Why is the luxurious 5-star Natadola Bay Resort being under-valued at $84 million by the Fiji National Provident Fund? In its shocking disclosure of a $301million write off on the Natadola Resort project last week, the Fund’s Chief Executive Aisake…
The Natadola scam has finally surfaced. We posted a story on the subject on our website on 2 March titled “Is our Provident Fund (FNPF) in safe hands?” At the time, the FNPF annual reports for the years 2008 and…
Almost half of our people are living in poverty. This shocking revelation was made at the recent workshop on poverty alleviation impact assessment conducted by the Poverty Eradication Unit of the government A 2007 survey had put poverty levels at…
Altogether 24 Fiji flights have been cancelled in the past two months as a result of poor load factor, according to the latest data available from airport sources. This includes six cancellations by V Australia and not the 17 reported…
Poor load factor has resulted in flight cancellations to Nadi in the recent weeks. Airport sources have disclosed that V Australia cancelled about 10 Sydney-Nadi flights last month and seven so far this month. “Even at the ridiculously low $199…
Labour Leader and NFU general secretary Mahendra Chaudhry undertook an extensive tour of cyclone stricken areas of Labasa over the week-end. He met with over 500 people in 12 different locations in the Daku, Wainikoro, Vunimoli, Bucaisau, Labasa and Wailevu…
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) says Fiji’s economy is expected to contract in 2010. This is a correction of its previous forecast (Nov 2009) when the Bank projected a modest growth of just under 1%. In a statement on Pacific…
The United States 2009 Human Rights Report for Fiji, just released is a highly damning document on the continuing violation and abuse of human rights by Fiji’s (military) interim administration. The 13-page report focused on the denial of the right…
The Fiji Labour Party is alive and active and will contest the 2014 general elections, contrary to claims by interim Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama. Commodore Bainimarama is reported as having told the local media that none of the politicians will…
What is holding up the certification of FNPF accounts and the publication of its annual reports for the years ended 30 June 2008 and 2009? The FNPF Act requires the accounts of the Fund to be audited and certified and…
The Housing Authority (HA) is to borrow $70 million under the Chinese ‘soft’ loan scheme to fund its low cost housing project. The financing arrangement is reported to be in its final stages of negotiation. Some serious questions of accountability…
The sugar industry faces a massive $100 million loss for the 2009 season all because of FSC’s failure to efficiently convert cane to sugar at its ailing mills. Of this, loss to cane farmers will be a staggering $70 million…
The Labour govt. was fully cognisant of the special needs of indigenous education but had a different approach to that of other governments. The FLP said in reply to an editorial comment (21/1/10) titled “Welcome Revolution” in the Fiji Times….
The Labour govt. was fully cognisant of the special needs of indigenous education but had a different approach to that of other governments. The FLP said in reply to an editorial comment (21/1/10) titled “Welcome Revolution” in the Fiji Times….
The Labour govt. was fully cognisant of the special needs of indigenous education but had a different approach to that of other governments. The FLP said in reply to an editorial comment (21/1/10) titled “Welcome Revolution” in the Fiji Times….
Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry has just returned from participating at the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, an annual convention of People of Indian Origin worldwide, held in New Delhi this year. The three-day event is sponsored by the Government of India…
Fiji Labour Party views with deep concern the sacking of three magistrates without any explanations given for their removal from office. According to media reports neither the President’s office nor the interim Attorney General is willing to explain why the…
Fiji Labour Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhry expresses his deepest condolences at the passing away of Mrs Amina Koya. She will always be remembered with honour and respect as the wife of the late Mr Siddiq Koya, former Leader of the…
Unfortunately, the grim prospects facing us in the New Year will bring no joy to the hearts of our people. From all corners – political, economic and social- the tidings are depressing and frustrating, to say the least. Fiji’s economy…
(FLP Leader Mahendra Chaudhry (2nd left) pictured in Naitata,Navua with cyclone victim Ram Samuj (left) and Hira Lal and Bimal Prasad to his right) FLP Leader Mahendra Chaudhry has been out meeting with people in Navua, Nausori and Tailevu/Naitasiri areas…
The farming community has been most hard hit by the ravage caused by Cyclone Mick and the Fiji Labour Party has called for a State rehabilitation programme to begin the recovery process. “A preliminary survey in the Western and Central…
The Reserve Bank of is way off the mark in its inflation forecasts which is likely to be running closer to an unprecedented high of 15.2% and not the RBF-claimed 7%. Likewise, to claim that devaluation of the Fiji dollar…
Fiji’s economy cannot be rebuilt on the back of political instability, violation of human rights and repressive measures under the Public Emergency Regulations, says the Fiji Labour Party. “You must first of all secure confidence in the future of the…
Fiji’s economy cannot be rebuilt on the back of political instability, violation of human rights and repressive measures under the Public Emergency Regulations, says the Fiji Labour Party. “You must first of all secure confidence in the future of the…
The visiting IMF Mission team’s recommendation to reduce FNPF’s annuity benefits is unfortunate and appears to have been made without a full understanding of all relevant facts. In its concluding statement, the team recommends that the Fund be made actuarially…
The visiting IMF Mission team’s recommendation to reduce FNPF’s annuity benefits is unfortunate and appears to have been made without a full understanding of all relevant facts. In its concluding statement, the team recommends that the Fund be made actuarially…
The interim government is definitely ill-advised on its decision to remove price controls from 146 basic consumer items. “It is a shocking and irresponsible move which will hit directly at the stomachs of the poor at a time of galloping…
The interim government is definitely ill-advised on its decision to remove price controls from 146 basic consumer items. “It is a shocking and irresponsible move which will hit directly at the stomachs of the poor at a time of galloping…
First check the authenticity of your story before you start investigating the Labour Leader, FLP tells Coup Four Point Five. Your sources are no doubt the same Chaudhry-bashers whose pack of lies have been shamefully exposed in your previous anti-Labour…
This year again, as last year, I have been unable to convey to you my message on the auspicious occasion of Deepavali through the media. But the reason for my inability to do so this year is different from that…
Businesses in the North simply do not have confidence in the policies of the regime. They are hesitant to invest saying there is a sharp downturn and the money is simply not there on which businesses can build. “People are…
A recent survey in the Labasa area revealed widespread hardship and discontent among the people with children forced to walk several kilometres to attend school. While they have given several reasons for their plight, the foremost among them are: •…
The full effect of the devaluation of the Fiji dollar is unleashing itself on the people particularly those with ordinary incomes, as the cost of goods and services rise sharply. In recent weeks, people have been hit by increases in:…
Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry challenges blog writer for Coup Four and a Half to provide documentary proof of him accusing Ratu Epeli Nailatikau of complicity in the 1987 coup. The phantom writer says Chaudhry’s accusation against Ratu Epeli was “public…
A 30% increase in bus fares approved by the government is exorbitant and will make life even more difficult for workers and the poor. It is going to add to the hardship suffered by the majority of our people as…
Fiji Labour Party questions government decision to let the $20m Police headquarters be built as a Fijian Holdings project to be leased to the Police Force for 20 years on completion. “Why was Fijian Holdings Ltd (FHL) selected without other…
Cane farmers should be compensated by FSC for losses incurred as a result of mill breakdowns and stoppages, as an obligation under the Sugar Industry Master Award, says the National Farmers Union. Why should farmers have to suffer for the…
Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry has called on the interim government to explore better alternatives to sustain the financial viability of the Fiji National Provident Fund rather than reducing the current rate of pension to its members. He was commenting on…
The extension of the State of Emergency by a further month is regrettable as restrictions placed under it will have a detrimental effect on businesses and the economy in general, Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry said. To the international community it…
The decision to devalue the Fiji dollar by 20% will create more problems than it will solve, says the Fiji Labour Party. “Above all, it will undermine confidence in Fiji’s economy, deter investment and cause severe hardship to the poor,”…
The decision to devalue the Fiji dollar by 20% will create more problems than it will solve, says the Fiji Labour Party. “Above all, it will undermine confidence in Fiji’s economy, deter investment and cause severe hardship to the poor,”…
The Interim Government and the sugar industry had to step in and bail out the South Pacific Fertiliser Ltd in 2008, to maintain the price of fertilizer at $19.50 a bag for cane farmers. “Otherwise, farmers would have been forced…
The cane crop has sustained extensive damage in the North following almost three days of battering by hurricane force winds brought by Cyclone Tomas. The slow moving Tomas which was upgraded to a Category Four hurricane on Monday with wind…
The South Pacific Fertiliser Limited (SPFL) was already on the verge of liquidation when Mahendra Chaudhry took over as Sugar Minister at the beginning of 2007, says FLP “It has become a dishonest habit of Jaganath Sami and his cohorts…
The 2008 Annual Report of the Fiji National Provident Fund has now been published and is to be released to stakeholders after it is tabled in Cabinet. This is the information provided by the FNPF to queries from Labour Leader…
FLP’s response to Coup Four and a Half is to stop blathering and front up with the evidence it claimed it had against the Labour Leader. But first, the FLP does not operate through anonymous blog sites. We have the…
Biman Prasad’s biased and jaundiced attacks on Mahendra Chaudhry as Finance Minister, totally unsubstantiated by facts or statistics, is a disgrace to the high academic office he holds as professor in economics at the University of the South Pacific. “Financial…
The Fiji Labour Party has cautioned the interim government against letting vested interests dictate its economic policies. The statement issued after FLP’s National Council Meeting in Nadi today was in response to concerns expressed by the Governor of the Reserve…
The Fiji Labour Party is disturbed by reports on TV last night of statements made by the Police Commissioner to certain senior Indian officers in the Police Force who, he alleged, might not support his religious crusade. While the intentions…
The Fiji Labour Party has called on the interim government to take immediate action to reduce bus fares in light of a substantial decrease in the price of fuel. “The explanation by Transport Minister, Mr Timoci Natuva, that fares would…
The Fiji Labour Party is shocked at the Interim Government’s decision to defer implementation of the Wages Council Order and to rescind the directive for a 10% reduction in bus fares. Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry said it was clear that government…
Cane farmers should be compensated by FSC for losses incurred as a result of mill breakdowns and stoppages, as an obligation under the Sugar Industry Master Award, says the National Farmers Union. Why should farmers have to suffer for the…
Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry has called on the interim government to explore better alternatives to sustain the financial viability of the Fiji National Provident Fund rather than reducing the current rate of pension to its members. He was commenting on…
Fiji Labour Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhry has expressed deep sadness and sympathy for the victims of the flash floods that took lives, and shattered infrastructure and the already fragile economy of the nation. In a statement issued today from New…
The Fiji Labour Party is deeply concerned at the loss of lives and damage to property, goods and crops caused by the extensive flooding in the West in the past few days. The Party calls on Government to send out…
As I stand here before you to reflect on the life of Anand Babla, I am reminded of just how unpredictable life is. Who would have thought that Anand, the son of a Tavua taxi operator, would one day became…
The Fiji Labour Party regrets the expulsion of the New Zealand and Fiji High Commissioners from their respective missions, said Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry. Relations between Fiji and New Zealand have remained strained since the expulsion of New Zealand’s former…
Let the festivities of Christmas remind us once more of Christ’s message of love, understanding and compassion so that we can build a truly multicultural nation on a firm foundation of peace, progress and prosperity for all. Within a week…
The Fiji Labour Party is deeply saddened by the death of its former FLP Member of Parliament and long serving Party activist, Anand Babla of Tavua. Babla, 54, passed away in Chennai, India at 2pm yesterday (Monday Fiji Time) while…
Fiji’s falling Foreign Reserves, now down to about 3 months of imports, is a matter of major concern, said Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry. “This will eventually put a strain on the value of the Fiji dollar and adversely affect our…
Fiji’s falling Foreign Reserves, now down to about 3 months of imports, is a matter of major concern, said Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry. “This will eventually put a strain on the value of the Fiji dollar and adversely affect our…
The Interim Administration must ensure proper transparency in any dealings concerning the sale, or partial sale, of Fiji’s airport and port facilities or any other public asset, says Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry. Mr Chaudhry has also questioned the outright sale…
The Interim Administration must ensure proper transparency in any dealings concerning the sale, or partial sale, of Fiji’s airport and port facilities or any other public asset, says Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry. Mr Chaudhry has also questioned the outright sale…
The pre-Budget opinion piece by NFP/FT propagandist Kamal Iyer (FT 21/11/2008) is characterised by his usual contempt for truth and objectivity, spurious arguments and a pathetic lack of proper research and information. An objective analysis of any national Budget requires…
There is no truth in Wadan Narsey’s claim that money allocated to the Health Ministry for the purchase of medicines was slashed to fund the extra budgetary military expenditure, says Mahendra Chaudhry. The claim (FT 26/11/08) is not only incorrect…
The military’s extra-budgetary expenditure in 2007 was noted and properly regularized by promulgation under the Financial Management Act. “There was no fraud committed as claimed by NFP’s Pramod Rae. Nor was I “sleeping on the job”. Mr Rae might want…
Budget 2009 is characterised by a rather large bundle of concessions which may create distortions within the economy and have a negative impact on Government revenue, Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry warned. “It will give rise to widening Budget deficits. It…
Budget 2009 is characterised by a rather large bundle of concessions which may create distortions within the economy and have a negative impact on Government revenue, Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry warned. “It will give rise to widening Budget deficits. It…
Budget 2009 is characterised by a rather large bundle of concessions which may create distortions within the economy and have a negative impact on Government revenue, Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry warned. “It will give rise to widening Budget deficits. It…
The Fiji Labour Party’s Management Board met yesterday to consider an invitation from the Interim Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama to a meeting of political party leaders to be convened next Monday. The Board has authorized Party President Jokapeci Koroi…
Benefits from the current substantial decline in fuel prices must be passed on to the consumers, Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry said. Mr Chaudhry has called on government and all regulatory authorities such as the Commerce Commission, the Land Transport Authority…
Benefits from the current substantial decline in fuel prices must be passed on to the consumers, Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry said. Mr Chaudhry has called on government and all regulatory authorities such as the Commerce Commission, the Land Transport Authority…
Benefits from the current substantial decline in fuel prices must be passed on to the consumers, Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry said. Mr Chaudhry has called on government and all regulatory authorities such as the Commerce Commission, the Land Transport Authority…
The Fiji Labour Party welcomes the court ruling in the Qarase v Bainimarama case. “The decision reaffirms FLP’s stand that elected government’s must adhere to the principles of good governance and be held accountable to the people,” said Labour Leader…
Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry has questioned the integrity and independence of USP academic Biman Prasad for deliberately misleading the nation with distorted figures. Dr. Prasad launched a vicious attack on the policies of Mahendra Chaudhry as Finance Minister, claiming that…
Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry says he had argued against the PR Open Party List system of voting when it came up for discussion at the NCBBF meeting. “Adi Finau ( Fiji Sun 23/9/08) is not being quite honest when she…
FLP had advised dialogue and mediation to resolve the army/government stand off in 2006 rather than taking unconstitutional means of resolving the crisis. Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry said there was no truth to allegations that FLP had complicity in the…
The Fiji Labour Party categorically rejects wild allegations made by Krishna Datt in the week-end that FLP leadership had a hand in the plotting of the 2006 military takeover. “Krishna Datt himself admitted that he had no evidence of any…
The NCBBF has recommended that Fiji adopt a Proportional Representation arrangement of voting using an open party list as part of its electoral reforms. The Fiji Labour Party is not happy with this recommendation as we believe it is unsuitable…
The Fiji Labour Party has begun its consultations on the draft Peoples Charter with discussion meetings held in various parts of the country. Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhry and former Ministers in the interim government, Lekh Ram Vayeshnoi and Tom Ricketts,…
Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry and his two FLP colleagues have resigned as Cabinet Ministers following a directive from the Party’s National Council in the week-end. Chaudhry, Lekh Ram Vayeshnoi and Tom Ricketts handed in their letters of resignation to Prime…
Interim Ministers Mr Mahendra Chaudhry, Mr Lekh Ram Vayeshnoi and Mr Tom Ricketts; Party Delegates; Party Officials and Invited Guests – it is an honour as Party President to once again welcome all of you to our Annual Delegates Conference…
The year under review has seen the restoration of political stability with the interim government of Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama in effective control of the nation. You will recall that a special National Council meeting of the Fiji Labour Party in…
The Fiji Labour Party has resolved to support the Interim Government’s initiative to adopt a People’s Charter as the best way to move the nation forward. The decision was among six resolutions on important national issues adopted by the Party’s…
There are positive indicators that the economy is definitely on the mend in the short span of 15-18 months compared to the highly precarious state it was in when we took over from the Qarase Government, says Mahendra Chaudhry. The…
There are positive indicators that the economy is definitely on the mend in the short span of 15-18 months compared to the highly precarious state it was in when we took over from the Qarase Government, says Mahendra Chaudhry. The…
Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry has categorically denied claims by Laisenia Qarase that he was opposing the increase in land rent to 10% of the UCV. “Mr Qarase is talking rubbish. It was the People’s Coalition Government that first proposed increasing…
There will be no increase in electricity charges on 12 June as granted by the Commerce Commission and widely reported by the media, Mahendra Chaudhry Minister for Energy announced today. “It is Government that makes a final decision on whether…
There will be no increase in electricity charges on 12 June as granted by the Commerce Commission and widely reported by the media, Mahendra Chaudhry Minister for Energy announced today. “It is Government that makes a final decision on whether…
Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry has categorically denied claims by Laisenia Qarase that he was opposing the increase in land rent to 10% of the UCV. “Mr Qarase is talking rubbish. It was the People’s Coalition Government that first proposed increasing…
There will be no increase in electricity charges on 12 June as granted by the Commerce Commission and widely reported by the media, Mahendra Chaudhry Minister for Energy announced today. “It is Government that makes a final decision on whether…
Laisenia Qarase’s continual pontificating about social and economic problems largely created by his own government’s misrule over six years would be amusing if the issues were not so serious, said FLP President Jokapeci Koroi. She was referring to Laisenia Qarase’s…
Labour has hit back at the usual anti-Labour haranguing by NFP columnist Kamal Iyer in the Fiji Times of 31st May 2008. Lekh Ram Vayeshnoi, FLP’s assistant secretary general, in a letter to the Fiji Times, responded that as usual…
The Fiji Labour Party has crticised The Fiji Times for re-employing a reporter who had brought enormous disrepute to the paper and created national instability with her fabricated, distorted and sensationalized news reporting in 1999/2000. “By re-employing this discredited reporter,…
The Fiji Sugar Corporation Ltd has entered into a long-term agreement on the supply of raw sugar for preferential import into the European Union (EU) market with its traditional buyer, Tate & Lyle. The contract for the supply of up…
Fiji Labour Party remembers with deep sadness the 19 people who lost their lives and the trauma inflicted on members of the People’s Coalition Government held hostage for 56 days at gunpoint, in the 2000 coup. In a statement released…
Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry says he is appalled at the mischievous and highly selective reporting by Fiji TV of his ad on food prices. In its main news report aired on Wednesday evening Fiji TV said that in an advertisement…
Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry says he is appalled at the mischievous and highly selective reporting by Fiji TV of his ad on food prices. In its main news report aired on Wednesday evening Fiji TV said that in an advertisement…
Media must be responsible and play by the rules as set out in the Media Code of Ethics, Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry said in his Media Freedom Day message: Media freedom is a precious commodity which places on all of…
The sudden concern Mick Beddoes and Laisenia Qarase are now trying to show for the poor is sheer hypocrisy, says Mahendra Chaudhry, Minister of Finance, National Planning, Sugar Industry and Public Utilities. “A man who raised VAT twice in his…