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In his welcome speech to NZ Prime Minister John Key last night, which read more as an apologia than anything else, Voreqe Bainimarama complained that the NZ media still think he and his government lack legitimacy. Referring to the 2014…

On the eve of his visit to Fiji, Prime Minister John Key told his country’s media that “his visit was to show support for the restoration of democracy, although it might not be a perfect democracy”.       “I am not saying…

The National Farmers Union welcomes government’s decision to suspend the grossly over-priced Rarawai co-generation project and the sugar-syrup making project at the Penang Mill to allow for feasibility studies to be undertaken. But the Union calls for a thorough investigation…

In three years, FSC  executive chairman Abdul Khan and his deputy have picked up a massive $2.4 million in salary – ie  $800,000 per year between them. Assuming a 60/40 sharing formula: Mr Khan would have collected $1.44m and his…

“This Bill together with its precursor, the Sugar Industry (Amendment) Act passed by the House of Representatives in August 2015 completes the isolation process of the growers from the mainstream of the industry. The voice of the grower has been…

FLP calls for investigation into a conflict of interest between Abdul Khan’s  privately owned company, Pacific Renewable Energy Ltd, which has signed a 12 MW power supply agreement with FEA when he is actively pushing FSC to embark on co-generation…

It is absolutely shocking to see the FF government continue to shamelessly  manipulate the parliamentary process to gag the Opposition by restricting its right to free and fair debate. In a democratic society, the Opposition plays the critical role of…

Prime Minister Bainimarama wants to push special legislation through Parliament to penalise victims of Cyclone Winston who may make false claims for relief assistance. But what is more urgently needed is legislation to hold him and his government accountable to…

FSC’s new $17million co-generation plant at Labasa Mill has been lying idle  and unconnected to the FEA grid due to major technical problems with its newly installed boiler. FSC borrowed $17m from the Fiji Development Bank in 2014 to construct…

The Media plays a significant role in a democratic society in safeguarding the freedoms of the people. It follows then that restrictions on media freedom lead to a denial of the fundamental rights of our people, in particular freedom of…

Fiji’s economic troubles and the deteriorating state of government finances cannot be fixed just by juggling the financial year as proposed by Finance Minister Khaiyum. The problems associated with this ongoing syndrome have their roots deeply embedded in systemic corruption…

New Zealand  has accepted its people’s rejection of a flag change but the Fiji regime insists on imposing a change despite vehement objections from its people. In  a democratic decision made through a national plebiscite held on the issue, the…

Desperately needs food, water, clothes and building materials Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry is currently in Taveuni meeting with victims of the cyclone, but his every move is being closely monitored by the local Police, even though he is on a…

While government dilly-dallies on its relief package, desperate people withdraw $35m from FNPF to meet the crisis. We are into the 4th week since Cyclone Winston cut a swathe of destruction across the country from Vanuabalavu in the south to…

Cyclone ravaged farming families in Dawasamu, Deep Water and Nabilo in ‪Tailevu‬ who lost their homes, almost all their belongings and their crops, were left to survive on virtually nothing until relatives arrived with food rations.  “Even then we had…

‬Khaiyum has called on people to “dig deep into their pockets” to assist in the cyclone relief effort (FT online 9/3) Sounds somewhat hypocritical coming from a person who himself has not contributed a cent! PM Bainimarama, Khaiyum and several…

How does Khaiyum justify giving away $20m across the board in what he calls “aid” to all families listed on the Social Welfare Scheme regardless of whether they are victims of cyclone Winston or not? This while hundreds of the…

The people of Fiji are grateful to the United Nations and the diplomatic community for its $82 million flash appeal to the international community for disaster relief work in Fiji. According to the UN Humanitarian Co-ordinator Osnat Lubrani (FT 5/3/16)…

The FF government’s response to the national catastrophe caused by Cyclone Winston would be laughable if it was not so serious. DISMAC                                                       In a media briefing given 5 days after the monster cyclone struck Fiji, DISMAC reported only 8 houses…

Alarming developments that are taking place in our country should be of serious concern to every right thinking citizen. First there is the case of huge shipments of ‪Russian‬ arms being brought in surreptitiously. The first consignment arrived in the…

Felix and company were shocked to see Khaiyum slip into Bill 11 of 2016 to amend the Employment Relations Promulgation 2007, a provision requiring the ‪registration‬ of trade union and employer federations and empowering the Supervisor of Elections (through the…

Oil price on the world market has crashed 73% since mid 2014 but petrol prices in Fiji, over the same period, have not reflected this massive reduction. In January, the world price of oil plummeted to a low of $US30…

‪Sanatan Dharam Pratinidhi Sabha is to be commended for its initiative  to make the teaching of Hindi compulsory in all its schools. The announcement by the Acting National Secretary of the Sabha has been welcomed by parents. The move arises…

$50 million to upgrade rural                          roads,bridges,jetties and  crossings over 3 years is grossly inadequate. Finance Minister Khaiyum announced yesterday that the money given to Fiji Roads Authority is to fund 151 projects to fix rural roads, bridges, jetties and crossings…

On the very day (29 Jan) the ILO Tripartite Mission departed our shores, the Fiji Trades Union Congress signed yet another agreement with the Fijian government and the employers organization FECF seeking full implementation of their earlier agreement of 25…

In December 2006 a coup was staged ‘in the national interest”. From April 2009 it turned out to be anything but in the national interest when the authorities abrogated     the 1997 Constitution, imposed martial law on the nation, banned all…

The ILO Tripartite Mission to Fiji begins its work next Monday. It is here to:                              (i) review the outgoing obstacles to the submission of a joint implementation report; and (ii) consider all matters pending in the Article 26 complaint the…

The arrival of a huge shipment of Russian arms into the country in a highly surreptitious manner is a matter of grave public concern.  It was obviously the intention of the Bainimarama government to smuggle the consignment into the country…

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama’s response to the Opposition’s call for dialogue on issues facing the nation is not only offensive, it is demeaning to the high office he holds. One expects the Prime Minister to show respect, and treat other…

Opposition MPs in PNG have slammed the government for awarding a major roads contract to a company they say is owned by Cabinet ministers (FT 9/12/15). PNG Opposition Leader Dan Polye claimed that the company (Global Construction) has been awarded…

As Fiji joins the rest of the world tomorrow (10 December) in observing the United Nations Human Rights Day, it is timely to ask what significance the day holds for us here in Fiji where we are still denied many…

‪GEAR‬ UP to pay more for food, household goods and recreational activities come the New Year, say most business houses following their analysis of the measures announced in the 2016 Budget. People may be under the misconception that living costs…

Baininmarama’s strong denunciation of the terrorism of the Islamic State in France and elsewhere during an address to the ACP group in Brussels this week, rings hollow when viewed against the horrors he supports and condones in his own country….

Fiji’s sugar industry is not in any danger from rising sea waters as claimed by PM Bainimarama at the sugar conference in London. It is in danger from Bainimarama himself. The regime’s unilateral policies that have completely marginalized growers, the…

It is unbelievable that 88% of our people polled thought that Fiji is being ruled according to the will of the people (FT 19/11/2015). We don’t think our people are that ignorant. We question the credibility of the WIN/Tebutt Poll…

Finance Minister Khaiyum’s reliance on a recent IMF Mission’s brief statement as a testimonial on Fiji’s economy, may be misplaced for two good reasons: The First is that the IMF assessment is predicated on data provided by government sources. This…

The sudden resignation of Police Commissioner Groenewald claiming too much military interference with Police work raises serious questions about the absence of rule of law, and the separation of powers between the different arms of the State. Moreover, the appointment…

The glow and glitter of Diwali the Festival of Lights is with us once again – many Hindus observe it with week-long prayers culminating in the lighting of diyas (oil lamps) on Diwali night to dispel darkness from their midst….

Budget 2016 imposes 9% VAT on basic food items and prescription medicine that were previously not subject to VAT. Denouncing the move as insensitive, Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry said it is a blow to the poor. “The imposition of 9%…

Fiji Trades Union Congress should stop being an apologist for the FF government on Fiji’s non-compliance with core ILO Conventions on workers’ rights, as portrayed by its national secretary Felix Anthony in today’s Fiji Times. The case is absolutely clear:…

Finance Minister Khaiyum is not complying with ‪accountability‬ requirements under the Finance Management Act and Regulations. The Act and Regulations (Part 7- Accountability Regs 42-48) require the Minister of Finance to table in the House of Representatives quarterly, half yearly…

Fiji First promised the residents of a squatter settlement in Clopcott Street, Ba that they would all receive proper leases for the land they illegally occupied if they voted FF. The promise was made by B Bala and Khaiyum during…

The newly opened $14m Ra Bridge is a real rip-off. Just 70 meters in length, it cost the taxpayer approximately $200,000 per meter to construct – this includes other associated costs such as building approaches and dismantling and relocating existing…

It either complies with international standards on workers’ rights or faces the consequences: Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry. It is now obvious that the unions and government have failed to reach agreement on a joint (consensus) report to the International Labour…

We agree with the appeal by Finance Minister Aiyaz Khaiyum  (FT 5/10) “to everybody to please not steal from the Fiji people”. But at the same time, we ask him to explain the following: Mr Khaiyum, as far as you…

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama told the UN General Assembly of how he “fashioned” democracy in Fiji “on dedication to the rights and dignity of each person in Fiji”. We wonder what he is talking about? The Prime Minister in his…

The extension by 5 years of Namosi Joint Venture Company’s (NJVC) special prospecting licence by government against the will of the landowners is tantamount to usurpation of their proprietory rights, supposedly guaranteed under the 2013 constitution. Over many years, the…

Finance Minister Khaiyum with help from a partisan Speaker, debased the institution of Parliament behind locked doors yesterday. But what really confounded the onlooker was the ease with which Members of the Opposition allowed themselves to be locked in like…

This is absolutely unheard of! Parliament (the People’s Chamber) meeting in camera? Behind closed doors with no Hansard report of its proceedings? The very concept is a mockery of Parliament. What is so secret in the affairs of the State…

So we are now told to observe 7 September (2016 onwards) as a holiday for a Constitution that is an abhorrent imposition on the people of Fiji. It is the height of absurdity. The 2013 constitution is seriously flawed and…

With one fell swoop of the pen, the FF government today sent cane farmers decades back to the days of the CSR when a master/servant relationship dominated the industry. Amendments to the 1984 Sugar Industry Act passed by Parliament today…

The reprehensible manner in which the government is rushing amendments to the Sugar Industry Act through Parliament, smacks of totalitarianism and makes a total mockery of the parliamentary process. “This is just another authoritarian act. It will likely signal the…

Labasa mill has been seriously malfunctioning for almost two weeks now causing huge financial loss to growers but Fiji Sugar Corporation has remained silent on the issue. The mill has been running without a shredder after it was removed on…

Fiji Labour Party is deeply saddened by the passing away of Rev Josateki Koroi, former President of the Methodist Church of Fiji, on Friday 7 August 2015. “He was a man of courage, integrity and strong convictions who paid a…

In his address to Labour’s Annual Delegates Convention in Lautoka, Leader Mahendra Chaudhry denounced the quasi-democratic rule in Fiji and said the party must be strong enough to fight this.   Mr Chaudhry’s full address at the Convention today which…

The Penang sugar mill has been plagued with mechanical problems and breakdowns since the start of crush almost a month ago, causing heavy losses to cane growers as well as FSC.                                                                According to farmers from the Penang Mill area the…

The people of Fiji may soon get to know details of the ministerial pay scam which we first exposed on our website story of 23 August 2010. The scam operated between 2010 and 2013 when, under instructions from the Prime…

FLP had warned well before last year’s general elections that nothing would change after the elections and that dictatorship will continue in the guise of (pseudo) democracy. Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry speaking at the launch of FLP’s election campaign in…

It is grossly unethical, if not scandalous, for Parliament to appoint its own members to review their own pays. Indeed, the entire review process is just another farce. It should, in fact, be transparent and kept totally at arm’s length…

We are finally presented with 23 designs from which to choose our country’s new flag. And a glance through today’s Fiji Times will provide the first national reaction to the designs – total rejection. A letter writer even labled it…

Bala Dass of FCGA needs to do better than blame the lack of water supply and electricity as factors deterring our younger generation from taking up cane farming (FT 8/6). In fact, most cane growing areas are well catered for…

What is the true state of affairs in FSC? Acting Sugar Minister Aiyaz Khaiyum praises the “tremendous performance” of FSC and its executive chairman Abdul Khan. FSC’s Independent Auditors, however, paint a totally negative picture, even casting doubt on FSC…

Fiji Labour Party is shocked but not surprised at the extremely harsh punishment meted out to SODELPA MP Hon Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu. Reviewing the proceedings of the House yesterday, it is not surprising that the Opposition has decided to boycott…

Parliament today agreed to provide government guarantees          of a $110m loan to the Fiji Development Bank and $120m loan to Fiji Sugar Corporation. Of concern to the taxpayer is the fact that neither of these institutions has released its annual…

19th of May commemorates yet another coup in Fiji – Fiji’s third , giving the nation the epithet of  Coup-Coup Land – an indication that by now our coup culture was becoming something of a joke on the international arena….

May 14  is the anniversary of  Fiji’s first coup. The coup-d’etat on 14 May 1987 not only deposed the month-long Labour-led coalition government of Dr. Timoci Bavadra, it set Fiji on a self-destructive path of political instability and turmoil which…

Fiji Sugar Corporation is withholding announcement of the cane forecast price for the 2015 season because  it has been unable to secure buyers for our sugar from this year’s crop. In the past, Tate & Lyle (UK) bought all of…

Cane farmers are saying no to government’s proposal to review the                                                                                                                                Sugar Master Award to allow for the implementation of a quality cane payment system.    A team from the Sugar Cane Growers Council, acting on instructions from the Sugar…

Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry expresses deep regret at the passing away of former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew,          highly regarded as the architect of modern Singapore. Mr Chaudhry who held Lee Kuan Yew in high esteem as a…

Labasa farmers have called on the Fiji First government to reinstate the democratically elected Sugar Cane Growers Council and to hold fresh Council elections before the start of the 2015 harvesting season.         This is part of  a 10-point resolution adopted…

The Fiji Labour Party is appalled by the Prime Minister’s comment to Members of the Opposition  in Parliament yesterday that they wouldn’t be in the House                                           if he hadn’t staged the coup in 2006.      FLP President Lavinia Padarath said…

The Fiji Flag is a national symbol and the people of Fiji should have the right to express their will on any changes to be made to it, says Fiji Labour Party  President Lavinia Padarath.                                 . “The flag reflects Fiji’s…

 This would be an investment  well in excess of  “$500 million and would provide employment for                                                   thousands of Fijians when completed,” the people were told.  You have heard of the $300 million Casino scam – after all the hype, the…

A much-vaunted $500 million project planned for the heart of Suva bites the dust as the chairman of the investment company faces investigation from Chinese government authorities after his Handan Golden Century Real Estate company collapsed in August last year….

  Education Minister Reddy’s claim that 653 new teachers are to be absorbed into the primary and secondary school system this year to reduce the long standing high teacher/pupil ratio is suspect unless it can be  verified  against figures for…

Following the seizure of his passport by Immigration authorities at Nadi Airport yesterday, former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry has written to the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs seeking answers to a number of questions relating to the incident. We reproduce…

Labour Leader and former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry and his wife were this morning  stopped from travelling overseas    on their diplomatic passports. Mr Chaudhry maintains he should be entitled to a diplomatic passport as a privilege accorded to former prime…

The $300m project including a casino and convention centre at Denarau was to be set up by the American Company One Hundred Sands Ltd with Larry Claunch promising big returns from the casino and some 1500 new jobs. The first…

The dawn of a New Year is generally greeted with rekindled hopes and aspirations,          and firm resolutions to strive for a better and more fulfilling life. For us in Fiji, just emerging from 8 years of repressive, dictatorial rule following…

The extremely lopsided, iniquitous and grossly unfair IRB Sevens deal forced on Fiji TV by the FF Government,  wreaks of gross nepotism and abuse of power. We are referring to reports that  Information Minister Khaiyum engineered the move to get…

The so-called people’s Prime Minister (elected to office with a stupendous 202,459 personal votes) has been out of the country for the past three weeks on a junket completely oblivious to the crises affecting our people.      During his absence:…

In a country that can’t afford to provide decent housing for its growing poor Budget 2015  allocates $12m to the Fiji International Golf Tournament to be held at the Natadola Bay Championship Golf course next year. In 2014 Fiji taxpayers…

A notable feature of Budget 2015 is that it gives with one hand and takes away with the other. Fiji Labour Party has maintained all along that nothing is for free.  The regime may be offering free prescribed medicines, water,…

It is unfortunate that the visit of Indian Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi   should have been marred by a boycott by members of the Opposition. The Leader of the Opposition, Ro Teimumu Kepa and 14 of her  Sodelpa members decided…

The action of  Government members of the Public Accounts Committee to sabotage its work was to be expected given the damning revelations of abuse, mismanagement, fraud, embezzlement and conversion reported in the Auditor-General’s  reports for the years 2007-2013. The raids…

Credible sources in the Finance Ministry have confirmed that FNPF                                                     has been told to make arrangements for further loans of up to $500 million   to the State to plug a huge hole in its 2014 Budget. Readers will recall that…

The Auditor General’s report (Front page Fiji Times today) is just the tip of the iceberg as far as the complete saga of the regime’s Cabinet salaries are concerned. Firstly, it is now clear that the Ministers of the regime…

The Fiji Labour Party stands vindicated in its condemnation of the regime’s imposed 2013 constitution.                                                                                                                                      The three champions of the regime’s imposed 2013 Constitution This is what we…

Fiji Labour Party welcomes the recommendations of the UN Human Rights Council following its Universal Periodic Review 2014 just concluded in Geneva on the human rights situation in Fiji. We note in particular the Council’s observations on the seriously flawed…

Fiji Delegation to UNHRC suffers rebuff! Mission unsuccessful! Members of the ‘high powered’ Fiji delegation made no impact on the UNHRC in their attempt to paint an acceptable picture of the human rights situation in Fiji. They were bundled out…

As we celebrate yet another Diwali – the Festival of Light as it is widely  known – let us reflect on what lies ahead of us as a people. There are those who want us to believe now that elections…

It is highly unethical for the government to issue a decree prescribing ministerial and parliamentary pays just three days before the convening of Parliament , says Labour  Leader Mahendra Chaudhry.  The Parliamentary Remunerations Decree 29 of 2014 was promulgated on…