pn951. Three parties with their pants in a twist: What Green party Tamantha Paul actually said

UPDATE 3/4/25. Excellent historical overview of police-Māori relations

Read this

UPDATE. Support for Tamantha.

Read this

ACT, Labour and National all got  their pants in a twist and completely misrepresented what Tamantha Paul actually said about the police. 

 She said:

“Wellington people do not want to see police officers everywhere, for a lot of people it makes them feel less safe, because ... it’s that kind of constant visual presence that tells you that you might not be safe, therefore here’s heaps of cops.

She was not talking about the police in general as these politicians would have you believe but about the heavy patrol beats which could intiminate some members of the public, and how they diverted police attention from other things. "The cost of those beat patrols is that it’s taking resource away from actual genuine family violence callouts and sexual violence callouts.”

Talking to ZB, Paul said the comments came from a number of conversations she had with Wellingtonians who were concerned beat patrols were tce callouts.

“I think it’s reasonable to want to address the drivers of crime rather than having police officers at the bottom of the cliff responding to those drivers of crime.

“It’s more poverty in our communities, more drug use in our communities and greater mental health need. That’s what drives crime. If we can attack those drivers and focus our resources there, then there isn’t going to be a need for beat patrols in the first places.

Hipkins misses the plot

Labour's  Hipkins said, “Tamatha Paul's comments were ill informed, were unwise, in fact, were stupid”. Asked specifically what was stupid, Hipkins said, “it was those comments where she was saying that people felt safer with seeing gang members, patched gang members on the street, compared to seeing police on the street”.

 But it was not Paul who made that comment, said Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick. “I think that people may be confusing the comments of two of our different Māori MPs there.”It was Green MP Kahurangi Carter in July last year.

ACT

ACT Police spokesperson Todd Stephenson said Paul had “spent so much time hanging out with radical left-wing student groups that she’s got law and order completely backwards”.

National

The Prime Minister said Paul was in "la-la land".

But none of these leaders actually addressed what Paul had said.

She was, hower, not uncritical of police.

"I'm not surprised that people are upset that a young, brown woman is being critical of an institution that has let her and her communities down for a very long time," she told RNZ.

- ACW

Sugar and Water, Loan Okay But No More, Inflation Up, Policeman Jailed, PM in Jakarta, Supermarkets Fined

N0306. SUGAR AND WATER. What with the meteoric rise in the price of sugar, due to it being imported from Thailand, and Lautoka and parts of the West being without water for 37 hours,  it's not been good news from Fiji this week. The worst part, for those without water, seems to have been that the Water Authority did not keep them informed of what was happening once their announced original 14 hours shutdown for repairs went on and on. Engineers have been working round the clock to fix the problem.  With luck, water should be back on by now.  The shutdown was to allow work on the upgrade of the Kashmir Reservoir to ensure sufficient pressure to supply areas that had received intermittent supply over the past few years. Eight schools were closed and angry parents, inconvenienced by the shutdown, said the Water Authority should have ensured schools were not affected.

N0307.  USP ECONOMIST ON THE $500m BOND LOAN. The Fiji Times has published another short piece on USP's last week's panel discussion the bond issue. Economist Dr Tiru Jayaraman  thought Fiji wise not to have accepted the IMF terms for a loan because this would have meant the too-early closure of non-viable public enterprises, having a balanced budget, reducing debt levels and operational costs. The global global bond issue had spared Government and the IMF of all these. But the need for reforms is still there, he said, with Fiji needing self-regulation and self-control.

Fiji's total debt is 75.9% of the gross domestic product (as of 2010). Government's expenditure is about 28.5% of the GDP with capital expenses only making up 5.9%. The trade imbalance is about $726million.

The economist advised the country to draw a timeline on the implementation of the reforms, analyze the effectiveness of the first (Qarase) global bond issue, and  independently analyse the Asian Development Bank and IMF loans once projects were completed. He also recommended the strengthening of external debt recording management system.

He said the repayment of the $500m second global bond issue in 2016 should be from Fiji's own foreign exchange reserves and not by another bond issue or an IMF loan. "The second bond should put an end to all bonds," he said. "Second bond should be the mother of all bonds."

N0308. INFLATION ROSE in February to 7.6%, mainly due to the increase in fuel and wheat products and the higher Value Added Tax rate.

N0309. COP JAILED FOR TWO YEARS. A Labasa police officer has  been jailed for two years four months for corrupt conduct, having been found guilty of seven counts of obtaining corrupt benefits in the sum of $307 from a Labasa businessman.

He is the fourth officer to be sacked in the Northern Division over the past week. The other officers were dismissed following convictions for assault.

N0310. PM IN JAKARTA. The PM will open the new Fiji Embassy in Jakarta today. The initiative is part of Government's Look North policy which is intended to reduce it dependence on traditional sources of aid, investment and co-operation such as Australia and New Zealand.

N0311. DIRTY TRICKS.  Three Suva supermarkets, taking advantage of the shortage of sugar, have been fined for forcing customers to buy groceries if they wanted to buy sugar from their shops.

Beware Palm Oil, Chinese Investment, Equip Police, No Sugar

N0300. BEWARE PALM OIL. The Malaysian Trade Mission visit concerning  the possible development of a palm Oil industry in Fiji should, in this writer's opinion,  be viewed with extreme concern. Oil palm estates I've seen in Johor, Malaysia, and Sumatra in Indonesia showed total replacement of native forests and lost habitat for indigenous animals, and large swathes of exposed sub-soils. Government wishes to bring more land into production in a sustainable manner is, of course, highly commendable, but if SE Asia's record is anything to go by, oil palm is not the way to go without extreme caution and a mountain of safeguards. There are safer and more sustainable uses to which Fiji's presently unproductive land can be put.

A Government release on Wednesday (No:0760/MOI) said "The core land area [the Malaysian] investors are looking at this to begin their business and achieve economies of scale is 30,000 hectares of land, probably in Lomaivuna. “I don’t see any problem with that given that we have land bank with the department of land,” said a Government spokesperson. “They are not only looking at bio-fuel, they are also looking at other downstream processes, to use the product from palm oil for other things. This an opportunity for Fiji to generate income and of course with the incentives we have, we will attract more investments in Fiji.” The semi-permanent of lease of land under land bank legislation raises further concerns: What incentives? What monitoring of the use of the land during the lease period? Lomaivuna has a rich agricultural history. Is there no better and safer use of its land than oil palm? See also this critical article in the Fiji Times.

N0301. CHINESE CASH AND LAND SETTLEMENT. In what must be a record, barely one month after application.  China's Quantum Fiji Limited has been granted rights to proceed with property and property development in Fiji, that includes timber logging and processing, hotel operations, and commercial farming.  The investment project is  estimated to be worth F$60 million with F$35 million allocated for the first phase of development which involves the purchase of land, development of infrastructure, construction, planning and promotional activities for hotel operation.

 The second stage of F$25 million investment will be geared towards the development of the commercial farm.The investors are expected to collaborate with the China Agricultural University in Beijing and experts in agricultural to set up a service organization that will provide modern commercial agricultural technologies and related services to its clients. Other developments expected to be undertaken by Quantum Fiji Limited include a hotel, residential area, and biological farm area.

The new operation is expected to boost investment in the Agriculture, Tourism and Services sector and provide employment to locals.

N0302. GIVE POLICE THE TOOLS TO DO THE JOB.  This comment from a reader about the absence of information on the law:

"How may the Fiji Police apply the Law if they do not know what it is? Why are there not copies of these decrees available in each and every Community Police Post and Police Station? With these decrees should be the Section of the Crimes Decree which applies to Arrest Procedures, Court Procedures and - just as important - a copy of the Fiji Police Regulations which each officer must show he fully knows and understands. No copy of the regulations is available at our local post in the West. We checked three days ago. The Domestic Violence Decree requires considerable Police discretion. The Child Welfare Decree is Mandatory for reporting in certain sections. It is binding on many professionals and even on individuals in particular places: government departments, Health Centres, Social Welfare etc. If children are abused, it is no longer good enough to "walk on by". It is MANDATORY to report that a child is being abused. All Police Officers must now and fully comprehend their role.

The Fiji Public must be diligent in knowing the law. Crimes against Humanity like rape are not reconcilable and they are to remand those charged. We happen to know of at least three persons charged with rape who are on bail. One has not reported on bail conditions since May 2009. He is working at Denarau Island when last located. No Bench Warrant has been issued and the local police have been trying to "Pass the Buck" (to the Magistrate who bailed him - no longer serving). THIS WILL NOT DO.

N0303. SAVE OUR SOULS SUGAR. The Fiji Sugar Corporation has negotiated a sweet deal in sugar sold to UK buyer Tate and Lyle, paving the way and providing a powerful incentive for growers to invest in the crop.

FSC Executive chairman  Abdul Khan said Tate and Lyle had agreed to a "price is significantly better than what has been paid in the past. Negotiations with the UK buyer began over a month ago with the FSC adamant that if a better price was not achieved, Fiji would be looking at other markets such as Japan and Korea who are very interested in Fiji sugar. A surge in global demand for has resulted in an increase in the global sugar price increasing by as much as 50%. It is hoped grower confidence in the industry will be boosted with the increase and the announcement that 40% of mill maintenance work has been completed.

Incredibly, Fiji has had to import 10,000 tonnes of sugar from Thailand this year to meet local demand before the crushing season. The price  paid was around $2,000 per tonne.FSC exports this year averaged less than a $1,000 per tonne.

An unscheduled posting on the Reserve Bank's monetary policy and assessment of the economy will be posted at noon tomorrow,Tuesday.

Discussion in Fiji, Silence in NZ; Police Getting Serious; Election Groundwork Needed Now; Focus

WEEKEND READING ♦ Allen Lockington Column  ♦ People's Charter Pillar 5 (Achieving Higher Economic Growth): For Discussion  ♦ Is the PNG Land Grab Relevant to Fiji?

Photo: The University of the South Pacific Laucala Bay campus was built on the RNZF base for Sunderland flying boats which were then the only way to reach many islands in the region by air. The road on the left is Queen Elizabeth Drive that now dissects the upper and lower campus,  and the one from top to bottom of the photo is Laucala Bay Road.

N0292. PUBLIC DISCUSSION IN FIJI .  Restrictions on open debate could be improving in Fiji despite the retention of PER, the emergency regulations.  On Wednesday, USP held a public forum on the large loan recently taken out by Government, Fiji’s Second International Bond Issue. Speakers included Filimone Waqabaca (Ministry of Finance), Dr Mahendra Reddy (Fiji National University), Prof. Warden Narsey (USP), Norman Wilson (ANZ) & Dr. T.K Jayaraman (USP). Notable is the inclusion of Prof Wadan Narsey, a well known  government opponent. The audience would have heard more than one side of the argument.

My understanding is that the Fiji Times taped the debate so we may see something of what was said in the print media. They published a short item today with arguments for (Waqabaca) and against (Narsey). Hopefully, more will follow. 

Biased Reporting in New Zealand
Radio NZ International, however, mentioned only Narsey's position: "Fiji's interim administration is being criticised for burdening future generations with debt after raising about 250 million US dollars in foreign bonds."   This overtly biased reporting on Fiji is now standard fare (unfair) for RNZI. Witness Johnny Blades's report on the Melanesian Spearhead Group meeting published earlier today (N0290) that made no reference to the leaders' support for Fiji's reforms and elections in 2014, and compare with the report by Radio Australia.

Radio NZI and its reporters need to remind themselves that New Zealanders pride themselves on fair play. On-going, one-eyed, biased reporting is not fair play. One wonders why they are doing this? Is it because the State broadcaster, in today's difficult economic environment, fears funding cuts unless it kowtows to government policies?

N0293. POLICE GETTING SERIOUS ABOUT CLEANING UP THEIR ACT. Three policemen have been sacked in the Northern Division  this week. A Police headquarters spokesman said: "The consequence of abuse of power by law enforcers shows how serious the new administration is about the rightful use of power vested in the officers.We want to make Fiji a safe and secure place. We want people to place their trust and faith in the Police Force. We can't have the same people in the Police Force who have threatened and abused people. We will not condone such cases."

Fiji Today, the only moderate anti-government blog, had this heading today: "Rumor says that the Police Force has set up an Internal Investigation Unit that is operating behind the scences to reduce curruption in the police force. This force needs to be cleaned up if it is to have any credibility in the eyes of the public."

N0294. CRITICAL GROUNDWORK FOR ELECTION 2014 DATE MUST START NOW.
The Citizens’ Constitutional Forum is encouraged by the confirmation of the 2014 election timeline by Government (Fiji Village 30/3/11) and wishes to highlight that even prior to the event, the State, Civil Societies and all the key stakeholders need to start addressing the critical preparatory groundwork now.

“Going by best practices experiences of recent history of transitional governments similar to our experience, it has shown that prior to the elections itself critical landmarks such as dialogue on key issues including the Constitution, Electoral Reform and ongoing public consultation and dialogue at all levels needs to start now for a sustainable transition,” states Reverend Akuila Yabaki.

He added that, “All stakeholders need to be engaged in some critical dialogue on the processes and the content of the Constitution.”

With regard to “ironclad assurances” by the Foreign Minister, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, on the timelines towards 2014, Reverend Yabaki “finds this warmly reassuring and strongly recommends that a good first step would be the lifting of PER.” -- CCF Press Release.

N0295.  FOCUS is the Government newsletter published in English, Fijian and Hindi. The latest issue has, as might be expected, a swag of articles on government's development initiatives,  but it also has letters to the editor, an extensive list of government job vacancies, information on the Order of Fiji, and lots of photos.

If you are interested in  having a look, it may be downloaded from the Government website by  clicking here.

Speight of Rumours

Photo: Janus, the Roman  god of gates, doors, doorways, beginnings, endings and time.

N0168  by Crosbie Walsh

February must be the rumour season in Fiji, such has been the spate of stories of arrests, detentions and manhandling that have hit the blog and international media airwaves in the past two to three weeks.

I'm not sure how complete my list is but Felix Chaudhary was the first journalist to be "taken to the barracks" this year.  He was released the same day and did not report ill-treatment. Then there were stories of the arrests of  Felix Anthony, Maika Namudu and 'two  (unnamed) politicians.' The blogs reported that Anthony and Namudu were beaten up and required hospital treatment. This was followed by the Sam Speight and  Apisai Tawake stories that were taken up in interviews by ABC's Pacific Beat interviewer Bruce Hill. Both admitted to what would be seen as anti-government activities and both claimed ill treatment.

More puzzling is last Wednesday's  story that three high ranking military officers who supported the 2006 coup — Ratu David Mara, Pita Driti and Mohammed Aziz — have been arrested on the strength of a story by conman Ben Padarath who claimed to have evidence that they had approached the President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau to replace Bainimarama. It appears that there is an investigation into an attempt to remove the government last year but it is not clear who is suspected. No one has been charged with anything so I assume the police  are still investigating.

No doubt the truth or otherwise of these stories will eventually  be revealed. I shall reserve fuller comment until more is known.  For the moment I'll restrict my comments to general remarks on the detentions, the Speight detention, and the reporting of the detentions, most especially by Amnesty International NZ.

On Detentions 

The Public Emergency Regulations (PER) give the police and military extra-ordinary powers  that include the arrest and detention of anyone suspected of threatening public security and anti-government activities.  I have previously argued that unless there is a genuine threat to public order, PER should be lifted, and other measures taken to maintain public order. There seems little doubt that a primary purpose of PER is intimidatory; a simple way to prevent the mobilisation of anti-government elements.

But there really could be very real threats to public order (if the anti-government bloggers are to be believed), and for this reason the continuation of PER may be necessary. No government anywhere would leave itself unprotected when its opponents have threatened violence and targeted assassinations.  But this does not mean that detentions should be unregulated, and the methods of interrogations left to the whims of individual officers.

The military seems to have assumed the role of political police, leaving the police force to deal with ordinary civil offences. From what one can gather, most of those detained have probably breached the emergency regulations. If this is so, their detention is understandable and acceptable. Several aspects of the detentions, however, are not acceptable because they breach minimal standards of justice for the persons interrogated and because they inevitably backfire on Government, making many doubt its sincerity of working towards a better Fiji.

To protect the individual and the state, standards similar to those listed below should be implemented:

1. Initial interrogations must take place at a police station and the detention, its cause and the names of all parties involved, must be recorded. Only in extreme cases should subsequent interrogations take place at a military barracks;
2. Those interrogated must be formally charged if they are detained for more than 24 hours, or if they are taken to a military barracks, and they must be able to inform their kin of their whereabouts;
3. All interrogations must be witnessed by an independent and respected observer who does not belong to the military or the police, such as a lawyer, religious official, senior teacher or NGO leader. The names of witnesses should be recorded;
4. Details of all detentions must be reported to the Chief Justice (or his nominee), and his advice taken on appropriate legal action;
5. No detainee should be physically manhandled;
6. The physical condition of released detainees  should be certified by a qualified medical practitioner;
7. Detainees must have the power of legal redress if any of these conditions are not observed;
8. The media or any other interested party has the right to enquire into and report on detainments if they have first sought the advice of the Chief Justice's office and if they comply in full with the conditions of the Media Decree.

Ardent government supporters may think these conditions overly favour detainees. I would argue that the absence of such conditions plays into the hands of those opposing government, and that adherence to these guidelines and greater transparency will win support for Government.

The Detention of Sam Speight

Sam Speight Junior, alias Samasoni Tikonisau, is the brother of George Speight who was the frontsman  for the 2000 coup that overthrew the elected FLP-led government of Mahendra Chaudhry. He was also a cabinet minister in Laisenia Qarase's SDL government, and a supporter if not a member of the extremist (and racist) CAMV party that dissolved to form part of that government.

He was detained at the SDL headquarters in downtown Suva by the military on the evening of Monday 21 February, taken to Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Nabua, interrogated at 3am Wednesday morning, when he was allegedly severely beaten up,  and released on Thursday at 10:30 pm when he walked to the CWM Hospital for treatment. On Friday he flew to Brisbane, received further medical treatment, and was interviewed by ABC's Pacific Beat radio journalist Bruce Hill at 5:34 pm EST the same day. Hill's interview (click here) would appear to be the most reliable source of events. Other reports include the anti-government blog Fiji Today, Radio New Zealand   and the Australian Network News  all of which report Amnesty International NZ's reaction to the Speight detention. There has been no mention of the detention  by the Fiji media and governnment has apparently refused comment.

Questions on the Speight Story and the role of Amnesty International NZ 

Two questions need to be asked about these events. First, how accurate are Speight's and his supporters' accounts of what happened? Secondly,what steps did Amnesty International NZ take to ensure their accuracy before condemning the military's alleged actions?

First, the Speight interview and other reports.  There would appear to be a number of inconsistencies in these reports.  Speight told Bruce Hill that he was detained because of a DVD found at the SDL office made by the "freedom community in Australia"" (Tui Savu's Fiji Democracy and Freedom Movement.)  Speight said the  DVD was received in December last year, and it concerned "truths" leading up to and around the time of the Bainimarama coup in 2006.  Speight said he'd helped to distribute the DVD, which is in Fijian, to rural Fijian villages, but he claimed to be unclear of its contents, which seems strange, and he also said he was unclear how he had broken the PER regulations by distributing the DVD, which is stranger still.  Others say the DVD revealed far more recent "truths" about the Bainimarama government than the events of  2006. Given the difficulty in keeping any major happening a secret in Fiji, it is also strange that Government remained unaware of the widely-distributed DVD for nearly two months.

It would seem Speight was first interrogated on Wednesday at 3am, two days after his detention (although this is not altogether clear from what he told Hill) when he  said "they took me from the cell, got me to crawl and into the interrogating room and tactics were used to kind of extract information further regarding the disk." Asked about the extent of his injuries, he said, "Well, basically bruising to the face and all that and swelling on my head and on sprained fingers which they tried to sort of bend back to get information, use of the pain and overall body aches and all of that, yeah." I do not dispute the likelihood that he was assaulted but his account is surprisingly vague on the "tactics" used given that Amnesty International claims he was repeatedly "beaten until he lost consciousness" and others claim he was "kicked and beaten with rifle butts."  Why did Speight not provide these important details in the Hill interview, and where, if not from Speight,  did others obtain these stories?

Events following his release at 10.30pm on Wednesday also raise questions. Why did he walk to the CWM Hospital instead of taking a taxi home or to the hospital? How could a severely injured man (who later, we are told, needed urgent medical treatment in Australia) walk five kilometres at night time to the hospital?  Why did his relatives not have him inspected by a medical doctor to assess and record the extent of his injuries?  Was he whisked so quickly to Australia  for his personal safety and for medical treatment, as is claimed, or were there other reasons? What further treatment was needed in Brisbane? And why in Suva or Brisbane was he not photographed to provide evidence of his ill-treatment? In the absence of medical information from Suva or Brisbane, or photographs of his injuries, his story will be seen by many as politically motivated exaggeration.

This brings up an equally important question: the role of Amnesty international NZ in disseminating information and protesting his detention and treatment. Most people see AI as an independent  and outspoken critic of political torture and abuse by oppressive governments worldwide. With their endorsement, Speight's story will be taken by many as fact.

But where, and from whom, did they obtain their facts of  his "severe beatings amounting to torture"? Did they talk with Speight? Did they listen to his Hill interview? Did they check with their Fiji counterpart organization? Did they ask whether his story or, more likely, the story relayed to them by his family and SDL supporters,  could be politically motivated,  as Hill did? What measures did they take to ensure its accuracy? Did they consult several sources to cross-check for inconsistencies? Why did they report the story they were told without questioning its plausibility, imprecisions, inconsistencies and likely motivation?

I am saddened to say that this is not the first time Amnesty International NZ  has jumped in to take a partisan stance on Fiji. We know some things in Fiji are not as we might hope but their accusations would be more believable if they were less dramatically expressed  and if they had provided some verifiable evidence to support their allegations.  They should at least have had the honesty to say their sources were anti-government bloggers and similar-minded "activists."

Amnesty International NZ has called on the Fiji government to:

• Immediately stop the arbitrary detention, torture and other ill-treatment of critics and activists;
• Immediately initiate an independent impartial investigation into the arbitrary detention, torture and other ill-treatment of Sam Speight and others, and ensure that those military officers suspected of involvement in these acts, irrespective of rank, are brought to justice;
• Immediately suspend the Public Emergency Regulations;
• End the censorship of the media;
• Ensure that freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly are respected.

Reasonable as these demands may be in ordinary circumstances, Amnesty International needs to recognize that Fiji's current circumstances are not ordinary. Most of the people they cast as villains seek a fairer Fiji stripped of its institutional racism and many of those they rush to protect have far less worthy intentions.  The Fiji situation is volatile. The people detained are few. They are political detentions. The beatings cannot be condoned but beatings have long been used in interrogations in Fiji, and they fall far short of what would usually be considered as torture.

Suva is not Naypyidaw, Yangon or Pyongyang but neither is it Wellington, Christchurch or Auckland.  A slower, more cautious and less hysterical response from this otherwise reputable organization is very much needed.

Ovalau Villages Welcome Developments/Charter, Police Up the Ante, Yellow Ribbon Successes

There will be special posting on the Sam Speight detention and the role of Amnesty International NZ tomorrow.

Photo: Lovoni village, Ovalau. Tannis McCartny.
N0165. OVALAU TURAGA-NI-KORO WELCOME DEVELOPMENTS. Village chiefs told visiting  Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Minister, Dr Jiko Luveni, last week of the positive impact government activities were having on their communities.

Usaia Delai of Vuma village said,  “We appreciate what Government is doing in terms of empowering the people in the rural and outer islands through the free text books and bus fares for the school children. This is something we had been hoping for years until now and we thank the Prime Minister and Dr Luveni for the support shown for children’s education and the financial empowerment of women through income generating programmes.”

Vagadaci village chief Isoa Saqacala echoed similar sentiments, saying that their village has descendants of Solomon islands and part Europeans but they all lived together as a family and assist each other. The Vagadaci and Wailailai communities were very pleased with government efforts to assist the poor and vulnerable in the society.

“We are really happy with the efforts and initiatives of the Government to assist the poor and disabled in the community through the bus fare subsidy and food voucher programme." He also thanked Dr Luveni the sewing machines that will enable them to make school uniforms.

Lovoni village chief Vatusaiuasi Rokoyawa recognised the genuineness of the Bainimarama government from day one when it introduced the Peoples Charter document. “ We were confident they would serve us well and that they were results based,” he said.

“ The people of Lovoni support the People's Charter for we are now seeing the developments around the country. Better services, equal opportunities created for all and initiatives by Prime Minister in terms of education for our children, bus fare subsidy for the children and now for the elderly and disabled will surely go a long way in assisting people improve their living standards. These changes speak of the commitment the Government has for its people.” -- Based on No: 499/MSWWPA.

N0166. POLICE UP THE ANTE. Former Prisons Commissioner and new Police Commissioner Brigadier General Ioane Naivalurua does not mince words. Speaking at a police parade in Labasa last week he told the police officers to give of their best or find alternative employment.

"The best has yet to be seen and I have a simple definition for the word 'best' and that is honest, hard work. That's what 'best' means so if you can't give it, then you better find an alternative or some other form of employment. The people have yet to see the best of the men and women serving the force in the North."

"Fiji deserves the best from you and me. Fiji wants the best from you and me and Fiji demands the best from you and me. I have received queries from some officers asking me when we will slow down. I told them and I am telling you now that there is no slowing down for the force.

"The force is driven by a different kind of vehicle that has a 24/7 fuel with no reverse gear.The force is driven by the fourth and fifth gears only. It is the running gear, so do know there is no slowing down for us like what happens with other vehicles."

In drawing my attention to this article a reader wrote:

"Bula Croz
This guy is the real deal. A Sandhurst lad and, a true Officer and a Gentleman. The changes he made in the prison system are outstanding - wish he could have stayed on for a few more years. Next time you in Fiji visit Naboro prison and learn firsthand from the inmates. The prison officers are very customer service oriented and efficient as well. But don't let me tell you, find out for yourself the changes Naivalurua has made as Prisons Commissioner under the illegal Government, as the Kiwis and Aussies like to refer to us."

N0167. YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAMME STORY. by Sera Whippy (abbreviated).
New lives have evolved through the Yellow Ribbon awareness campaign. One such case is Jone Calevu of Viseisei Village in Vuda who was a proud supporter of the Western Division's first YR campaign in Lautoka.The Divine Security Firm and taxi owner turned a new leaf in life two years ago after living it hard for seven years. He has five children.

"It is very hard when you come out of prison. Facing society is very difficult because they normally treat us differently. With the inception of the Yellow Ribbon project in 2008 many of us re-offenders saw it as an opportunity to gain a second-chance," said Mr Calevu.

"I know what it feels like to be fresh out of prison with no one there and everyone judging you. I know this and I have felt it and I do not want this to be experienced by those who will soon be released," said Mr Calevu.

He and a few other have formed a group called the Lautoka Yellow Ribbon Association which will be jointly aiding the prison authorities in monitoring newly released inmates. "We want to grab these young people and encourage and empower them to turn a new leaf. There is a chance out there for everyone to make a change for the better," he said.

Suspect Arrested, Political Football, Consumers Criticize FEA, Resort Tariffs to Rise

N0068. SUSPECT HUSBAND ARRESTED. Ranjeeta Sharma was found burned to death next to a Huntly road in NZ last week. Soon afterwards, on Friday, her husband Devesh (Daniel) Sharma and their four-year old son flew out to Fiji. A homicide investigation was launched on Saturday in NZ after it was established that Ranjeeta was alive when she was set alight, and that an accelerant was used.

On Monday a special Fiji police team, acting on a tip off from a neighbour, arrested Devesh Sharma in Rakiraki where he had been hiding. Four-year old Akash is being looked after by his mother's relatives. It is understood the Fji Police is working closely with the NZ Police who will seek to extradite Sharma once the summary of facts is heard in a Fiji court. The judge has the authority to order his extradition, under a New Zealand-Fiji agreement. If only the same spirit of co-operation marked the two countries' relationships in other regional organizations and arrangements. Photo: NZ Herald.

N0069. BREAKING RUGBY STORY BROKEN.     This is the story that was syndicated world-wide:  "WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) - The International Rugby Board has threatened to expel Fiji, preventing its participation at this year's World Cup, because the nation's military regime has attempted to depose the entire Fiji Rugby Union."

It now seems this "breaking story" is well and truly  broken.  The IRB did not threaten to expel Fiji; it advised it do nothing until the situation became clearer.  The "military regime" did not attempt to depose the entire Union (Board).  It said it would withhold $3m unless the Board step down.  Once again political capital has been made at the expense of the Fiji Government.

We know the main story.The FRU Board had botched its lottery, moving the $20 goal posts to $10 half way though the game, and some $155,000 of the $350,000 raised from the lottery could not be found. The Commerce Commission cried foul.  Government, the main sponsor, threatened to withhold a $3m grant and said (or ordered, depending on who you're listening to) the FRU Board should resign.  The IRB world body —that had been led to believe this was political interference—  hinted at expulsion. Journalists, with some prompting from the Board that resigned but only temporarily, said it was more than a hint; it was a threat. The IRB says it's coming to Fiji to see for itself.  The PM and the Council of the FRU, that appoints the FRU Board, think this is a good idea.

But not reported in the international media is Council spokesperson and legal adviser Carl Ngamoki-Cameron who said "the  majority of the Council had lost trust and confidence" [in the Board, and that] at the end of the day, the Board is answerable to the FRU Council, not the IRB."

Ngamoki-Cameron said: "These internal democratic mechanisms within the FRU are completely independent of the Fiji Government and whether or not it decides to financially assist the Board of the FRU that has failed to procure adequate funding for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, despite its best efforts. It is unfortunate that the Board has attempted to use the media to resolve internal issues at Rugby House, further eroding the reputation and credibility of Fiji Rugby locally and abroad."

And FRU interim Board chairman Rafaele Kasibulu said there were a lot of misquoted and unfounded reports regarding Fiji’s possible suspension from the IRB. The IRB merely asked to withhold everything that we have going on at the moment.”

Conclusion? There was no political interference.  Someone in Suva, to exonerate himself, and someone in Auckland, for the sake of another good story,  knew this, but they went ahead regardless. It doesn't take a private eye to work out who spread the inaccurate story. The impartial Pacific Media Centre is well worth reading.

N0070. CONSUMER COUNCIL CRITICIZE FEA. The Consumer Council has criticized the Fiji Electricity Authority for cutting off power to customers, mainly in rural areas, who had no way of knowing their bills were in arrears. Consumer Council CEO  Premila Kumar said it is unacceptable for FEA to charge pre-pay customers for an error they are responsible for.

N0071. RESORT TARIFF TO INCREASE. Fiji's heavily discounted tourist accommodation tariffs may be about the end as the industry continues to attract large tourist numbers. Outrigger on the Lagoon Manager Peter Hopgood believes that all hotels and resorts around the country need to increase their rates and other charges to reflect the unique product Fiji has to offer. His resort that has had 75-100% occupancy, will increase its rates by 10% from April. Sad as they are, the Queensland floods are also likely to benefit Fiji tourism.

Naivalurua, Fact and Speculation; Ratu Joni Needed in Fiji, if only by E-mail

NAIVALURUA: OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT & MORE BLOG SPECULATION.
Ioane Naivalurua (photo) has just signed his contract with the Public Service Commission today, so he's likely to be Police Commissioner until September 2013, but CoupFourPointFive obviously doesn't think he'll last that long.

It says he's on Bainimarama's hit list — "It is widely believed Bainimarama doesn't want Naivalurua presiding over both [prisons and the police] because he wields too much power and is therefore a threat."

Despite the blog's forewarning, PSC chairman Josefa Serulagilagi said Government was grateful to have a highly motivated, experienced and dedicated officer such as Brigadier General Naivalurua assume the role of Commissioner of Police.

“This is a very critical position in the public service, which not only demands exceptional leadership qualities and skills but also someone who is prepared to go that ‘extra mile’ in our quest for changes and reforms to build public institutions that are strong, professional, accountable and most of all entirely committed to bringing about improved efficiencies in their operations and service deliveries,” he said, adding that the Commissioner "meets these requirements given his 31 years of service in the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and in the last four years the excellent work he did in the Fiji Prisons and Correctional Services.”

For his part, Naivalurua said he had "settled in the job well and had received tremendous support from within the force as well and its stakeholders in turning around the work culture, performance and professionalism in the institution to meet the expectations of Government and the people of Fiji." -- Based on 2011, No:0011/MOI).

CoupFourPointFive, however, claims that "rank and file officers have fed Coupfourpointfive with material they say proves Naivalurua is corrupt." Well! Well! We know there are some corrupt police officers and that it is part of Naivalurua's brief to ferret them out. One cannot help but wonder whether the blog's informants are trying to get their punch in first. The rank and file officers should offer the condemning material to a safe and neutral party so that others may assess its plausibility.

Given the growing list of misinformation regarding appointments and resignations from the CoupFourPointFive blog, one must also ask what steps it takes to ensure the reliability of its information — and why it never corrects its errors when proved wrong.

One further point for the blog editors. They claimed in the same posting that PSC Permanent Secretary, Parmesh Chand, has resigned. "Sources have told us that he has, as we tipped earlier, vacated the post." I checked with the PSC Information Officer. She replied: "Bula Mr Walsh, No he hasn’t. He's still at the job."

He could, of course, resign some time in the future, but what is so sinister about this? I do remember in talking to him last year he was very concerned about the travel bans as they affected his family. He thought it unfair that the bans should apply to career public servants who had nothing to do with the military or the coup. If he does resign, CoupFourPointFive should at least visit the possibility that this could be the reason.

CONGRATULATIONS TO RATU JONI. Radio Fiji reports that former Vice President and High Court Judge Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi has been bestowed the title of Lord Madraiwiwi Tangatatonga by King George Tupou V of Tonga. As a law lord he will provide legal advice to the King and be responsible for the settlement of disputes over noble titles. Ratu Joni is currently serving in the Solomon Islands as one of the two International Commissioners with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.  His service to Tonga will be provided mainly by e-mail.

For all of Bainimarama's  doubts about this man (and his of the Bainimarama Government)  he is, in my view, ironically one of the few people who has sufficient knowledge and mana  to ensure that Fiji not only gets to 2014 with the People's Charter principles in tact, but also ensure the principles are embedded permanently in  Fiji society.

Despite their obvious differences, Fiji would benefit if both men would step back from their former positions and explore the principles they share in common.

Unfortunately, “History teaches us that men and nations behave wisely once they have exhausted all other alternatives.” (Abba Eban).

Military Corporate Plan, Police, NZ's Pacific Policy, Trees and Renewable Energy, More Wikileaks

ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME. Cde Bainimarama has made an announcement that's sure to be misinterpreted by his detractors overseas. "The military", he said, "are now working towards finalising a corporate plan that will guide how we will integrate our roles into the Charter.” The corporate plan will help guide the military to align its activities with those of the People’s Charter for Change, Peace and Progress, and so assist the Charter's implementation. This is the RFMF’s first-ever corporate plan. Why and why now, it will be asked. There is a simple answer.

All government ministries, departments and agencies now have corporate plans, each with targets aligned to implementing the Charter, and regular meetings are held with the Strategic Framework for Change committee to report on progress. In this way coordination is promoted and all branches of government are held accountable. The military corporate plan is merely the last card in the pack.

In making the announcement to senior officers at the QEB on Friday, Bainimarama said

“We have been through a lot as an institution. We were rejected, ridiculed and mocked for our belief and stance taken in the drafting and campaign for the Charter. I’m proud to say the majority in our nation have supported the document as the way forward and I thank all of you.

"The challenge in 2011 is for us to ensure that we maintain our stance and work towards the successful implementation of the Charter and to achieve its goals. Let’s all work together in making Fiji a better place for our future generations.”  -- Based on 2010, No:2208/MOI.


NEW POLICE BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN. Newly appointed Police Commissioner Brig.Gen.Iowane Naivalurua and senior police and prison officers have been visiting the country's police stations to inspect progress on projects and talk with the police and their families.  Last week they toured the Western Division where they congratulated officers for their hard work and commended their families for their enormous support. This week they held parades for the Eastern and Southern region and on Friday they visited the Northern Division. -- Based on 2010, No:2204/MOI.

NZ PACIFIC POLICY. Parliament’s foreign affairs committee has released what its chairman John Hayes called "the most significant review of NZ’s relationships with its Pacific neighbours in more than 25 years", following an inquiry requested by the government. Recommendations include an increased focus of NZ’s $600m aid funds on the Pacific region "rather than spreading our efforts too widely and too thinly"; greater attention to the needs of "realm-of-NZ entities" Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau, as well as Polynesia and Kiribati; a concerted effort to improve delivery of health, education, infrastructure and law and order services to communities of people with NZ citizenship; and an annual parliamentary dialogue dedicated to Pacific issues.

A MILLION TREES.  The sceptics were doubtful but with four months still to go the Plant a Million Tree Campaign has passed its target of a million trees in a year. Permanent Secretary Fisheries and Forests Cde Viliame Naupoto described the journey as amazing. Villages, towns, cities, corporate bodies and government officials have been involved.  Everyone has joined in — even the tourism industry as part of the 'Clean Me, Green Me, Fiji Me' national low carbon travel and tourism sector initiative.Schools and tertiary institutions planted 15,485 trees, and the Western division led with over 220,000 trees planted. -- Based on 2010, No:2146/MOI.

RENEWABLE ENERGY TARGET. Fiji aims to produce 90% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020 to lessen its dependence on petroleum products for the sake of the economy and the environment. The figure at present is 66%, mainly from hydro, with smaller inputs from wind, biomass, solar energy and bio-diesel from coconuts. With the transport sector using 40% of all fuel imports, it is also hoped more vehicles will switch to bio-fuels.

Fiji has numerous rivers that are potential sources of hydroelectricity; its prevailing SE Trade winds may be harnessable for wind energy; an average of ten hours of daily sunshine is a potential source of solar energy, and geothermal energy has local possibilities. The big question, though, is not the presence of the potential but its costs and the costs of maintenance. -- Based  on 2010, No: 2089/MOI.

MORE WIKILEAKS

QARASE-BAINIMARAMA WELLINGTON MEETING 29 NOVEMBER 2006. NZ admits some Bainimarama demands valid. Wants Qarase flexibility.

NZ WARNS VOQERE AND MARY BAINIMARAMA NOVEMBER 2006

NZ, US PREPARE FOR COUP.

NO HOPE FROM AUSTRALIA. A reader attached this SMH article to his email which read: "Hello Croz,This is stunning stuff, proof of a severe long- term split in the ranks of Australian Labor over Fiji. Deserves the widest coverage.

It's clear that their Pacific minister had no hope of bulldozing a sensible outcome through the Rudd-block and the monkeys at DFAT. Or if the link doesn't work, try http://www.smh.com.au/world/fiji-policy-a-frustrating-failure-20101218-191af.html  this.

"Now that he's gone, there's no hope for change except through the Americans, which is why Frank should stop provoking Washington.

These and several other Wikileaks concerning Fiji will be published on Saturday.

Money Laundering, Teachers to Need Fijian and Hindi, Police Name Tags, PM Back This Week, Maritime and Land Registry

APOLOGIES FOR LATE POSTINGS.  I usually manage to publish the daily postings before 4:30 in the afternoon but this week domestic chores have taken precedence. My apologies for any inconvenience caused by the later publication.

CENTRE FOR FIJI FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE UNIT. The Unit yesterday opened a National Anti-Money Laundering Learning Center which will provide electronic computer based training (CBT) to financial institutions and stakeholders.FIU director Razim Buksh says the AML Learning Center and the CBT courses will be of tremendous value to Fiji’s law enforcement agencies as their officials will be trained without any cost. CBT courses will cover topics such as money laundering, human trafficking, precursor chemicals, search techniques, control deliveries and basic intelligence analysis.

“The main reason for providing such a training forum to law enforcement agencies is basically the nature of crime is quite complex, this is a new era, and we have seen emergence of complex crime in Fiji. Therefore we need to equip our law enforcement agents – so that they are at par with the new methods and techniques. These include coming up with a matrix, linking information through flow charts and link charts and undertaking better management of information if this relates to financial record.”

The Learning Center has been established through a partnership between the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime, the British High Commission in Suva, Reserve Bank of Fiji and the Fiji Intelligence Unit.

TEACHERS WILL NEED FIJIAN AND HINDI. Trainee teachers enrolling at the Fiji National University next year will have to learn Hindi and Fijian to be able to teach the language in schools to be awarded their graduation certificate. FNU Vice-Chancellor Dr Ganesh Chand said the level of competency in both languages would need to be at Fijian and Hindi Newspapers "Nai Lalakai and Shanti Dut" level.

He said the move is a response to the number of challenges before Fiji, and in particular one that emerged for teachers in regard to the Peoples' Charter for Change and Development.  He said without language understanding there is not much of a chance for the society to be united. He hoped the FNU initiative will motivate other sectors of society to play their part in ensuring a diverse society that also encourages unity.

POLICE TO WEAR NAME TAGS. The new Commissioner of Police Brigadier Iowane Naivalurua  has announced that all  uniformed police officers will now be required to wear tags, with their name, rank and number.The directive was issued so people can easily identify officers if they have complaints or if they witness their involvement in corruption. It can also be used to commend officers. The directive comes into effect in seven days.

PM BACK LATER THIS WEEK. The PM returns from China later this week after a series of successful meetings with Chinese officials and business leaders. He is expected to announce the 2011 Budget on Friday. Key topics discussed at the meetings included 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.

The PM  said “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

MARITIME ZONE AND LAND INITIATIVES. Two current initiatives by the Ministry of Land and Mineral Resources are the proper demarcation and mapping of Fiji’s Maritime Zone and work on a National Land Register, a high priority for Government. The State Land register will be completed in December and it is hoped the whole National Register will be complete by December 2011. The Register will compile information on all land issues,  for instance land tenure, boundaries, ownership, value, land use infrastructure and biophysical features. The data will be stored on GIS (Geographic Information System) which links data to maps which will enable the Department and relevant others to keep track of all land transactions in Fiji.

The information is also needed for Government's proposed Land Reforms and the the identification of land designated into the Land Bank for the issuing of 99 year leases. The reforms are intended to promote good husbandry practices with rewarding returns for both tenants and the landowners. -- Based on 2010, No:1971/MOI.

Police & All Senior Appointments, Rudd Again, Mill.Dev.Goals, Suva's Electric Cars

TO COMMENTATORS. In addition to using your real name or a pseudonym, you also need to say something.  Sarcastic, snarky and other comments along the lines of 'I love Bainimarama' or 'I hate Bainimarama' merely convey a position; nothing new is said and the comment is not worth publishing.  They are like an argument between eight year olds: 'Tis', says one; 'Tisn't,' says the other.

NAIVALURUA's GOOD BUT ... A reader writes on the recent Police Commissioner appointment: "Iowane Naivalurua is certainly a very competent chap who has done admirable work at the prisons. However, from past experience with Savua and more recently with Teleni, the one significant way to demoralise and undermine police morale and to politicize the police is to bring in non-professionally qualified and experienced individuals from outside the police force. The sooner the police are able to attract better quality officers and the sooner a couple of them are identified as potential commissioners and trained for leadership at the highest level the better. There are experienced men and women in the police force who are not tainted by politicization, nepotism, racism and bigotry who are worthy of the senior-most positions in this critical agency.

"It might be that Iowane was being nice to Teleni but I can’t see any ‘good foundation’ set by his predecessor [with his] Christian crusades ... declaring towns and cities ‘crime free’[when] crime was alive and well in all such localities. In the agricultural hinterlands, thefts of crops, poultry and livestock have been a major disincentive for farmers.

"It is vital that Naivalarua attends to police morale and professionalism immediately. These have been severely eroded under Teleni. Attention needs to be primarily focused on police work, knowing the law and rights of citizens,law enforcement, investigation and evidence gathering (including forensic work), report writing, and effective prosecution. Training in these areas is vital. Police work generally and community policing requires good people skills and PR. It should also be noted that the police can now recruit much better educated personnel than ever before. Such recruitment has to be merit-based with some awareness of proportionality in terms of representing Fiji’s multi-ethnic citizenry."

Ed.Note. These comments follow the general line advocated in this blog: Government -- from Cabinet to departmental heads, personal secretaries and other comparable positions --  needs to include a much higher proportion of trained, experienced civilians from different ethnic backgrounds. The military, for the moment, still has an important role to play in civic affairs but the mix in advisory and decision-making positions is not yet right.

FIJI IN FOR A RUDDY TIME. In a review of Australia's likely Pacific policies since the election and Kevin Rudd's appointment as Foreign Minister, Jenny Hayward-Jones* writes:  "The bad news for those hoping for a fresh approach is that there is unlikely to be any shift in policy towards Fiji.

"As Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd was responsible for driving Australia's highly principled stand against the unelected government of Frank Bainimarama. As Foreign Minister, he is unlikely to want to oversee any softening of that policy, lest it cause him to appear weak. Perhaps the best approach at the outset would be for Rudd to establish a short review of Australian policy towards Fiji, which would enable him to re-assess and give him some space to move. Just a thought." 
* Director of The Myer Foundation Melanesia Program at the Lowy Institute.

THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS. Ten years ago officials from 189 countries took part in a meeting at the United Nations in New York and made a promise to achieve eight goals to make the world a better place by 2015.

The MDGs include freedom from extreme poverty and hunger, quality education, decent employment, good health and shelter, the right of women to give birth without risking their lives, environmental sustainability and gender equality.

This month's Review Summit shows Fiji to have made considerable progress on MDG 2, universal education. Actions taken by Government include providing free bus fares to low income families, free tuition and free textbooks. Children in 490 of the country's 600 primary schools have already received this
assistance, and its $7.4m family assistance allowance, and $30 food voucher programme for poor families, will benefit around 200,000 people.

Work is also progressing on the MDG 5 of improving maternal health by 2015. Actions take so far by Government and the White Ribbon Safe Motherhood Initiative, that aim to cut maternal deaths by 75%, includes family planning and safe sex, and pregnancy advice.

Government actions in other MDG areas - poverty reduction, employment, shelter, gender equality and environmental sustainability - have been widely covered by this blog. Readers will have observed the similarity between the UN's MDG's and those of the People's Charter and the Government's Roadmap goals.


GOOD FOR A LAUGH. I had to read it twice to believe it.  A keynote speaker at USP last week, a Kiwi with "Hawai'ian blood ties" presumably in Fiji for the first time, chose to give advice on fast food, electric cars, and the export potential of villagers' produce at the Suva market. Europe, apparently, is a potential export market for such produce, said organic food advocate Dr Cathie Koa Dunsford, before going to say that Fiji could be a food basket of the world through the production of sustainable organic food.

Dr Dunsford said she'd travelled the world extensively but had never met polluted air as bad as what she had inhaled in Fiji’s capital city of Suva. “I couldn’t breathe. I have never been to a place where the air is so polluted like Suva  ... A long-term solution would be the use of electric cars in Fiji."

Scroll down to today's earlier post.

New Police Head, Old and New Times, Takiveikata, Tuvalu, Sugar Disasters, Some Methodist Changes Dropped

NEW POLICE COMMISSIONER. Prisons Commissioner Brigadier General Iowane Naivalurua (photo)  has been appointed as the new Commissioner of Police upon the recommendation of the PM. Current acting Police Commissioner Joeli Baleilevuka will revert to his former position of Deputy Commissioner.

The opinions I've received so far see Naivalua as an excellent choice. He is generally liked and well respected, and he did a great job as Prisons Commissioner.  The expectation is that he and Deputy Police Commissioner Joeli Baleilevuka will make a great team. Naivalurua said, " Expect changes to the police force but not everything will be changed as I'll  tend to just continue from the good foundation set by my predecessor Commodore Teleni and hope to build a strong force that will work strongly in partnership with the community.” 

THE TIMES IS DEAD, LONG LIVE THE TIMES*. An anonymous commentator, 'Imprimatur', had this comment for 'Unbiased News' and other readers on a recent posting. The comment is slightly edited.

"It is of course correct that no Media outlet these days can be deemed to be 'unbiased'. For one reason or another -- mostly to do with interests of owners and shareholders -- the political and ideological views of the aforementioned hold sway through editorial policy.

"What is incomprehensible about the ... Fiji Times ... is that it allowed itself to be 'dumbed down' and professionally compromised in terms of standards of journalism. It bore no resemblance at all to the Fiji Times under Sir Leonard Usher, for example.  Poor basic English and spelling, poor standards of editing, garbled headlines and almost nil by-lines (for a long time). No one appeared to have the courage of their convictions: or at least insufficient courage to show who wrote what. This is not a newspaper of worth: this is propaganda sheet and poor propaganda at that.

There should be no weeping nor wailing [about the change of ownership]  which once was "the First Newspaper published daily in the world". Even that no longer appears and with good reason: it has become a rag and little more than that. The fact that it may be profitable as a rag, is neither here nor there.

The Fiji Times Editor, board and staff failed to concern themselves with corruption in high places and they turned a blind eye to endemic racism. On these two counts alone they deserve their fate. They might have
their maintained their standing had they taken more interest in the welfare of Fiji's women and children earlier. They did not until challenged head on. Indeed, they sat by while the fate of  women and children through ever increasing and more deadly domestic violence... No headlines about this unless they were sensational enough to sell copies.

No substantial investigative reporting was undertaken nor Court and Judicial Process reporting as a matter of daily necessity. For years there seemed to be no trained court reporters of any calibre to ensure the public best interest was served. Indeed, the editor himself was found guilty of contempt of court and fined by Justice Thomas Hickey's ruling. The most egregious contempt of the Fiji Courts in Fiji's history since 1874. One must suppose that is fame of a kind? A sort of contemptible celebrity?"

Something good must rise out of the ashes. If Fiji has aspirations to rebirth, then the Phoenix must rise and with it a whole plethora of higher and more elevated journalism which becomes an end in itself. The paper needs to adopt the police motto, Salus Populi  or The Welfare of the People. Not unlike the Fiji Police, the the new Fiji Times must put the service and best interest of the people  ahead of personal and narrow self-interest. What is needs is writers of the calibre of the late Robert Keith Reid. I wonder what is he making of all this from his perch on high?

Ed. Note: The Comment was made just prior to the Fiji Times sales announcement.  * The original, for those not in the know, is "The King is Dead. Long Live the King" which announces the death of an English monarch. 

TAKIVEIKATA PLEADS NOT GUILTY. Naitasiri High Chief Ratu Inoke Takiveikata, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of inciting the 2000 mutiny which aimed to kill the military commander, Commodore Frank Bainimarama. At the original trial in early 2007, Takiveikata was given a life sentence for the mutiny but the Appeal Court quashed the ruling and he was released from prison after serving 31 months. Last March, Takiveikata was jailed again when he was given a seven year prison sentence for the alleged plot. At this retrial, Takiveikata is being accused of approaching two army officers, Shane Stevens and Manoa Benafasio, in August and September of 2000 to get them to try to take over the Queen Elizabeth Barracks. According to the Fiji Village website, the prosecution says 23 state witnesses are expected to be called during the trial, ranging from police officers to army officers and technicians.

UPDATE. The High Court today declared a mistrial in the  case  against Ratu Inoke Takiveikata. His lawyer submitted that one of the three assessors was a former soldier.  As a result, the judge declared a mistrial and ordered a fresh trial to start on Monday.

TUVALU ELECTIONS. Tuvalu's incumbent Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia being returned to power along with 10 the 15 incumbent MPs. Tuvalu has no political parties and the 6,000 registered voters cast their ballots along personal and family ties, as well as reputation. No political parties. Lucky Tuvalu!

CAWAKI CRITICIZES INDIAN CONTRACTORS. Commissioner Western Commander Joeli Cawaki  said he would undertake an investigation to determine whether a bond was signed when the FSC awarded the $86million contract to the Sugar Technology Mission of India in 2006.

"This is the reason [for the] the sugar industry problems ... the mill upgrades were not done properly.These people (contractors) just came here, they didn't do a good job and went away and left us with broken mills and spare parts rusting in mill yards."

Since the beginning of the crushing season, all mills have been plagued by boiler and steam generation problems, throwing the sugar industry into a downward spiral. Combined with an unusually dry spell, the farmers were left with cane drying in the fields and the knowledge that 2010 may well be the worst in the history of the sugar industry in the country.

FSC'S $24.5M RECORD LOSS.  Total revenue for the year has declined to $194.7m compared to $245.8m in the previous year. FSC CEO Deo Saran  puts the loss down to decreased sugar production (down by 19%), lower sugar prices (down (8%), lower sugar content in the cane milled, and continued problems in mill  performance.  This is the biggest loss FSC has incurred since its inception.

SOME METHODIST P.E.R.  CHARGES DROPPED. Twenty-three Methodist Church ministers who were charged under the Public Emergency Regulations (PER) with trying to organise the banned Methodist Church Conference in Rewa last year have had the charges against them withdrawn, but the charges against four top church executives, the Reverends Ame Tugaue,Tuikilakila Waqairatu, Tomasi Kanailagi and Manasa Lasaro, remain. Tugaue and Waqairatu faced charges of organizing a meeting in contravention of the PER, while the extreme ethno-nationalists Kanailagi and Lasaro, who actively supported the Speight Coup in 2000, face charges of taking part in the meeting.

Fiji Times Survives, Election Preparations Underway, Women Need Financial Independence, Police Restructuring

FIJI TIMES SURVIVES. Yesterday's announcement that the Motibhai Group has purchased the Fiji Times from Rupert Murdoch's News Ltd for an undisclosed sum is good news for Fiji and the paper's workers but we may not learn the full story for a while yet.

It seems likely News Ltd has not exercised its option to retain 10% of the paper, which would be a good thing because it would give the new owners access to News Ltd expertise. It is also possible the sale does not include the paper's properties but why these should be excluded is anyone's guess.  Perhaps News Ltd hopes to buy back the paper some time?  It would seem likely the senior executives responsible for the papers never-ending tussle with Government will need to be replaced, if only to help Motibhai win Government trust. This would probably see Editor-in-Chief Netani Rika take up a position with News Ltd in Australia.

The really big question, though, is whether the sale will speed the lifting of the Public Emergency Regulations that some though were retained because of the Fiji Times under its present leadership. If this was the only reason, PER can be lifted and "responsible journalism" left to the Media Decree. The sale requires final Fiji regulatory approval that is hoped to be completed by September 22.

VOTE SUPERVISOR IN UK AND ONE DAY ELECTIONS. The Acting Supervisor of Elections, Soro Toutou, is presently in the UK studying their electoral system and administration. His study programme will also draw on comparative experience from other countries in Europe, in particular the administering of the Proportional Representative (PR) List Voting System which is recommended in the Peoples’ Charter for Change.

With this knowledge, and his earlier observation of the recent one day election in the Solomon Islands, it is expected that Fiji -- where voters previously voted over several days leaving the way open to voter fraud, impersonation, and tampering with ballot boxes -- should not have any major problem with one day polling and the count to proceed immediately after that. The three crucial elements of one day election are the right sizing the Elections Office, capacity building, and investment in information technology. The new system will also save millions of dollars.

ELECTIONS 2014 PREPARATIONS ON TRACK. Strategic Framework for Change Deputy Secretary Filimoni Kau,  says until 2012 Government will be focusing on economic and social development. Extensive consultations on electoral reform will commence in September 2012. The preferred electoral system recommended by the National Council for Building a Better Fiji is the open list system.

But, as noted above, technical and administrative work on the elections has already started. Other work still be be done includes voter registration. From January this year, elections officials have been visiting the remotest and furthest villages and settlements in the interior of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu that are not accessible by roads, and the outer islands, conducting surveys and sites inspections in order to confirm the number and locations of Voter Registration Centres around the country.

It is envisaged that Fiji will be having its first-ever biometrics voter electoral database for both national and municipal elections by 2012 with only 20 or so months left, for the Elections Office to prepare for its complex elections-proper processes on the new voting system. -- Based on 2010 No:1442/MOI.

WOMEN MUST BE FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT. Minister for Women, Social Welfare & Poverty Alleviation, Dr Jiko Luveni, who was an SDL supporter before joining Government, thinks there is a close link between women's earnings, self-support  and independence. She was speaking at a ‘Train the Trainers’ workshop organized by the Department of Women. “

As outlined in the Roadmap for Democracy, Sustainable Economic and Social Development 2009 to 2014, Government is promoting alternative livelihood for women, especially  in the rural areas, by training and providing them with skills to utilize the resources available to alleviate the social and economic status in society.” She spoke of micro-enterprise opportunities in vanilla farming, honey and virgin coconut oil, bread making and sewing, with tourism providing an important sales outlet for many produce. For more information on Government events and decisions, log on with www.fiji.gov.fj this link to the official website.

POLICE RESTRUCTURING.     Some senior police officers have been reposted or  asked to leave as part of police restructuring.

Roadmap, Police Recruitment and CCF Issues, the "Rumours," Andy Haden, Indonesian Crafts, Naitasiri Imatanigasau

See new Quote of the Week in right sidebar.

THE ROADMAP. Some readers say no progress is being made on the Roadmap.  This is because they equate "progress" with electoral reform and elections, which are to come later. The misunderstanding could in part be due to the use of the shorthand Roadmap but its full title -- Roadmap for Democracy and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development 2009 to 2014 -- is a little cumbersome.

This item (click the hyperlink) outlining the main features of the "Roadmap" was published on this blog over a year ago! Lots of progress is being made on the sustainable socio-economic development front. Check them off against what has been done,  much of which has been published on this blog but not, unsurprisingly, by the anti-government blogs and the overseas media.  So much for their claims to balanced reporting.

POLICE STOP RECRUITMENT. Acting Police Commissioner Joeli Baleilevuka (photo) has stopped further recruitment and suspended transfers.  He said the 3,098 officers is sufficient and stressed that the Force must focus on its core functions. Referring obliquely to his predecessor, he said each member has free choice to exercise his or her own religious belief. Baleilevuka has started meeting all officers in the three divisions to set out new directions, starting in the Southern Division before moving over to the Eastern, Western and finally the Northern Division. The post of Police Commissioner has been advertised in the Fiji Sun by the Public Service Commission.

[At the time of the 1996, the last one I have been able to analyze, there were 2,728 police officers of whom 63% were ethnic Fijian, 33% Indo-Fijian and 9% women. While it is important to recruit according to need and the calibre of applicants, the police ethnic profile needs to roughly reflect society. The Fiji Police Force, more than any other source of employment,  used to reflect this profile. If if does not today, selective recruitment should remain open to ensure that it does. This is not racism; it's commonsense and what one would expect in a democratic society.] 

CCF ON TELENI, AND TELENI'S REPLACEMENT.  Extract from statement by the Citizen's Constitutional Forum: "We felt that the basic human rights principle of the Right to Equality and Freedom of Religion and Belief were endangered when racist rhetoric was allowed to go unchallenged. CCF believes that leaders in state institutions should set a good example to their followers on the basic principles of human rights. Freedom of Religion and Belief is a core human right entitlement which intends to achieve peace and harmony in the world through religious tolerance.

"Now that Teleni has stepped down voluntarily from the post we think that any reappointment to other working places in Government should be made through normal PSC procedures and proper and transparent processes.[It is. See above item.] Due consideration should also be given to the fact that all civil servants and military officers of Fiji need to set a good example to the nation by strict adherence to principles of human rights. "A diverse multi-racial and multi-religious country such as Fiji needs civil servants, and particularly those in position of leadership, who are unbiased towards race and religion." Extract.


CAFE PACIFIC.  I see Cafe Pacific has also  published my rebuttal to Tupuola's coup-within- a-coup" fantasy item published by Pacific Scoop. Thank you, CP.

 STICKY STORY. I see CoupFourPointFive is "still sticking" by its Victor Lal story that the Military Council has told the Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, to quit, despite top-level denials. In fact, it claimed both Sayed-Khaiyum and Christopher Pryde, the Solicitor-General also condemned by the Military Council, had already packed their bags, despite them having been seen at work after they were supposed to be no longer at work, and three days later they were still there. The blog  also accepted a comment on its post that 90% of the Military are gay.  What next?  And who cares whether the military is one or  99% gay.

ANDY HADEN'S MESSAGE FOR NZ POLITICIANS. Former All Blacks captain Andy Haden who was in Fiji over the weekend for Air Pacific Celebrity Pro Am golf tournament has a  strong message for politicians back in New Zealand who are not supporting Fiji and its current situation.  Listen to the video.


INDONESIAN CRAFTSMAN TO HELP WOMEN. A collaborative partnership between the Ministry of Social Welfare, Women, and Poverty Alleviation and Indonesia will see the arrival of Mr Supriyono Fransiscus Xaverius to conduct Training of Trainers (TOT) workshops for bamboo, coconut and batik crafting from 6th September to 29th of October.  He will seek to enhance existing skills and more fully utilize natural resources as a means of creating an additional source of rural women's income. It is hoped the new products will sell on local and international markets. The initiative is part of the Roadmap to promote alternative and additional livelihood for women, especially in rural areas.

The two months training will be conducted in four training sessions comprising of 25 women per session. This will produce 100 trainers who will, in turn, train other women in their respective villages and communities. -- Based on 2010 No:1392/MOI.

FOLLOW UP ON THE NAITASIRI IMATANIGASAU.  Two busloads of men and women including chiefs of all 16 Naitasiri tikina (districts) converged at the PM's residence on Thursday evening when the chiefs presented their imatanigasau (traditional apology) for past indiscretions and pledged their support to the Prime Minister and his Government. In return, The PM said he was "very grateful for this gesture...that signifies unity as well as your appreciation of Government’s policies and vision."

“Today is a new beginning for the province and my Government. We should engage often in such forums to discuss issues that will benefit Fiji, especially our future generation. We need to emphasize to our people and children the importance of unity for it is the essence of prosperity. Successful changes will only happen when people are united over a common goal,” the PM said.-- Based on 2010 No:1389/MOI.

The apology was also made on behalf of Naitasiri high chief, Ratu Inoke Takiveikata who is serving a seven year prison sentence after being convicted for conspiracy to murder the Prime Minister. The delegation included Ratu Inoke's wife, Adi Lagamu Takiveikata.-- Based on Fiji Village.

Nepotism, Racism, Sugar; McCully; PACER; Tailevu; Police; Rumours; Termites

See the new QUOTE OF THE WEEK at the top of the right side bar.  
Visit TAGS under the blog title and description.  Click on Aims-Principles, Editor-Publisher, Comment Rules, Blog Use, Help-Subscribe and Notices to learn more about this blog.  Comment Rules are especially important.

NEPOTISM AND RACIST POLITICS CAUSE OF SUGAR INDUSTRY FAILURE. Poor management and practices by the Fiji Sugar Corporation for the past 15 years and the deliberate non-renewal of leases to Indo-Fijian farmers are two reasons for the sorry state of the sugar industry today, according to Tavua cane farmer, businessman and former FSC director Dijednra Singh.

People were hired for personal reasons, not merit, he said, which forced many qualified technical engineers to emigrate. He said the non-renewal of leases was "a very aggressive policy" that resulted in Indo-Fijians leaving cane farming for work in peri-urban areas in Suva and the West.

McCULLY LISTENING. Reporting on his meeting with Fiji's Foreign Minister on Tuesday, the NZ FM  said the Fiji Government thought the international community hasn’t been listening to it enough. “They would argue that the international community hasn’t taken sufficient notice of their strategic framework for change process. I’ve tried to listen to that discussion and to make sure that the international community and particularly New Zealand’s concerns are understood.”

PACER STALLS WITHOUT FIJI.  The Pacific Islands Forum leaders want the Forum's Ministerial Action Group to work out a way to get Fiji involved in the talks over the proposed regional free trade and economic integration treaty, PACER Plus. The negotiations seem to have stalled and Fiji is part of the reason. It is the second largest of the island economies after Papua New Guinea. Some of the island governments which rely heavily on Fiji for a range of reasons do not seem to be very interested in PACER Plus if Suva is not included.

TAILEVU AND THE PM. A delegation from the Tailevu Provincial Council led by Ratu George Cakobau, Ratu Jope Seniloli, Ratu Mai Namalata  and Chairman Josefa Seruilagilagi thanked Government on Thursday for its development assistance to the province. The PM briefed the delegation on progress on the Roadmap to Parliamentary Democracy; stressed the importance of agriculture and education to rural areas; and said Government would not be bullied into holding early elections. Government, he said, remains open to engagement with those who choose to understand Fiji.-- Based on 2010 No: 1339/MOI.


ALL NEW POLICE JOBS WILL BE REVIEWED. All new posts within the Fiji Police Force that were created by the former Police Commissioner Commodore Esala Teleni will be reviewed.Acting Police Commissioner Joeli Baleilevuka told FBC News - he will be reviewing all the new posts that were created and implemented by his predecessor.

Ed. Note. Unlike the Military, the Fiji Police Force used to have a reasonable balance of all ethnic groups.  It is hoped the Acting Police Commissioner will restore its former ethnic balance.

THEY'RE AT IT AGAIN. So far the only resignation or dismissal the rumour-mongers have not informed us about is that of the PM, though they periodically whisper about rebellion and mutiny. Teleni has resigned (no thanks to the rumour-mongers for that prediction) but forget their latest about Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and  Christopher Pryde.

As PS for Information Sharon Smith Johns said: “The fact of the matter is that the Attorney General and the Solicitor General have been at the forefront of moving Government reforms and are performing well above expectations and have the utmost confidence of the Prime Minister and other cabinet members.” Her advice is "keep focused on moving the country forward,  enjoy the Hibiscus festivities, and ignore these malicious rumours.”

EXTENT OF TERMITE INFESTATION.  Many readers probably don't realize the extent of the termite infestation in the Lautoka area. Some 970 houses and 17 schools are invested, and  627 houses and ten schools have so far been treated with the Termidor Dust. Treatment and re-surveys will continue until the buildings are declared termite free. The Dust needs to be left in holes drilled by the Operation Kadivuka teams for up to four weeks before they can be checked, verified and declared termite free. -- Based on 2010 No: 1301/MPI.