Tevita Vuibau
Friday, July 27, 2012
THE former vice president of Fiji and roko tui Bau, Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi believes race relations in Fiji are better now than they ever were.
He made the comments while addressing participants at a CCF forum titled 'Bringing Fiji Together - Addressing Inclusivity in Constitution Making' at the Holiday Inn yesterday.
Ratu Joni, who was a guest speaker at the forum had been one of two foreigners on the Solomon Islands Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Ratu Joni made the comments while speaking on racial harmony and the 1997 Constitution.
"We thought the 1997 Constitution would end our long nightmare, we were wrong," Ratu Joni said. "We are still a fractured society although I also have to say that ironically, inter-racial relations appear to be better than they ever were."
Ratu Joni attributed this current improved state to several factors including government policies and changed iTaukei mind sets.
He believes Fijians of Indian, European and mixed descent feel more a part of Fijian society because of the policies and actions of the present government.
He said, secondly, some of the iTaukei fears about domination by Fijians of Indian descent have been mitigated by the increase in the iTaukei population and continued immigration of Fijians of Indian descent.
"Third, despite some of the perceived egregious actions of the government against iTaukei interests, iTaukei still see a government dominated by them, a military that is still almost iTaukei in composition and the fact that the government does not intrude on their daily lives unless they make waves."
However, Ratu Joni also said he felt Fiji was still a fractured society because the country had yet to create and embed within itself a set of common values.
"What are these values? A common identity, a belief in our country, democracy, human rights, the rule of law and other civic beliefs."
However, Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum differed from the view offered by Ratu Joni saying instead the reality was that the same common values were already in Fiji society.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said the comments made by Ratu Joni placed ethnicity at the centre of the debate which was worrisome. He added that by removing ethnic voting from the electoral system the government was working to ensure that political parties of tomorrow were not based on ethnicity.
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said removing ethnicity from the system and ensuring the one person one vote principle meant government policies would not be ethnically slanted and therefore more inclusive.
- INTELLIGENT RESISTANCE -
Free. Fair. Fearless. Intelligentsiya is made up of Fiji Islanders who are libertarians in their own way and who cherish the free flow of news, ideas and information and will peacefully resist any attempts by the country's military rulers to stifle free speech. intelligentsiya will also bear witness, report and discuss human rights abuses by the authorities.
July 27, 2012
July 26, 2012
Voter Registration in Fiji one-third of the way to target
Published: Tuesday, Jul. 24, 2012 - 5:12 am
SUVA, Fiji, July 24, 2012 -- Momentum continues to increase
SUVA, Fiji, July 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Fiji's Electronic Voter Registration (EVR) is now more than one-third of the way to reaching the Government's target of registering 600,000 Fijians. At the end of the third week of EVR, the total stands at 211,291.
"We are happy that momentum is continuing to grow for voter registration," the Attorney-General and Minister Responsible for Elections, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said. "EVR is now in full stride as we continue to open new registration centers across the country."
In order to reach the 600,000 mark, an average of 10,000 Fijians a day must register over the course of the 60-day registration period. As of Sunday, July 22, EVR has averaged slightly more than 10,550 a day, a figure that includes totals for the first week when only a limited number of registration centers were open.
"This is an encouraging sign to all Fijians that we are on track," said the Attorney-General. "Government continues to urge those Fijians who have not yet registered to do so, and for those who have registered, to act as ambassadors for the process by telling friends and family how simple and quick registration is."
Tuesday, July 03, marked the nation-wide launch of Fiji's EVR. This followed the official launch on Friday, June 29, in Suva, where the Prime Minister received the first voter card.
The eight-week period of voter registration is being undertaken with the collaborative guidance of CODE Inc., a Canadian company that has assisted in voter registration processes in a number of developing countries that subsequently held successful elections.
CODE, Inc. has provided biometric voter registration systems (BVRS) that incorporate biometric technology and electronic voter registry software to ensure accurate voter identification, which will help to eliminate voter fraud during the scheduled 2014 elections.
Additionally, 1,050 volunteers, who were selected on merit, have been trained as registration clerks to travel throughout Fiji to more than 1,000 voter registration centers to help uphold standards of accuracy and transparency in the registration process.
"This is a historic moment for Fiji, particularly considering the country's political history," stated the Attorney-General. "The Bainimarama Government has taken care to ensure the challenges and issues pointed out in the 2006 EU report will not be repeated, and that moving forward we establish, for the first time in Fiji, a democratic system that is based on the principle of one person, one vote, one value."
While the official statistics remain to be confirmed, a significant percentage of voters in the scheduled 2014 elections will be under the age of 35, and many of them will be first-time voters. Much of this is due to the Bainimarama Government's decision to lower the voting age from 21 to 18, empowering young Fijians to engage with and participate in the elections process in order to have a say in the future direction of the nation.
"It is critical that this registration process be inclusive of all Fijians of voting age and that it be conducted with integrity and accountability so that, at the time of nation-wide elections in 2014, both Fijians and the international community know that the preceding processes were credible and transparent," the Attorney-General said.
Registration continues at centers across the country.
SOURCE Republic of Fiji
Air Pacific Announces FY2011/2012 Financial Results
Nadi, Fiji - Air Pacific today announced its financial results for the fiscal year ended 31 March 2012 (1 April 2011 - 31 March 2012). Mr. Nalin Patel, Chairman of Air Pacific's Board of Directors, said that Air Pacific Ltd. and Air Pacific Group both made operating profits and that Air Pacific Ltd. delivered record-breaking revenue.
- Air Pacific Ltd. reported an operating profit of $16.5m, compared to an operating loss of $3.7m for the previous financial year.
- Air Pacific Group reported an operating profit of $13.4m, compared to operating loss of $4.3m for the previous year.
On a net basis, Air Pacific Ltd. reported an after tax statutory profit of $11.4m and Air Pacific Group reported an after tax statutory profit of $10.7m (versus after tax statutory profits including net income due to cancelled aircraft deliveries of $24.8m net and $25.3m respectively for FY2010/11).
Air Pacific Ltd. also recorded its highest ever revenue of $645.9m, an increase of $90.5m in revenue from FY2010/2011, and an increase of $130m compared to FY2009/2010 (the year before airline restructuring and turnaround efforts began). The airline also carried 85,000 more passengers than it did the previous financial year and 122,000 more passengers than it carried in FY2009/2010.
Mr. Patel attributed the airline's continued financial improvement and successful turnaround to the transformation measures put in place by Air Pacific's new MD/CEO, his new management team, and Air Pacific's dedicated and hard-working employees.
"The fact that we managed to return the airline to an operating profit only two years after we experienced the biggest loss in our history speaks volumes about the experience and capability of our new management team and the soundness of their turnaround plan. These strong, positive results during a time when other airlines are struggling validates the Board's decision to hire Dave and support his new team's seasoned strategic focus," Mr. Patel said.
"Under the new team's direction and with full support of the entire Board, Fiji's national airline has benefited from a more than $100m improvement in its operating performance over the past two years - a remarkable feat when one considers the challenges the industry and our own airline were facing." Air Pacific Ltd. announced an operating profit of $16.5m for this fiscal year, compared to an operating loss of $91.8m two years ago and an operating loss of $3.7m last year.
"I would like to thank my fellow Board Directors, our committed and dedicated employees, our loyal customers, our shareholders, and our many business partners for their continuing support in helping us achieve these results," Mr. Patel added.
Dave Pflieger, Air Pacific's Managing Director and CEO said, "Our improved financial performance is solid proof of the significant progress we've made as a team over the past two years. Our turnaround plan, which involves changing virtually every aspect of our company, is clearly working and today's results are a reflection of the incredible efforts of the men and women who proudly represent Fiji's national airline. The fact that we achieved these results despite a number of significant challenges is even more remarkable," the airline's chief executive added. "Some of our challenges included: a $94m increase in actual/operational fuel costs over the past two years, retiring and replacing older fleet aircraft, new and increased competition from not one--but two--low cost carriers (Jetstar and Virgin Australia), as well as a cyclone and two major floods that significantly disrupted airline operations.
Mr. Pflieger cautioned that "Air Pacific's restructuring is not yet complete, but I am very proud of these results as they prove the capability of the entire Air Pacific team."
Mr. Pflieger added; "to be clear, we are not out of the woods yet, and we remain ever mindful of the possible challenges posed by market uncertainty, a slowdown of major world economies, and the ever-present threat of further volatility in oil prices. At the same time, we are clearly making great progress towards our future success and sustainable profitability. With new airplanes and a complete rebranding ahead of us, we remain confident and excited about the future of our airline and the many great things we have planned for our customers."
As announced last month, Air Pacific plans to revert to its former 1951 name, "Fiji Airways," and rebrand the airline to coincide with the delivery of brand-new A330-200 aircraft that start arriving in March, 2013.
"We are making a significant investment in new aircraft, new products, and customer service training in order to offer our customers the best flying experience in the South Pacific. That investment, our demonstrated performance to date, and our great potential are what allowed us to attract industry leading partners to help us with our new A330-200s," Mr. Pflieger noted.
The announced partners for Air Pacific's new wide-body fleet are: Rolls-Royce for engines, Panasonic for in-flight entertainment systems, Zodiac company Weber for seats, and Singapore Airlines Engineering Company (SIAEC) for cabin design and vendor selection.
Other highlights of FY2011 /12 include:
- Signing a purchase agreement for three brand new Airbus A330-200 aircraft and obtaining initial financing for those aircraft at a difficult time in the financial marketplace;
- Retiring a vintage B767 aircraft, introducing a new B737-800, and starting B747 services to Hong Kong;
- Improving Air Pacific's network and schedules, including introducing double daily flights into Sydney, in order to make the airline more competitive and more customer friendly in a core market;
- Entering into a new codeshare agreement with American Airlines;
- Finalising multiple strategic partnerships to enhance the flight experience of customers traveling on board new A330s.
- Adding a new Tabua Club business lounge at Nadi International Airport;
- Being voted one of the "Top 10 Small Airlines in the World" in the prestigious 2011 Condé Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards; and
- Improving Pacific Sun's network, fleet, and schedules with better connectivity to Air Pacific's international schedule, as well as adding new weather radar and avionics systems on all DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft.
Air Pacific Ltd - financial result highlights
| Financial Results ($ millions) | 2011/12 | 2010/11 |
| Revenue | 645.9 | 555.3 |
| Operating Profit / (Loss) | 16.5 | (3.7) |
| Statutory Profit after Income Tax | 11.4 | 24.8* |
Air Pacific Group - financial result highlights
| Financial Results ($ millions) | 2011/12 | 2010/11 |
| Revenue | 678.3 | 586.7 |
| Operating Profit / (Loss) | 13.4 | (4.3) |
| Statutory Profit after Income Tax | 10.7 | 25.3* |
* FY2010/11 statutory profit included net amounts received due to the cancellation of delayed aircraft deliveries partially offset by associated contractual commitments.
All amounts are in Fijian dollars.
Fiji and Zhejiang Province, China to Increase Cooperation
Vice Governor Gong Zheng is leading a twelve member delegation to Fiji from 23rd to 24th July 2012 during which he met with the Prime Minister, the Minister for Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation, and the Chief Executive Officer of Investment Fiji.
The purpose of the visit is to strengthen friendship between Zhejiang and Fiji. Accompanying the Vice Governor is a delegation from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Zhejiang Sub-council.
In welcoming the Delegation, Minister Kubuabola said that Fiji saw the visit as a reflection of our 'Look North Policy'. The Minister also expressed the hope that the visit will contribute to the deepening of the relations between the Fiji and China and Zhejiang Province.
During discussions yesterday Minister Kubuabola and Vice Governor Gong Zheng agreed to step up Sister-City/Province Relations so as to promote trade and investment.
They also agreed to expand exports such as in agriculture, fisheries, timber etc. Zhejiang has become one of the most richest provinces in China. Last year Zhejiang Province's export to Fiji totaled USD$26 million whereas Fiji's export to the province was only USD$220,000.00.The two sides agreed to cooperate to improve Fiji's balance of trade.
In this regard Vice Governor Gong Zheng also agreed to work with Fiji meet local quarantine laws.
To assist boost our exports to the province, Zhejiang Province is willing to offer Fiji its existing trade promotion platforms such as its annual trade and investment symposium which is held in June each year. Fiji could showcase its products through this annual event.
Vice Governor Gong Zheng undertook to promote more investment from his province in Fiji. Already the province has two major investment projects in Fiji one of which was the new cement factory.
Vice Governor Gong Zheng also explained that his province was looking for specialized projects in Fiji such as biogas, solar energy, mineral exploration etc.
The two sides also agreed to operationalize the memorandum of understanding recently signed between Investment Fiji and their counterpart in the province.
Vice Governor Gong Zheng agreed to assist the Ministry for Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation with scholarships for its officers to study Chinese Mandarin in China for 1-2 years within its sister-city relationship.
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