someone raised a good point today.
Remember after the 2001 General Election when the Conervative Alliance Matanitu Vanua (CAMV) Party of the 2000 Coup gang held the balance of power after the election results was known.
It was a known fact, because it was reported widely in the media, that the Fiji Labour Party, spearheaded by Poseci Bune, tried all its might to lure the CAMV to form a coalition government with them. Yes, they were prepared to sleep with the same mob that held them hostage for over 90 days in 2000!!!
Just goes to show how low and shameful they were prepared to go to cling onto power and now fully exposed by their support for the 5/12 coup.
Should we ever ever trust the Labour Party Again?????
February 13, 2008 at 2:06 pm
They were not held hostage for 90 days, it was 56 days the longest political hostage in the world record… Yawa o speight n gang, cant wait till they get out while Baini gets in and his illegal crew..
February 13, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Watch the CAMV rise from the ashes in the next elections,in the north that is.
As has been seen in the past elections,support for this party has always been strong back home,with all seats contested won.
This is one sure way to make sure that any Vanua based party wins the necesary seats required to keep our political future in our hands and not in the hands of others.
February 13, 2008 at 4:43 pm
This raises an interesting point about Chodo from an Indo-Fijian perspective, too. Last week, Tupou Draunidalo cast doubt on Frank and Mahen’s constant demonization of the SDL. That was because it was precisely Frank and Mahen’s joint refusal, along with the President, to recall Parliament in 2001 which led directly to the formation of the SDL for the ensuing elections.
This is interesting because it was also Mahen’s explicit parliamentary support in 1992 that was instrumental in ensuring that the nationalist and inexperienced Sitiveni Rabuka ascended to the leadership of the SVT, rather than more moderate and professional Jo Kamikamica.
This means that Mahen has twice played pivotal and crucial roles in creating the very bogey of more nationalist Fijian party politics that he later styled himself as the Indo-Fijian champion and defender against! (Three times if you include his arrogant leadership style in ’99 & 2000 that alarmed many Fijians into supporting/joining George Speight and the CAMV).
We all know that Mahen is cunning. But what if we consider the possibility that he just might have foreseen all this, and done it all on purpose PRECISELY to create the bogey that would send the Indo-Fijian electorate scurrying behind his political coat-tails for the protection of his unionist skills and belligerence?
Well that would make him not just cunning, but diabolically cunning!
Time for an exorcism then, don’t you think?
February 13, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Precisely JDArk:
His political following is obtained by creating an enemy so to speak..and that is creating conditions for Fijian nationalism to flower. That’s exactly his calculations and when it does flower, all his followers come rallying behind him, at whioch point he pretends to be a multiracial, anticoup, innocent “people’s”champion. He is interested only for that power in order to obtain $$money and lots of it by hoodwinking his people. He is in the business of butako from his followers by daring the Fijian people. I agree that that is how he thrives .
February 13, 2008 at 5:43 pm
NP – Although I don’t personally subscribe to CAMV politics, I acknowledge that many in Fiji still do, and it is also their right to have their voice heard in Parliament and/or the media, regardless of what Frank thinks.
So I don’t think you guys should wait for the elections – you should just restart the CAMV and start making statements NOW!
Qarase & Kinivuwai are doing their best, but their technocrat politics just doesn’t cut it for many Fijians who are looking for more activist and outspoken leadership in these troubling times. Meanwhile, the regime is stuck between a rock and a hard place right now because they must eschew the brutality of 2007 to satisfy the International community, and they also can’t spare the cash to mount major “re-education” haul-up exercises on the public anyway. That means there is now less risk of doing exercises at the barracks for speaking your mind.
In order to maximize Fijian political effectiveness in opposing Frank/Mahen, you need a “good cop/bad cop” duopoly (or triopoly) to encompass and represent as much Fijian coup opposition as possible, be it by-the-book (SDL), or nationalist (CAMV), or just based on principle (NGOs & political “moderates”).
This will allow Qarase & Co. to keep their reputations for civility and propriety. And it will also allow more intense and active opposition to galvanize amongst that segment of the population which opposes the regime more ardently. At least that way you’ll allow them a representative voice so that they don’t feel like they have to resort to other means, or to “overthrow” Qarase from the SDL leadership! (You’ll have to find a good spokesperson though – and try to keep it non violent!)
That will also let people like Yabaki, Mataca, and the FLP grassroots know where exactly this illegal and unilateral process that they are erecting their Charter on, is really heading!
February 13, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Hey, this is one of the best discussions we’ve struck up here. I hope the federation Party and SDL are reading onto this and also the Military Council.
To the latter, I say wake up and smell the coffee, or to be precise, get a reality check as Mahen is taking you for a ride big time and its about time you guys take a leaf from the Thai Military, eat some humble pie and right what has been wrong.
There is still time and our vei sorosorovi vakai Taukei will see us through this crisis.
Kuts.
February 13, 2008 at 6:27 pm
I wonder why arso is crying foul – anyone would think what he has been doing with the ig was legal – pull the other one ignoramus.
As for the stoush yesterday between shyster & Sireli Fa – shyster is really showing her mania – she & arso really think they are right in their consolidated interference with the Rules of Law in Fiji – Disbar them immediately please Fatiaki.
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Aid to Fiji judiciary sparks concerns
13 FEB 2008
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Fiji’s interim Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says actions by foreign donor agencies in offering aid to selected judicial officers only seeks to divide the judiciary.
He said the matter is of grave concern.
Sayed-Khaiyum said in the past year, aid organisations such as AusAid and the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) had been communicating only with selected magistrates and judges.
He said these organisations had only been offering the selected judicial officers direct aid.
“This seeks to divide the judiciary. It is a threat to its independence,” Sayed-Khaiyum said.
He claims that those selected judicial officers were under pressure to tow the political line advocated by their benefactors.
“This is unacceptable. There should be no such pressures on the judiciary,” he added.
Sayed-Khaiyum said acting Chief Justice Anthony Gates requested the (interim) Government to suspend all aid, which was agreed to.
He said a diplomatic note had been sent to this effect.
“Aid is still welcome but individual projects will be reviewed by the Criminal Justice Council. The Criminal Justice Council will determine what aid the justice system requires,” Sayed-Khaiyum said.
“This step has become necessary to prevent a further undermining of the sovereignty of our judiciary.”
Comments are being sought from the two donor agencies.
Fijilive
February 13, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Precisely SV and Jd’A, Choro if you follow his political foot-steps and try to understand him you will see that he is very POWER HUNGRY person and of the highest level Manipulator.
Not only that he will defend himself and call everyone a liar even when all the evidence are produced and placed in front of him (everyone is wrong and he is right).
To all my Indian Brothers & Sisters if you want to live a peaceful life in Fiji, change your party and support NFP, the party that has truly democratic constitution.
Again I want to GLORIFY our Heavenly Father for exposing the evil and devil that has been rotting Fiji, so that we need to get rid of this trouble maker (and his crew) that has caused so much suspicion between the major races and hardship to the people of Fiji.
That is, GOD has allowed the coup to happen so that He can expose the evil that dwells among us.
February 13, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Well it looks the bi-polar bastard of a pig has finally sealed the deal on the $180,000 at Howell Rd.
A little bird said that Ruby and Sale should be moving in this weekend.
February 13, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Do you think prison clothes will look good on Frank ?
February 13, 2008 at 9:29 pm
NP could you confirm how the transaction was done, if it was Bank to Bank transfer or cash was paid to the house owner and the house owner deposited the money in the bank.
The process followed would be interesting….it could point us to the source of PIGS money. This could also allow us to see if the purchase of the house is a form of money laundering – as any money received by the PIG for the coup can be considered “dirty money” and can stand up in court as evidence.
Only in Fiji when someone “pays cash” people look-up to you, while in US and other countries you are encouraged to pay using plastic cards for the obvious reasons, and one of the MAIN reason is that your identity has gone through a 100 point check by the Bank and to stop or minimise money laundering.
If you pay by cash, the money cannot be traced and your identity cannot also be traced. If you insist in paying by cash in US or overseas people will look at you like you are trying to hide you identity and the thought that the money is probably stolen, or from drugs etc.
February 13, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Can the little bird please provide this info for us.
February 13, 2008 at 10:22 pm
NP – I was just thinking that as far as a CAMV spokesperson was concerned, a good source might just be to take the pick of the Blogs, get a lawyer to filter them for libel, and do press releases based on those. The SDL doesn’t really consult or otherwise follow the blogs, so in that sense it’s an open door.
One possible opportunity to gain exposure and form networks is to try and organize a national land boycott of all new leases until the installment of an elected and Constitutional Government. There would be nothing illegal about this, and it would be a great opportunity to seize the initiative in opposing the regime, especially since it is something that the SDL couldn’t contemplate due to their more moderate and conciliatory stance.
It is also “better to be safe then sorry” for Fijians at this time because a lot of the IG assurances on land right now are worthless. For instance, assurances by Chaudhry and the NLTB that Fijian land is “safe” simply don’t mean anything in the current uncertain and unlawful circumstances. How can land be “safe” when there are no checks and balances in place to ensure that?
For instance, the law! What is the value of the alleged legal safeguards on Fijian land when this IG is in the habit of altering any law it doesn’t like any time it sees fit? It is also fond of saying the Constitution is in place, but invokes necessity to get around things any time it is Constitutionally restricted from doing what it wants to do. And without any lower house, or Senate, or GCC to review any of those kinds of changes, what guarantees are there really? And what relief could the courts offer when they are increasingly being stacked with coup sympathizing Judges in similar defiance of the Constitution? And what could we expect from them anyway when they haven’t even delivered a single ruling to date on ANY of the coup cases more than a year after the event? What if anything can the word “safe” even mean in those circumstances? It is as John Davies once commented, a titular concept only – like being entitled to be called the “owner” of something, but being legally deprived of ALL other ownership privileges over it whatsoever.
In my view, it would be far “safer” for landowners to just band together for a national land “boycott” until a new Government comes in. That is because a democratic foundation is the only real guarantee against the kind of fast-and-loose law-bending and law-breaking that the IG is unafraid to indulge in any time it wants. Until then, leverage is the only thing these guys understand, and it is the only thing capable of wringing concessions out of them. So Fijians either use that, or don’t complain when the regime railroads them into unsatisfactory land deals, or an unacceptable political future.
February 14, 2008 at 2:46 am
Mag..tin.d..t.o. Pardon my French. Appropriate words are hard to come by.
Moce mada Viti kei vuravura.
February 14, 2008 at 10:21 am
Soul of Fiji and NP – Can someone also find out if the house being sold is Sale’s family home.
February 14, 2008 at 12:43 pm
No the subject property does not belong to Sale’s family, they live in Havelock Rd which is off Howell Road I believe. The Howell Road property is towards the end of Howell Rd, family have migrated abroad and the PIGS have taken over. The move is said to be the talk amongst the neighbourhood since the Pajeros comes in 3’s, anyway who will miss the identiy of the most wanted man!!
February 14, 2008 at 12:43 pm
..
February 14, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Q; What do you get when you cross a gay man and an attorney general???
A: A Slack-Arse Kaiyum, hahahahahhahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!
February 14, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Q: What happens when you cross a CJ with a corrupt gay man
A: A big GATE!!!
February 14, 2008 at 3:47 pm
NP, maybe Frank needs the Howell Road house because he’s going
to hideaway in India and the family need a place to live in Fiji.
Otherwise, why’s he going to leave now Everything going down the
valevo, like somebody said Frank hasn’t been seen for days,
Chodopuss is panicking like he can sense a tsunami coming (they
say that’s possible) and the Nazhat Shameem starting to wander
what the court look like from the dock. Just one thing left for the rest
of the IG to do PANIC! RUN!
February 14, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Sana qai break taki sara ga eke na record nei Voreqe ena nona ciciva sobu na veitavioka mai Delainabua…..
February 14, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Po-se-ci Bune is a real snake.
Bloddy dirty old man.. so hungry for power and prestige. Just as well CAMV had the good sense not to join up with them. Look where he is today. Laucaqe tale mai vei sugar-dada chodo
Sega tale ni qai rorogo… LOL!
February 14, 2008 at 5:29 pm
The new land de-reservation idea sounds great ! I understand it’s an attempt to allow people to apply for a development loan from the banks . It’s a great idea alright , for the Banks ! Why develop a declining industry in the 1st. place ? What happens if the farmer can’t repay the loan because of the declining industry that he has just been encouraged to invest in ? Does the Bank forclose on the loan and take the land from the original owner ? Yes , it’s a great idea , I think I will buy shares in the Banks in Fiji ! Having said that , at least , if this man making the suggestion is genuine , and has everybodies interests at heart , something does need to be considered longterm , so that all stakeholders may prosper . What has to be done , is anyones guess at this stage .
February 14, 2008 at 5:53 pm
Excellent discussion. JeanD’ark is spot on. Chaudhry had the chance to support Jo Kamikamica but rejected him because he could have drawn Indo-Fijian support if he had been allowed to become PM, whereas Rabuka was always the perfect target for a hate
campaign. But the CHODOPU$$’s cunning will find him out in the end. He is wrecking the economy and that is losing him support among Indo-Fijians. He thought he could do what Jo Kamikamica did in the first interim government, ie take a few hard decisions to turn around a difficult situation. But he couldn’t do that without devaluation and a long slow progress of attracting investment in new industries. Add to this his bully boy tactics with Fiji Water, Westech and Punja and you have the perfect recipe to frighten investors. Finally.there is his complete lack of appeal to Fijians, which is not surprising because they never
figure in his thinking, and their numbers are increasing. Now his FLP friends are growing cool. It’s only a matter of time. Qarase’s patience and coolness under pressure has made it hard for CHODOPU$$ to try to mount one of his usual attacks and the corruption stuff is worn thin. A little more patience and he will be completely isolated.
February 14, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Ahoyyyyy … Kaiyum have been having field day with the soldiers guns since coming into office. Masi dakai tiko vei koya
February 14, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Prison clothes will look good on Vore anytime of the day, his brother in law Francis Kean is having a ball in prison. pleading guilty to manslaughter and being sent to jail for 18months he is now doing well inside Suva Prison. His job description is giving lectures to prison officers and reviewing training policies. VAcava that oi before I forget Kean is being paid full naval commander salary whilst serving prison terms. I KID U NOT. With that we should all seek to go to prison and teach prison staff how to handle their batons. Please dont seek Vores comment on the issue as he is away in India LOL !
February 15, 2008 at 12:33 am
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Aid to Fiji judiciary sparks concerns
13 FEB 2008
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Fiji’s interim Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says actions by foreign donor agencies in offering aid to selected judicial officers only seeks to divide the judiciary.
He said the matter is of grave concern.
Sayed-Khaiyum said in the past year, aid organisations such as AusAid and the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) had been communicating only with selected magistrates and judges.
He said these organisations had only been offering the selected judicial officers direct aid.
“This seeks to divide the judiciary. It is a threat to its independence,” Sayed-Khaiyum said.
He claims that those selected judicial officers were under pressure to tow the political line advocated by their benefactors.
“This is unacceptable. There should be no such pressures on the judiciary,” he added.
Sayed-Khaiyum said acting Chief Justice Anthony Gates requested the (interim) Government to suspend all aid, which was agreed to.
He said a diplomatic note had been sent to this effect.
“Aid is still welcome but individual projects will be reviewed by the Criminal Justice Council. The Criminal Justice Council will determine what aid the justice system requires,” Sayed-Khaiyum said.
“This step has become necessary to prevent a further undermining of the sovereignty of our judiciary.”
Comments are being sought from the two donor agencies.
Fijilive
************AND THE WINNER IS*****************************
International News
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Australia rejects Sayed-Khaiyum’s claims
14 FEB 2008
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The Australian High Commission has rejected claims that its aid programme AusAID had sought to politically influence judges and magistrates in Fiji through offers of assistance.
A statement from the High Commission said Australia’s direct assistance to the judiciary and magistracy was suspended following the recent coup.
The statement said its law and justice programme was then re-focussed in the area of community justice.
It stated AusAID had already been working in this area before December 2006.
One example of such community justice activities has been pilots for community-based supervision of offenders.
The High Commission said these activities had supported low-risk and young offenders to be supervised within the community rather than placed in prison for usually short periods of time.
“These pilots have been steered by local committees including Social Welfare officers, volunteer supervisors, prosecutors as well as relevant magistrates,” the High Commission explained.
Another example of AusAID’s work in the area of community justice is the ‘problem-solving’ courts model.
The High Commission said this was a model where the community essentially assisted magistrates to decide appropriate sentences for offenders.
“The aim is to try and address the problem and not just the offending behaviour. The model was developed here in Fiji over 2005 and 2006 and endorsed by the law and justice sector agencies in 2006.”
“It fully respects the laws of Fiji.”
Interim Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum yesterday claimed AusAID including the UNDP had communicated with and offered direct aid only to selected magistrates and judges.
Sayed-Khaiyum said this sought to divide the judiciary and a threat to its independence.
The High Commission however, did not say whether or not it had received a ‘diplomatic note’ from the interim Government and the acting Chief Justice.
A response is being sought from the UNDP.
Fijilive
*****************shyster the shameless queen of mean*************
I’m not with you, Ombudsman tells Fa
12 FEB 2008
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The President and council members of the Fiji Law Society have been urged to resign as controversy continues over the group’s stand on the legality of judges.
This comes after FLS President Isireli Fa told national television that the “FLS does not recognise judges appointed since December 2006 because they are unlawful”.
Fa also gave this as an explanation to the law society’s non-representation at the first sitting of the new bench of the Fiji Court of Appeal last week.
Two members of the FLS, Ombudsman Dr Shaista Shameem and Adish Narayan, have distanced themselves from the statement.
Dr Shaista said Fa did not deliver on his promise to consult the membership before “making pronouncements of such magnitude”.
“I am ashamed to be a member of the FLS because the President tells such fibs and then retreats behind some dogma of his personal legal position,” she said.
Fa has responded to Dr Shaista’s vehement protest.
However, she said the 7-page justification has not thing to lessen her concerns.
“You said you would consult me (and I gather the entire membership) on constitutional issues after your election, but did not, in fact, do so.
“You cannot declare some judges to be unlawful and still demand that they hear your cases- why should you expect that? How can you appear before an unlawful judge? You cannot eat your cake and have it too.
“You are interfering with the livelihood of lawyers by obstructing their ability to appear in court.
“You are preventing us from fulfilling our duty to our clients. Our clients expect us to recognize the court to which we take their issues and disputes for determination.
“In short, it is irrelevant to me why you think the judges are illegal. How you have come to that conclusion and, indeed, whether you are legally correct, will, no doubt, be tested by the court. Until such time, I decline to have my professional integrity destroyed by just one person’s conjecture that the judges are unlawful.
“Therefore I have distanced myself from your view and will ask the courts to note that for the record when I next make an appearance.
“I have suggested that all colleagues do the same, just to be on the safe side.”
Narayan said he feels as let down as Dr Shaista.
“I hope the president is committed to his principles and has the b…s to refrain from appearing before any of the judges in question in matters that he or his clients are involved in,” he said.
“I would not resign from the FLS if I could but on the contrary if the president and his council cannot perform on their promises and or show leadership then I invite them to be courageous enough to resign from their posts.”
Fijilive
**************C’Mon Isireli – Get the cow!******************
Dr Shameem is ‘Rambo-like’, says Fa
12 FEB 2008
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The Fiji Law Society president has hit back at the Ombudsman for criticising his view on the judiciary, labeling her allegations “juvenile” and her behaviour, “Rambo-like”.
FLS president Isireli Fa said in a statement today that he is compelled to respond to Dr Shaista Shameem’s ‘complaint” to correct the misinformation it creates and to refocus the debate on the relevant issue at hand.
Dr Shameem’s criticism of Fa for not recognising judges appointed since the December 2006 coup has been circulated to the membership of the FLS and through the mass media.
Fa said Dr Shameem’s “personal and abusive attack on the Fiji Law Society and its President is nothing more than a smokescreen designed to intimidate and prevent the Fiji Law Society from raising and addressing the issue of whether the Judicial Services Commission meeting of the 15th of January 2007, which recommended the appointment of the Honourable Anthony Harold Cumberland Thomas Gates as Chief Justice of Fiji was legal or not”.
“This is the issue for debate. Any other matter is periphery and irrelevant. We look forward to receiving Dr Shameem’s reply to this and the President of the FLS is also available to discuss any of the above with her including the validity of the Appointment of Judges to date and whether such appointments are constitutional.”
Fa also explains that the FLS’s non-attendance at the opening session of the Fiji Court of
Appeal on February 5, 2008, which prompted Dr Shameem’s reaction, had already been conveyed by letter to the Chief Registrar.
He adds that his statement on the FLS opposition to the appointment of judges since December 5, 2006 is a valid statement.
“The Fiji Law Society out of concern over the events of the 5th December, 2006 had instituted legal action against the Judicial Services Commission’s composition and appointments.
“The question that needs to be asked of Dr Shameem is whether she shares the same commitment or whether to her the rule of law is a negotiable instrument that can be used to achieve an end goal?”
Reacting to Dr Shameem’s concerns, Fa said that his statement on the judiciary is nothing to be “ashamed” about because it is based on the official FLS position.
He also said that the President and members of the FLS will not refuse to appear before a judge.
“The judges that have been appointed since the 5th December, 2006, will have a cloud of uncertainty over their positions. It is not the FLS who created this uncertainty. Once the Courts decide on the FLS challenge only then will this issue be resolved. We hate to think of the consequences when the FLS challenge is successful.”
On Dr Shameem accusing the President of reprehensible conduct, Fa said “to find reprehensible conduct, Dr Shameem needs to look no further than in the mirror”.
On Dr Shameem accusing the President of the FLS of spreading lies and fibs, Fa said “Dr Shameem’s conduct is extremely irrational and exhibits a blatant lack of courtesy for fellow practitioners”.
“Such Rambo-like behavior has been openly exhibited by her since the 5th December, 2006. Dr Shameem would do well to receive some counseling,” he said.
Fijilive
*************and not to be left out – oooooh queen of Nabtraz*********
Fa confusing FLS members: AG
14 FEB 2008
——————————————————————————–
Fiji Law Society president Isireli Fa’s change of positions on a number of judicial matters is the source of confusion to a number of his own members, including senior practitioners and the public, says interim Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
Sayed-Khaiyum said Fa contested the presidency of the FLS on the basis that he would enter into dialogue with the judiciary.
He said the action brought by the Society, which challenged the status of the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) had been languishing in the courts because of the FLS itself.
“They have initiated the action yet they have been unable to instruct counsel,” Sayed-Khaiyum said.
He said when this matter was called in November last year, the court gave FLS time until February 2008 to find counsel.
“However when the matter was called yesterday (Monday), the FLS still had not been able to arrange for counsel even after three months. The Court has informed the FLS that should it not be able to arrange counsel and finalise relevant papers, the matter will be struck out on 3 March 2008,” Sayed-Khaiyum said.
Recent media report highlighted Fa complaining he was not invited to JSC meetings and was not consulted on appointment of judges.
“When the Acting Chief Justice read this statement in the media he hastened to write a letter to Mr Fa assuring him that he was welcome to attend JSC meetings.”
Sayed-Khaiyum said Fa responded in a written correspondent on January 25 this year advising acting CJ Anthony Gates that he could attend JSC meetings.
Later, he said Fa told the media that he would not attend.
Sayed-Khaiyum also highlighted the first session of the Court of Appeal to which Justice John Byrne had invited Fa to attend and speak at the opening ceremony.
He said neither Fa nor his vice Laurel Vaurasi attended.
“It was a shocking display of discourtesy.”
“When faxed with this conduct, Fa said he had made arrangements for representation by FLS and did not know what had occurred. And that he would find out. Within 24 hours or so his story changed. He said that he did not recognise judges of the Court of Appeal. He said that they were illegal,” Sayed-Khaiyum said.
“These changes in his position reflect very poorly on the legal profession as a whole. Lawyers continue to represent their clients’ interests before the judges of our courts.”
Fijilive
****Hey Solivakasama, NP, Jean d’Ark,Mark Manning, PP, Luv Fiji, FDN, Pusiloa, Dauvanavana, Beranaliva & all of you wonderful bloggers – hey where’s that cheeky Butterscotch (Hi!) – do you feel a of sense insecurity emanating from the ig – Man they are illegal & trying to make changes that they are not entitled to do – making up the rules as they go along – these two so called lawyers shyster & arse thinking that the letters after their names entitle them to full authority on the rules of law in Fiji – MAQA NA LEQA – As in the next article –
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Chief warns of catastrophe for Fiji
14 FEB 2008
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A high chief has warned that the latest development by Fiji’s interim regime to de-reserve native land will be a ‘catastrophic mistake’
The proposed de-reservation of native land, which comprises almost 90 per cent of the Fiji land mass, is one of the major recommendations in the report by a India-based consultant to the Sugar Minister Mahendra Chaudhry last November.
The interim Government is considering the proposal in order to revamp the ailing sugar industry.
Nadroga chief Na Ka Levu, Ratu Sakiusa Makutu said Fiji has found itself thrust in the middle of a very traumatic period that is not only bringing the country to its knees, but tearing it apart.
“Among the long list of interim blunders, this development regarding de-reservation of native land will be a catastrophic mistake.
“I would suggest a great degree of caution,” he told Fijilive.
He said when the GCC was dismissed, most of the chiefs chose to remain silent and this should be an indicator of the sensitivity of this issue and the strength of their resolve.
Ratu Sakiusa cited a quote from the book ‘20th Century Fiji’ where Stewart Firth wrote, “Men Charles Salvage, David Whippy and Charles Pickering had no desire to convert Fijian, or to change them, or to take charge. They wish to live here, and this meant that they must fit in with the way Fijians did things, speaking the language, obeying Fijian chiefs and accepting the political dominance of the people whose country it is”.
He added that like those early Europeans we ask the same of everyone now, “that they adapt to Fiji rather than asking that Fiji adapt to them”.
Fijilive
iiiiii……a……………
February 15, 2008 at 12:44 am
Hi Tebara
aiarse is getting ready to masi dalo with his fancy blue specs in Naboro.
I can’t believe that the brain dead kean is lecturing Prison Officers – I wonder what would happen if he were to lecture the prisoners themselves – will he then become miss kean – ‘whereth my lip thtick Netani – i muth look fresh for my thtudenth’
February 15, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Yes, the FLP was willing to sleep with this mob, but wasn’t the SDL that actually slept with this more.
I see a lot of discussion here about the IG, how bad it is and all that. I totally agree. However, how about not overlooking the other guys also. This is the kind of attitude that probably got us in trouble in the first place.
Like the legal eagle Mr Fatiaki, who failed to pay taxes, now if a gujju guy did that, I would understand, I did not expect that from our CJ.
February 15, 2008 at 1:56 pm
The SDL was not imprisoned by the CAMV in parliament for 56 days. That is the whole point here, that they even considered forming government with them is what amaizes people!!!
February 15, 2008 at 5:40 pm
This mai chodo is a power hungry manipulating snake. He pokes his nose into everything that he has no right in. Being finance minister he should just stick everything in relation to finance. And yet we have this snake indulging in land, Kadavu house tenancy, charter concept and what have you. I am beginning to see that he is more than the minister of finance and in the background telling the bipolar Vore what to do. Exterminate this venomous pest once and for all. Pleeeease, somebody. Col Tomu why dont you do this favor for the sake of the country
February 15, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Yes AK. By the way things are heating up it won’t be long it’ll erupt without us lifting a finger. Truth will prevail and true justice will finally be delivered. Our struggle against evil must persist till the end. We must use our resources our brains to fight this illegal crooked regime. Lets unite in this drive together and the Lord be our guiding light and power.
February 15, 2008 at 9:40 pm
The SDL Party was formed after the 2000 coup.
February 16, 2008 at 8:04 am
Don’t you think you guys are giving too much credit to this Chodo guy.
Let me get this right, Chaudary has got the military, its present chief and 2 former chiefs totally under his control. Ratu Epeli and Nailatikau a very bright, intelligent Fijian chiefs, educated at some of the best military schools in the world.
For Chodo, and Indian, who has no college education, to be able to control all these people, I think, this is an insult to Fijians in general. Chaudary has your “best and the brightest” under is control, that does not sound right.
When would someone lay some blame on these Chiefs – Epeli and Nailatikau.
February 16, 2008 at 10:57 am
Why are those “chiefs” silent?
They are as guilty as chodo and the Labour party which after all this time still does not understand what reserve land is. But its not like the 2 evelis have a teitei on their mataqali’s reserve land to speak of.
February 17, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Budhau, you call all the Fijian people in the IG the brightest and best…no wonder we are in a shit.
All the Military personnel you talked about including Rt E Ganilau, Rt Mara, Voreqe what brains do these people have? except for using other peoples money (tax money).
Choro has more brains than any of them e.g. he has the Indian voters in Fiji and abroad by his finger tips for more than 10 yrs and still they don’t know he has been conning them.
Included in this are PHDs, Masters and Bachelor graduate degree holders….what more can you say he conned a few stupid Fijians but 100 of thousands of Indians.
February 18, 2008 at 12:23 am
Adi Kaila nice one about Miss Franthith Kean…(Francis Kean taking lectures inside prison)
“Firtht lethon today boyths is “How to thcrew and thtill remain friendths while inthide”
“I will demonsthrate”
“Like Thith”
Thoo like thith and enter any exthit hole you thee”
“Outh!! Thlowleeeeee!”
February 18, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Marcopolo – & they answered Miss franthith kean – “e mothi dear?”
To Soul Of Fiji – your answer to Budhau is really good – congratulations –
those two men just cannot work with what they perceive to be ‘commoners’ – in this day & age when we know we are equal in Gods eyes, these two – Ratu Epeli Nailatikau & epili ganilau ($50 man) who have lost the trust & respect of the Fijians & are now considered ‘has beens’ would rather work against the Legal SDL Government as this Government not only thrashed them in the ballot polls but is lead by an educated, very experienced businessman who does not have any Chiefly status & the SDL party is made up of ordinary men & women like Laisenia Qarase who will not kowtow to them or have a ‘jobs for boys’ club. The two Epelis would rather work with the illegal government who have employed them but are paid by the ordinary tax payers. Neither have any qualifications outside of the army.
These two are unemployable in ordinary businesses because they do not have the nous, the experience or the qualifications – simple as that – out of the army & straight into politics – this is the only way they can make a living. They will go out of their way to stonewall any party led by ordinary Fijians – I’m not sure if it’s because of their wives who are Ratu Maras bitter daughers pulling the strings in the background. If they all want the respect of the ordinary Fijians they have to earn it as neither of them nor their wives have made any contribution to the well being of any Fijian. Now that their benevolent Ratu has died the well is drying up – they had all the opportunities under the bright Fijian sun to make a difference helping the people of Fiji while he was alive – but no – they preferred to lead the high maintenance life & take, take, take – it all costs money – honey.
These children of the late Ratu Mara could have secured the Peoples trust if only they had worked for ultimate good of the People of Fiji or even setup charities to help the unfortunate among us. These days most of us can’t understand the blind allegiance of our Grandparents & Parents to the late Ratu Mara – even when there were always mutterings about their behaviours.
Another blogger Lauan Boy stated as much – Times have changed – Of course we respect our Chiefs, we always will but we are careful now – noone takes from us anymore – we all have to earn a living & we’re not going to give our hard earned cash to someone who does not deserve it.
No you’re wrong Budhau – very very wrong – chod has fooled his own people – hundreds of kaidias here in Fiji & india – he hasn’t fooled any Fijians except for the few rapacious ones who can’t make it on their own.
Once again I must remind everyone the ig is there only because they are protected by guns – otherwise dogshit taucoko!
February 19, 2008 at 11:08 am
Chaudary fooling the Indians.
Prior to these “tax evasion” allegations, let see what else we have had on this Chaudary guy.
There are the tea lady’s allegations that Chaudary used to sit too close to that lady journalist while having tea. That woman friend may have also used the office phone for some personal calls.
Then there is that “misuse” of funds to help that chief in Sorokoba to build some community building.
And now these tax evasion allegations.
The disagreement between the taxman and Chaudary – The taxman says that Chaudary should pay tax on this money because the interest is from Chaudary’s personal account. Chaudary is claiming that the income was not personal, the money was being held in trust for the benefit of FLP causes. I think they had used money from similar sources to fund the Chandrika Prasad legal case.
Therefore, on the question of whether this was some kind of tax evasion – maybe it was, maybe not – if the Taxman decides that the money was personal, then Chaudary gets off with paying the tax and keeping the several milion.
Note that this allegation and most of the investigation took place under the Qarase administration. If this was a clear-cut case of tax evasion, I am sure the SDL would not have let this slide. Qarase has been trying to get something to stick on Chaudhary for a very long time, including the allegation that Chaudary tried to get a cut from the Indian government loan for FSC. Surprising that this did not come out under the SDL regime.
So now, the issue is if Chaudary has been ripping off the FLP and the donors who gave the money. If you look at the records, the Indo-Fijians overseas aren’t the ones that came up with the bulk of the money. The big money, according to the Victor Lal scoop came from India, not from the Indian government. The Indian fundraisers had clearly indicated that the money was for Chaudary, not for the FLP, Chaudary never said anything about the money being his.
There were some allegations that Chaudary gave $50K to his daughter, and maybe helped buy a relative a house for cash in Fiji. Who said anything about the FLP money being used for the benefit of Chaudary family? That could have been his money.
If you look at Chaudary’s history, he may be a slick opportunist, but there are not much evidence of corruption. We can’t say the same for many of our Fijian politicians.
So this “tax evasion” issue – if the tax man buys Chaudary’s explanation that the money was for the benefit of the FLP, Chaudary would not be responsible for the tax, if the they decide that Chaudary is liable, he will have to pay tax and any penalties that go with it – that payment will come form that same bank accounts, not from Chaudary’s personal account in Suva.
This Victor Lal guy, he has had this information for years, and he is feeding it to us little bit at a time in the hopes that he will remain a thorn in Chaudary’s side for a long time. If Victor Lal spills the beans all at once, he would not have anything left to go after Chaudary.
By the way, people, I am with you that Chaudary should serve time for his part in this coup but this notion that we will bring Chaudary to his knees because of some information that Victor Lal has been feeding people for months – I do not think it will work.
Victor Lal is no friend of ours.
February 19, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Budhau,
You forgot:
- Chaudhry’s conversion of public funds to renovate his personal house in 1999, and;
- Misprision of treason for conspiring, inciting and supporting Frank to carry out the 2006 coup!
Anyway, those tax allegations may be small potatoes for a layman who has no leadership responsibilities to the nation. But it is something else again for the person in charge of the very department charged with the recovery of national tax debts, to be seen to have “reneged” on these himself. And things get more interesting still when you consider that one of the very reasons why Mahen may have chosen to support the 2006 coup, is precisely so he could pre-empt the ongoing FIRCA investigations into his case!
You can’t easily claim that investigation was commissioned and driven by Qarase since that kind of interference is simply not his style. His banker’s instincts and habits prevent him from the kind of interference and micro-management that Mahen and Frank find so natural. This is attested to by the fact that there was never a single parliamentary question on this issue throughout the whole saga! Neither was it brought up in any way shape or form in the political campaign ing that led up to the 2006 elections. So either the SDL was very proper and moral about this. Or they simply didn’t know because it is simply their style to honour the separation of powers principle!
But this tax evasion issue is also particularly significant now in terms of FIRCA’s increasingly mercenary and desperate actions in executing its tax recovery efforts lately – even going to the extent of halting precious exports from Fiji Water and Vatukaoula! A desperation occasioned I might add, by the very economic downturn from the coup Chaudhry himself supported, and encouraged!
So if FIRCA are now that desperate to get tax funds off those organizations when it’s not clear what exactly is owed, why are they so lackadaisical about Chaudhry’s missing $60k balance? Unless their apparently laxity is precisely the result of Chaudhry’s direct interference, directives and appointment of cronies?
In case you didn’t notice, that would be yet another example of corruption, special treatment, and double standards, of the kind this regime claims it is there to stamp out!
At the very least, it removes all moral authority from the office. And at worst, it is another crime to add to the list of those you forgot to mention in your comment!
February 19, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Jean, you may have some thing in that Chaudary being part of the IG is a crime in itself. As for Chaudary conspiring with Frank, inciting and supporting Frank to carry out the coup – you will have a hard time convincing some impartial court on that.
I think the guy is an opportunist, he jumped on the bandwagon after the fact.
As for conversion of public funds to renovate his personal house – the man had explained that he was not going to take up the official PM residence. If he was to live in his own house, there were security issues and other issues such as a PM entertaining etc. For that money was used to renovate his house – there was no “conversion of public funds”
I agree with you – that we should hold our leaders to a higher standard. Here, the argument is a technicality – if this was a trust account, Chaudary is not liable, if is was a personal account then he is – I think and impartial arbitrator can decide on that.
I also see some flaws with conclusion in such forums – that Chaudary supported the coup to pre-empt the FIRCA investigation, or FB to pre-empt the police investigation in the 2000 rebel killings. Here, the likely scenario was that is the FIRCA decision went against Chaudary, he would most likely have to payoff the amount plus penalty. I do not think this in itself would get Chaudary to conspire with the coup plotters.
I did not say that the investigation was commissioned by Qarase. What I said was that the investigation happened under the Qarase administration. If there was something serious in this, it would have come out then. If never did. Qarase had tried to stick several scam accusations on Chaudary – including the claim that Chaudary was out to get a cut out of the Indian loan.
On Qarase’s lack of desire to Micrro manage – based on some of what he did in his banking career, and the fallout from that – it may have helped the country if Qarase was a little bit more hands on than what you claim.
I do not think that the SDL was very proper and moral about not bringing up this tax evasion issue in the last election – they knew that there was nothing to it. Look around and see what has happened, this Victor Lal guy if feeding information in here on a piece meal basis and this thing has taken a life of its own.
While I completely disagree with this IG and agree that these guys should be going to jail for it, I do not hold the SDL in as high regard as you seem to do.
Legally, the FIRCA has every right to be aggressive in their tax recovery and I hope they go after Chaudary in the same manner, once FIRCA and Chaudary accounting firm has resolved this matter. Note that amount that were in question prior to this were paid by Chaudary.
I am sure if Chaudary owed $60K, it would have been cheaper for him to pay then to go through this circus.
My point here is that we will not get Chaudary down on his knees with the “tax evasion” campaign. It is this Vicotr Lal that has got us going on this wild goose chase.
What this will do for Victor Lal is that he might succeed in getting enough Indian in the FLP to stand up against Chaudary that Chaudary may decide to retire. How does that help us.
Our campaign should be more focused on the illegality of Chaudary being part of this IG – for which he should go to jail.
Why the Victor Lal, or the Indians in the NFP or the cane growers union or former FLP folks hate Chaudary – that has very little to do with us. Those guys have their own agenda.
BTW – being disappointed with people in positions of responsibility evading taxes – I was really disappointed with the former CJ and his off shore bank accounts.
February 20, 2008 at 10:40 am
Budhau – you are doing your best to appear on this side of the fence but with your generalisations you have actually slipped over and are showing your true colours.
Be careful your slip is showing!
February 21, 2008 at 7:56 am
Budhau,
The court we are talking about here is the court of public opinion, because that is where Chaudhry’s real fate and “power” lies.
And it also demonstrates the whole point of doing a credible and truly independent investigation in the first place – which FIRCA does not appear to have done. If they had, much the current speculation and fuss-making would have simply died a natural death. But as it is, people are agitated because there is a very clear impression that justice has not been done in this case.
That is why FIRCA staff keep leaking confidential documents against their duties of confidentiality, to an extent that we’ve simply never seen from them before? Could it be because their sense of natural justice demands that they choose between honesty and silence, because that’s the only choice left to them by their Board!
So just dismissing these whistle-blowers as mischief-makers like Chaudhry, Bole and Tikolevu have tried, can’t explain the observed behaviour. If there were really this many trouble-makers in FIRCA, why have we never heard of them before this? Surely they should have already manifested themselves in full force during some other controversy well before the present, say for example after the Qori Bale tax case! So why are they all coming out of the woodwork now – and all to do with just this single issue? Unless the real explanation is just that these are just normal, honest people reacting as any normal honest person would when forced to do something they know is wrong! And also that the main focus should really be on the originating breaches of the Minister, Board and Management to halt the investigation, and/or the recovery of Chaudhry’s tax arrears. Because those are the real issues here – not Victor Lal and whether you happen to like or trust him, or the whistle-blowers!
Moreover, were these whistle-blowers to be subpoenaed to repeat in court on the very same reports that they have been leaking to the press, or running to their union reps with, then we are no longer talking about rumours. Now all of a sudden, we are talking about the testimonies of eye-witnesses of conspiracy and abuse of office.
But since none of that is likely to happen, we can instead expect the issue to just keep rebounding on Chaudhry all the way to the next polls. And we can expect many different “Chinese whispers” versions too (like the coup support one), precisely because no satisfactory closure was ever previously provided by him or FIRCA.
The same goes for the taxpayer funds used on Chaudhry’s personal home – he may have given his answers to the various parliamentary and media questions! But because he never allowed the case to be put before the Public Accounts Committee, we won’t know if he would have been cleared by them of the Auditor General’s charges that it represented an abuse of taxpayer funds!
Another telling revelation was not what Chaudhry used the money for, but what he didn’t use it for. We hear perennially about Chaudhry’s concern and championing of the poor and the farming community. We also know that his FLP party was locked in a crucial and very tight electoral battle with SDL in the 2006 elections. Yet despite these vital needs, we can see that most of Chaudhry’s $2million has stayed in Australia. The only major expenditures we hear about were the $50k for his daughter’s birthday, and the $300k odd for the house in Brisbane! No significant funds repatriated to Fiji to help the poor, or the farmers, or even to help his beloved FLP compete with the big-spending SDL at the last elections. I think that this failure to put his money where his mouth is, is a telling expose on the real Chaudhry! It is said that the true measure of a man is what he does when no-one else is looking. And the Bible tells us that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”! So against that backdrop, I think the public now has a much more realistic picture of the real Chaudhry in terms of how he spends his money when he thinks no-one knows. And so I think this will be a further blow to his carefully contrived public “facia” as putative champion of the poor and the downtrodden in Fiji.
Following on the heels as this does of the bursting of Chaudhry’s bubble as supposed champion of trade union interests; and of democracy and the rule of law; and as Economic Management know-it-all, this can’t be great news. And I’m not sure how much more of this public unmasking his reputation can take before it begins have to recalibrate itself around who he really is.
I have to admit you’re right about Qarase in respect of his delegation practices, in that he is “hands off” to a fault. And although this is still much preferable to Mahen and Frank’s Mafioso octopus micro-management and manipulation, it still let him and Fiji down in a couple of important respects. They were namely: When he did not over-rule Apisai Tora in ‘00/’01 over his sacking of Ross McDonald that subsequently allowed Sam Speight and Ram Chand to go on ransacking the company coffers uninterrupted. As a result we now see Rewa Dairy and the industry as a whole fallen to a shadow of its former self. And the other area where Qarase’s “hands-off” habit failed him and the country was to do with the Sugar Industry restructure. As PM and Minister, he should have consulted more widely to get a better sense of what the real problems were. But his total reliance on the FSC Board and their Consultants, meant that he missed out on some very important information and ideas which would have solved a lot of the milling problems even without the need for a major restructure.
February 21, 2008 at 8:03 am
Don’t forget, people, while listing Chodopu$$’s faults and flaws that the guy is a convicted manslaughter-er as well. Drove over and killed some poor Fijian in Raiwaqa in the 80s. Wonder why he hates us all so much?
February 22, 2008 at 7:13 am
Soul of Fiji – I did not say that the IG has the best and the brightest.
What I said was the best and the brightest of the Fijians historically would join the army – those guys from QVS, Marist etc.
Jean – the confidential stuff that is being leaked about Chaudary – the a fight amongst the Indians, people with personal agendas who are trying to bring down Chaudary. These guys, folks like Voctor LaL are not our friends. Many of these guys are all for the coup, it’s just Chaudary that they do not like. This ain’t no great cause about natural justice.
As for Chaudary using money on his house, there has been some major thieving done by other administration that have never been cleared by the AG.
The point here is – forget about these technical issues, where it was right for Chaudary to use use that money for the upgrades or should he just have moved into the official PM residence, which in the long run would have cost the taxpayers more money. The argument about whether the bank account in Australia was a personal account or a trust account.
Whats with this manslaughter issue with Chaudary. The guy was involved in an auto accident, how many of our chiefs drive drunk, dump their vehicle in the ocean. This could have happened to anyone.
So cut out the trivial stuff, and go after the man where it really count. That he is part of a illegal regime and he should go to jail for that.
All this name calling in forums like this and the trivial stuff only makes us look bad – not Chaudary.
As for what Chaudary did or did not do with his money – those Indians have to be convinced of that. You are never going to convince the Indians of anything – they have their own “sharp, bright” people, who can see though things, just like you do. Or maybe it is not that obvious.
By the way, do you think any outsiders can convince the Fijians about the corrupt, incompetent administration that we have had, with all its mismanagements. No – we Fijians also like to look the other way.
This struggle that we have now – this was about one group of chiefs who have been ripping off the poor Fijians for many years, now the other group wanted their turn on the gravy train and they almost got their chance. This coup is about the old group, who could not come in through the last elections, they grabbed power with the coup.
The sooner we figure this one, the better it is for all concerned. This isn’t only about Qarase’s mismanagements – this goes back to when the British left. It is the Fijians that have been ripping off Fijians.
I remember years ago, when they developed the Segaga project – for cane farming to encourage Fijians to get in cane farming. Those Fijians ministers had land allocated in their wives and relatives names – the poor Fijian, did he benefit. If they had done their work then, we would probably have Fijian in control of the land and the sugar industry by now.
BTW – when they started the Segaga project – almost 60% of the farmers there were Fijians, now we are down to about 45%.
So let cut out this thing about “Chaudary the mastermind”, and get down to seeing things for what they are – this is about Fijians ripping off other Fijians. Who knows, maybe some great Fijian leader will emerge from this.
February 22, 2008 at 8:28 am
Budhau – I cannot believe that you are so flippant about manslaughter. It is the unnecessary loss of a human life, in its full and complete tragic reality, not ’some auto accident’. The fact that you brush it off in such a manner says to me that your morals are questionable, your reasoning is highly suspect and you make excuses for the inexcusable. Why do you deserve to have your argument listened to?
February 22, 2008 at 9:14 am
My point was that an auto accident that ended up with a manslaughter Chaudary is not the type of argument that will bring about the downfall of this man.
He was charged, convicted and the whole world knows about it – why are we rehashing this argument in here. Does this somehow makes us feel good about the evil this man is.
Vehicular manslaughter, is a common occurrence in our society – and the point was that guys on our side, with the number of drunk driving incidents that we have, could easily be on the receiving end on a vehicular manslaughter charge.
The man was reckless, he was charged, convicted – some thirty years ago. I don’t think you will convince anyone that this makes him some kinda evil guy that would help our case of bringing him down.
Yes, if we want to feel good in here, lets call him a murderer, thief, Maka Chodo etc – but this is not about us feeling good – is it? And how does this help our cause.
February 22, 2008 at 11:01 am
Budhau
I agree with you. Let’s focus on Chaudhry’s real sins. His passion for
accusation and complete lack of respect for people elected by the
Fijian community. His contempt for Qarase is contempt for the Fijian
people who elected him in over-whelming numbers. He is divisive
and always has been. The big pity of the 2000 overthrow of his
government is that there was no opportunity for everyone in Fiji to
see his weaknesses. But we are seeing them now.
By the way, on land rents, I note you have not challenged the figures
given by Prof Davies on rent actually paid. I assume this is because
you don’t have any facts to challenge his.
CF