pn923. Fiji Government withholding money from USP morally wrong

Whatever the rights or wrongs aimed at the administration of former USP Vice-Chancellor Professor Rajesh Chandra or those aimed at his successor  Professor Pal Ahluwalia,  the action of the Fiji Government in withholding its financial contribution to the university since 2020, now totalling F$78.4 million, cannot be condoned.  Other regional goverrnment, Australia and NZ are paying to support the education of Fiji students and their government is paying nothing!

I believe all who cherish academic freedom, free speech and fair play will support the appeal to PM Voqere Bainimarama by the university's staff  unions to "abide by and honour the decision of the Fijian Parliament that approved the USP Grants for 2020, 2021 and 2022 totalling $78.4 million and to pay its obligation and to bring this matter to closure..."

pn887. Fiji Elections. The Choice: "Two old men" or Prasad and Rabuka

With elections due any time after the end of next month, the political scene in Fiji is heating up.

Bainimarama and Sayed-Khaiyum's Fiji First have released a budget set to win support by removing many food and household items from paying VAT and increasing the national minimum wage. (see pn885) but this has been criticized by the National Federation Party whose leader Biman Prasad said it was too little too late. 

pn796. Fiji Government's Massive Over-reaction to publication of ethnicity data in HIES survey

 

The dismissed CEO

Who would have thought that the publication of the results of a Household Income and Expenditure Survey would result in the dismissal of the CEO of the Bureau of Statistics and an outcry by opposition political parties, trade unions and NGOs?   

But this is exactly what has happened. 

The Minister of Economy and Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has dismissed CEO Kemueli Naiqama, allegedly for using shakey sampling methods and then releasing income data which, among other things, showed differences in poverty levels by race/ethnicity.' (Confirmation of dismissal.)

One has to ask whether it was a concern about the methodology,  the mention of race, or the findings which could be seen to reflect poorly on government that was his major concern. The AG is no statistician but he is certainly a powerful and very prickly politician.

pn787. Fiji Snippets: Claims SODELPA in disarray, Law Society attacks Sayed-Khaiyum, Covid Update

 

SODELPA  IN  'DISARRAY'  

Mosese Bulitavu, the opposition SODELPA MP who has supported government on the 2021/2022 National Budget and the Bill to Amend the iTaukei Land Trust Act, says the party is in disarray, with a minority supporting party leader Viliami Gadovi and a majority supporting Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu.  He claims there are about 60 complaints before the SODELPA Board, the party has no general election or budget plan, and the minority and unelected are trying to control the party. Bulitavu's statement has been denied by General Secretary Lenaitasi Duru.  

pn613. Fiji Snippets, including allegations the A-G made bombs in 1987

• 

  Masi (tapa) dress design
  

  There are demands the Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum should step down after allegations that he was involved in making homemade bombs after the 1987 Coup that killed one person . It seems strange it's taken so long for this allegation to surface.  Click here
• It has been 20 years since the attempted mutiny at the QEB. 
• From January 2019 to August 2020, there were 187 breast cancer cases recorded in Fiji. 
• Water Authority of Fiji CEO Barry Omundson says increasing demand on ageing infrastructure and increasing population are causing constant water disruptions.