(Monday 25th November 2011, No:2139/AG) PRESIDENT APPOINTS PRYDE AS NEW DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS

Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum announced today that the President, His Excellency Ratu Epeli Nailatikau has appointed Christopher Thomas Pryde as the Director of Public Prosecutions. Mr Pryde has been serving as Fiji’s Solicitor-General since 2007 and Permanent Secretary for Justice & Anti- corruption since 2009, positions he will relinquish.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is an independent entity and represents the State in criminal cases. The Deputy Solicitor-General Sharvada Sharma will serve as Acting Solicitor-General.

The Attorney-General also thanked outgoing Director of Public Prosecutions Ayesha Jinasena for her service. She will return home to Sri Lanka.

Reactions to the 2011 Budget

The PM's Budget Address. Click Fiji Government Online
Price Waterhouse summary of Budget. Click to download

Australian Broadcating Corporation http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacbeat/stories/201111/s3376917.htm Fiji budget slashes income and company taxes. Bruce Hill interviews Prof Biman Prasad who says the budget "represents one of the most significant changes to Fiji's economy in recent years." Fiji's budget has slashed taxes on poor and middle income earners and corporations in what is being described as a bold initiative to stimulate growth. The top income tax rate of 31 per cent has been reduced to only twenty, and the tax paid by corporations comes down from 28 per cent to twenty. The requirement for overseas companies to be at least forty per cent locally owned has been removed.

Unfortunately Radio NZ International failed to compete with its trans-Tasman cousin. It could only cite Bainimarama (the Budget would "empower Fijians, modernise the nation and strengthen the economy (and) grow the economy, ensure fiscal sustainability and attract investors.") Of the Budget content, it mentioned only that money was allocated for electronic voting and constitutional change.

The Reserve Bank. Boosting further confidence in the economy, the Reserve Bank of Fiji announced it has further relaxed exchange controls. The increased delegated limits means that’s there is confidence about the outlook on the level of foreign reserves, which is currently around $1.5 billion.

The measures should result in improved efficiency for businesses. The RBF will also allow commercial banks to write more forward contracts for importers as well as re-introduce offshore investments for individuals up to $10,000 per family per annum.

Governor Whiteside said that the budget presents an opportunity for the private sector to grow and inject revenue into the economy. The Bank has approved the licence application for an as yet unnamed European bank to establish operations in the country. -- No:2135/MOI) RBF

Sir James Ah Koy: "Wonderful Budget". The former Minister for Finance, business entrepreneur, and Fiji’s former envoy to the Peoples Republic of China,says: “The Budget seems very, very good. In fact, exceptionally good. I commend the Prime Minister for coming up with a very good budget. We need to look at it and see exactly how it comes out but there have been a lot of good things and a lot of pluses that we’ve seen. But it really sounds good. It of course is a wonderful budget.”

Sir James says the budget which focuses on empowering Fijians, modernizing Fiji and strengthening the economy is a well balanced budget that focuses a lot on encouraging people to change their mindset and start thinking how they could improve their lives and at the same time contribute towards a better Fiji.-- Based on No:2132/MOI

The Fiji Labour Party website, however, carries a different story. "The 2012 Budget will destabilize State finances and will most likely lead to increases in indirect taxes to offset the huge reductions in personal and corporate tax rates." Click on the site to read more.

New Taxes to pay for cuts. Fiji Live carries the story about new taxes to pay for the income and company tax cuts. These include:

• one per cent voice call tax on all telephone bills and prepaid cards
• a two per cent levy on outstanding balances on credit cards
• a 20 per cent fringe benefit tax regime
• the tax deductiable employer contribution to FNPF will only be allowed at 50 per cent.
• an increase in departure tax from $100 to $150
• a levy of $7,500 upon point of sale on luxury cars exceeding 2500cc, and a levy of $20,000 for those over 3000cc
• a 20 per cent levy on some insurance premiums
• the Hotel Turnover Tax, renamed the Service Turnover Tax, will now apply to some other parts of the tourism entertainment industry, including rental car operators, in-bound tour operators, recreation, entertainment and cinema operators, bars and night clubs

Qoriniasi Bale commenting on Coup 4.5's coverage said...
"If the taxes had gone up, C4.5 would have complained. Amazing that even when taxes go down, you find something to complain about. Where the money comes from is very clearly shown in the budget... increased taxes on tourism, alcohol, and the richest people in Fiji."

Even the moderate anti-government blog Fiji Today thought it an "excellent budget": "A good budget for Fiji………..Tourists to fund most additional income……Turnover tax of 15% extended to cover most tourism operations, bars and nightclubs. Overall an excellent budget at first glance but many details are not yet available. A better post after some time to absorb the details…"

Business tycoon Hari Punja believes the 2012 budget is a move in the right direction by the Fijian government. Focusing his comment on the small businesses, Punja told Fijilive one important feature in the budget was the government's recognition (of the) importance (of) local industries.

Employers pleased. Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation has tagged the budget a popular one that "has all the ingredients to see real growth in our economy."Chief Executive Nesbitt Hazelman says it puts more into the pocket of workers, and allows businesses to support expansion and growth opportunities through reduced Corporate Tax. A key feature of the FCEF submission to government was the reduction of both fiscal and import excise duty on trucks and prime movers. Hazelman says they are extremely pleased the government has responded to their request and has made major tax concessions.

Consumer Council CEO Premila Kumar said "justice has finally been done for the consumer" and the tax cuts were in line with the Council's submission to increase consumer spending power. "From the Council's point of view the Budget is a very well thought out and clever allocation of resources. It shows quite a lot of consultation and planning went into the Budget."

Where's the money coming from? In addition to the new taxes (see above), government is expected to borrow $195m for the 2012 Budget, which would be sourced domestically.According to the Budget supplement, the key focus for the government in the medium-term would be to ensure that government's financing requirement was fully met and that debt was maintained at sustainable levels.

Halabe says Budget is a "game changer." Well known Mark One Apparel garment manufacturer Australian Mark Halabe describes the 2012 National Budget as a game changer. He thinks the Budget will "surely open up our economy and boost investor confidence. The new taxation policies will attract a lot of offshore investors into the country and this will have a positive impact on Fiji’s economic growth.”

“The 20% tax decline will surely seal the deal for investors as they will be able to pump in more funds into their projects. There is a scope for growth and with good policies put in place by the government, the export market will surely thrive,” added Halabe.

Last words by a Jeremiah who is "missing something"... "It's a miracle! Under the unelected junta the economy is booming admidst abject poverty and a future loaded with debt. I must be missing something." (Comment on my blog)

Difficult times, but a daring budget!

By USP economist Dr T.K. Jayaraman in the Fiji Sun.

In the midst of global slowdown with new fears in Europe, budget exercise in an island economy supported only by tourism and agriculture unlike in the mineral resources-endowed Papua New Guinea with booming exports, is indeed difficult.

The 2012 budget is a daring one, as it confidently looks forward towards strengthening the economy.

Changes to FNPF Pension Scheme

Ioane Burese in the Fiji Times Friday, November 25, 2011

FOLLOWING todays Budget address, the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) will deliver the reform programs that will support changes to the FNPF legislation.

In announcing the changes, the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama said there was a serious need to review the pension scheme, as in its current form FNPF would not be able to support Fijis current and future pensioners.
FNPF CEO Mr Aisake Taito, reinforced the Prime Ministers words.
We have consulted actuarial and legal experts, as well as the public, to design a pension scheme that will empower our pensioners and provide our members with the pension they deserve in retirement, he said.

As a result, the following changes will be made:

Reserve Bank Relaxes Exchange Controls

Boosting further confidence in the economy, the Reserve Bank of Fiji today announced that it has further relaxed exchange controls.

The bank’s Governor Barry Whiteside highlighted at the post-budget press conference that the increased delegated limits means that’s there is confidence about the outlook on the level of foreign reserves, which is currently around $1.5 billion.
 

New Tax Policy: Official Press Release

For full Budget Address, please log  onto:

http://www.fiji.gov.fj/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5231:2012-national-budget-address-by-the-prime-minister-commodore-voreqe-bainimarama&catid=50:speeches&Itemid=168

Effective January 1, 2012, the Bainimarama Government will reduce or eliminate taxes for 99.4 percent of taxpayers.

·         The top income tax marginal rate will be cut from 31 percent to an absolute ceiling of 20 percent.

·         RESULT: The Bainimarama Government will put $53.1 million back in the pockets of Fijians.

·         Anyone earning zero to $15,600 will pay nothing in taxes.

·         Income between $15,601 and $22,000 will have a tax rate of 7 percent. It was 25 percent. The fixed component is eliminated.

·         RESULT: Those earning $20,000 a year now are paying about $1500 in taxes. In the new system, they will pay about $300.

Summary of 2012 Budget Revenue Policies

2012 BUDGET REVENUE POLICIES – TAX AND CUSTOMS
Summary of 2012 Budget Revenue Policies
INCOME TAX ACT (ITA)
 Corporate Tax Rate
- The corporate tax rate will be reduced from 28% to 20%.
 PAYE Tax Rates
- Income tax threshold will be increased from $15,000 to $15,600
- The marginal income tax rate for lower band will be reduced from 25% to 7%; the rate for middle
income tax band will be reduced from 31% to 18%, and the income tax marginal rate for the top band
will be reduced from 31% to 20% in line with the corporate tax rate
- A Social Responsibility Levy will be applied on full chargeable income, starting at 23% for income tax
band $270,001 to $300,000

Budget Well Received

 National Budget 2011 by Fiji Village

The 2012 National Budget has seen major cuts in personal and corporate taxes, targeted tax increases for luxury items and the introduction of some new levies to provide expanded services to the people.

Many have come out and said that this is a people’s budget but at the same time it is business friendly.

It is good news for people as personal income tax that you pay has been reduced for a number of brackets in the 2012 National Budget.

This means that the take home pay will increase for a number of people from January 01st next year as you will pay a lower level of PAYE or income tax.

Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has announced that people earning $15,600 or less in a year will no longer pay PAYE.

The income tax threshold is currently $15,000.

The People's Charter Stands Tall

Head in the sand

A little while back Radio Fiji published a story that "civil servants who conducted consultations on the People's Charter told the people (of Wainiika village, Cakaudrove) government would build their village hall if they show their support for the Charter." The anti-government blog  Fiji Today hailed the announcement as something that had "sneak(ed) past the censor." Maybe. Perhaps there was no censor. Perhaps the Bainimarama government does not condone such behaviour.

On the basis of this story the blog then accused the government of "using corrupt practises to get a majority vote for the People’s Charter." The Permanent Secretary for Provincial Development Col. Inia Seruiratu blamed the civil servants, not the government, and deplored their action saying it was corrupt.

More recently, Coup4.5, the blog that we toss coins over in the traditional ANZAC game of Two up (heads it may be true; tails it's probably wrong) offered its opinion that the Charter was merely a "cut and paste of (the) Development Plans and State of the Nation reports" that preceded the Bainimarama Coup. If this were true, one must ask why then do they not support it, and instead applaud Ro Teimumu and Ratu Naiqama who oppose it?

This is not the time to recall the billboards in the West in 2001 and 2006 that warned of bloodshed if the Fiji Labour Party  became the government. Two wrongs do not make one right.  But it may be time to recall the overwhelming support given to the People's Charter, despite the active opposition of the SDL, the Great Council of Chiefs,  and the leaders of the Methodist Church.

The National Committee for Building a Better Fiji (NCBBF) Report to the President, including the finalized draft People's Charter, was submitted on 15 December, 2008. This Report may be accessed by readers through the  People's Charter website or  Google, and a link is provided on my blog, but here, I wish to draw readers' attention to two key points in order to show just how out of step with what their people really think  Ro Teimumu and Ratu Naiqama may be.  They may claim to speak "for" the people (that is their chiefly way. The people do not normally speak for themselves) but  a very large number of ordinary people did speak for themselves on the People's Chareter. The chiefs wer not listening.

1) As at 10 December, 2008, of the 533,783 people in Fiji aged 18 years and over, the People's Charter process had outreached and consulted a total of 424,660 or 80% of the adult population.
Of the 424,660 contacted, 372,311 responded by completing the Response Forms. Further, of these 372,311, some 342,592 (92%, or 64.2% of Fiji's total adult population aged 18 year and above) affirmed their support for the Charter.(Page 5, 19-21);

2) Page 28 of the Report stated that" those who have remained steadfastly opposed to the Interim Government mounted a vigorous campaign to discredit and derail the Charter undertaking"; that this notwithstanding, " it is the people of Fiji who are seeking change and, under the People's Charter, have committed themselves to change for the better.This commitment by the people has been expressed freely and without intimidation" ( emphasis added).The measures put in place to ensure transparency and authenticity of the Charter consultation process are outlined on p.18 of the Report.

It would take a large number of over-zealous civil servants and a fair number of Wainiika villages to detract from these numbers.

Lockington's Everyday Fiji ... Life Goes On

WEEKEND READINGS. Now posted from Friday 3.00pm, and ongoing.
Allen Lockington is a self-employed customs agent and business consultant who has regular articles published in Fiji. I thank Allen for permission to reprint some of them in this political blog. They remind us that life goes on, whatever the political situation. And it's good to know that.

Electricity Bill

At the moment one of the things hot on people’s lips is the electricity bill. For those of us who were around when the Monasavu dam was being built we looked forward to the fulfillment of the promise that the hydro system would save us a lot of money. We waited and we waited and we waited some more.

Then those in authority said, “Sorry folks the issue is beyond our control, world fuel prices are just too high you will have to foot the bill, and pay another security deposit because just too many customers are running away.” Then we complained and when fuel prices went down the cost of electricity remained the same.

Then we are bombarded by advertisements to save energy and get companies could take part in energy saving exercises and win. Some did and probably won a little rebate on their bill. In Waiyavi many homes that used to have all night outside lights are now in total darkness. Yes folks they are saving electricity because the street lights illuminate their home.

And when day breaks and I walk pass the lamp post at about 11 o’clock and I see the street light still shining. How about the authority turns its lights of also to show us that they too are conserving energy.

Here is something interesting - It was reported in Associated Press - As the sun dips below the rooftops each evening, parts of this Detroit enclave turn to pitch black, the only illumination coming from a few streetlights at the end of the block or from glowing yellow yard globes. It wasn't always this way. But when the debt-ridden community could no longer afford its monthly electric bill, elected officials not only turned off 1,000 streetlights. They had them ripped out -- bulbs, poles and all. Now nightfall cloaks most neighborhoods in inky darkness. "How can you darken any city?" asked Victoria Dowdell, standing in the halo of a light in her front yard. "I think that was a disgrace. She said the decision endangers everyone, especially people who have to walk around at night or catch the bus. Highland Park's decision is one of the nation's most extreme austerity measures, even among the scores of communities that can no longer afford to provide basic services. Other towns have postponed roadwork, cut back on trash collection and closed libraries, for example. But to people left in the dark night after night, removing streetlights seems more drastic. And unlike many other cutbacks that can easily be reversed, this one appears to be permanent.

News and Comments Friday 25 November 2011

Rewriting history?

25.11.11 It's been another surprising week in Fiji.  The country has signed a police agreement with Indonesia; a new regional Polynesian grouping has invited Fiji to join; maverick NZ politician, ACT's Don Brash, has welcomed Fiji's race colour-blind policies and thinks NZ should re-engage with the country; Fiji has established diplomatic relations with Bhutan, and my attempt to solicit readers' opinions on the Government and its opponents has been a dismal failure.

A few days earlier American investor Ken Honig left the country, accusing Biosecurity of harassment and accepting bribes when it seems probable he really had illegally imported the American iguana that is costing Fiji big dollars to eradicate.

The Australian High Commission also sprung a surprise saying that poverty had decreased in Fiji between 2003 and 2009 (from 40% to 35%), but rural poverty was unchanged at 44% with the worst poverty in the Northern and then Western Divisions.

Last week we reported that Ro Teimumu Kepa had stated at the Rewa Provincial Council meeting that Rewa  would never support the Bainimarama government or the People's Charter; this week the Ra and Bua PC's passed uneventfully, but Ratu Naiqama Lalabalvu, the Tui Cakau and head of the Tovata confederacy, apparently made similar comments at the Cakaudrove PC meeting. Their stance is not new and is no surprise.  Both will lose a great deal if the Bainimara reforms continue.

Both chiefs talk about legality and democracy but it is as well to remember that Ro Teimumu, and many from Rewa, visited George Speight when he held the legal and democratically elected Chaudhry government members hostage in 2000 (they did not visit the hostages), and that Ratu Naiqama supported the extremist CAMV party that sought to further Speight's agenda. The CAMV eventually joined forces with Qarase's SDL where they pushed the so called Tolerance and Reconciliation Bill, the Qoliqoli Bill and other discriminatory legislation.

Dr Mere Samisomi, former SDL MP for Lami, recently delivered a "revealing" paper to a FDFM conference in Melbourne. She asked Qarase if he'd made any mistakes.  No, he said.  She said the People's Charter was merely a "cut and paste" copy of earlier Development Plans (why then does she oppose the Charter?); that the 1997 Constitution was "designed" to give the Commander all the powers he needed.  They just got the wrong man. (I thought the Appeals Court found the opposite), and— one for the road — Fiji is now ruled by an "unchecked military government backed by a minority Marxist political party."  Well, I never. 

What Do You Think?

The blog intends to run opinion polls on what readers think the Bainimarama Government is doing:
1. Right
2. Wrong
3. What it most urgently needs to do now

And other poll (poll 4) on what those who oppose the Bainimarama Government, and wish to see what they call a "return to democracy,"  should state as their policy.

The polls will propose up to five ideas for each question. I'd welcome your thoughts  on what those ideas should be. You don't need to spell out the questions. Just use the numbers, e.g. 1. Look North policy,  etc; 2. Lack of public participation, etc.; 3. Lift PER; 4. Reduce political influence of chief, etc.  

I will list or summarise all of your ideas and select the most popular to include in the polls. Please respond promptly so that we can start the poll this week.

Ro Teimumu Beaten, Not Beaten: Coup4.5 Again Unscrambles its Eggs

From Coup 4.5, Sunday,November 20, 2011, 11am.
Insiders: Rewa chief arrested and beaten
The chief of Rewa chief, Ro Teimumu Kepa, has been taken into the QEB army camp this morning.
She was arrested at her home.
Initial reports indicate she has been beaten.
The information about the Gone Marama Bale has come from intel sources.
This morning's arrest follows an address from Ro Teimumu Kepa about the province's continued anti-stance against the regime's Peoples Charter.

From Coup 4.5, Sunday, November 20, 2011, 2:40pm.  
Ro Teimumu Kepa safe at home
Have just received confirmation from other sources including her family just a short time ago that the story of Ro Teimumu Kepa being arrested and beaten is not true.
The information had come from a source from within Queen Elizabeth Barracks who has in the past been reliable and it was confirmed twice by him (my italics).
There is genuine fear though, that the outspokenness and obvious wide support for the Rewa chief puts her at risk.
On Friday there was an obvious military presence in the Rewa delta.


Ed.Comment: Whatever that means. Fear? Yes. Ro Teimumu promoted it by saying she expected to be arrested. Outspoken?Her address was provocative but she said nothing she has not already said many times before? Widespread support? Possibly, but at least one of Rewa's 9 tikina (and 13 other provinces) disagree with her.
The bigger question, which I will tackle later this week, is who does she actually speak for in Rewa, and whether (as a modern, educated and presumably democratically-inclined chief), she has ever asked those she "speaks for" what they think? Previously, she has said chiefs know what is best for the people. They don't need to ask for the people's opinions — and something of that attitude came across in her address to the Provincial Council meeting. With so much supposed support from Rewa, it is well to recall how narrowly she was elected as chairperson!, And how divided her own family is in its attitude to the Bainimarama Government.
Fiji is a divided country. Rewa is a divided province. The challenge is to forge a national unity of purpose that will see all citizens treated fairly, irrespective of their race, religion, class, or social or traditional status. Ro Teimumu seeks to turn the clock back to before 2006 when the interests of the ethnic Fijian elite were paramount and where the Great Council of Chiefs exercised more political influence than would be normally acceptable in a democracy.

Comment from a reader:
"It's hard to imagine a more egregious journalistic lapse in the Fiji context than to report that a high chief is under arrest and being beaten only to withdraw that report three long hours later.

"The social mayhem that could have been triggered by this doesn't bear thinking about, except perhaps that Ro Temumu Kepa's bati may no longer be willing to go in to bat for her.

"There seems no end to the appalling behaviour of these people at 4.5. Let's just hope that ordinary indigenous Fijians aren't as stupid as they're being treated by some of their own people."

Ed. Comment. Perhaps Coup4.5 will be more cautious about their "reliable" sources of information in the future. They get it wrong as many times, or more times, as they get it right. And perhaps the international media will be even more cautious in using Coup4.5 as a source.

A Letter to Sugasini Kandiah from Guy Threllfell

POSTSCPIPT. More thoughts from Guy, too long to publish as a comment, are  added at the end of this article.  Croz 21/11/11 2pm.
This is a follow up by "Guy Threllfell" on a letter I wrote to Suga, a student studying in America who had enquired about Fiji. Click here for the earlier letter,   Guy expresses a generally contrary opinion. I agree with most of his facts but do not accept many of this interpretations. We beg to differ while sharing similar concerns. -- Croz

Lockington's Everyday Fiji ... Life Goes On

Allen Lockington is a self-employed customs agent and business consultant who has regular articles published in Fiji. I thank Allen for permission to reprint some of them in this political blog. They remind us that life goes on, whatever the political situation. And it's good to know that.

Fare Anomaly

I have to tell this story - when the taxi fare increase was imminent we were told that to calculate the new fare we simply had to multiply the old fare by two and subtract $1.50. My old fare was $3.00 from the Lautoka market to Kava Place, Waiyavi.  Using the calculation the new fare would be $4.50.

When is an Indian Not an Indian: an Old-New Story

I published an article When is an Indian Not an Indian on January 8. No one commented until last Tuesday 15 November, ten months after the article was published.  I found this remarkable and worthy  of comment in itself.  Someone had gone back ten months to find this article on an pretty obscure blog site. It's a reminder to all readers that many older articles and comments are not out of date.  They are as topical today as when they were first published, and are well worth a re-visit as you will realize when you read the comment and the article. The undeserved compliment by 'New Media' comes at a good time as another reader calls me a racist for criticising ethnic Fijian chiefs and political parties that have pursued a racist agenda. See It "looks likes racism to me"

Thesis on the Fiji Times Coverage of May 1999-May 2000: the FLP Government and the Speight Coup:

Read this abstract first, coutesy of AUT's Pacific Media Centre .

If This is True, Government Credibility Demands the Culprits Face Court Charges

Coup4.5 has published a detailed account by US businessman Ken Honig of alleged harassment by Fiji biosecurity arising from their claim that he illegally imported an iguana lizard and set it lose on his 70-acre property on Qamea Island, to the east of Taveuni. His story was also briefly reported by RadioNZInternational. 
 
The Biosecurity claim was apparently based on the evidence of his former property manager, Jo Kolinibarava, who he had been trying to dismiss for thieving and other offences and Jerry Surumi, Naivivi village manager who, according to Honig, also stole from his property.

Government and Adi Teimumu Clarify Their Positions

WEEKEND READING.  Don't miss out on the Weekend Reading. Most articles will be published at  9:00am Saturday, and one, A Letter to Sugasini Kandiah from Guy Threllfell, at 1:00 pm Sunday. See details in previous posting.

Adi Teimumu Kepa (b.1945),  high chief of Rewa, paramount chief of the Burebasaga confederacy and a cabinet minister in the deposed Qarase Government, clarifies her position on why she, and Rewa, do not support the Bainimarama Government. Her remarks were made at Thursday's Rewa Provincial Council meeting where she reiterated that she would not support Government or the People's Charter.  Governmment then suspended further meetings. The Government's position, expressed by LtCol Neumi Leweni, was reported in the Fiji Times , the main parts of which read:

Radio NZ International's Dirty Trick

 RadioNZI persists, despite denials, that the Fiji Government is phonetapping, and has now pushed the accusation to a new level by repeating Ratu Tevita's claim about phonetapping in 2007 (sic!);  by citing unionist "Mr Urai, who was released on bail last week (who said he'd) "heard from a government minister that a team in the military works full time on tracing calls";  by citing "an associate professor for Information Science at the University of Otago, Hank Wolfe, (who) says it’s not difficult for phone companies to tap into phone calls; and by accusing Vodafone Fiji of "leak(ing) emails to a blogger" — me.

Tap, Tap, No Tap. End of Story.

Postscript 17.11.11. Bridget of RNZI rang me this morning to say she received a reply from Vodafone (stating they had nothing more to add to their earlier statement) but that RNZI had not received the Vodafone emails posted below. She disagreed with my statement that the second email enquiry had asked nothing different from their ealier questions and, on reflection, I have to agree.  I trust this postscript clarifies the situation and is fair to all parties.

 ---

RadioNZInternational is to be congratulated in seeking an official comment from Fiji on Ratu Mara's claim about phone tapping (many others don't bother), but why do they persist with a story that has already been denied?

I would feel happier about RadioNZI if they sometimes — just sometimes —  published news about Fiji that was not influenced by political considerations, and if their sources were from Fiji, and not,  as they now seem to be, from  Ratu Mara, others of like mind, and the overseas-based anti-Bainimarama government blogs.  I trust they have asked Ratu Mara about the sources of his allegation.

News and Comments Wednesday 16 November 2011

 16.11.11

A-G TO TAKE FIJI TIMES TO COURT.  
Explanatory note: One can disagree with a court judgement but questioning the integrity of a judge, the judgment, or the judiciary, is unacceptable and liable to prosecution in Fiji as it is in all Western democracies.

Government has announced that the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has been granted leave to initiate proceedings for contempt of court against the Fiji Times Limited, the Fiji Times Editor Fred Wesley, and the Fiji Times Publisher Brian O’Flaherty.

The offending article, “FIFA probes Doc,” appeared in the Monday, 07 November, 2011 edition of the Fiji Times. Statements in the article questioned the existence of a judiciary in Fiji, potentially undermining the public’s confidence in the administration of justice, and potentially damaging the integrity of the enforcement of justice.

The Attorney-General commented, “It is my responsibility to protect the independence of the courts, as the Fijian Government adheres to the separation of powers, and promotes – in principle and in practice – the independence of the judiciary. This ensures inter alia that the law is applied to all persons equally.”

The case will be called next in the High Court on 28 November, 2011.

JENNY HAYWARD-JONES  clarifies some points on the Lowy/Tebbutt Poll criticised by Bainimarama's opponents because they did not like the poll results.

INFLATION DOWN A LITTLE. The Reserve Bank  says inflation dropped from 9.7% in September to  to 9.1% in October. Further falls are expected in line with the global economy. Read the Fijilive link for details of other economic changes.

E-TICKETING. The PM  launched the new electronic bus fare ticketing system this morning.
Government sees the e-ticketing system as a way of helping capture the $5 million, as per a review of the Fiji bus industry in 2009, which leaks out of the revenue of bus operators. The technology, which is already being used overseas, will see the installation of the machine on local buses. E-ticketing will also enable Government to keep track of bus company incomes.After its introduction in the Central and Eastern divisions,e-ticketing will be introduced in the Western and Northern divisions. 

EUROPEAN TRAVEL AGENTS VISIT FIJI FOR FIRST TIME. Some 125 Europe-based tour operators, media and Matai specialist travel agents from 14 countries, including Russia, have been in Five over the past few days, as part of a Tourism Fiji ‘Europe Bula Academy’.The objective of the academy is to educate the operators and agents on increasing travel opportunities the destination represents to their different client bases. The operators will visit Nadi, Denarau, Coral Coast, Mamanuca, Yasawa, and the North, and participate in sightseeing tours, soft adventure activities, spa treatments and experience firsthand Fiji’s unique living culture. A one-day workshop for the whole group was held at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa on Saturday -- Based on No:2027/TF.
 
FIJI 'ACCEPTABLE' IN 2013. Fiji will host the 8th Conference of the Pacific Community in 2013,that will bring together the widest range of countries and territories to meet in the region.The decision to hold the conference in Fiji was reached at the 7th Conference held at the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) Headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia. Foreign Affairs Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola  said this was a forum "where issues affecting the Pacific community are discussed and debated responsively between SPC members in a genuine spirit of co-operation and without any biased conditionality on any political status."

ONE IN THREE TAXIS STILL ILLEGAL. More than 5000 taxi's  have yet to have their meters sealed by the LTA since the new taxi fares became effective at the beginning of last week. Taxi operators are required under the LTA Regulation to have their meters sealed by the Authority after calibration - however according to the Fiji Taxi Union - only one third of the 7600 taxi's in Fiji have done so.

Depression Could Become Cyclone

FBCL - News

It "Looks Like Racism to Me"

Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara

    A comment on my "Muslims are Taking Over Fiji" article.

    @Croz You talk about "Fijian leaders" and `some Fijian parties" pursuing racist fears over fifty years. These sweeping generalisations about the leaders of a particular race look like racism to me. I

In 1977 or 1978 Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara introduced and won support for the the amendment of the Agricultural Landlords and Tenants Ordinance to increase the term of agricultural leases from 10 to 30 years. All existing leases were extended by a further twenty years. To pass this legislation he had to win the support of the Great Council of Chiefs (as required by the Constitution.) How does your claim that Fijian leaders were consistently claiming over 50 years that "'Indians have been planning to take away Fijian land" fit with this fact?

The National Federation Party leaders repaid the courage and vision of Ratu Mara in the 1982 elections by showing the famous Four Corners program on the Mara government all over the country. The inclusion in this program of a throw-away line about Ratu Mara's ancestors being cannibals was one of the low points in our nation's history - and something Jai Ram Reddy regrets to this day.

It seems to me that you are the one whose vision is clouded by stereotypes about race. The blog picture you've labelled in fact racist targets one individual, not the group to which he belongs. The late Dr Ahmed Ali who belonged to that same group was frequently vilified for his support for the vision and leadership of Ratu Mara.

 Race is such a difficult problem in Fiji because there are no easy rights and wrongs. One thing is certain: a mono-ethnic army is not the leadership base for solving these problems. A genuinely multiparty government, something that was always the vision of the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, is the only way to overcome the legacy of past race politics.

Navosavakadua

  

Blogger Croz Walsh said...

    @ Navosavakadua ... If you have followed this blog for a while, you would know my claim that some chiefs and political parties have supported or pursued racist policies, is not racist. If you knew your Fiji history, you'd know my claim is based on fact. And if you knew me, you would realize how wrong you are.

Think Adi Caucau, an SDL Goverment Minister, who in the House called Indians "weeds" to be rooted out and returned to India. Think Sakiusa Butadroka's Fiji National Party that also called for Indians to be expelled. In the 1977 election the FNP won 26% of the Fijian vote! Think of (some) chiefly support for Rabuka, and the Great Council of Chief's endorsement of his SVT party.

Think of the chiefs behind the 2000 coup and policies of the CAMV party in the 2001 election, and, after its dissolution, of it role within the SDL after the 2006 election. Think what the CAMV thought of the 1997 Constitution and the entrenching power-sharing it imposed. Think of the calls for the Sunday Ban and a Christian state that spurned the rights of non-Christian citizens.

Think of the muddle as Fijians seek to reconcile the unity of vanua,lotu and matanitu in the modern world, and the way some chiefs, some churchmen, and some others have sought to exploit the muddle, making a modern reconciliation that much more difficult.

Finally, think of the Fiji that could have been — and still can be — if the institutional racism of the FNP, SVT, SDL, CAMV (and, yes, occasionally, the NFP and FLP — were demolished.

You are right pointing to racism among non-Fijians, and Ratu Mara's multicultural vision. I have never written anything disrespectful of Ratu Mara. I was a colleague of Ahmed Ali and I know firsthand about the shameful abuse you mention.

But none of this is relevant to my article on the supposed Muslim takeover of Fiji. There are chiefs, Christian church leaders (to their immortal shame), and there were political parties, that "preached" racism and supported the 1987 and 2000 coups. To deny this is to deny the historical record. But, thank Heaven, there are also chiefs such as Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi (for whom I have immense respect) and church leaders like the Rev. Ilaitia Tuwere who have been outstanding spokesmen for the multiracialism espoused by Ratu Mara, and with which I am in full agreement.

Don't throw away the possibilities of a multiracial future because of your opposition to the Bainimarama government. Keep it to its promises, and force its opponents to declare their multiracial intentions.

Lockington's Everyday Fiji ... Life Goes On

Allen Lockington is a self-employed customs agent and business consultant who has regular articles published in Fiji. I thank Allen for permission to reprint some of them in this political blog. They remind us that life goes on, whatever the political situation. And it's good to know that.

Is All Well?

Talking about corporal punishment in school is like flogging a dead horse. But I’ll flog anyway. Now that schools cannot use the cane or strap, have we introduced other forms of punishment? If so, I would like to know what they are.

Or perhaps our kids are now better behaved than when I was in school. I left school in 1976 and the cane and the strap used to warm our behinds a lot.

Have our students become gentlemen and women, adhering to virtues and principles we of the 70s were bright up on? Are there no more petty theft in schools. That is just to name a few things.


Perhaps the ministry of Education could do a survey, to determine that all is well. 

"Return to Sender, Address Unknown": What Some Readers Think

Elvis Presley

By Crosbie Walsh

A distinctive and most valuable feature of this blog is the comments made by readers. Almost all are politely expressed and informative, irrespective of political viewpoint, and only rarely do I need to block personally insulting, libellous, racist or repetitive comments. Sometimes, to give them more prominence, I publish them on the main page, and occasionally I also use the main page to answer several comments.

This posting does both, first with Sidelines in Viti Levu's comments, and then with a roundup of the phonetapping issue and a further comment in reply to "Fair's Fair" and Wadan's use of Coup4.5 to publish his views that in some ways is a follow on from Sidelines.

Time for a New Policy Approach to Fiji?

Published in the Diplomatic Courier, the global affairs magazine that connects the diplomatic and policy establishment to the next generation of leaders in diplomacy and foreign policy. 

Written by Nicole Forrester and Eddie Walsh, Guest Contributors | 08 November 2011

For more than two decades, Fiji has endured a coup culture. During the latest military coup in 2006, Commodore Bainimarama removed Prime Minister Qarase’s duly elected democratic government. Since then, Australia has actively leveraged its bilateral and regional influence to urge Bainimarama’s Interim Government to hold free and fair elections. The regime's failure to return to democracy has led to Fiji’s suspension from the Pacific Islands Forum and the Commonwealth.

Super Yachts Super Idea

(Friday 4th November 2011, No:2016/MOI) YACHTING TOURISM HAS HIGH ECONOMIC POTENTIAL IN FIJI

A policy dialogue paper prepared by the Marine Operators Sub Committee of the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association in association with Sustainable Tourism International Ltd reveals a positive trend and high economic potential of the yachting industry for Fiji.

The presentation by John Philips of the  Yachting Tourism of Fiji highlighted a positive trend as well as the high economic potential of the industry towards Fiji’s growth. Prepared in 2010,  it is the first ever written document exclusively analyzing the yachting tourism sector in Fiji and also revealed positive trends of the yachting sector.

News and Comments Friday 11 November 2011

WEEKEND READING. • Allen Lockington Column • Return to Sender Address Unknown: What some readers think • Time for a New Policy Approach on Fiji? • Super Yachts Super Idea

1.11.11 
ANTHONY. Trade unionist Felix Anthony was released from police custody yesterday
afternoon but may be brought in again for questioning if the need arises.-- Based onNo:2054/MOI.

CHINA NOT NEW IN FIJI. UN Ambassador Winston  Thompson is asking why the talk about China’sgrowing dominance. He says China's diplomatic and development presence has been in Fiji
for 40 years. “I think their intentions are development oriented. They want to benefit
from trade and development possibilities from the economic zone – the exploitation of
the seas around us and the mineral resources on land.” Taiwan also is in Fiji, not in a
diplomatic capacity but as a trade partner.

GOVERNMENT AND THE NEW TAXI FARES.  Government has made two official releases on the new increased taxi fares. The first (No:2056/AG) said there has not been a taxi fare
increase in many years. And, as part of this agreement,that requires the use of meters,
issuing of receipts, displaying of driver identification; and discounts for the elderly
and disabled, there will not be another taxi fare increase for another four years in
Fiji, barring the world price of crude oil increasing to over US$155. The statement
claimed that taxis in many areas were previously not using meters, and charging nearly
three times the proper fare. This agreement will guarantee that tourists and locals both
receive proper and equal treatment and services – fair and consistent, in line with
transparent business practices supported by the Fijian Government.

Partially-informed reports on the taxi fare increase also claim that Fijians are now
forced to travel on public transportation – namely, buses. It is important to note that
taxis are a form of transportation of choice. The Government certainly encourages
Fijians to take advantage of available public transportation.

The second statement (No:2030/MSWWPA) said that yellow ID cards used by senior citizens
and the red ID cards could be used by disabled persons for bus fare concessions and for
the 20% discounts on taxi fares up to 20 km.

Some 482 disabled persons had already been issued with red Bus Fare ID cards and 21,724 senior citizens with the yellow Bus Fare ID Cards. Other cards will be issued as requests are received.

FIJI TODAY REPORTS LESS THAN HALF THE STORY. The anti-government blog Fiji Today reported the fare increase and the rebellion of some taxi operators "The Fiji Government makes union membership for taxi operators compulsory? Offering lower priced taxi rides is illegal?" but made no mention of other aspect of the increases, as reported in the government press releases reported above. Nor did it report a Fiji Live poll that showed 82% of pollsters agreed that "all taxis should have metres that can supply receipts."


COUP4.5 CONTINUES TO DENY POLL VALIDITY. Meanwhile, Coup4.5 continues to deny the validity of another poll, the Lowy poll that showed two-thirds of the people polled supported the Bainimarama government. They say the journalist Iris Wielders who lived in Suva in 2007 and 2008 has been  roped in by the Lowy Institute to support its poll results. (See Fiji:Engagement is the Only Way.) There is no way Coup4.5 can admit the poll's accuracy. To do so would prove them wrong, and largely redundant.  .

The Muslim Plot to Take Over Fiji

Anti-Khaiyum cartoon, clever, false and malicious

Throughout human history racial and religious differences have been used to rally support. For at least 50 years Fijian leaders have claimed Indians have been planning to take away Fijian land. It suited some Fijian parties to make this claim.  It won votes even if it had no substance in fact. It also took attention away from what the politicians, and those they most closely represented, were doing to help themselves.  The stories of a Muslim plot to take over Fiji, and Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum's part in the plot,  is therefore no surprise. It is merely a variant on the earlier use of  racism: playing on  the fear that those who are different are threats to society and the legitimate claims of other citizens.

Fiji's "Cancerous Conspiracy of Silence"

Prof Wadan Narsey's use of Coup4.5 as the vehicle by which to publish his recent Fiji’s cancerous conspiracies of silence: an expose  article has drawn comment from both sides of the political divide. Some, such as Graham Davis, have also berated Wadan's slurs on the characters of moderate people in Fiji such as the Rev. Akuila Yabaki; others such as "Choice I think not" on my blog yesterday, asked: "And where else might Narsey express his views? PER and government extreme sensitivity to any criticism give him little other choice" (but to publish in Coup 4.5).

On the Alleged Phone tapping: Some Facts at Last

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Ratu Mara's Latest Accusation: The Evolution of hi...":

Croz , I am an ex telecom enginner and I can inform you that neither Telecom nor Vodafone have any capability to monitor calls . I dont know about Digicel - they might or might not, I am not sure.
This facility to monitor, record and track calls is worth few hundred thousands dollar investment and it's never been done during my stay till I took my retirement package early this year.

Ratu Mara's Latest Accusation: The Evolution of his Phonetapping Story

Internet spy technology

Email from Radio NZInternational to Vodofone,  Fiji  4 November 2011


Hi, I spoke to the former Fiji army colonel Tevita Mara this morning.
 
He says that the internet and phones including mobiles are tapped across Fiji and he named Vodafone as the main company involved in it and says CEO Aslam Khan is a close associate of Mr Bainimarama.
 
He says he was present for Bainimarama reviewing transcripts of Fijians' private conversations.
 

News and Comments Monday 7 November 2011

7.11.11 
IMF CONFIRMS FIJI ECONOMY ON THE MEND. The International Monetary Fund, previously doubtful of Fiji's chances of economic recovery, now thinks the economy is on an "upward trend." Visiting official Dr Koshy Mathai spoke highly of government reforms, tourism sector performance and the "recovery of sugar cane production."

“The data we have this year has given us a totally different picture of the situation. The last time the team came was in November 2010 and the sugar industry was at one of its lowest but this year we were fortunate enough to be in the west and talk to some of the farmers and the sugar stakeholders and everyone is so positive,” he said.

“We are very pleased to hear some of the reforms that the Fijian Government is doing and we have met with a lot of people over the last two weeks and they have given us a lot of positive feedbacks on what the government has done in respect to the land policies, infrastructure, civil service reforms, public enterprise reforms and other policies,” Dr Mathai said. -- Based on Nos:2018 and 2019/MOI.

CONSTITUTION TALKS SOON.The A-G says discussion on the Constitution will start in nine months.

NIK NAIDU CALLS 'FLIP FLOPPERS' HYPOCRITES. And that includes church leaders like Rev
Josateki Koroi and the trade unionists. Read the text or listen to his interview by ABC's Bruce Hill.

SECOND UNIONIST DETAINED. Felix Anthony has joined Daniel Urai in custody. Does that leave only Attar Singh to go?  Since Government knows exactly who is opposing its policies, why doesn't it keep the suspects under close observation and prevent them from leaving the country where they foment anti-government feelings, and threats to the country's tourism industry? I wouldn't approve such a tactic but it would cause less damage to Fiji and its trade union movement than passing potentially crippling legislation like the Emergency Industries Decree — and then arresting its opponents — after the horses have bolted. Police have not yet charged Anthony but Fiji law allows detention without charge for up to ten days.

TOURISM NOW 34% OF GDP. Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony of the $49 million  Worldmark Resort Denarau Island Stage 3 Development on Sunday, the PM said Fiji will continue to provide and improve the industry environment for the benefit of all, whether it is the developers, the land owners, the hotel operators, the employees or those that provide ancillary services.

KING'S ROAD. This in Facebook: " Billy Nadakuitavuki -- Just been to Ba and back on a one day trip from Suva . . . the Kings road is almost complete and fantastic [way better than the Queens road] . . . thanks to uncle Frankie. Previous governments failed to give us this basic need . . . glad they're lost forever!"

COOPERATIVE EFFORT BY SQUATTERS. Some  164 residents of Lagilagi settlement in Jittu Estate will soon own a house of their own thanks to cooperative work between the Ministry of Local Government, Urban Development, Housing and Environment, the People’s Community Network (PCN) which will construct single or two bedroom houses for the residents, and the 164 families in the settlement who are required to pay only $12,000 over a period of 12-14 years for the construction of their own homes.

This is the first time communities of a settlement have taken a lead role in building their homes at Jittu Estate. Youths from the settlement will be trained to assist with construction works. The project has received $1.5 million from Miseror, a German Catholic Bishops’ Organisation for Development Cooperation, and Government will provide $1 million for civic works and $400,000 will be injected for construction of other buildings during the next three years. The Fiji National University has been contracted to begin the work.--  Based on No:2017/MOI.

 WEEKEND READING. If you have not already done so, read what UN Ambassador Winston Thompson has to say about Fiji's  new international linkages;  what Wadan Narsey has to say about FNPF loans, and what a Lowy Institute writer has to say about "Bainimarama's shadow."

Lockington's Everyday Fiji ... Life Goes On

Allen Lockington is a self-employed customs agent and business consultant who has regular articles published in Fiji. I thank Allen for permission to reprint some of them in this political blog. They remind us that life goes on, whatever the political situation. And it's good to know that.

Management

Here is a suggestion for the Fiji Rugby Union. Please find a CEO who has excellent management skills, is good with finances, and a joy to work with in Human Resources. He must have legendary customer service and know nothing about rugby and cannot be conned.

Fiji Explores its Options: an Interview with UN Ambassador Winston Thompson

Interviewer Eddie Walsh in The Diplomat.

Over the next few months, The Diplomat will be running a series of interviews with Washington DC-based ambassadors on defence, diplomacy, and trade in the Asia-Pacific region. In the second of these interviews, conducted by Washington correspondent Eddie Walsh, Ambassador Winston Thompson of the Republic of Fiji discusses the opportunities and challenges facing his government following the 2006 military coup.October 26, 2011

inShare

Wadan Narsey Criticised FNPF Loans to Air Pacific and Natadola but ...

 ... he doesn't say where else the loan money could or should have come from. A valuable article marred only by Wadan's political agenda.

 
FNPF Bakes Air Pacific Pie-in-the-Sky

October 27, 2011

Pacific Scoop:Analysis – By Dr Wadan Narsey

Two recent media releases indicate that the Fiji National Provident Fund board and management (at the instigation of the military regime) are digging the hole deeper for FNPF, with no accountability to the owners of FNPF and media censorship blocking all public discussion.

Bainimarama's shadow darkens Fiji's economy: a Lowy Institute Assessment

by Danielle Romanes - 27 October 2011

  An informative and useful article. My only question is shouldn't Australiaa take some of the blame for Fiji's economic problems? Ed. 

 

Danielle Romanes is an intern with the Lowy Institute's Myer Foundation Melanesia Program.

Since taking power in 2006 Commodore Frank Bainimarama has made much of his plan to eschew 'neo-colonial' development partners and to adopt a Look North foreign policy premised on engaging emerging economies in the region. While the new relationships are undoubtedly good for Fiji, it's clear that emerging interest in Fiji is too limited to fully rescue its flailing economy.

News and Comments Friday 4 November 2011

WEEKEND READING.  • Allen Lockington Column  • Fiji Explores its Options: UN Ambassador Winston Thompson • Wadan Narsey Criticises FNPF Loans to Air Pacific and Natadola  • Bainimarama's Shadow Darkens Fiji Economy: a Lowy Institute Opinion.

4.11.1  GIVE UNTO CAESAR. The remarks of former Methodist Church President and RFMF Chaplain the 80-year old Rev. Josataki Koroi to ABC Pacific Beat's Bruce Hill are cause for concern on several accounts. The Broadcaster's heading "Fiji Churchman Urges Soldiers Not to Obey Government" was not too far off the mark but why Josateki was now recalling a letter he wrote to Bainimarama five years ago, and what he was actually urging soldiers to do (or not to do) was not altogether clear. His answers to Hill were often a few points off true north.

This is what I think he was saying: The Bainimarama government is illegal. Therefore soldiers are not obliged to follow its orders. Roman rule in Palestine 2000 years ago was legal because Jesus said so.   Soldiers have a duty as Christians to question an order where they may be ordered to shoot at the people. Did he expect this order to be given?  Yes, well, sort of, though Bruce Hill did not pursue this point.

What is the underlying message? The hierarchy of the Methodist Church do not engage in politics. Well, only sort of. The effects of his message?  An even more blurred landscape.

My interpretation of the "Give unto Caesar" retort is that Jesus was cleverly avoiding a trick question by his enemies. His reply was not an endorsement of Rome, or any other unjust "legal" government.

DAVID ROBIE'S OVERDUE AND WELL DESERVED PROMOTION to full professor. The accolades pour in.

AIR PACIFIC AND UNION AGREE. Air Pacific has reached an agreement today announcing a new five year union contract covering the airline’s 254 flight attendants.

The new five year contract to come into effect from December 1, 2011 will avoid redundancies, increase flight attendant base salaries, realign allowances and work rules to increase efficiency and productivity. The union contract will also see flight attendants eligible to earn a premium pay of 125 per cent of their new base pay for any flying over 70 hours per month.

KOREAN INVESTMENT. A Korean company will invest US$5 billion in Fiji mining over the next six  years.  Meanwhile,another Korean company is expected to invest US$32 million in exploring for hydrothermal deposits particularly sea floor massive sulphides in deep seas over a similar period.

SQUATTER UPGADE PROJECT.The Minister for Local Government Col. Samuela Saumatua and his wife will launch the Lagilagi, Jittu. project today. Jittu in Raiwaqa is one of Suva's oldest squatter settlements.

FOREIGN RESERVES. The Reserve Bank describes the $1.5 billion in foreign reserves as adequate.  There has been an improvement in sugar revenue, and while gold production decreased high world prices kept revenue steady. Tourist revenue continues to underpin the economy. (P.S. Thanks to the reader who picked up my error on the size of the reserve. $5 million would be described  as indedequate!)

FIJI HAS WORLD'S LARGEST MAHOGANY PLANTATION. And Public Enterprise Ministry Permanent Secretary Elizabeth Powell says it needs to be protected for future generations.

RURAL ELECTRIFICATION. The Dept of Energy expects an increase it its budgetary allocation when the 20123 Budget is announced next Friday. This year's $3.7m has been spent on stand-alone and FEA projects affecting 1500 households. It hopes to provide 1500 rural homes with solar energy next year.-- Based on No.2013/MOI.

SIX PACIFIC NATIONS (FSM, Nauru, Palau, PNG, Solomons and Fiji) met with US AssSec for East Asian and Pacific Affairs last week to consider ways to "enhance cooperation." Particular attention was given to sustainable fisheries and global warming. -- Based on No.2009/MOI.

REWA MATANIGASAU. The vanua of Narocake, Rewa, will present its matanisagau (apology, for opposing Government) to the PM at Narocake tomorrow. Meanwhile, the High Chief of Rewa Provice Ro Teimumu continues to oppose the Bainimarama Government.

DREAM ON. I think Minister for Works and Transport Col. Timoci Lesi Natuva got a little carried away at the National Transportation Consultative Forum last  Wednesday. Talk about electric-powered taxis and a mono rail from Suva to Lautoka seems rather much for a nation that has not yet provided pothole-free . major highways.

But his suggestion of  ‘cluster system where "Lakeba Island for instance could be a cluster point where all services such as supermarkets, business center, and communication linkage, health services, banks and others made available”seems more immediately practical. And no one could argue with his remarks on the need for more efficient, environmentally friendly transport. -- Based on No. 2011/MOI.

Reserve Bank Survey of Financial Competency in Low Income Households

A national survey on the financial competencies of low income households will be conducted on Viti Levu and Vanua Levu during the month of November 2011. Financial competency comprises the knowledge and skills people have with regard to money and money related activities and the behaviour people adopt.

Commemorating the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty: Government Actions

(Tuesday 1st November 2011, No:1996/PMO)GOVERNMENT SERIOUS IN FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY
In a bid to achieve its goal of reducing poverty to negligible level by 2015 Government has continued to increase its budget allocation for poverty alleviation programs .
 

News and Comments Tuesday November 1, 2011

It's now November!

1.11.11

Welcome to a new month.
Many thanks to my well wishers, and even to the one who, tongue in cheek, said don't worry, we get all the news we want from Sharon and the Fiji Sun, and the other one who said I'd be sorely missed because I was the only person who could make a brutal dictatorship look reasonable.

URAI ARRESTED. There are unconfirmed reports that Daniel Urai has been arrested, rekindled fears of trade union repression.  Here is the ACTU comment. A reader comments: "Hi there Croz,It appears that the military backed regime is at it again –in fact my suspicion is that there has been an on-going undercurrent of threats and intimidation of dissenters together with the detention of those who courageously stand up to the bullying and intimidation.The arrest of the FTUC President is totally unacceptable in this day and age; and should be widely condemned." 

My opinion? Government should not have passed the Essential Industries Decree. It was quite unnecessary and has stirred up a hornet's nest. But Urai and other several other trade unionists took an anti-government stance from the start and have done nothing to improve their relations with Government (or Government, for that matter, with the unions.) The Public Emergency Regulations should be lifted, and perhaps they would have been but for the ongoing actions of people like Urai, but Urai's comments in Australia were clearly in breach of PER. But he has been muzzled in Fiji. What else could he do?  His arrest was an inevitable outcome of these events. And so the story continues with no end in sight unless both parties sit down and talk over their differences. But ...

POSTSCRIPT. Police have finally confirmed (No.MOI 1991) that Urai has been "taken in for questioning" as part of "ongoing criminal investigations" and charges will be laid soon. There will be no further announcements until the investigation is complete.

CONSULTATIONS WITH BUSINESS. Last week's consultation took place between the Commerce Commission and business people. They were held primarily to listen to the business sector on how the Commission could work with them to not only comply with the Commerce Commission Decree 2010, but also to ensure business activity was promoted for the broader good of the country.The forum discussed the apparently "major increase in cases of unfair trading practices" and the ultimate lifting of price controls.Further consultations will take place soon in the West and North. Great! The Commission is setting an example to other branches of government that should be holding more consultations, with the trade union movement and NGOs, for example.

UNIVERSAL PENSIONS NEEDED. Senior citizens are calling for immediate introduction of Universal Social Pension Scheme.This was recommended during the talks on the Draft National Policy Framework on Ageing and Elderly at the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing discussions. FCOSS director Hasan Khan says a social pension scheme would be in line with the National Framework on Elderly and Ageing, and help elderly people who do not have FNPF or receive any other forms of assistance.

UN AMBASSADOR WINSTON THOMPSON  discusses the opportunities and challenges facing the county. I will publish the interview in full in next Weekend Readings.

QANTAS PLANES GROUNDED. Air Pacific  has not been affected.
 
MASSIVE JOB LOSSES IF MECHANIZATION GOES AHEAD. The moderate anti-government blog  FijiToday says it "has been reliably informed that FSC has a plan in place for fully mechanised harvesting of sugar cane from next season. This will make redundant 80% of the present cane-cutting crews. A fleet of 4WD 30 tonne bin trucks will be purchased to transport the cane to the mills. This will replace the current truck and train system.

Fiji Sugar Marketing Company Limited (FSM), Sugar Cane Grower Council (SCGC) and the Fiji Sugar Commission (FSC) has been dissolved as part of the restructure."

They further speculate that "The sugar unions will be included under the essential industries decree immediately after the end of this sugar season and before these announcements are made."

Note: Cane-cutting crews are recruited over a large area, mainly from inland Fijian villages. The loss of these jobs will be a major blow to precarious inland economies where, contra wise, Government has been trying to improve basic infrastructure. The FSC plans, if true, should synchronize and not compete with Government initiatives.  But most of all, consultations are needed with those most affected.

A LAW SOCIETY CONVENTION planned for later this month has been forbidden under the PER regulations. Surely PER, if it really is needed, can be implemented less clumsily. Why not let the convention proceed, with whatever restrictions are deemed essential, and monitor its proceedings. In the first few years after the 2006 the Law Society, with a far from "clean" record itself,  was outspoken in its opposition to Government.  It's now time for both parties to move on.

TUVALU WATER. A Fiji ship, holding 450,000 litres of fresh water, has arrived in Funafuti. To date NZ desalination plants have built up a reserve of 1½ million litres of water stored in Tuvalu government and council water tanks on Funafuti and a Red Cross desalination units on Nukulaelae are producing just over 3,000 litres of water a day.