New Quote for the Week. See right sidebar.
DAMPENING THE FIRES. Fiji’s information ministry says it’s hoping to put to rest concerns about doing business in Fiji at a forum in Fiji this weekend. The Permanent Secretary for Information, Sharon Smith Johns, says she wants to reassure investors following last week’s deportation of Fiji Water executive David Roth (photo). She says she and other government representatives are expecting questions about the affair at the two day Fiji Australia and New Zealand Pacific Business Forum in Sigatoka.
“I’ve said that the issue with David Roth was between David Roth and the government and not Fiji Water and the business. It’s good to be able to reassure overseas investors, local investors and local business that it was between a person and the government not the business.”
She said the PM may elaborate further on Mr Roth’s departure on his return from China. The interim Prime Minister is due back in Fiji at the end of the week.
FIJI WATER AND ROTH'S DEPORTATION. I have to agree with readers that whatever the cause, Government has made a serious mistake in deporting the Fiji Water CEO. If he was really interfering in Fiji's internal affairs in a major way, whether it was purely personal or whether it was a tax issue involving Fiji Water, is beside the point. The matter could have been dealt with much better, and at a better time.
It would seem Government is unable or unwilling to handle criticism or questioning of its position without over-reaction. The signal they have sent to investors and the international community is not very reassuring, especially with Fiji Water being an American company and America's recently inferred more conciliatory towards Fiji. Kid gloves are needed in diplomacy not mailed fists. The incident also reflects poorly on prospects for genuine dialogue within Fiji. The Permanent Secretary for Information should be able to report good news and fuller explanations of events in Fiji. She needs a pen, not a fire extinguisher!
PER EXTENDED. The Public Emergency Regulations have been extended for another month and a reader has wondered when the "Permanent" Emergency Regulations will ever end. My view is unchanged. PER should be lifted. Unless there is a very real threat to national security, its maintenance is doing considerable harm to Government and Fiji's image, both in Fiji and overseas.
THE MILLION DOLLAR THEFT. The one million dollars in F$20 notes destined for the Reserve Bank that was found missing in early September led to all sorts of speculation. Thanks to co-operation between Fiji, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia two Singapore nationals have now been charged with the theft, and appeared in the Singapore Court on Friday.
CHILD ABUSE.An alarming increase in the rate of crimes against children has been recorded but whether this us due to an actual increase or better reporting is unclear. Last year there were 1008 cases of child neglect, 666 sexual offences, 610 physical abuse, 430 beyond control cases, 314 abandonment and missing persons cases and 250 cases of emotional abuse. These figures were announced by Ministry for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Permanent Secretary Govind Sami at the launch of the Blue Ribbon campaign at the Suva civic auditorium this morning. He called for "a concerted effort by all stakeholders including Government, non-government organisations, faith-based organisations and civil societies in the fight to putting a stop to child abuse in Fiji.” The week-long campaign is coordinated by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation in collaboration with UNICEF. -- Based on 2010, No:1941/MOI.
PM SAYS CHINA TRIP SUCCESSFUL. Speaking from China this afternoon, the PM described his trip to China as a success after more than a week of meetings with Chinese officials and business leaders.“These meetings have been important in assuring investors that the Fiji government is committed to providing an environment where business can prosper. It is important that Fiji has the right platform, infrastructure and a program for fast tracking quality business investment into the country.” The PM said he is also aware of bureaucratic red tapes that often hinders possible business prospects. Key topics discussed include streamlining of government processes, the need to be pro-active when evaluating investment proposals and ensuring that investment provides employment and training opportunities for Fijians. Meetings are continuing with the Prime Minister due to return this week. -- Based on 2010, No:1959/MOI. [ Readers will remember that Baledrokadoka reported from Canberra that Bainimarama had suffered a heart attack at Nadi prior to his departure. Another unfounded rumour.]
NAITASIRI DEVELOPMENTS. The $460,000 upgrade of the Vunidawa Reservoir is now complete and will , will bring to an end to water woes faced by the community in Naitasiri. People at Vunidawa, an hours drive from Suva, and in nearby villagers will also have access to fresh water. Other government assistance includes seven income generating projects in Matailobau and Nagonenicolo tikina (districts) that will start harvesting their dalo this week. A $100,000 has been set aside for development work in the province. -- Based on 2010, No:1938/MOI.
13 comments:
Croz
The PER needs to be permanent otherwise people will say nasty things about the dictator and supporters like sharon. Also we don't need elections because the economy is booming and people love the junta - the roadmap says so I think?
Fiji - the way the world should be? Should the world arbitrarily deport foreign executives without any reason given? Should an acting PM resign when the chief is overseas? Is this the stability Bainimarama is harping about? Well I must say thank you very much. No matter how successful Bainimarama claims to be in attracting Chinese investment, even the Chinese assess sovereign risks before they fork out serious money. And the avalanche of negative publicity that was triggered by Roth's deportation has been duly noticed in the investor community. As no real reason has been given for the actions against Fiji Water, how can an executive know what he can and cannot do under this regime? Having lunch with somebody is hardly a reason for such drastic measures.
Croz, the latest madness from Coup 4.5 has it that Frank is dangerously ill in China and everyone is abandoning him to line themselves up for the spoils in the next order. He's also said to have chosen not to seek medical treatment in India for fear that the doctors there might extract revenge for his shabby treatment of Mahendra Chaudhry! I sometimes call into 4.5 to see what they are saying and invariably leave nowadays shaking my head in astonishment. They keep referring to you over there as "old man Walsh" but at least you still have your marbles. Their theory on David Roth's expulsion is that he happened to be talking to the late, great Kamisese Mara's son-in-law. Harry Dugdale, at a party when Dugdale called Frank a dickhead within the dictator's earshot. If that doesn't sound improbable enough, Roth then supposedly made the mistake of being seen at lunch with Mara's son, Roko Ului, as if this is a capital offence nowadays in the new order. Does any of this sound plausible to you because it sure doesn't sound plausible to a lesser mind like mine?
"I’ve said that the issue with David Roth was between David Roth and the government and not Fiji Water and the business."
In America, like in most free countries, lobbying is perfectly normal. Since we haven't heard Mr. Roth speaking publicly, we can presume that he might have done some kind of 'hard lobbying' recently that didn't please the government. Maybe the order came from the boss in California, who was trying to make some extra dollars by getting a little tax cut here. As it didn't work, they will simply replace Mr. Roth and things will normalize...let's hope!
Overseas investors must understand that investing in Fiji must be done in some 'particular conditions' I guess...
“I’ve said that the issue with David Roth was between David Roth and the government and not Fiji Water and the business."
So to restate it, the issue is a personal dispute or dislike between the individual and our great leader? Isnt this an abuse of process to deport him just because our great leader didn't like him?!? Do any other nations do this? (Other than those who have totalitarian regimes?)
I am sure I am not the only person who finds this entire escapade more than a little disturbing - never mind how overseas investors would view it.
Fiji has just got free bad publicity through this deporation as this must have been reported in all major news papers.
But could there be a positive spin on this. Isn't any publicity better than no publicity at all?
"The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about".Oscar Wilde.
@Croz
You claim that Jone Baledrokadroka reported that Bainimarama suffered a heart attack in Nadi on his way to China.
In fact JB said there was a report he "collapsed" and that he'd had past treatment for heart problems.
But what do you say to the report that Frank has been unable to return as expected and he can't say when he'll be back? Where are all the photos we usually see of him meeting people and being treated as a national leader rather than a tin-pot dictator?
You are the extreme sceptic when it comes to anything that Frank's critics say and yet when Frank says he's going to hold elections in 2014 you're ready to believe him, even though he will have held power by force for 8 years by then. Doesn't this, plus the now Permanent PER give you doubts about his intentions?
Hey Croz
where are you today?
Haven't crawled in your hole like sharon have you?
Cheer up old mate - the dictator is just have a little fever from the thought of cassava patch running!
Listen up, Tau, never mind Croz and others crawling into their holes when you and your gang crawl out of yours. There's no point in engaging with your brand of logic so, of course, we're going to make ourselves scarce. What's all this cassava patch running you drongos go on about? is it come kind of allusion to Frank's escape in the November 2000 mutiny? What would you have done, ulukau?
@ SDL watch
The allusion is based in reality. It is a well known fact that Frank was more than a little "unhinged" as a result of that crime - anyone who was in Suva at the time can remember the sound of machine gun fire from the headquarters that afternoon.
Frank should have been sent away for assessment - not remain in leadership of the armed forces. This obviously turned out to be a mistake - but hindsight is always 20/20. I remember really liking Frank at the time because I thought he saved Fiji. Now, he had doomed us all in his madness and stupidity.
@ Permanent PER....
You patently know little about what you post? Would you, if you lived in Fiji, and had become familiar with Police Officers failing to identify themselves fully and openly to the taxpaying civilians who remunerate them, believe that the PER were not fundamental to the safety of all while Police "get up to speed"? You show your ignorance and your lack of concern for PUblic Safety. You apparently did not attend the briefing of the Police around the country and you did not hear the justified concerns of members of the corporate community?
1. Frank didn't collapse at the airport, that is a known fact, i can confirm I got that from one of the party traveling with him.
2. He is not in China to have ANYTHING done to his heart, also checked with a very reliable source at the top.
3. Roth was kicked out for dealings with government officials which were not 'kosher' if you know what i mean. Work it out, Minister resigns, Roth goes, put two and two together. Normally where there is Fire there is Water! Hint Hint
Anything else you want to know just ask.
@ anon
@ croz
I didn't think anon comments where allowed anymore.
The PER should be lifted. It will breed poor policing not better
policing if it continues. The PER gives excessive power to government and enables them to cover up anything. It is about crushing opposition and painting a rosey picture not matter the reality.
Post a Comment