Further to our update on the unjust removal of University of the South Pacific academic, Dr Wadan Narsey, and the subsequent confirmation on international media, Samoan Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, did not mince his words about Dr Narsey's incident as well as the increasingly tyrannical rule of the illegal and treasonous military regime.
Prime Minister Malielegaoi is also quoted on RNZI on this issue.
Corrupt Fiji regime not a focus at Auckland Forum
August 25, 2011
By Tupuola Terry Tavita
The embattled coup-installed military regime in Fiji should not be a focus in next month’s leaders meeting in Auckland .
The question was put to Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi this week if there is any chance Fiji can again be suggested to rejoin the Pacific Island Forum in the Auckland leaders meeting.
“What for?” asked Tuilaepa
“The regime there is getting worse”
How is this, he was asked.
“Well, there are reports that Bainimarama is paying himself five different ministerial salaries from the five different ministerial portfolios he’s overseeing. That’s on top of his salary as Prime Minister. The Attorney General is reportedly also doing the same.
“And they are both being paid through an accounting firm owned by the AG’s aunt- from cash paid directly from the different ministries. That system ensures that no one else knows the totality of the fortnightly salaries of the PM and his AG.
“In our democratic system where transparency and accountability prevail, the prime minister or a minister can only draw one salary regardless of that minister’s many responsibilities. All the payments are in black and white. There are no grey areas. Elsewhere where good governance policies and best practices iare absent, dictators help themselves to public moneys and feel no urge to go back to democracy.
“He (Bainimarama) and his Attorney General are both into this little scam that’s costing Fijian taxpayers millions of dollars. They’re both looking after themselves. Why then should the Forum allow Fiji back in when the regime there is not demonstrating any genuine effort to return the county to democracy, to good governance principles- in all its forms and manifestations- the Forum upholds?”
It has been alleged that University of the South Pacific’s Professor Wadan Narsey – who has presented critical but objective, views of the military regime- has been forced to resign from pressure exerted by the Fiji government, through Vice Chancellor Rajesh Chandra.
“It is extremely worrying when politics starts to interfere with academic independence. You then start to question the standard of education at USP and the teaching environment there. Especially as USP is collectively-owned by Forum countries and not just Fiji . The irony is that the pressure is coming from an uneducated military dictator who has never studied at a university.”
This week, trade unions in Fiji issued a joint statement asking media outlets in the country to publish and broadcast balanced news item, instead of the one way anti-union pro-regime propaganda that people in Fiji have been receiving.
Said Tuilaepa;
“That’s the reality of military dictatorshipS. There is no freedom of expression, no media independence and any critical views are hushed up, silenced. It’s all shotgun news now in Fiji .”
The planned Methodist annual conference scheduled later this week has again been cancelled by the military regime with reports that some of the senior church leaders have been sent to the barracks and interrogated by the military.
Said PM Tuilaepa;
“If 200,000 Christian women marched for their freedom as the Filipino women did against their own dictator Ferdinand Marcos, the Christian soldiers of the Christian army will just fold their arms and let them through. They will not dare touch their Christian mothers, aunts, nieces, cousins and sisters.”
Meanwhile the non-violent defiance grows, and the regime try and pull a fast one just before the Pacific Islands Forum meeting next week, by hosting fellow Melanesians and even some non-Melanesians this Wednesday.
The regime is obviously miffed (and want to get even) now that their grand plan to get taxpayers to pay for them to watch the rugby failed big time. Even the one that squirmed hard enough to get a New Zealand visa.
Fiji to host special MSG meeting
Monday, August 29, 2011
A special Melanesian Spearhead Group meeting will be held this Wednesday in Nadi.
This was confirmed to FBC News by Ministry of Foregn Affairs Deputy Secretary Political Affairs and Treaty Sila Balawa.
Balawa says Vanuatu's Prime Minister Sato Kilman and Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill have confirmed their attendance.
Solomon Islands will be represented by their Foreign Minister as their Prime Minister has commitments with a UN team in the Solomon Islands.
The MSG meet will be held a day before the 2nd Engaging with the Pacific Meeting in Nadi on Thursday and Friday.
Issues to be discussed include the MSG budget and work programmes.
Fiji and Solomon Islands will also sign a treaty on traditional knowledge.
Report by: Savaira Tabua
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