navy. I accept you are a person of refinement, intellect and loyalty. Mr. Driti summed you up well as "a very good person". You are married and have children of your own.

[13] I also accept that you have done your best to make your heartfelt remorse known to the deceased’s family. That action speaks highly of your character.

Manslaughter

[14] Manslaughter, the killing of a fellow human being by an unlawful act is recognised by the legislature as a very serious matter. It is also recognised that the offence can have varying degrees of culpability requiring different sentences. [See The State v Ananai Curubera, Criminal Case No. HAC 0010 of 1997S, 11 July 1997 Pain J.].

[15] Penalties range from a suspended sentence to 12 years imprisonment. What is clear from the case law is that sentences in the upper range are required where the degree of violence is high and any provocation minimal. Sentences at the lower end of the scale are reserved for those cases where the violence used is minimal and the provocation extreme (cf Rauve v The State, Criminal Appeal No. 13 of 1990, The State v Kacivaki, Suva High Court sentencing Criminal Action No.38 of 1997, Devi v The State, Suva High Court Criminal Action No.1 of 2001 and The State v Buli, Suva High Court Criminal Action No.9 of 1999).

[16] The English Court of Appeal in R v Byrne Field and Cuthbert [2002] 1 Cr. App. R(s) 33 in relation to sentencing in cases of manslaughter said that the following factors were relevant:

The conduct causing death;
The public concern and the need for deterrence;
Whether there was an intent to do violence; and
Any risk, apparent to those involved, of serious harm being caused.

[17] In State v Apete Kuliniasiasi, HAC 008 of 2004 I sentenced the accused to 2½ years imprisonment for an assault during a brawl which led to the deceased’s pavement death. The assault was a punch and several kicks when the deceased was down. Earlier cases of death caused by single punches (State v Mika Bula, HAC 0009 of 1999, State v Ilaisa Raravula Lesumailepanoni, HAC 0009 of 1999 and State v Akuila Manu, HAC 0007 of 1999) have led to suspended sentences where the assault was minor, and the parties were related.

[18] This case deserves a starting point of 3 years imprisonment.

[19] I find there are two aggravating features:

There was more than one punch. You determinedly put the deceased down then kicked him as he lay on the ground.
Your serious loss of self-control also aggravates this crime. As a Commander in the Navy you should have acted as an officer and a gentleman. You should have been more restrained.

[20] For these reasons I add 1 year. Taking the total to four (4) years imprisonment.

[21] Against this aggravated total you are entitled to the mitigation of your undoubted good character. Your service to the nation including arduous duty in the Navy which you have carried out with distinction. You are a first offender. You are remorseful.

[22] I therefore deduct two years from the aggravated total making an available sentence of two years imprisonment.

[23] I must then give you some discount for your guilty plea. A plea entered at the first reasonable opportunity deserves special recognition. The court for such an early plea will normally deduct one third from the calculated sentence quite separate from matters of general mitigation. In this case I find you did not enter your plea at the first reasonable opportunity.

[24] In the United Kingdom the courts benefit from sentencing guidelines made by an independent council. I find the Sentencing Guideline Council’s publication on sentence discounts for early pleas a most persuasive authority [published by the Sentencing Guideline Council’s Secretariat July 2007]. That guideline suggests that for a plea made on the eve of trial only ten percent should be deducted from the calculated term.

[25] You accepted responsibility for this tragic death very early on. However, you all too readily wavered in your determination to make things right by not underscoring the words of remorse with the action of an early plea. Had you done so some weeks ago I would have taken off one third from your calculated sentence. You chose not to plead early. You thereby lost the benefit of a full sentence discount.

[26] However, I deduct twenty percent from the calculated term as I am satisfied that your plea, late as it was, underscored an early and genuine remorse. I round the total term of imprisonment down to eighteen (18) months. Your counsel urges me to suspend that term of imprisonment.

Is this a Case for Suspension?

[27] It is only in exceptional cases that the Court will suspend a prison term for manslaughter. The general features to be considered when a judicial officer is deciding upon a suspended sentence were described by the Court of appeal in The State v Chand, FCA 0027 of 2000S and include:

Previous good record
The offender’s likely response to a suspended sentence.
The impact of a suspended sentence as a strong deterrent to the offender. This is often underscored by genuine remorse and appropriate acts of contrition.
Diminished culpability arising through lack of pre-meditation or the presence of provocation.
Suspending a sentence is also indicated where there has been complete co-operation with the authorities and an early guilty plea.
Time spent on remand (R v Petersen [1994] 2 NZLR 533).

[28] The usual features associated with suspended sentences for manslaughter are:

extreme and/or long duration provocation
minimum violence used in the assault
sometimes a relationship between the accused and the victim
powerful reconciliation
gross negligence with little appreciation of the risk of serious harm
no relevant previous convictions

[29] These preliminary considerations often cause the Court to go further and enquire whether or not there are special circumstances that might justify the suspension of a term of imprisonment. Examples of suspended sentences can be found in the following cases:

State v Samuela Neimila & Another, Criminal Case No. HAC 0011 of 1998L.

The accused persons were the deceased’s brothers. The assault on the deceased was a correctional measure taken by the brothers to stop him from becoming a nuisance after being intoxicated. The violence used was minimal. The death was considered an accident and unfortunate by the family. The accused persons had spent 3 months in remand. The State supported a suspended sentence. The sentence was 18 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years.

State v Mika Bula, Criminal Case No. HAC 009/99.

The accused was the deceased’s brother. They argued the accused punched the deceased who fell over a jetty and drowned. The accused was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for 2 years.

State v Shakuntala Devi, Criminal Case No. HAC 001/2001S.

The accused was the deceased’s sister. The deceased had provoked the accused over a period of time. The provocation was grave. The accused had spent 6 months in remand. The sentence was 2 years imprisonment suspended for 2 years.

State v Mikaele Buliruarua, Criminal Case No. HAC 001/2002.

The accused and the deceased were work mates. During an argument the accused slapped the deceased causing the deceased to fall backwards on to a tar sealed surface. The accused was remorseful for his actions. He was a first offender and pleaded guilty. The sentence was 2 years imprisonment suspended for 2 years.

[30] In contrast the features that tend to indicate an immediate custodial term are:

A high degree of violence in the assault or a sustained degree of violence in a beating.
Minimal provocation.
Gang violence.
Associated criminal offending such as robbery.
An intention or premeditation for violence.
A wanton disregard as to the risk of serious harm as a result of violence.
Previous convictions.
The absence of meaningful reconciliation.
Special categories of violent offending particularly domestic violence or child related abuse.

Examples are:

Shashi Kapoor v The State, Criminal Appeal No. AAU 0028/2000S

The Fiji Court of Appeal upheld a sentence of 3 years imprisonment given by the High Court. The provocation was minimal. The victim died as a result of the injuries caused by the accused person punching and kicking the victim.

State v Orisi Roko & Ors. Criminal Case No. HAC 0013/2000

In this case, though the provocation was grave, the degree of violence was serious. It was a case of gang violence. All six accused persons were sentenced to 7 years imprisonment.

State v Ilaitia Raisua Criminal Case No.: HAC 39 Of 2006 While working as a Security Guard the accused encountered the heavily intoxicated deceased around 4.00am. The deceased was escorted to the stairs and then roughly pushed down the first flight. He ended up sitting on the landing. He was then grabbed and physically man handled down the second flight of stairs, with some force. The deceased lost his balance, tumbled over backwards and cracked his head on an elevated portion of curbing outside the doorway at the foot of the stairs. He was knocked unconscious. He was eventually taken to hospital some 2 days after this incident. He later died of the injury he sustained when he cracked his head on the curbing. The accused received 18 months immediate imprisonment.

[31] I accept you were provoked by Mr. Whippy’s language and actions. However, the provocation was in the circumstances minimal and the words came from a drunken man. You could have simply asked those around you to go inside and wait until Mr. Whippy had left.

[32] In this case it is not disputed that you punched the deceased three times putting him to the ground and then you kicked him. Considerable culpability falls on you for this offending. You deliberately punched and kicked the deceased rather than try some alternative method to send him on his way. Kicking this man when he was down demonstrates to me that this was an attack of considerable ferocity. You lost your temper. You resorted to violence. You had to be dragged away from your victim.

[33] I acknowledge that there are compelling mitigating circumstances. This death has caused you and your family great sadness and impacted on your life dramatically. I accept that you are extremely remorseful and in particular I note that you have tried to underscore that remorse with offers to help the deceased's family. Your remorse is also emphasised by your plea.

[34] Mr. Kean, John Whippy’s life was precious and its value should not be underestimated. There must be exceptional circumstances before the court can suspend a term of imprisonment. I have searched for those circumstances in your case but can find none. An immediate prison sentence must be imposed.

Conclusion

[35] You are sentenced to eighteen (18) months in jail.

Gerard Winter
JUDGE

At Suva
Friday 26th October, 2007

Solicitors
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Suva – for the State
Haroon Ali Shah Esq., Lautoka – for the Accused

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On 15 June 2014, the Italian-born businessman Flaviano Pisoni, the owner of The Italian Shop, donated $5,000 to FijiFirst Party. Flavio (as he is known) made his money on the motor racing circuit in Europe and drives the only Ferrari in Fiji.

On the same day, the restaurant maestro Richard 'Cardo' Slatter beefed up the donation with his $2,000 to the FijiFirst Party. Both donations were received by Treasurer Vimlesh Kumar

CAROL SMITH, the owner of Musket Cove donated $20,000 to FFP. On 28 October 2014, she donated $10,000 to FFPHQ. RN:1036. Four years later, on 14 October 2018, she donated $10,000 but both R/N and Receiver are missing from donor list

In 2014, came flying TIM and SUSAN BOYCE with their $10,000 for FFP. They donated via Direct Debit (70) to the party treasurer Vimlesk Kumar. The couple own the Pacific Flying School in Nadi.

TO BE CONTINUED

We have just received confirmation from Postman Fatthat NAREND PRATAP is the 'Statue Maker':

POSTMAN FAT claims POST FIJI, in exchange for Pratap's work for them, was planning to sell his handmade HINDU deities from their Postie Shops

POSTMAN FAT looking for the CWM Hospital Dentures Ward.We are looking forward to his next POST for us, with more details

“Give them this day their daily bread: Mere Samisoni”(The Fiji Times, 28 Nov. 2015)By Professor Wadan Narsey

From Fijileaks Archive: 13 December 2016

The avid antique collector donated to FFPon 14 October 2018

Aiyaz Khaiyum took $10,000 from Collector of rare Fiji Times editions (1870-1970) and went on to abuse the newspaper and continues to ridicule it at every opportunity, inside Parliament, and outside in Public

WHAT A JOKE! He broke his own DONATION DECREE by not issuing RECEIPTS to DONORS nor recording identity of FFP Donation Receivers. We do not know if he received the donations in CHEQUE through Post Fiji or CASH in a Black Suitcase?

SHROUDED IN MYSTERY: Some say 'Postman Fat' doing his mail rounds at CWM Hospital in Suva

TAKEN FOR A FOOL, AGAIN: When will Bainimarama WAKE UP and TELL AIYAZ SAYED KHAIYUM TO STOP PORTRAYING HIM AS A FOOL

ISA, FIJI AT 50: LAUGH OUT LOUD, KAILA!

HISH, Cheques in Brown Envelopes and Cash in Black Suitcase for FijiFirst Party

Rups Big Bear Managing Director Shiri Narayan Rup donated $10,000 on 8 March 2017. R/N 1673. No proof of who at FFP accepted the donation

BUSSED INTO SUVAVOU HOUSE: FFP general secretary, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, with members of the Fiji Bus Operators Association, 1 December 2016 [BELOW], met to discuss the problems in Fiji's bus industry. Some are also big donors to the FijiFIRST PARTY

In September 2006, Kadar Buksh Ltd was purchased by Nisar Ali Shah, who became the Executive Chairman of the bus company. His son Tasdig Ali Shah joined as CEO. While Nisar donated $10,000, Tasdig, on 16 July 2014, donated $5,000 to the FijiFirst Party

AJIT SINGH, Managing Director, Tacirua Transport Ltd7 July 2014: $10,000 (FFP HQ);30 Janaury 2017:Ajit Singh: $10,000 (RN: 972)Anjani Singh: $10,000 (RN: 982)Ratni Singh: $10,000 (RN: 989)RECEIVER at FFP: MysteryTOTAL: $40,000

ZANE DEAN, Director, Shahabud Dean Transport Ltd, Nadi, and former President of Fiji Bus Operators Association (2009-11): $12,500 to FijiFIRST Party,11/9/2014: $2,500; 9 June 2017, $10,000

$10,000 from Reginald Rajnesh Mohan, Managing Director, Dee Cee's.He donated to FijiFirst Party on 16 November 2018

TIK TOK, TIK TOK BUT TIKO KECE TAXIS DIDN'T DIG INTO ITS WALLET

Fijileaks: TO BE CONTINUED

Crime Pays: Manslaughter Convict to Prisons Commissioner to Medallist.What criteria was employed to decide if Kean and other convicts were deserving of the Fiji Independence Commemorative Medal? NONE!

editor@fijileaks.com

We have just received confirmation from Postman Fat
that NAREND PRATAP is the 'Statue Maker':

POSTMAN FAT looking for the CWM Hospital Dentures Ward.
We are looking forward to his next POST for us, with more details

“Give them this day their daily bread: Mere Samisoni”
(The Fiji Times, 28 Nov. 2015)
By Professor Wadan Narsey

The avid antique collector donated to FFP
on 14 October 2018

WHAT A JOKE! He broke his own DONATION DECREE by not issuing RECEIPTS to DONORS nor recording identity of FFP Donation Receivers. We do not know if he received the donations in CHEQUE through
Post Fiji or CASH in a Black Suitcase?

BUSSED INTO SUVAVOU HOUSE: FFP general secretary, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, with members of the Fiji Bus Operators Association, 1 December 2016 [BELOW], met to discuss the problems in Fiji's bus industry. Some are also big donors to the
FijiFIRST PARTY

AJIT SINGH, Managing Director, Tacirua Transport Ltd
7 July 2014: $10,000 (FFP HQ);
30 Janaury 2017:
Ajit Singh: $10,000 (RN: 972)
Anjani Singh: $10,000 (RN: 982)
Ratni Singh: $10,000 (RN: 989)
RECEIVER at FFP: Mystery
TOTAL: $40,000

ZANE DEAN, Director, Shahabud Dean Transport Ltd, Nadi, and former President of Fiji Bus Operators Association (2009-11): $12,500 to FijiFIRST Party,
11/9/2014: $2,500; 9 June 2017, $10,000

$10,000 from Reginald Rajnesh Mohan, Managing Director, Dee Cee's.
He donated to FijiFirst Party on 16 November 2018

Crime Pays: Manslaughter Convict to Prisons Commissioner to Medallist.
What criteria was employed to decide if Kean and other convicts were deserving of the Fiji Independence Commemorative Medal? NONE!