Fiji Military clarifies it's position on S.D.L's recent merger and proclaiming it as, ethno-nationalism at it's worst. S.I.F.M could not agree more.
Appointments GCC's prerogative: CEO
Tuesday February 21, 2006
Chief Executive in the Prime Minister's Office Joji Kotobalavu
The appointments of President and Vice President are the prerogative of the Great Council of Chiefs and no one else.
The comment was made by the chief executive in the Prime Minister's Office Joji Kotobalavu.
He was reacting to reports that some interest groups in Tailevu want the GCC to allow Ratu Jope Seniloli to complete his term as Vice President.
Ratu Jope resigned as VP after he was sentenced in 2004 for taking an illegal oath in coup leader George Speight's government and illegally swearing in cabinet ministers.
He was released on Compulsory Supervision Order approved by the Attorney General. Kotobalavu said the appointments lie solely with the Great Council of Chiefs.
"We still do not know that both incumbent President and Vice President are not willing to continue in their respective office, if they want to extend their term in office, the GCC has the power to do so.
"So how can it be considered until the GCC considers an extension or a new appointment of the President and the Vice President," he said.
Kotobalavu said people aorganizationsons should be patient and wait for the GCC's decision.
The army said it would be hard for them to accept a former convict as President and Commander in Chief of the Fiji Military Force.
Army spokesman Lt Col Orisi Rabukawaqa said a prerequisite in the Constitution for the President's office was a person of integrity and they cannot afford to have someone with a record in the highest office in the land.
S.I.F.M is raising the alternatives to the process of choosing the President.
Great Council of Chief is not a democratic institution. Fiji is democratically mature enough to implement the true application of governance via elected offices. Having an un-elected Council select the highest office in Fiji Government is a mechanism that requires urgent review.
It is amusing to hear these same officials clinging to a clause in Fiji's 1997 constitution, stating G.C.C's role in the selection process.
However, this is the same document that S.D.L party et al, has failed to uphold and tried to amend.
Kotobalavu calls off wedding
Tuesday February 21, 2006
The chief executive in the Prime Minister's Office, Joji Kotobalavu, has called off his plans to marry sweetheart Miriama Vereivalu.
Kotobalavu and Vereivalu's courtship and intention to marry sparked much media publicity late last year.
This morning Kotobalavu told Fijilive his engagement to Vereivalu was a beneficial testing period for both of them.
"Regrettably, she has fallen short of the standard I had expected of her and I have therefore withdrawn from any further personal relationship with her.
"However, I do ask that we respect Miriama's choice of how she wants to live her life. She is a single and free person. Her life is her sole prerogative, and it is nobody else's business."
Kotobalavu described Vereivalu as a lovely person.
"In a very strange and special kind of way, I have gained so much from her in my own spiritual development. For that I will always be grateful to her," he said.
However, Kotobalavu maintained that the professional relationship at work between the two will continue to be on the basis of mutual acknowledgement and respect.
Vereivalu is also employed in the PM's Office.
Fijilive
The problem in Fiji, is that the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing; especially so in the context of F.T.I.B who
seem to be doing their own negotiations by luring manufacturers to Fiji; without considering the power generation equation in Fiji.
Everything in commerce depends on a reliable and cheap power supply that is not totally dependent on fossil fuels.
S.I.F.M is adamant that the concept of 'Turaganism' is basically an insult to the intelligence of common people of Fiji who have grown weary of these unproductive Fijian aristocrats. These Nobles without shame, continue to bleed the Fiji national treasury dry and replace the contents with empty promises.
Bunch of hypocrites
Saturday, February 18, 2006
The haste in which the two Fijian-dominated political parties merged raises many eyebrows.
Too sudden and totally unexpected. This rush into such a major political exercise has caught by surprise even some of the loyal followers of the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua Party and its coalition partner the Conservative Alliance Matanitu Vanua Party.
They are as confused as everyone else as to the rationale behind the move. It would have been wiser, and they expect this much, that a major consultation process be undertaken by the parties' leaders to seek their views and if necessary take a vote on it.
During traditional ceremonies organized by the parties' leaders to mark the merger, the shocked party faithful were still scratching their heads. Only time will tell how it will affect their loyalty and confidence in their leaders.
And it will be interesting how the merger translates on the ballot paper.
On a more serious yet sad note, the merger indicates yet again how nationalism is alive and well in the Fijian community and is going to have a big influence in the build-up to and during the general elections.
The sensible and responsible citizens who have been praying to see an end to the polarisation of Fijians and Indians during general elections and major political crisis are obviously disappointed.
They see the Fijians starting to band together. The Indians may not be too far behind with the National Federation Party and Fiji Labour Party planning "unity" talks.
After all the colorful talk of moving forward as one people, promoting to the world the concepts of multi-racialism and peaceful co-existence, we see this sorry political development which is against the spirit of the Constitution we accept as our supreme law.
All the public displays of sincerity, goodwill, love-thy-neighbor-as-thyself and togetherness look like coming to naught yet again. We remain a divided and, sad to say, sick society.
The late Pope John Paul II during his one visit was full of praise of this land and its people saying it was "the way the world should be". The words of the famous religious leader rings clearly in our ears today but does not mean much.
It does not help us at all when we have leaders who lack the courage, vision and will to work together themselves and then unite the people in our collective quest for progress, prosperity and peace. We see these leaders pulling apart instead of together because they have their own selfish agendas to think about. They pull the hoods over people's eyes so that they won't see the truth.
A bunch of hypocrites.
NLTB to discuss $52m payout
The Native Land Trust Board will meet next week to discuss the $52m payout to Monasavu landowners. Executive officer Nimilote Naivalumaira confirmed this yesterday. “The issue will be discussed again at our next board meeting scheduled for next week after which we will be able to issue a full statement on the matter,” he said. The Monasavu landowners have yet to receive their $52million compensation payout from the Fiji Electricity Authority.
The Supreme Court ruled that the FEA was to direct the money to the court which would then be directed to the landowners’ lawyer, Tevita Fa. Mr Fa would then distribute the money to the landowners. However, the NLTB raised concern over the procedure in which the money would be distributed. The ruling, it said, was in breach of the Native Land Trust Act which stated that the compensation should be directed to the Native Land Trust Board who would then distribute it to the landowners.
The legal age
Friday, February 17, 2006
"The legal age that a person can be considered an adult has been the source of constant battles between parents and children over the ages.
In the recent past, many girls were married at 16. These same women are today grandparents of teenagers who face increasingly paternalistic attitudes from the Government.
It's ironic that as we progress into the 21st century, the State's treatment of teenagers has become more and more patronising.
This week the Government will push through the House of Representatives a piece of legislation that has taken years in the making. This law will make it illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to drink in a bar or buy alcohol.
It will allow for the prosecution of bar owners who supply or provide alcohol to anyone under 21 in a bar. The onus will be on the bar owner or his staff to ask anyone who looks close to 21 for identification.
These changes will come through amendments to a Bill to repeal the Liquor Act (Cap.192) and the Liquor Act 2005.
When enacted, the Bill will repeal and replace the existing Liquor Act, which currently allows for those 18 or over to drink alcohol in a bar.
The fine for bar owners who let someone under 21 years of age drink alcohol in their premises will be up to $2000.
In coming to a decision on what limit to put on the minimum legal drinking age, the Government had input from many quarters including a committee that explored all the options.
It was this committee that suggested that a section of the Juvenile Act, which made it illegal to sell alcohol to those 18 or under, be moved into the Liquor Act. Attorney General Qoriniasi Bale admits that the Government took this a step further and decided to not just place it in the Act but also raise the age to 21.
Mr Bale is not worried about having support for limiting the legal drinking age to 21 years or over.
In fact, many churches would support such an initiative, especially given pregnancy rates and other issues said to be offshoots of teenage drinking.
But what the Government is ultimately doing is placing limits on when a person can be considered an adult in this country.
It already denies people over 18 but under 21 the right to vote. Now it denies them the right to drink.
If the Government is so concerned about alcoholism in Fiji, perhaps its resources would be better spent legislating a bit of responsibility among older drinkers, regulating alcohol marketing and enforcing drink driving laws."
It is abundantly clear that this same coalition is based on nationalistic motives which has failed the Fijian landowners, miserably. The same old political clowns in Fiji, begin their dance of oral persuasion; choreographed to the traditional beat of racial stereotyping and xenophobia.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
There is no doubt that 2006 is an election year. But there are serious concerns that this country is not ready for the next elections.
Leaving aside the politics going on between parties, or politicking, the State machinery is simply not ready to take on such a mammoth task.
Under the Constitution, there are two bodies that influence the way elections are conducted here.
One is the Electoral Commission chaired by Fiji Law Society president Graham Leung, which controls the Office of the Supervisor of Elections and ensures that it is operating along set procedures and guidelines.
The other is the Constituency Boundaries Commission, chaired by Barrie Sweetman.
While much has been said about the Electoral Commission over the past few months, there is not much emphasis being put on the work of the Constituency Boundaries Commission.
According to the Constitution, 71 members are elected to the House of Representatives 46 of which is to be through ethnic rolls and 25 through universal suffrage.
The problem for the Constitutional Boundaries Commission is that the Constitution rules that equal population size is not an issue in only 17 seats which follow provincial boundaries.
For all other seats, however, the commission must ensure that population size is substantially equal in number.
The Elections Office has been proud to state for the previous elections in 2001 that seats were drawn up to have roughly the same number of votes, depending on the category involved.
But with massive rural-urban drift as a result of expiring land leases, ethnic tension, and job search, there is no doubt that population numbers in many areas have changed substantially.
One great example is the Suva-Nausori corridor where a major influx of settlers from around Fiji has boosted squatter numbers to record levels.
A major chunk of the country's population resides in that corridor alone. Yet no effort seems to have been made to check whether there is a need to increase the number of seats in that area or tighten up the boundaries a bit.
The Constituency Boundaries Commission cannot possibly tell all those residents that nothing has changed since 2001. In November last year, the commission first let out that the task of reviewing the boundaries might be an impossible one.
It seems that this basic constitutional guideline cannot be guaranteed. The State must act on this now to ensure that this Election fulfills all the criteria that the Constitution says it should.
S.I.F.M echoes the sentiments of Fiji Vice-President on the need to change the electoral system from a racial based one to a plural system.However to soley rely on retirees to educate rural voters is a eyebrow raiser due to voter mis-information.
S.I.F.M believes that, the visit by current Ministers of cabinet to Fijian villages is no more than a Public Relations exercise to further their influence in the elections. However, the sad situation of lack of development, poverty will be the fundamental area of concern for rural voters.
The Nationalists claim they represent the rural Fijian dwellers, yet they have nothing to show for themselves. These unsavory characters gloss over the archaic land institution in Fiji called Native Lands Trust Board and their dubious track record.
It is apparent the N.L.T.B's shortcomings is the root cause for landowner's dis-enfranchisment.
Hughes apologizes to CEO for charge
By Charlotte Peters
Police Commissioner Andrew Hughes has publicly apologized to a government chief executive officer for what he said was a mistake. He made the apology in the case of the CEO who was bailed and sent home after being tested positive on Dec 30 last year.
Earlier Mr Hughes stated that the officer who ordered the release of the woman had been questioned on his part in the matter and this had brought a new twist to the investigation.
Yesterday, Mr Hughes clarified the matter after seeking legal advice. He said the person was stopped at a checkpoint on the night in question and taken to the Central Police Station where a breath sample was taken.
The outcome of the breath test was 36 micrograms, said Mr Hughes.Under the LTA Act those in excess of 80 milligrams per 100mililitres can be charged.
To come up with the figure in milligrams, we took the 36 micrograms and multiplied it by 2.2 and came up with 79.2 which was below the prescribed concentration of alcohol.
Knowing this Mr Hughes said the officer ordered the release of the woman. He admitted that two others had been charged with the same offence and the police were doing everything within their power to rectify the matter.
Club Em Designs
Double standard
I REFER to the letter by Tevita Bevu (FT 8/2) and would like to support his call for the Police Commissioner to come clean on double standards in relation to the release of a government chief executive. The commissioner should stop hoodwinking ordinary citizens and reveal the truth that there are two sets of laws in Fiji and that he applied the rule for the rich and untouchables in this case.
Stop making petty excuses and degrading the competence level of your staff, commissioner.
The excuse that officers made a conversion error reflects that you have incompetent officers in the force. I wonder how many citizens were charged by the incompetent officers and made to suffer for a crime they did not commit.
I would like to know why taxpayers of Fiji are made to pay for incompetent civil servants? Or was it the case of a junior biting the bullet to save a senior officer?
So much for the commissioner's assurance of "one law for all''. Or has he decided to follow the golden rule of "when in Rome do as the Romans do?''
Rakesh Chandra
Nasinu
Alcohol test
WHEN Adi Litia Qionibaravi was tested on the night she was stopped by the police, the testing device recorded an alcohol level of 35 micrograms.
During the alcohol test at the station where the reading was converted from micrograms to milligrams, it was found that the figure was two milligrams below the 80ml legal limit (FT 7/2).
I wonder if 35 micrograms is still equivalent to 0.035 milligrams. If it is, then the legal limit would be 2.035mg which is equivalent to 2035micrograms.
I am curious to know how this converted value was two milligrams below the legal limit of 80 ml when the amount of alcohol is in weight measurement while the limit is in volume measurement.
My point is that the formula the police used to justify their action to the case does not look right.
I urge Commissioner Hughes to come clean on this and tell the public the mathematical formula police used in withdrawing charges against prominent people.
Tevita Bevu
Suva
S.I.F.M recommends the instant dismissal of the incumbent and the institution for simply employing an individual with ill-repute.
Notwithstanding the Fijian Affairs Board's own shortcomings that has chained the Fijian race to an en-trenched feudal system which handicaps their progress in the modern global village.
Land ownershipClub Em Designs
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
IT is a pity that some landowning units claim to be poor yet make no effort at all to utilize their land or allow portions of it to be leased.
It is sad to see so much land lying idle including that which had been previously leased but was taken back by clans after the expiry of leases.
This is evident in the cane belts in Vanua Levu and western Viti Levu and more recently in the dairy farm districts of Tailevu and Naitasiri.
The landowners are not willing to renew the agricultural leases arguing that their members need to utilize the land for commercial or subsistence farming. The excuse is that their numbers are growing and they need the land back.
While the land lies idle, no one, least of all the owners themselves, stand to benefit from it. They do not receive six-monthly rentals from the leases. There is no return because there is no investment. The Government has been too timid in promoting land use among the owners. It fails to convince some landowners of the immense wealth they are missing out on when the land is not utilized. Some of the landowners it has managed to convince eventually lose interest when the markets arranged by the Government for their farm produce fail to materialize.
We have yet to see a government effectively address the land use issue and raise its voice sufficiently to push landowners into getting the maximum returns from their land or making it available for development.
The Government's policy of handouts and special treatment for landowners has to stop. It is not the right way to help them "catch up" with others in lifting their standards of living.
A very few Fijians can honestly claim today that they do not own any tribal land. They have this vital resource which will generate so much for their families if it is utilized. Perhaps through the provincial and district councils they can be educated and counseled on how to benefit from this valuable resource at their disposal.
There used to be by-laws in the Fijian administration system requiring that each male in the village produce a certain quantity of farm produce a month. This was closely monitored and encouraged them to farm the land. Maybe a similar system should be introduced today.
Landowners have to get out of the thinking that they'll lose their precious "God-given" asset if it is leased out or once they use it for farming. They should realize that there are relevant laws in place which safeguard their ownership.
But they must use the land to help themselves, others and the country as a whole.
The wealth they look for is buried in the land. To realize it, the land has to be utilized.
End of story.
S.I.F.M believes this is a farce and exclaims that the Fiji Police are still being on pressured by people in higher places at the expense of the unbiased rule of law.
Stuck in Fiji echoes the calls to establish a permanent Elections Office in Fiji. It is now clear that these civil servants who take up positions during elections should be scrutinized to prevent interference.
Stuck in Fiji Mud believes this trend will not change anytime soon, due to the lack of implementation within Fiji Government agencies.
Next leader
A MOTIVATOR, a man or woman of principle and convictions. One who sets goals and leads from the front to achieve them is a man or woman of vision.
Fiji right now is at the crossroads to make this choice. We have to choose one who will unite us all for the betterment of Fiji, someone who is identified with everybody.
Fiji needs one who can bring the best out of everyone. One who creates an environment where people excel in what they do.
Enough of a leader who relies on others to make decisions for him or her.
Enough of one who is just a spectator.
Enough of one who goes with the flow.
Enough of one who goes around trying to please everyone. Fiji needs a leader whose life and actions permeates different races, religion and culture to bring out the good in people.
One that all of Fiji, with its different ethnicity, will stand up and ask "what can I do for Fiji?" rather than "what can Fiji do for me?"
Choose well Fiji.
Save Tabualevu
Rakiraki
Foreshore development
I noted in the dailies last week an application for foreshore development in Volivoli, Ra. I quote "to complete and regularise the partly completed Marina and Channel in front of the applicant's property".
As this has been a frequent practice, I am just wondering if the State Act (Cap 132) Section 21 (2) allows for such "reclaim foreshore first and regularise later" practices.
To make it worse, these public notices in the dailies usually have very small letters that require a magnifying glass to read.
Has the Tui Navitilevu been consulted or is he expected to read the public notice in the dailies and to come running to the Director of Lands? Protocol wise, this is far out and insulting.
Furthermore Qoliqoli owners at the village level hardly read such public notices in the dailies let alone understand the legal write-ups.
With livelihood opportunity foregone from the reclamation of the qoliqoli, what financial equity status will the qoliqoli owners in Volivoli, Ra have from the Marina?
Even the Tui Suva is living in a squatter settlement near my Vatuwaqa home. Yet the reclamation of the Vatuwaqa industrial subdivision and the Rokobili container terminal is reaping profits for the developers while the poor qoliqoli owners are just living in shacks from these unfair system, not to mention the rubbish and the contamination of their qoliqoli.
The extent of the implementation of Queen Victoria's letter in 1881 to Governor DesVoux is yet to be experienced but as for now, there is continuous abuse of Qoliqoli owners' human rights.
We are owners by name only but in fact we have been ripped off. Frustration is really an understatement of our burning feelings at the moment.
I am wondering if Qoriniasi Bale's legal firm representation of developers and resorts is having a conflict of interest with his role as a A-G to legislate the Queens wish in her 1881 letter through the Qoliqoli Bill.
Jone Mavia
Suva.
It is concerning issue for S.I.F.M, that there is no official agency in Fiji Government to scruntinize Fuel Quality and establish legislation on existing Environmental Laws in Fiji.
Polluted harbor
Your article on the polluted harbor (FT 1/2) is very concerning. If research showed that it was polluted in 2000/ 2001 then what is the condition of it now?
The Lami dump as claimed which contributed to its situation only ceased to operate last year but still exists. Therefore one would presume it is still contributing to the pollution.
Even more concerning is that seafood from the harbor has been consumed by so many since then. I am sure others like me would like to know where this research was until now and who is responsible for telling the citizens.
God bless Fiji.
Gyanendra Lachmaiya
Suva
Polluted sea
With the high level and rate of pollution in the Suva harbor, one wonders how much longer can we guarantee our safety by consuming seafoods from other safety zones.
The seas and oceans have now become dumping grounds for all toxic substances posing greater risks on living organisms but more so on humans who depend on seafoods.
We love the fish and other living organisms used for food which daily feed on these waste and toxic material. How can we be assured that these seafoods are clean when their natural surrounding is filthy?
Fish and other seafoods are delicacies but which now should be ignored. No one will die from a lack of fish or seafood.
Sicknesses can be caused by poor diet and dietary habits.
Sanaila Ravia
Nadawa
Stupid advice
Once I was told by the an officer at a police station that any person who does not hold a Fiji passport or holds a PR of any other country and living there can neither enter nor discuss politics in Fiji.
It is an offence and they could be charged. I wonder if people staying abroad and using this column to air their opinions should be charged under any law.
I reiterate that we do not need their stupid advice because they have left this beautiful Fiji. They should leave us alone. Your correspondent from Sacramento (FT 31/1) should know that Iraq needs him more than us in Fiji.
Surendra Kumar
Nadi
SKY Plus
Fiji Television Group CEO Mesake Nawari in a public notice attempts to pacify the ever increasing number of disgruntled Sky Plus subscribers by reassuring them that for 2006 they will receive no less for their subscription than what they received in previous years (FT 31/1).
Does this also mean the same number of repeat programs especially on the National Geographic and Hindi channels?
And can Mr Nawari confirm that major sporting events will continue to be aired live and not relegated to delayed broadcasting? I'm sure his response will influence the decision of many subscribers whether to continue paying $40 per month in 2006 for this service.
S. Singh
Lautoka
Television license
I reply to Eddie Chan's letter (FT 1/2) re TV2 Fiji.
Other than through his letters to this column no one at TV2 has heard of Eddie Chan but we sincerely thank him for his support over the years.
As he quite rightly points out, "pay" TV is the domain of the wealthy elite. To quote the late Dr Ahmed Ali, Minister for Communications (from Hansard) "Television viewing opportunities should be available not just to a wealthy elite but to the ordinary person. We cannot make television viewing exclusive.
I have said previously that monopoly is keeping our children in the dark ages. If television goes down the same insensitive path, we will revert to glacial times, in the context of knowledge dissemination as readily available with the rest of the world. Today, the availability of access to this knowledge through television is a human right, as many would correctly say, and indeed, a fundamental right, intended for all human beings, not just the wealthy and the privileged few".
TV2 has written seven letters to the current Minister for Communications Mrs (Marieta) Rigamoto since last August inquiring about the status of our application.
She had advised at that time that it would require "a few more weeks" deliberation before the Cabinet sub-committee passed it to Cabinet.
Six months on we are still waiting for a response from the minister. TV2 is ready to bring a new world of "free" television to Fiji and our Pacific affiliates - programs on healthy living, cooking and lifestyles, children's educational programs, current mini series, movies and series, primetime documentaries and specials (that are currently only available on "pay" channels), and much more. As shown by Fiji TV's massive tax-free profits, constantly increasing share value and returns to shareholders, the marketplace will be more than able to support a second commercial operator.
To believe that TV2 will take half of Fiji One's advertisers is ridiculous.
TV2 will generate new advertisers who, no doubt, will also wish to advertise on Fiji One. TV2 may take half of the advertising pie, but that pie will be made much much larger by TV2's sales team.
Minister Rigamoto has stated "we are determined to open up the TV market", but at the same time "we have to think of Fiji TV first".
Why? Why not think of the people of Fiji first rather than "Fiji TV" or more accurately, its rich influential shareholders?
Who, exactly, is delaying TV2's licence submission and why?
Ken Stratton
TV2 Fiji
