Snake in the Long Grass - outed!!!
Yes people, I think, after campaigning hard and long all these months for it on this blog, we have finally got it. The public exposure of the Tax Evading Robin Hood.
Mahendra Pal Chaudary has been outed big time in Fiji’s largest circulated and read newspaper. The Fiji Times.
Go there now and as we say in the news business,
“READ ALL ABOUT IT!!!”
Soli Vakasama Team.
February 23, 2008 at 9:17 am
BRAVO FIJI TIMES!
Just one more step in the LONG ROAD TO FREEDOM.
Now: WHY THE LONG SILENCE OF THE INDIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER?
February 23, 2008 at 9:28 am
BRAVO to Fiji Times!
BRAVO SOLIVAKASAMA and FIJI FREEDOM BLOGGERS!
BRAVO Lenati Rabo and Joseva Leano!
Another significant step in this LONG ROAD to FREEDOM!
Another step: WHY IS THE INDIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER SILENT?
February 23, 2008 at 9:31 am
He asked for it, now he’s got it. Vinaka Fiji Times - tagane o iko Rika!
It would be interesting to see who Victor Lal’s insiders are. If, and when, the Sun editor should decide to come out with their source of info since they’ve divulged the very details of accounts.
Shall we say… let the games begin!
February 23, 2008 at 9:42 am
BRAVO Fiji Times!
BRAVO SV and FIJI FREEDOM BLOGGERS!
Another big step in this LONG LONG ROAD TO FREEDOM
Next question may be: WHY IS THE INDIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER SILENT ALL THESE TIME?
ding ding!! NO HOLDS BARRED!
February 23, 2008 at 9:50 am
BRAVO Fiji Times!
BRAVO SV and FIJI FREEDOM BLOGGERS!
Another big step in this LONG LONG ROAD TO FREEDOM
Next question may be: WHY IS THE INDIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER SILENT ALL THESE TIME?
ding ding!! NO HOLDS BARRED!
February 23, 2008 at 10:06 am
Bravo indeed Fiji Times! Netani Rika - you’re the MAN!
It has worked and will continue to work SV… thanks for persevering for us and with us. We shall not wane !!
Bless ya!
February 23, 2008 at 10:12 am
Bravo FT n Rika.
Now Chodo take your toilet paper charter and SHOVE IT!
Come clean about your thieving and SERVE YOUR TIME!
All same-same when it comes to liability are Frank and Chodo: run as fast as possible - up the cassava patch, up Bole’s trousers… like the rats that you are… keep runnin..
February 23, 2008 at 10:19 am
The pig has just returned from motherland…this saga will just be the same as the “ketepoka-nasir” saga! All kinds of rhetoric will be cooked up tomorrow at the military council-pig meeting…and alas! wait for the national address by the pig-Idi Amin-dictator tomorrow evening! Sa yawa na veilecayaki! Keep it up fellow bloggers! Vinaka vakalevu Ratu Komaisavai…in his face taka yani…blerry commoner…dausiwa!!!
February 23, 2008 at 10:22 am
Let me get this right>
The information that we are talking about was all provided by Chaudary to FIRCA.
Someone at FIRCA made copies of it and sent it to Victor Lal.
Victor Lal has been writing about this for months. Everyone and his brother-in-law have known about who this minister is.
Now the Fiji Times “exposes” this minister. Big fricken deal.
Here is what Chaudary had to say.
INTERIM Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry confirmed that he holds investment accounts overseas.
Responding to queries sent to him by The Fiji Times on Thursday, Mr Chaudhry said: “The rest of your questions relate to taxation matters and your newspaper is quite at liberty to report to the authorities (Fiji Islands Revenue and Customs Authority or Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption) if you have any credible evidence that I may have committed tax offences or abused my position or office in any way. My tax position is up to date and I don’t owe any taxes.”
OK..now all that is said and done …what are we gonna do about it…tel it to the Indians how bad this man is.
February 23, 2008 at 10:23 am
SO Voreqe and teleni have all had a glimpsed at the man’s tax file but they have not taken any action from that time…baleta ni o Chodo e boso and is paying them…they are part of the plot…me ratou vesu taucoko.
February 23, 2008 at 10:33 am
LOL @ dausiwa… hehehehe
laurai vinaka nona taga, de levu tu kina na rupi…. dou vakarogoca na jangle jingle na reporter ni sa caka na press mess conference.. ha!
its past 10am do you know where the piglet is this morning?
RESIGN RESIGN RESIGN RESIGN!!!!!!
************ FIJI TIMES EDITORIAL***********************8
The minister named
Saturday, February 23, 2008
MAHENDRA Chaudhry yesterday invited Fiji’s media to name the interim minister who has for weeks been the focus of stories about tax evasion.
Today, we name him. Mr Chaudhry has been inviting this attention for months. In several well-published episodes, among others, he:
- Accused Fiji’s accountants of being cheats by helping their clients avoid proper taxation.
- Told the nation when he presented this year’s budget that there would be no escape for tax cheats.
- Told the nation FIRCA was proving there was one rule for all in tax matters when it worked its confusing penalties on Natural Waters of Fiji and the gold exporter Westech.
Yet, documents delivered to The Fiji Times suggest he has been at the heart of long-standing tax investigations into the source of his considerable wealth and why he had failed to declare income, failed to pay tax on it or reveal where the original wealth came from.
The revelations today which finally identify Mr Chaudhry as the mysterious interim minister will not surprise many.
Rumours about him have been circling for months. Bloggers have had a field day with this issue. But it is surprising Mr Chaudhry has not yet come out and settled the issue.
The rumours must have hurt the interim Government established on the principles of transparency and open government and fellow interim ministers.
By speaking up and identifying himself as the subject of this speculation - and giving straight answers, yes or no -, Mr Chaudhry would have saved the interim Government unwanted attention and enhanced its credibility. In fact, he has done this government and his colleagues a great disservice.
Our story is based simply on the fact that he is the manager of the state’s finances.
This is about the principle of good governance for the people and the responsibility of those in power to ensure that they follow the rule of the law to the letter.
Mr Chaudhry influences fiscal policy, he sets targets and goals for FIRCA.
Yet he is the subject of serious and credible allegations about his personal taxes and will no clear the air.
In his position, public confidence in his personal integrity stands for more than his apparent right to privacy over his tax affairs.
Mr Chaudhry owes the interim Prime Minister and his fellow ministers an apology.
He owes the nation an apology.
And he owes us all his immediate resignation.”
******************************************************
Da ga na good governance eda lasutaki jiko. Sa dua na ka nodratou ba ni kacivaki mai ni ratou rawa-ka vakatakiratou na kabani ni sotia na kabani ni security na HOMELINK SECURITY eratou kania e $320,000 mai na Ports Fiji Limited!!!!!! tekivu mada mai jeruisalemi dou yavu kanakanada kei nomudou commanda!
qori, lasika tu na nodrau veileceyaki na i liuliu ni FLP kei na RFMF … yaga mo drau kawaboko!!!!!
February 23, 2008 at 10:35 am
ummm budhau - - - what were you saying about offshore accounts????
your great hero chaudhry had 5 accounts overseas! to seen whether the house juniour bought was with $$$ from one of those 5 accounts!
so much for good governance, transparency and all that bullshit
February 23, 2008 at 10:46 am
And what do Teleni and Langman says:
“aaaah ahhhh aaaaaaahhh ummmm…. we dont have the expertise”
Dou lako ga i na keba dou lai veitauri dakai!!!!
February 23, 2008 at 11:22 am
Thank God!!! The truth prevails at last.
Chodo trying a defensive stance by literally challenging everyone. The stupid idiot. Of course he will be defensive, because he is guilty of serious fraud.
Again, another illegal making a fool of himself.
Well done people…….our power has weakened this Chodo fella. He can’t keep hiding behind Vore’s backside all the time. We have broken him with all the pressure.
Someone please get rid of this bastard once and for all. What other evidence do we need?
And Voreqe the GCC chairman???? At least Idi Amin wasn’t stupid but an opportunist, so I respect him for that. But Voreqe???? A bipolar GCC chairman/ PM / Minister / Army Commander??? That says it all.
I have long passed the anger point. I am just laughing at him now and his other stupid idiots like ketepoka Teleni.
At the moment, let’s concentrate on Chodo.
Power to the People!
February 23, 2008 at 11:28 am
You see folks the game is not over yet, he has to answer FIRCA on the source of funds i.e $2 million? If he cannot substantiate then he will be assessed on this as income in his hands. There are options of excuses that he can take like……OH IT WAS A LOAN, NO..NO …UH IT WAS A GIFT……UMMMMMMMM..NO..NO..OH IT WAS lease money from my grandfathers land in India..yeah you damn right…pay the tax and get ready to go to Naboro.
February 23, 2008 at 11:37 am
Vinaka Fiji Times. And vinaka Lee for posting their editorial on this blog. No surprise, but the FT webpage is inaccessible - Chodopu$$ probably got his goons (sorry, should that read ‘Frank’s men’?) to shut down their website. Budhau, you can wallow in denial all you want, this is gold, undeniable proof, that the b-stard must resign. Can’t wait for the Aussie tax authorities to start chewing him up from the other end. Well done Professor Lal!
February 23, 2008 at 12:04 pm
The self-appointment of the Bainamarama and the confirmation that
Mahendra Chaudhry is the Minister at the centre of the allegations of
tax evasion hammer home what all but the most ardent supporters
of the regime suspected all along. The 6 December Coup had
nothing to do with good governance and everything to do with self-
interest. The regime is isolated and now supported only by the
military guns. It hasn’t a shred of credibility.
Naitasiri Provincial Council chairman Ratu Solomoni Naivalu found the words
that many Fijians were too speechless to say about the illegal PM’s
appointment of himself as Chair of the Great Council of Chiefs. It is
“unconstitutional and undemocratic” and it is also “unchiefly,
unchristian and un-Fijian.”
The attempt to justify this by Ratu Eveli Naulukau, with the claim that
it is a decision of the Interim Cabinet, only confirms that he is a
blockhead who hasn’t even got the sense to hide his naked self-
interest. Everybody knows that the phoney GCC is the first step
towards appointing the blockhead’as illegal Vice President. If he
wasn’t so stupid he would realise that conniving in any such move will
only add to the charges that he will eventually face and wipe out
whatever esteem he may have once held.
The President ofArya Pratinidhi Sabha, Kamlesh Arya, had the good
sense to distance himself and his organisation from the self-
appointment. He said the organisation was not fully aware of the
development according to Radio Fiji. “We need to hear more from the
authorities that have formulated the composition of GCC and also the
other reason why the Commodore was placed as the chair of the
GCC.” He knows that this has caused shocked outrage in the Fijian
community and it was appropriate for him to show this respect for
Fijian institutions.
Naulukau has stuck his blockhead up on this issue to support his bi-
polar Napoleon, but it will be interesting to see if anyone else can find
the nerve to try to justify this act which is UNCHIEFLY,
UNCHRISTIAN AND UN-FIJIAN. Will he now also defend the right to
conceal murky tax affairs?
February 23, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Interesting to read that the Indian Government contributed monies to him. Just a thought, does this mean that India is financing this coup? Just a thought!
February 23, 2008 at 12:27 pm
According to the midday news on Legend FM vore will issue a statement on the FT revelation tomorrow.
Does this mean that Parmesh needs to collude with Mahen on what vore is to tell the nation? LOL!
Kevu sobu mai, sakiusa… One thing is for sure, if Chodo is going down, he aint going alone!
February 23, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Wailei - go read again and tell me where you found out that Indian government contributed monies to him. And let me know.
February 23, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Did it not say the Indian Consulate in Sydney which is a representative of the Indian Government?
“At least one payment to the account $AUD514,148.50 on April 15 2002 was made by the Sydney Consulate-General of a country, believed to be India.”
- today’s Fiji Times…
“More than $70,000 was secretly channelled into an interim Cabinet minister’s private bank account in Australia by India’s Consulate General in Sydney which acted as a conduit, it has been revealed”. Fiji Sun by Vistor Lal.
Go Figure……
February 23, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Some one from the Indian Consulate General’s office, or maybe the Consulate general deposited the money.
It is alleged that the money was raised in India by supporters of Chadary, it wasn’t money given to Chaudary by the Indian government.
The documentation that the newspapers have is the same papers that Chaudary had provided to FIRCA, which ended up with Victor Lal.
BTW..Chaudary made several trips to India after the 2000 coup, to raise money - some of the money that was raised in Haryana, never got to Chaudary.
The issue here is that since all this was submitted to the FIRCA by Chaudary, both Chaudary and Bainimara will probably come up on Monday that there is no problem.
The more important thing is whether Chaudary will be able to convince his Indian supporters as to what Chaudary was doing with this money.
If we go by history, both Indians and Fijians have always been willing to look the other way when there is evidence of corruption. Chaudary will probably explain this as another of schemes of his enemies to bring about his downfall.
On the other hand, if Bainimarama decides to let Chaudary go, that $1.6 million would go a long ways towards buying Chaudary a nice used car dealership in Sydney.
February 23, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Chaudhry is a dead man walking by real jack
he will die AFTER everything is taken away from him. this is only the start. dead man walking. kuvu tavutavu.
after this the sickness will come out - its not manifested yet, but its eating him NOW and he knows it - he has chest and rib pains as regular as there are cold nights at Suva point - it is already inside him - sa kana tiko na yavato - in his cardio respitory system and his stomach.
the vanua spear targets the body according to the persons place in the system -MC is its heart (hardcore centre), and MC is its stomach (money) - and thats where the yavato is eating him.
he will not die until EVERYTHING he has is taken away.
he will wait in agony and stress for his death but it will not come until HE HAS LOST EVERYTHING.
Kuvu tavu tavu.
the guys from Nayau have a saying for this… “e sa ci”.
ci na bokola.
Edited by: real jack at: 2/23/08 10:06 am
http://p082.ezboard.com/ffijiboardexilesfijiboardexiles.showMessage?topicID=9127.topic&index=2
February 23, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Dereservation is still on the table
Have the snake and the Indians renting Fijian land even read the Native Land law? Reserved land is native land which cannot be leased becaused it is currently being used by the mataqali that owns it, or which is set aside for the growing population of that mataqali, in readiness for their increasing population.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Read and understand report: Council
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Members of the public have been urged to read and understand a report which proposes the de-reservation of native land.
The plea has come from the Sugar Cane Growers Council which says the Dr M Krishnamurthi report proposes how to put Native reserve lands to good use.
Council chairman Jain Kumar says whenever there’s a national discussion about land and its use politicians try to use it as a political football.
Kumar says some of the critics of the report do not even live in the cane belt areas and yet criticize a concept that could benefit tenant farmers and landlords.
http://www.radiofiji.com.fj/fullstory.php?id=8856
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
February 23, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Dereservation is still on the table
Have the snake and the Indians renting Fijian land even read the Native Land law? Reserved land is native land which cannot be leased becaused it is currently being used by the mataqali that owns it, or which is set aside for the growing population of that mataqali, in readiness for their increasing population.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Read and understand Dereservation report: Sugar Cane Growners Council
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Members of the public have been urged to read and understand a report which proposes the de-reservation of native land.
The plea has come from the Sugar Cane Growers Council which says the Dr M Krishnamurthi report proposes how to put Native reserve lands to good use.
Council chairman Jain Kumar says whenever there’s a national discussion about land and its use politicians try to use it as a political football.
Kumar says some of the critics of the report do not even live in the cane belt areas and yet criticize a concept that could benefit tenant farmers and landlords.
http://www.radiofiji.com.fj/fullstory.php?id=8856
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
February 23, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Budhau
It is people like you who will not face reality and refuse to believe that Maiya Chodo is corrupt. You demand to see facts even though these stare you in the face.
You worship this crook Maiya Chodo and refuse to believe that he is evil.
The money cannot just come from thin air. It must be given to him for a purpose and the timing suggests that it was for the welfare of Indians because it was just after the 2000 coup.
The money was channeled through the Consulate General of the Indian High Commission in Australia. So what else do you need to convince you that there is certainly some illegal scheming is going on there.
If not then perhaps maiya Chodo has a rich grandfather and he gave Miya Chodo this money to spend on his family. If this is the case then I stand to be corrected.
February 23, 2008 at 3:34 pm
@ budhau read the article properly this income was not disclosed by chaudhary u nitwit..it was discovered by the income matching unit wen they received the info from aussie so why are u saying it was submitted by him it wasnt….stop trying to hoodwink us..another thi ng u need to rem is that he has not identified the source of this money..if its a gift or watever fine..just show us the evidence…..
February 23, 2008 at 3:43 pm
The “Consulate General” is a representative of the Indian Govy. It does not matter what guy that gave the money. It matters that they used the word: “Consulate General of India in Sydney”. If that term was used than it was endorsed by the Indian Government. Because of the term “CONSULATE GENERAL”. Think on it…..
February 23, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Chaudhary is also guilty of treason…for soliciting a soverign power to overthrow a legitimate government of Fiji. He must be fully investigated together with all those who helped him. Chaudhary has been very admant about his getting his coalition government back in power according to what we have been told by those who were helipng him then in 2000 etc..Victor Lal, etc…He has been marshalling support in from Indians in India and around the world so that he can be put back in office. Early in 2002 or 2003, the media was reporting Chaudhary courting the commander and some businessmen in dinners in private residences in Suva on several occasions… Obviously (even then) he was plotting the overthrow of an elected government so that he can be restored back in office. It follows therefore that the monies he has received then from the Indian government was most probably collected to help finance the coup in 2006….the army had started sabre rattling in 2003… Even when the Indian govt rep said in the media some few daysback that Chaudhary was given the money so that he could resettle his family in Australia after the coup. Can you believe that??. It follows that this man chaudhary must be investigated not only for tax evasion but for treason as well..including all the labou party stalwarts ..they must all be tried for treason and be put in the gallows….so to extend the reasoning abit further, if this coup was his version of restoring him in office (power ie) than he will be in office for 5 years from whence the coup took place…the normal duration of an elected government..thats what he has supposed to be his due and Fiji ought to give him that..5 years in “POWER”.. that means…no elections till 2011… Ties in with cassandra’s analysis on the parliamentary election budget mentioned a few short blogs ago.
February 23, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Budhau,
You’ve got to be kidding!
The very fact that FIRCA can shut down businesses, or confiscate private property, in pursuit of tax arrears, shows just how seriously Government views attempts to defraud it of tax revenues. And you need look no further than the 10 FIRCA workers who lost their jobs JUST FOR CARRYING OUT THEIR EXPLICITLY PRESCRIBED DUTIES, to see that this is no laughing matter for them or Chaudhry either!
Because if it was such a small matter, why was it necessary to sack them? And when has ANY FIRCA staff ever been sacked for simply assessing and investigating tax arrears? The clear implication is that not only did Chaudhry attempt to hide his millions from Government and defraud them of tax dues, he also attempted to cover up the case by having those who knew about it sent home. Anyone who knows Chaudhry, knows that this is exactly the kind of self-serving, behind-the-scenes skullduggery he is infamous for. So don’t give me this crap about no evidence because scores of people have been sent home from FIRCA, Min. Fin., FSC and FNPF on his DIRECT ORDERS ever since December 2006. And don’t give me this crap that it is nothing, because you go an talk to those people and find out how trivial it is to them to lose their jobs and careers for doing the right thing!
February 23, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Qarase has the last laugh now, era na madua ga ira na vivala kei iko AMENI.. SA VO TALE E SO I HOPE THEY REVEAL FRANK TOO HEHE..
February 23, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Just came back from my local pub. The Fijians and Kiwis there are celebrating hard. A Fijian mate of mine reckoned it was the best news from home he has had for ages.
Well done Fiji Times, Fiji Sun, Dr Lal and bloggers.
The end is nigh.
February 23, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Hey slow down people. Remember under this lunatic Fiji has become a “dictatatorship tin pot nation” not even with martial law but Bainimarama law.
I don’t want to be a killjoy but I’m not celebrating until I’m certain Chaudhry is charged and faces trial in a country where the Judiciary is not biased.
Those of us that don’t support these goons will be stuffed big time if de President, de General, de man of de Scene, likened to Idi Amin demonstrates one of his mood swings and says that he has no interest or the will to proceed with such investigation.
He may have no desire to protect his Regime’s integrity and allowing the rule of law to prevail.
After all dictators do whatever takes their fancy and wankers worship them.
February 23, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Previously, chaudhry was convicted of manslaughter and now he will be convicted of theft and tax evasion.
No wonder he has illegally spent taxpayer’s money renovating the prisons.
I’m sure that he has already picked out his cell.
February 23, 2008 at 7:17 pm
So finally , the Fiji Times has done it’s job! What has changed that they decided to start some quality reporting ? What’s next , will Frank now declare a state of emergency and stop the Freedom of the press or censor the news ? Or is the Times trying to create a situation whereby Frank can now abrogate the Constitution ? I don’t trust any of them . It’s now that the loyal Police and Soldiers should step in and arrest all involved in this coup and it’s time that the man in the street got off their arses and started demanding their rights in Fiji . By the way , I wrote to the Prime Minister of Australia and asked him to look into this business of the Indian Consulate depositing funds into Chaudhry’s accounts here and suggested that perhaps anti-terrorism laws and International laws may have been broken . If so , I suggested , then people need to be arrested and brought before the Courts . I hope something is done soon to help Fiji out of this mess .
February 23, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Just while I’m here , and in anticipation of Mr Qarase being returned . The Fijian Government should consider this fact . The last 4 coups , over the last 20 years, have cost the Fijian economy $10,000,000,000 , then perhaps this is an opportunity to downsize the Military , as a matter of National security , peace keeping can continue to bring in revenue and maintain the militaries good name in the community .
February 23, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Sa qai tadola na mataniqaravatu.
February 23, 2008 at 10:07 pm
The real hero is VICTOR LAL, folks, who had been hammering at the story from all different angles. FT story is not new and is also wrong if one reads Victor’s story - it has asked a number of questions which Victor had already provided last week. Mahen’s accounts and sources of funding were finally tracked down by FIRCA’s Income Matching Unit and he was forced to pay $86,000 in November 2004 and last year, as Victor revealed, still owed $59,000 to his own tax man. Did Mahen extend the tax amnesty to pay the remainder of the money. If the FT had read Victor’s story in the Fiji SUN of 16 February it would have got all the answers it is raising now. Anyway, it has to be congratulated for naming Mahend without giving credit to the real HERO VICTOR LAL. The question is why VICTOR and the Fiji SUN suddenly went off the radar screen - was it a ploy to take heat off their backs and provoke other papers to take up fight - see Victor’s story of last week - all the questions FT raises has already been answered - Cheers to all, especially to VICTOR LAL - Where r u - why didnt u take up Mahend’s challenge - we would love to hear from you
February 23, 2008 at 10:08 pm
India link to minister’s $2million in Australian bank account
By VICTOR LAL
The Government of India’s Consulate General in Sydney acted as a conduit to secretly channel more than $700,000 into an interim Cabinet minister’s private bank account in Australia in 2002.
The money had been collected by political sympathizers in India, according to the minister’s tax file.
The same political sympathisers also, separately, on two different occasions, in 2000 and 2001, transacted $1million into the minister’s same bank account in Australia.
The transaction linking the consulate to the movement of funds from India to Australia was confirmed by the minister’s own delegated tax agent, a Suva based chartered accountancy firm, who notified the Fiji Islands Revenue and Customs Authority, on November 15, 2004 that: “The taxpayer (the minister) received funds amounting to A$514,148.50 on 15 April 2002 from Consulate General which was deposited in a cash management call account maintained by him with the Commonwealth Bank, Australia (Refer statement 31 in attached Schedule 4).”
An Indian parliamentarian of a leading political party also confirmed the role of the Indian Consulate-General in a letter to the minister on 9 September 2004, in response to the minister’s letter of enquiry about “the details of the funds”.
The Indian parliamentarian had written to the minister in Hindi (later translated for FIRCA into English): “The total amounting to nearly AUD fifteen lakhs was sent to you with the help of the Government of India through its Consulate General in Sydney. We sent AUD 503,000 as first instalment in the year 2000. In 2001, AUD 486,890 was sent and then in 2002 AUD 514,148 was sent”.
The statements provided by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia do confirm that $503,000 was deposited into the minister’s private bank account on November 1, 2000; $486,890 on February 22, 2001; and $514,148.50 by the Indian Consulate-General on April 15, 2002.
The funds had been collected, according to the Indian parliamentarian’s letter, for the minister’s settlement in Australia. A committee formed on his behalf by the parliamentarian and others in India had wanted the minister to leave Fiji because it was not safe for him (the minister) in the country.
FIRCA, therefore, found there was no evidence that the money was intended for the minister’s community in Fiji, and he was therefore told to pay his tax. The minister had claimed that the money was kept for his community. He could not also furnish a trust deed to back up his claim, and the bank account was solely held in his name.
In 2004, FIRCA found that the minister had not submitted his tax returns for the years 2001, 2002, and 2003. He was later assessed and slapped with a $120,000 tax bill. He was also found not to have disclosed interest of $A25,233 that he had earned on his Australian bank balance.
In the course of its investigation, FIRCA’s Income Matching Unit (IMU) became aware of his bank accounts in Australia and New Zealand and, on May 11, 2004, wrote to him advising him that they had received information from surveys and banks and financial institutions that he was in receipt of income, which had either not been declared or under declared.
In accordance with the provisions of Section 50(5) of the Income Tax Act Cap 201, he was asked to furnish details of:
(a) interest earned on all private bank accounts operated by him and his family both in Fiji and overseas from the year ending December 31, 1998 up until December 31, 2002;
(b) copies of rental agreement from year 1998 to 2002;
(c) copies of any certificate of dividends received from 1998 to 2002;
(d) a copy of the trust deed.
He was given 14 days to make representation to FIRCA on receipt of the letter.
On May 18, 2004, the minister wrote to IMU informing that interest on bank accounts earned in Fiji had been declared in his tax returns.
Members of his family who were taxpayers filed their own returns and he invited FIRCA to enquire from them.
He said he did not have any rental agreements with any person or organisation that earned him any income.
He did not receive any dividends as he was not a shareholder in any company and he did not hold any trust deeds.
What about the monies abroad? The Minister replied: “In so far as interest from monies held in accounts abroad are concerned, please be advised that these have not been brought to Fiji but remain re-invested in the accounts there.”
On June 3, 2004, the IMU pointed out to the minister that he had amassed interest and dividends for the year ending 2002 of $29,606.84 and there was a discrepancy of the same amount.
On the margins of the minister’s May 18, 2004 letter, certain questions were raised, and the same were later repeated in a letter to the minister on June 15, 2004.
The letter re-iterated that he was required to clarify queries with copies of documentary evidence:
(a) the source of funds invested offshore;
(b) when did he first invest these monies; (c) details of interest earned from when he first invested;
(d) copies of bank statements and documentary evidences of any tax deducted at source.
The next day, June 16, the minister wrote asking for an extension of time to provide the information because “old records will need to be looked up to obtain the details”, and that the banks had requested more time be given.
He also disclosed that he had some commitments and therefore asked if he could be given until August 15, 2004 to furnish the details. FIRCA granted him the requested extension.
On August 14, the chartered accountancy firm wrote to FIRCA notifying it that the minister had appointed the firm to act as his tax agent.
The firm asked for further extension till September 15, 2004, which was granted.
On September 3, 2004, representatives from the accountancy firm visited FIRCA and wanted to know the information that was needed by the tax organisation.
They were referred to the letter of June 16, and informed that FIRCA was after the most important detail, and that was “the source of the income”.
The accountancy firm stated that the information would be submitted by September 15, 2004.
But on September 13, it again wrote to FIRCA asking for further extension until October 15, prompting FIRCA to warn the firm that no further extension would be granted.
However, considering that the firm was still awaiting confirmations from the minister, it agreed to the extension but stressed that, “Please be advised that information gathered and “on hand” by your client should be submitted by that date”.
On 4 October, 2004 the accountancy firm wrote to FIRCA enclosing details of the income earned by the minister for the periods based on the documents provided by the banks together with summary of income and withholding taxes deducted at source including:
(a) dividend income from Perpetual Investments, Australia;
(b) interest income from ANZ, New Zealand:
(c) income received from Commonwealth Balanced Fund:
(d) interest income from Commonwealth Bank, Australia;
(e) income from Colonial First State Investments Limited.
On behalf of the Minister, they stated that, “We advise that above income was not included in the tax returns as these contributions and income therefrom were sourced and earned overseas and the relevant withholding taxes on the income are deducted at source”.
The capital contributions being the deposits in the bank account in the form of donations, they argued, were received from non-residents and attached were the relevant confirmations - the Indian parliamentarian’s letter to the minister about the transfer of funds.
On October 5, 2004, FIRCA officials met with one of the accountants and according to FIRCA’s office memo they identified details of bank accounts, confirmation of the letter from the parliamentarian that the money was raised in India for the minister, and the A$500,000 that was transacted through the Indian Consulate-General in Sydney.
One FIRCA officer observed on the office memo: “Transmitted to Australia - How?” and regarding the parliamentarian’s letter: “More substantive evidence to support the lttr.”
On October 22, 2004, FIRCA wrote to the accountancy firm regarding the October 5 meeting and for the submission of information the firm had “on hand” at the meeting.
FIRCA informed them that they (FIRCA) had examined the documents and would amend the income tax returns for the respective years. However, they would not allow the tax credits due to lack of documentary evidence.
FIRCA also emphasised that despite it amending the returns, the tax organisation would still pursue the “source of the funds” issue.
“The document submitted explaining the source of the funds is not sufficient enough for our purposes,” it stressed.
It, therefore, requested the chartered accountancy firm to forward documentary evidences:
(a) details of remittances from India to Australia;
(b) details of withholding tax deducted;
(c) as requested in our letter of 15 June 2004, the copies of bank statements. A copy of the letter was also forward to the minister.
On November 10, 2004, he paid $86,069.02 in outstanding income tax for 2000.
On November 22, 2004, one of the partners in the accountancy firm replied to the letter, confirming the payment of $86,069.02, noting that, “The tax paid by our client includes 2004 provisional tax amounting to F$34,962,”
He also pointed out: “We note that credit for non-resident withholding tax deducted at source amounting to $22,858.03 has not been considered by Inland Revenue.”
The accountant also enclosed summary details of the non-resident withholding tax deducted by banks and institutions in Australia and New Zealand together with copies of the bank statements evidencing the deduction of tax at sources for the years 2000 to 2003 in relation to investment companies etc.
In the same letter, the accountant also admitted the payment by the Indian Consulate General of $514,148.50 into the minister’s cash management call account in the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
He also requested FIRCA to make the necessary amendments for the years 2000 to 2003 and the statement of tax account to include credits for the non-resident withholding tax amounting to $22,858.03.
The documents provided by the accountancy firm to FIRCA reveal that the minister had opened the cash management call account in the Commonwealth Bank of Sydney branch at Ryde.
On August 8, 1997, he had an opening balance of $A58.16 in his name. Three years later, on August 10, 2000, he made a deposit of $13,001into that account, and four days later, on August 12, $502.80.
Between 2000 and 2003 he made further deposits as follows: $503,000 (fund from India), $486,890 (fund from India), $8,461.00 (possibly also fund from India for it has the same transfer code), $79,330.89, $10,000, $6,000, $514,148.50 (through Consulate-General), $378,978.18, $46,000, $50,000, $10,00 and $47,398.37.
Naturally, between October 10, 2000 and March 20, 2003, the minister also made a series of small and large withdrawals towards property and other expenses such as spending money in camera, hardware, electrical, shoe and food shops, the purchase of airline tickets from Qantas and at Sydney’s international duty free shop.
Between October 10, 2000 and March 20, 2003, he withdrew as follows: $6000, $6,800, $400,000, $400,00, $55,000, $10,000, $6,000, $7,266.10, $38,000, $100,000, $25,825.89, $30,030, $469,000, $380,000, $46,000, $50,000, $6,000, $8,000, and $5,000.
In June 2001, the minister gave a home in Sydney as his contact address but in October 2001 he changed it to a relative’s address in another part of a Sydney suburb as his home and correspondence address.
He also gave his daughter $50,000 as a gift, and it has also emerged that a relative of his also bought a house for $300,000, paying cash for the property.
Meanwhile, on receipt of information from different sources, FIRCA’s investigating officers were instructed to verify the original sources of all investment deposits into the minister’s Australian bank account, details of bank withdrawals, a thorough analysis of some withdrawals below $5000, confirmation of all assets of the minister in Australia, a check to establish whether there were any violations of the Fiji Foreign Exchange Act, and finally to audit his tax file to ascertain the true financial wealth of the interim Cabinet minister.
The December 5, 2006, coup carried out to stamp out rampant corruption, cut short FIRCA’s investigation into establishing the truth about the real financial worth of the minister.
There is no evidence that the community in Fiji benefited from the money that was collected in India and secretly channelled into his private bank account through the Indian Consulate-General in Sydney.
And in June 2007, the Interim Cabinet Minister had still owed $57,672.09 in taxes to FIRCA.
* E-mail: victor_lal@yahoo.co.uk
February 24, 2008 at 12:19 am
Folks he is a dead man, tax evasion big time, how canb he defend himslef…
February 24, 2008 at 1:10 am
Okay Okay let’s all give Victor Lal a.k.a. as Tax Watch his dues.
Vinaka Victor for setting the ball rolling and yes Fiji Times should have acknowledged you but unfortunately you’re from the rival Fiji Sun in a dig eat dog world of print news media.
I hope you’re not too hurt Victor, after all, at the end of the day, we’re all after the Pig and the Snake’s blood and the downfall of this illegal regime.
Unfortunately this is the way the cookie sometimes crumble in the smokes and mirrors of Fiji Politics.
February 24, 2008 at 1:21 am
I hear from reliable sources that when Victor’s story came about Mahend’s $2million bank account, Mahend ordered that every effort should be made to close down the Fiji SUN for good - The publisher, RH, was forced to go into hiding after credible death threats were issued against him and Victor - they cleverly retreated - went off radar screen, and poof - Mahen came out challenging the media to name the minister - he was hoping that the Fiji SUN and Victor Lal would jump up to his challenge, and he would have than finished them off - they were no fools - they wanted to survive, to tell more and I am sure we have not heard the last of Victor Lal on the tax saga. Please Fiji Times give the man credit - it was after all, his story - he kept it burning on our behalf - you only lit the final match - to name the Minister
February 24, 2008 at 4:13 am
Chodo is far worse than a rattle snake,how do you kill a rattle snake before he strikes? A shot right through the eye!!! But hey, no worry,Real Jack is working with the Bete on some yahoo-draunikau????????????Go jack go!!
February 24, 2008 at 7:16 am
Our thanks must go to Fiji Times, Fiji Sun, Victor Lal, Rabo and the bunch of soldiers who anonymously went to Rabo to convince him that he must go and report the matter to the iPM, fellow bloggers and any other person who had a part in bringing this story to the attention of the public.
We know that there is a God!
February 24, 2008 at 8:29 am
This is the best weekend of my life.
February 24, 2008 at 8:31 am
Chaudary magaitinamu,hahahahahahahaahahahahhhhhhahahahahhhhhahahhhahhahhahahhhahhahahhhahahahahhahahhahhhhahahahahhhhahhahahahahahahahahahhahahhahhhahahhahhahhahahahhhahhhahahahahhahhhhahahahahahahahahahahhahahhahahhhhahahahhhahahaahahahhahhhahhahahahahahahahahah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 24, 2008 at 10:08 am
Regardless of the outcomes and wether or not Chodo can weasel his way out of this which he more than likely will, I commend the Fiji Times for their articles and the thoroughness of their approach to it.
I for one was losing hope in the papers of this country. Much has been restored, Thank you..
February 24, 2008 at 10:40 am
Jean,
Any tax organization in any country can shut down a business or confiscate private property, in pursuit of tax arrears – why are you stating the obvious.
This IG has fired a lot of people, what makes you think that the 10 FIRCA workers lost their jobs just because they worked on the Chaudary file – don’t you think it would have been easier on the IG and Chaudary just to take the file away – just like they did with Bainimarama files in the police department – what did the IG get by giving these files to FIRCA guys and then firing them? I sympathize with all those folks who unjustly lost their jobs, and with those who never got a job due to the policies of the previous regime.
Tax evasion is not a trivial matter – and I hope both Chaudary, the former CJ and anyone else that is convicted of tax evasion get what they deserve. The millions that Chaudary tried to hide – that is either his or the FLP’s – what this is about is the amount owed in taxes, if any.
Now, what I said was that all the information, at least most of it that we now have is what Chaudary gave to FIRCA. Someone made a copy of that and mailed it to Victor Lal. What is this big deal, that Victor Lal is a hero - any first year student at USP or some junior journalist at one of the newspapers could have put together this story. This ain’t now big time investigative journalism on the part of Victor Lal - Lal has his own agenda. Remember, the Chaudary files were sent to Lal before this coup, this was them Indians internal battle of trying to bring down Chaudary. ,
With this Fiji Times revealing the name – as I said before, everyone knew who this minister was. The issue about the name was because of Chaudary’s threat that he would sue whoever reveals his name, so the photocopies were sent to FT, because legally, FT may have been in a better position to reveal the name than Sun and Lal.
So, Jean, where did you find all this “crap” that you talked about.
February 24, 2008 at 10:59 am
Budhau is Nikhil Singh trying to act as if he is anti coup when his not.
We’re not little children Budhau and you should get you nose out of Chaudary’s arse every now and then and try and smell the coffee. It will clear your brains you know!
February 24, 2008 at 11:37 am
Hear hear folks, what has been revealed yesterday is only stage 1, stage 2 would be interesting, reveal the source of funds, get details from India on who actually had given the funds. If he cannot then FIRCA has every right to tax him on this amount.
February 24, 2008 at 12:24 pm
If the money trail can be followed it would pretty sure end up in the bipolar vore’s pocket. Since he cannot clearly account for the disbursement of the money withdrawn it is most likely found a secret passage to the vore’s account or hard cash payment. All these going-ons conjure all sorts of conspiracy theories which could end up being facts. I am just as curious as the proverbial cat to see if there is a channeling of funds to the vore from mai chodo from this large pool of money. However unlike the proverbial cat I hope it doesn’t get me knocked off. A good deed by MManning who wrote to PM of Oz about the issue. And his suggestion that miliatry which is the cause of all our woes should be drastically reduced.
February 24, 2008 at 12:36 pm
We must push on and now question where did Frank get the money to purchase (in cash I mean) the house for his daughter Ruby and Sale. When the time is right, the government should re-possess the house to pay for the damage done by the bi-polar pig.
February 24, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Get the Facts people.
1) The money was not given to Chaudary by the Indian Government - the money was supposedly raised in Indian and deposited into the bank account in question by someone from the Indian consulate.
2) Australia reports all income from interests from such account that have a Fiji address, and so they did.
3) All those copies of documents that Victor Lal has been running around with - that ones with the amounts etc - they were submitted to FIRCA by Chaudary.
4) We all knew who this minister is - so what is the big deal about the FT releasing the name - they played right into Chaudary’s hands. Chaudary’s would probably have like the Sun to release the name.
Dauvavana - you thought I was some former Fiji journalist from Fiji posing as Budhau - Thanks. I never thought my writing style and my form four education would pass for journalists - thanks anyways that makes me feel good.
Back to the Central issue - If we want to feel good about things such as these - as many of those former Indians in FLP probably do - this is probably the equivalent of some mosquitoes bothering Chaudary - does anyone think this is doing us any good. You think Chaudary would be shaking in his boots. No, tomorrow, he will be there at the Press Conference with FB - and then the two would probably go for lunch together - paid for by you and I.
As for the paper trail - did ayone read the news about them questioning Qarase - yes, they will be following that paper trail all the way back to FDB
February 24, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Budhau, please, give us a break!!!! It really does not matter much whether the money was given by the government of India or not. What matters is that Chodo has got millions stacked away in his overseas account which according to him, was meant for the Indian community in Fiji. Meanwhile, the daughter receives a $50,000 gift from that very money.
Damage had been done and it will take all that Chodo has got to try and convince the people of Fiji that he is still (according to the Chodo hangers-on) a saint. We, the real Fijians, never really liked Chodo in the first place and when something like this comes up, it just cemented our belief that Chodo is the devil incarnated. You, Budhau, may worship the ground that Chodo walks on but please, we do not and never will feel likewise no matter how high or how big or how far you go to try and potray him to be the answer to all our problems because he never will be.
You really must have got a real mighty good deal from Chodo that is why you are ready to protect him with your life. But than the saying “Birds of a feather flock together” comes to mind. I’m sure that if we know your true identity, Budhau, and do some digging into your past, the findings, I’m sure, will make interesting readings. But anyway, keep up the good work of being Chodos’ eyes, ears and mouth in here because you are doing just great. But then again, DO WE LOOK IMPRESSED?????????
February 24, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Enough of the trolling Budhau and all your sockpuppets. Try to look at chaudhry objectively, eg say if it was Qarase that was accused of tax evasion, try to read it in that light….
We all know the real issue is the fact that chodo who pretends he stands for DINA DODONU KEI NA SAVASAVA has been LYING to FIRCA - he:
- misrepresented his income,
- did not pay the right taxes payable
- has not explained the SOURCE of such funds
Therefore, he has been LIVING BEYOND HIS MEANS - an offence under the FICAC Decree. HE IS THE FIRST PERSON THAT SHOULD BE CHARGED FOR living beyond his salary as Opposition Leader in 2001-2004 when he got all that extra money in his account. If anything, the Financial Intelligence Unit should also be investigating - surely such huge SECRET transactions can be MONEY LAUNDERING - the Australians should check too the SOURCE - was it from terrorist financiers in INDIA? in HARYANA state where they masaccered Indian Muslims?
Why hasn’t FICAC investigated him? - A simple question that needs a simple answer.
Likely: he gifted the Ministry of Public Enterprises to AIYAZ, who in effect is the COMMISSIONER FOR FICAC since he directs every step of FICAC’s actions. AIYAZ therefore stopped LANGMAN from even looking at Chodo’s tax file!!!!!!! you scratch my back, I scratch yours. Ayarse has been sounding smart (looking more and more gay everyday but sounding smart) by announcing various initiatives out of the public enterprises - the Ports (eg new $500m port when the economy is going downhill, but hey, a new fandangling port sounds SMART eh) or the AFL reviewing fees and charges …. u geddit rite?
Second: Why hasn’t the Police investigated Chodo? His boy Nasir is there to stop any investigation against Chodo. thats why Teleni’s in hot water and why Teleni gave Rabo the go-ahead to speak to the media about chodo’s tax evasion.
Lastly: Is Chodo now on his own with Jim (where can i buy another title/honour from) AH KOY back in town most prodigiously?
BWA HA WAHAHAHAHA why didn’t chodo turn up to the press conference with bi-polar frank today? has he been told to resign???
February 24, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Gonedau - Living beyond his means - I guess what you are saying is that people who have assets, that can not be explained form their known sources of Income.
Here there is no question about what the source of Income is - the only question is whether the deposits in the Australian bank was Chaudary’s personal money, or was it money held in trust.
I like your idea though - we should audit every living politician and high government officials from independence days and see where they got their money.
February 24, 2008 at 3:48 pm
FijianPatriot - if the money was meant for the Indo-Fijians, let them worry about it.
When was the last time we were concerned when someone else pointed it out to us that one of our chiefs or political leaders was corrupt.
We always have other more significant enemies to worry about.
February 24, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Keep trying Budhau… it doesn’t wash…. now its “LET the INDIANS worry about it”……..
its the GOOD GOVERNANCE issue stupid.
Should we let the Mara skeletons like because Fijians continued to vote for him between 1970-1987???
Stop trying to confuse the issue… you’re really reaching with the “let the indians worry about the funds sent to them”
Why? Worried about the Australians digging into Chaudhry?
Worried that your hero chaudhry may be resigning and is now on his own, flying the wind with the RFMF/Commander washed their hands of him… because the truth is now OUT THERE??????????
Bawahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!
sob sob sob sob sob…. hick!
February 24, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Keep trying Budhau… it doesn’t wash…. now its “LET the INDIANS worry about it”……..
its the GOOD GOVERNANCE issue stupid.
Should we let the Mara skeletons like because Fijians continued to vote for him between 1970-1987???
Stop trying to confuse the issue… you’re really reaching with the “let the indians worry about the funds sent to them”
Why? Worried about the Australians digging into Chaudhry?
Worried that your hero chaudhry may be resigning and is now on his own, flying the wind with the RFMF/Commander washed their hands of him… because the truth is now OUT THERE??????????
Bawahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!
sob sob sob sob sob…. hick! cry me a river eh!!!!!
February 24, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Budhau,
Businesses can be shut down and property can be confiscated because that is how serious tax evasion is. So you cannot keep implying it is nothing! And it is even more critical where the Minister in charge is concerned. Don’t you realize how ridiculous it looks having one set of rules for him, and another set for everyone else?
None of the 10 FIRCA sacked workers were sent home for doing anything wrong. The only thing that linked them was their work on the Chaudhry file at some stage. And then all of a sudden, bogus charges were somehow magically trumped up against them and they were all sent home. We hear constantly about how we need to encourage a culture of whistle-blowing in Fiji as a counter to our sub-culture of corruption. But what do we see when the rubber hits the road for a Regime that prides itself on anti-corruption credentials? Sweet FA!
Chaudhry did not volunteer his tax information to anyone as you claim – remember, he was trying to cover this up, not sort it out. It was only when FIRCA appointed a tax agent for him that all these details started coming out. You obviously don’t know much about what went on in FIRCA regarding this. Because re-possessing his file is EXACTLY what Chaudhry had his pit-bulls do. And that is exactly what some of the sacked workers were sent home for – having a copy of Chaudhry’s file in their desk, or office. You would have to be pretty dim not to be able to work out what happened there. One minute, a group of normal professionals with no political axes to grind are just following the trail of evidence and the merits of the case. And the next thing, they find themselves STOPPED from doing their jobs by their newly appointed bosses (newly appointed by whom?) or sent home on contrived charges.
With all the problems FIRCA is facing from having to try and recover tax arrears from businesses that are now languishing in the economic doldrums caused by the Regime’s coup, you’d think Chaudhry would spend more of his time trying to fix the economic problems he/they caused in the first place. But no – instead he just spends extravagant amounts of time and effort trying to remove all trace of his own misdeeds. This is the same complaint we hear in the FSC – that he spends all his time, focus and effort trying to establish his own control over the industry, rather than simply addressing its many problems. And in the end, what benefits do we see flowing out of that expensively-won control? Nothing! Ditto for FIRCA! And ditto for the Fiji economy!
Budhau, you really need to read a dictionary definition of corruption again to regain some badly–needed perspective for yourself on this issue. Here’s one for you: “lack of integrity or honesty; use of a position of trust for dishonest gain or personal benefit”. Chaudhry has been completely bereft of integrity and honesty throughout this whole saga. He has thought nothing of allowing poor, honest workers take the fall for him on this! And he has used his position to appoint cronies to quash ongoing investigations into his tax evasion case! This regime is supposed to be all about accountability, good governance and an end to corruption. But is has been demonstrably WORSE than the ousted Government on all these counts. And now, even when it is caught red-handed with irrefutable evidence, the Regime is simply unable walk-the-clean-up-talk!
February 24, 2008 at 8:50 pm
With all this evidence exposed, I share Mick Beddoes concerns if Voreqe will “walk the talk” after all his hypes about cleanup.
My message to Voreqe (since he has the power)…..”Earn your respect. Respect the people, then they will respect you. The people’s amnesty to you is investigate that bastard Chodo. We have had enough of excuses and your stupid speeches I know you don’t even understand.”
Voreqe……Chodo is finished, kaput, finito!!! Keep supporting him and you will continue to be a stupid idiot.
LIVE REALITY!!!
Power to the People!
February 25, 2008 at 9:16 am
Jean wrote, “Businesses can be shut down and property can be confiscated because that is how serious tax evasion is. So you cannot keep implying it is nothing!”
Jean, you are stating the obvious – Tax authorities all over the world can do that. Now let us look at the case in point – While one side claims that no tax is owed and they are making a case for it, the other says that there is money owed. So what do you think is going to happen – either Chaud walks or he pays the amount that is determined to be due – and that money would probably be coming from that $2 million stashed away.
So is this about shutting down business or confiscating property - hell no – If you owed me some amount of money, I would be able to shut down your business or confiscate your property – where do you see the big deal in this “shutting down business or taking property” – isn’t that what civil law all about – taking someone’s money or property - instead of putting him in jail. If the man did something criminal, which he may have, then proceed accordingly.
If this is about Chaudary ripping of the FLP and the Indos - let them handle it.
Jean wrote, “And it is even more critical where the Minister in charge is concerned. Don’t you realize how ridiculous it looks having one set of rules for him, and another set for everyone else?”
The FIRCA folks seem to be saying that Chaudary has been cleared.
Jean wrote, “None of the 10 FIRCA sacked workers were sent home for doing anything wrong. The only thing that linked them was their work on the Chaudhry file at some stage. And then all of a sudden, bogus charges were somehow magically trumped up against them and they were all sent home.”
OK so the charges were “bogus” – that is where you rest you case, or would you like to elaborate.
I think that whoever sent the Chaudary files to Victor Lal was part of that group of Indians who have been trying to bring down Chaudary - nothing to do with this coup thing, or whistle blowing etc.
Jean wrote, “We hear constantly about how we need to encourage a culture of whistle-blowing in Fiji as a counter to our sub-culture of corruption.”
Do you hear this constantly – maybe since the coup – how many whistle-blowers were there during one of the SDL scams, or SVT scams, of the Alliance scams – and I give you one guess – as to what would have happened to them. Oh I get, the whistle-blowing thing – is only relevant to this IG – because they claim to be into this anti-Corruption thing.
Jean wrote, “Chaudhry did not volunteer his tax information to anyone as you claim – remember, he was trying to cover this up, not sort it out. It was only when FIRCA appointed a tax agent for him that all these details started coming out. You obviously don’t know much about what went on in FIRCA regarding this.”
You confused on this one also, Jean. This is what happened – When FIRCA came across the interest money reported by Australia during the Qarase period, they were to go after Chaudary for not reporting income. Chaudary, in his attempt to show that the money was held in trust and not his personal money, submitted all those documents that ultimately ended up with Victor Lal. It isn’t as if Victor Lal dug up all this evidence. That was my point - all that stuff that we read in the newspaper from Victor Lal are copies of stuff that Chaudary provided to FIRCA (pretty good for a Dimwit guy like me to have this figured out – right?)
Jean wrote, “Because re-possessing his file is EXACTLY what Chaudhry had his pit-bulls do. And that is exactly what some of the sacked workers were sent home for – having a copy of Chaudhry’s file in their desk, or office.”
Lets get this straight – you guys have been claiming that anyone who was given Chaudary’s file to work on – was later fired. I am saying is why would they give Chaudary’s file to anyone. If these guys had made unauthorized copies of Chaudary’s files and were leaking that file as part of their “whistle-blowing” process – then that is wrong. As far as FIRCA is concerned, the Chaudary file is closed. And BTW, did any of these whistle blowers came across the Fatiaki files.
Jean wrote, “With all the problems FIRCA is facing from having to try and recover tax arrears from businesses that are now languishing in the economic doldrums caused by the Regime’s coup”
You see Jean, once they have determined that someone owes them money – they go collect – didn’t you say that they can shut down your business or take your property. The problems with collections - did you get the recent statistics on the FIRCA collection – or was the above one of good writing style and no substance.
Jean wrote “But no – instead he just spends extravagant amounts of time and effort trying to remove all trace of his own misdeeds.”
You just told us that Chaudary file has been removed – no one is working on the case, case closed. Here, Chaudary is not dealing with FIRCA, he is now dealing with Victor Lal & Company – and I think it would be his lawyers who will be doing the leg work. His “misdeads” are there foe everyone to see - if ti was personal interest, tax is owed, if it was a trust account the man is clean - as far as tax is concerned.
Jean wrote, “This is the same complaint we hear in the FSC – that he spends all his time, focus and effort trying to establish his own control over the industry, rather than simply addressing its many problems.”
The man does not have to establish his control – he is in-charge, he is the Minister ain’t he? And who may I ask is doing the complaining.
You may not agree with the man’s politics - but he ain’t no idiot. It is also in his interest and political survival to address the sugar related issues, why would he not do that.
Jean wrote, “Budhau, you really need to read a dictionary definition of corruption again to regain some badly–needed perspective for yourself on this issue. Here’s one for you: “lack of integrity or honesty; use of a position of trust for dishonest gain or personal benefit”.”
Very good Jean, not that you have read the dictionary – go explain that to all those Fiji leaders from Ratu Mara to Qarase. BTW – should I list corrupt things and other complaints about Chaudary – the tea lady affair, the home improvement after him being elected PM, the village building in Sorokoka, that vehicular manslaughter conviction and the non declaration of interest money that he claimed was from a trust account. Let us wait and see what they get on Qarase, they did start talking to him couple of days ago.
Finally, your claim about “caught red handed, irrefutable evidence, yada, yada – let us just say that there are some on the other side who may differ.
You see Jean, get away from this feel good thing about bad mouthing Chaudary – the man need to go to jail – not because of the tax evasion charge – he need to go to jail for being part of the illegal regime – BTW he might go there to the Maximum security and spend time there with Qarase.
Jean – I am not here to support Chaudary – I just want to shoot down some silly little arguments from folks like you - if those guys in the regime ain’t so smart, I don’t see much smart ideas in here either.
February 25, 2008 at 12:44 pm
budhau — THE MISINFORMATION YOU ARE PEDDLING IS NOT SELLING …..
stop with the trolling and your various sock puppets to raise doubts about:
1. NLTB - yes there are problems there - but this govt is coming at it from the wrong angle, like a bull in a china shop, certainly no surgical precision they way Frank and his IG cronies bumble about…. its truly 2 steps forward and 10 backwards coz they crap at reform and bringing about transparency, as they are with all the reform they’re trying to bring about
2. GCC - yes membership can be improved and the demarcation between the politicians in Cabinet and the GCC began in 1999 with the chiefs electing their own chairman and choosing their agenda. They have made various decisions and recommendations to the Ministry over the years for the reform of the Fijian Administration. Don’t speak about that which you know little about. As the saying goes, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing..
3. Chaudhry - the compromise of his position as Finance Minister is clear as water. He appoints the FIRCA Board - he appointed Bole. Chaudhry did not submit tax returns for 2000-3. When he did, he did not own up about investment income on the monies from Haryana until the oz taxmen informed FIRCA. And then he claimed it was in trust - he then lied about it in Parliament. This is all now public record. This is why Chaudhry must RESIGN now. His credibility is shot, to say the least.
4. De-reservation - Supposedly an expert on Fiji, Krishnamurti recommended the de-reservation of ALL native land - its there in black and white in his report. Did he mean the abolition of the NLTB and individual (rather than communal) land holding of native land? another reading of the report can lead to this because he prefers individual land-holding of native land. If he did not mean this, how seriously should we take him and the Minister he reported to Chaudhry - because reserved land is that on which villages sit and where landowners cultivate their crops. So how SERIOUSLY should we take these two, who don’t even UNDERSTAND what the Native Land Act says? And this is worrying - why? because the IG has taken upon itself a power of making laws by regulation. Do you get it? THE IG HAS BEEN MAKING ANY LAW IT WANTS. Should we believe Frank and Chaudhry when they say landowners will be consulted? Look at their track record: on the GCC taskforce, they ignored 2 key recommendations. Did they consult anyone about FIRCA? About the changes to the Judiciary?
The people already spoke at the 2006 elections. Frank, Chaudhry and the IG don’t have a good record when it comes to consultation and LISTENING to the people of Fiji. So I’d say concern is warranted. And stop with the “political agenda” , “parochial interests” accusations - they dont float buster.
At the heart of good governance which the RFMF, Frank, FLP and Chaudhry are talking about includes COMMUNICATING and LISTENING and RESPONDING APPROPRIATELY to the people. Can we start with that - ie a response that does not SHOOT THE MESSENGER - ie media, concerned chiefs and commentators. Chiefs speak for their people and elected people like Qarase and Beddoes were ELECTED i.e. they represent people and do not speak out of the barrel of a gun.
But Frank and Chaudhry have lost credibility, so they must regain that if they are serious about good governance and doing things in the interest of the people of Fiji. “Governance” and “the people” cannot be pulled out whenever its expedient and then when they do speak, whether as individuals or as representatives, don’t stomp on their mouths as you have been doing metaphorically since day 1. Or haven’t the IG learnt anything over the last year? coz it certainly seems like it.
February 25, 2008 at 7:56 pm
It seems that you guys are buying into the IG line that this coup was about good governance, the clean-up etc - and if they are serious about good governance and “the people” etc - that it is their duty to go after Chaudary.
The “good governance” talking point seem to be the in thing.
Listen guys, this ain’t about “good governance” it never was. In the beginning they tried to convince the folks with the “clean-up” that is when they hadn’t figured out what kind of response would they get for pulling the coup.
Now they know, their ain’t no opposition - so they do not give a crap about what you think, it is more like “so what are going to do about it?”
You want to see them abrogating the 1997 constitution - wait till there is any court ruling against them.
Want to see them sack the High Court - wail till they rule against them.
Want to see them elect the new President, or terminate this one.
So cut out the crap about - Oh we expect “good governance” because the IG preaches it.
This coup was about a power grag - that is all - a power grab by the Mara crowd.
February 25, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Now you wanna point the freedom bloggers at the mara crowd… been there done that…
You got no answer when you’ve been milking the IG’s ideological line of “governance” yourself… now you says it aint about the governance.
get this you idiot - its about pointing out the inconsistencies and hypocrisy of the RFMF military dictatorship… which means that: THIS SHIP IS SINKING, INEVITABLY…
we bloggers are watching the IG…
don’t you try to say that what we think is not important or irrelevant… coz Frank has NOTICED - he’s charging people with corruption (Qarase) and others with SEDITION because the low level irritation that you classify IG critics as… are actually hitting the bullsye… and your response is indicative of that…
So why dont u go to sleep already, rather than pull this night shift up at the RFMF media MINSINFORMATION cell?
just get ready to play pick up the soap and pack your vaseline to play with liga levu, liga lailai chodos and boci lailai frank as your RFMF bullies are good at playing up there at QEB!
February 25, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Now you wanna point the freedom bloggers at the mara crowd… been there done that…
You got no answer when you’ve been milking the IG’s ideological line of “governance” yourself… now you says it aint about the governance.
get this you idiot - its about pointing out the inconsistencies and hypocrisy of the RFMF military dictatorship… which means that: THIS SHIP IS SINKING, INEVITABLY…
we bloggers are watching the IG…
don’t you try to say that what we think is not important or irrelevant… coz Frank has NOTICED - he’s charging people with corruption (Qarase) and others with SEDITION because the low level irritation that you classify IG critics as… are actually hitting the bullsye… and your response is indicative of that…
So why dont u go to sleep already, rather than pull this night shift up at the RFMF media MINSINFORMATION cell?
just get ready to play pick up the soap and pack your vaseline to play with liga levu, liga lailai chodos and boci lailai frank as your RFMF bullies are good at playing up there at QEB!!
February 26, 2008 at 6:46 am
Hey “you don’t get it” .. you don’t!
You wrote, “you’ve been milking the IG’s ideological line of “governance” yourself… ” …come on you idiot - when did I say that.
Here, let me make it clear - they are all a bunch of crooks - take it back form now to the independence day, and then some.
My point is that making Chaudary look bad - how is that helping our cause - even if Chaudary stole, his people will be willing to look away just as we aould be they came up tomorrow with some scam about Qarase.
You get that through you thick head.
“Bloggers are watching the IG”… yeah right, I am sure the IG is peeing in its pants (so to speak) right about now.
I thought it was silly of the IG to have gone after the bloggers in the first place.
You see people in Fiji ain’t stupid - so do not think that someone can shovel some crap on some blogsite and the masses will rise back home.
You wanna do that, you have to make yourself credible - and be willing to take criticism.