To Frank Bainimarama, then post 2006 coup Prime Minister:
Fijileaks Editor: We have blocked certain names in the above correspondence
While refusing to admit or deny that he 'bought off' the angry taxi driver with $18,000 house in Sakoca in Tamavua, and employed the driver's wife as tea lady at the Commerce Commission, Reddy however defended himself over other allegations thrown at him:
From: Mahendra Reddy [mailto:mahendra.reddy@govnet.gov.fj]
Sent: Wednesday, 3 December 2014 4:00 PM
To: Mikaele Leawere
Cc: aparama turaqa; Basundra Kumar; pdelaibatiki@gmail.com; eroni.loganimoce@govnet.gov.fj; parmesh.chand@govnet.goc.fj; pmsoffice@connect.com.fj; Eroni Loganimoce; Vijay Nath
Subject: RE: Concrete Answers
Dear Mika:
I have asked you several times to come and see me to clarify issues before you write to others but you refuse to do that for reasons known to you. I now take the liberty of responding to your allegations:
a) My Executive Support Team: You should understand that I have the right to establish aN advisory team that I think has the knowledge and qualifications to advise me on the reforms that I wish to undertake. In this light, I have transferred two officers from High Schools to this unit: Yogesh Krishna (Commerce) and Dharmend Dayal (Science). You can cry till cows come home but you have no understanding of the value of getting these two officers. They have assisted me getting the promotions matrix done as well has assisting in two other reforms. You raise the issue that Yogesh had some sexual allegation against him when he was at Saraswati College. I am asking if that is true, then why is he still in the system? Why have you been sleeping till now? It is because you are just throwing dirt at others because you can see the progress we have made in the Ministry since my appointment.
b) Salary and rank of Yogesh and Dharmend: I had asked the A/PS to transfer them sideways. The change in rank is regretted and I had asked the A/PS to correct the change two weeks back following the last meeting with Unions. She did not do it for reasons known to her. I have, just now, instructed HR to do this change.
c) Evelyn’s Appointment: She was working with me at FNU and she did an excellent job. You continue to make base less allegations about her. She was appointed by A/PS and the staff Board and I was not in that meeting. I also note that you have raised the issue that her husband campaigned for me in the last election. Yes that’s true but what’s that has to do with her appointment? Did she campaign? When the husband saw the advert, he may have said that the job best fits his wife so what’s the problem?
d) The Promotions Matrix: You have raised the question about the promotions matrix that we have developed and are using now. The matrix was developed because of major problems with the old matrix. It is because of these problems, we have major anomalies in a number of appointments that have been made in the MoE. The rot stinks and it will be there until these under qualified people don’t get out of the system. You are now questioning this new matrix but this is the same matrix that has received overwhelming support from every member of the Education Forum..the Unions, academics, and all stakeholders. You should go back and first consult your own Union before making any allegations;
e) Bypassing of Post Processing Unit in processing of Posts: They were not bypassed. In fact these positions were advertised in July and its now 5 months and nothing was done. I then got the ESU staff to assist and we made major progress. The Post processing unit was involved in the whole process. They have just woken up from the slumber sleep.
f) My authority in Appointments: I suggest you read section 127(8) of the 2013 Constitution and you will enlighten yourself. After that, you should then find out how many irregular appointments has been done by the Ministry prior to my appointment. What do you plan to do with those appointments?
g) Appointment of Evelyn’s Brother: Yes he was appointed by a properly appointed Committee. Why should he not be appointed just because he happens to be brother of Evelyn? In fact he has been appointed in the accounts section. Why didn’t you question a husband and wife team who was working in CDU?
h) Scaling of marks: I invited both Dr. Vanualailai and Prof Paul to present their findings to media. Both of them did and the media covered both. Go and read the papers. I have not released any report to media so stop lying. I had told Dr. Vanualailai it is his prerogative to release the report if he wishes to.
Mika if you remove the racial garb and look at things objectively, you will be a better man. You will do much good to this country if you support the reforms we are doing to lift up the standard of education in this country. I look forward to your support. If you don’t want support, then I suggest you stop wasting my time.
With kind regards,
Dr. Mahendra Reddy,
MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, HERITAGE AND ARTS.
Sent: Wednesday, 3 December 2014 4:00 PM
To: Mikaele Leawere
Cc: aparama turaqa; Basundra Kumar; pdelaibatiki@gmail.com; eroni.loganimoce@govnet.gov.fj; parmesh.chand@govnet.goc.fj; pmsoffice@connect.com.fj; Eroni Loganimoce; Vijay Nath
Subject: RE: Concrete Answers
Dear Mika:
I have asked you several times to come and see me to clarify issues before you write to others but you refuse to do that for reasons known to you. I now take the liberty of responding to your allegations:
a) My Executive Support Team: You should understand that I have the right to establish aN advisory team that I think has the knowledge and qualifications to advise me on the reforms that I wish to undertake. In this light, I have transferred two officers from High Schools to this unit: Yogesh Krishna (Commerce) and Dharmend Dayal (Science). You can cry till cows come home but you have no understanding of the value of getting these two officers. They have assisted me getting the promotions matrix done as well has assisting in two other reforms. You raise the issue that Yogesh had some sexual allegation against him when he was at Saraswati College. I am asking if that is true, then why is he still in the system? Why have you been sleeping till now? It is because you are just throwing dirt at others because you can see the progress we have made in the Ministry since my appointment.
b) Salary and rank of Yogesh and Dharmend: I had asked the A/PS to transfer them sideways. The change in rank is regretted and I had asked the A/PS to correct the change two weeks back following the last meeting with Unions. She did not do it for reasons known to her. I have, just now, instructed HR to do this change.
c) Evelyn’s Appointment: She was working with me at FNU and she did an excellent job. You continue to make base less allegations about her. She was appointed by A/PS and the staff Board and I was not in that meeting. I also note that you have raised the issue that her husband campaigned for me in the last election. Yes that’s true but what’s that has to do with her appointment? Did she campaign? When the husband saw the advert, he may have said that the job best fits his wife so what’s the problem?
d) The Promotions Matrix: You have raised the question about the promotions matrix that we have developed and are using now. The matrix was developed because of major problems with the old matrix. It is because of these problems, we have major anomalies in a number of appointments that have been made in the MoE. The rot stinks and it will be there until these under qualified people don’t get out of the system. You are now questioning this new matrix but this is the same matrix that has received overwhelming support from every member of the Education Forum..the Unions, academics, and all stakeholders. You should go back and first consult your own Union before making any allegations;
e) Bypassing of Post Processing Unit in processing of Posts: They were not bypassed. In fact these positions were advertised in July and its now 5 months and nothing was done. I then got the ESU staff to assist and we made major progress. The Post processing unit was involved in the whole process. They have just woken up from the slumber sleep.
f) My authority in Appointments: I suggest you read section 127(8) of the 2013 Constitution and you will enlighten yourself. After that, you should then find out how many irregular appointments has been done by the Ministry prior to my appointment. What do you plan to do with those appointments?
g) Appointment of Evelyn’s Brother: Yes he was appointed by a properly appointed Committee. Why should he not be appointed just because he happens to be brother of Evelyn? In fact he has been appointed in the accounts section. Why didn’t you question a husband and wife team who was working in CDU?
h) Scaling of marks: I invited both Dr. Vanualailai and Prof Paul to present their findings to media. Both of them did and the media covered both. Go and read the papers. I have not released any report to media so stop lying. I had told Dr. Vanualailai it is his prerogative to release the report if he wishes to.
Mika if you remove the racial garb and look at things objectively, you will be a better man. You will do much good to this country if you support the reforms we are doing to lift up the standard of education in this country. I look forward to your support. If you don’t want support, then I suggest you stop wasting my time.
With kind regards,
Dr. Mahendra Reddy,
MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, HERITAGE AND ARTS.
