Mahendra “Mac” Patel is a fugitive from Fijian justice who fled to Australia rather than face trial in Fiji on charges of corruptly using his position as Chair of Post Fiji to instruct the Post Office to buy a clock for the Suva GPO from his own business. Motibhai and Company. The Motibhais from Ba also happen to own the Fiji Times. And in an astonishing article in today’s edition of the paper, “Mac” Patel writes an article in which he argues that the 2013 Constitution be declared null and void.
In the usual way of the Fiji Times, the paper declares that the views of the “chairman Emeritus of Motibhai Company Ltd” are “not necessarily shared by the paper”. What a joke! It is a case of the owner of the Fiji Times who has refused to return to Fiji for well over a decade to face the charges against him using his ownership of the paper to argue a particular line with no declaration of the extent of the scandalous conflict of interest involved.
Well at least we now know why the Fiji Times has been using its columns to argue so vociferously for constitutional change, including today’s front page trumpeting comments by the RFMF Commander, Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai, that the Coalition is entitled to test the legal limits of altering the requirement for a popular vote of 75 per cent to be able to change the 2013 Constitution.
For “Mac” Patel, it is clearly payback time against his sworn enemies, Frank Bainimarama and Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, who he blames for laying the charge of abuse of office against him that has kept him away from Fiji and living in exile in Sydney. It raises an extremely serious prospect – that the Coalition government has given “Mac” Patel the green light to return to Fiji without having to worry about being detained for having fled the country when there was a bench warrant for his arrest during the Bainimarama years.
Grubsheet was at the heart of government when Frank Bainimarama as prime minister showed me a letter from “Mac” Patel begging Bainimarama to enable him to be able to return to Fiji unmolested. Bainimarama and Khaiyum rightly ignored it. Because to have granted his wish would have meant one rule for him and one rule for everyone else. The case against him was clear cut. As Chair of Post Fiji, he allegedly approved the purchase of a clock from his own company to sit atop the GPO Tower in Suva. And even now, justice dictates that he be brought to account for one of the most serious allegations of corruption in the history of corporate Fiji.
That the Fiji Times has enabled its owner to use it as a vehicle to argue for a highly contentious proposition without a full declaration of the circumstances Grubsheet has just outlined is an outrage. Yet this is the level to which Fiji has fallen under the Coalition government, which came to office promising to be better than its predecessor but is much worse when it allows such an outrageous abuse of Fiji’s traditional newspaper of record by a fugitive from justice in the form of “Mac” Patel.
The Coalition and its Attorney General, Graham Leung, need to explain whether they have permitted “Mac” Patel to return to Fiji – as he begged Frank Bainimarama to enable him to do – without having to face the charge of abuse of office that awaited him under the “old order “. We also need a explanation from the Media Council as to why the “chairman Emeritus ” of the Fiji Times can be allowed to use the outlet as a vehicle to argue for the country’s supreme law to be declared null and void. Or is there a quid pro quo here? “Mac” Patel argues publicly to change the Constitution and the charges against him are dropped?
If he sets foot in Fiji – and he may already have done so such is the lack of transparency of this government – “Mac” Patel should be arrested and immediately put before the courts. And the Fiji Times should face official censure for allowing the ultimate owner of the paper to use it to argue for the nation’s Constitution to be declared “null and void” without properly informing the Fijian people of the gross conflict of interest in allowing him to do so.
Of anyone in Fiji including his star columnist, Richard “I have the means” Naidu, “Mac” Patel genuinely has the means to sue Grubsheet for defamation in the New South Wales courts. I look forward to receiving his writ. Because nothing is more in the public interest in Australia and Fiji than to expose this person for his refusal to face justice for such a glaring instance of corruption and such a glaring instance of misusing his position as the owner of Fiji’s most important media outlet to argue for the nation’s supreme law to be trashed.
The determination about “Mac” Patel’s criminality rests with the courts. But we now know conclusively that there is only one description for the Fiji Times. Corrupt.
Surprise, surprise. Today’s Fiji Times front page.
Hey GD
Mr Patel already served a years sentence for the clock saga in 2011.
Fiji Times was exposing Bainimarama and Aiayaz rot.
Any of the opponents of the 2 men rule were crushed.
75 year old went to Australia for eye treatment, he almost got blind in Fiji while serving his sentence.
Why wouldn’t a person having so mush money would like to have best treatment for himself.
He left for Australia and rest is history.
His company employed so many.
First class duty free and retail shops in Fiji.
Wholesale of groceries etc.
Hundreds of workers at Fiji Times benefitted.
Even news paper boys made a living out of Fiji Times.
There are bigger thieves and are all running loose these days.
I read a case in Australia some years back ,where a person swindled over 100 thousand dollars and was given home detention for a year ,as he was 70 years old.Age was a factor.
Mac was 74 when brought to court.
My great grandfather read Fiji Times everyday
It was like his breakfast.
The trend continues.
Than we had the Nai Lalakai and Shanti Dut .
Diwali issue was best for my mum.
Luckily it’s doors are still open.
Aiayaz would have shut Fiji Times down forever.
During our school days Fiji Times was like a lesson for current events.
Not sure if you can remember about the Exam results that were published those days and students would run to Chinese bakery for bread and Fiji Times.
Those who could afford had a copy or sharing and caring was a norm.
A copy of Fiji Times would be shared amongst the neighborhood or a class in schools.
These days journalism is all about politics.
Gone are the days where articles about hard working people ,events in rural towns,outdoor,fishing and hunting.
All gone.
It is a sorry state our young generation doesn’t read news papers these days.
Many use them to wrap suki cigarettes.
Sad.
Long live the Fiji Times.
As a proper newspaper worthy of its illustrious history, the Fiji Times is mostly only fit to wrap suki cigarettes.
Oh yes, I remember the old days – of eagerly awaiting the paper as a kid in Lautoka. When I was sent to boarding school in Oz in 1966, my mother would regularly sent me cuttings of news from the Fiji Times and I still have the centenary issue from 1969 somewhere in my belongings.
My ambition when I was young was to work on the paper. My career took a different path. But as a journalist of half a century’s standing, I can tell a suki cigarette wrapper from the real thing. And the current state of the Fiji Times is a national disgrace.
Well it’s the journalists and the editor who put up a news paper daily.
Not it’s owner.
“Seiko”, don’t be so naive. It’s like saying Rupert Murdoch doesn’t influence his journalists and editors when he does.
The fact that you have called yourself “Seiko” – the brand of clock “Mac” Patel tried to foist on the taxpayer – tells us that you know a great deal more about this saga than you are telling us.
More revelations to come.
Truth always prevails GD
In streets of Suva Seiko and Rolex sell for 50 dollars.
Brand new.
Chinese fakes all around.
Seko in hindi loosely translates to masi polo. Ball greaser. Rub. Use oil to massage the maharaja = maharaja ke tel lagai ke meejo.
Masseuse. A la collin the klown.
Alternate meaning, useful idiot. Servant.
…mostly only fit to wrap suki cigarettes….
I have another use in mind.
@ Seiko. As continuously pointed out, this paper is but a ‘shadow’ of its past and apolitical it is, not. The Fiji Times ‘chose to oppose’ the previous government in all fronts and the workers ‘suffered’ from the ‘directive’ then.
Now, the Fiji Times is ‘with this government’ and its staff are now subjected to
ridicule by their industry peers and the public at large for ‘looking the other way’ on matters of grave concern that needed reporting on, government’s nepotism, gluttony, self indulgence and disregard for the rule of law.
One must ask, is this current MO, a decision by the staff? Certainly not, it is the workings of a sinister mind of greed and grudge, and the paper and staff are tasked with vengeance.
Seiko
You also should make full disclosure for coming to the defence of the Fiji Times and MAC Patel. Just so that we all know where your thoughts are coming from. The story about your grandfather and the rest is very romantic, but tell us the whole truth please.
Idiot
Nothing is about defensive.
Just plain truth of what had happened.
I know who Mr Patel is but haven’t even seen him in person.
My grandfather was romantic.
That’s why we have come this far to live and care for each other.
Wonder if you have followed and learnt any teachings of your older generations.
Not only Patel but others like Netani Rika ,Russell Hunter and Victor were victims of truth .
One journalist articles I would love to read was Netani Rika.
Poor guy had his house and car stoned after 2006 coup.
Patel a victim of “truth”? Rubbish. More to come.
Mac Patel had over the years bribe pollies for benefit of MOTIBHAI
he won’t disclose how motiibhai won contracts for airports shops etc
He used his position for company benefits
Yes AIYAZ and FRANK were after him but he couldn’t buy them
He looked down to lots of people because of his wealth !! Serves him right to be prisoned and living in excile ! Hoping Rabuka will pardon him , maybe the good Rolex will help like the clock did !!!
One thing is for sure: if the Fiji Constitution is altered to remove equality and enshrine iTaukei supremacy, long-term friends of Fiji who have given hundreds of millions in AID will second think and press the pause button. (Even the UN will be outraged!)
Or does the Rabuka government think China will give aid instead and without crippling economic repercussions?
This Rabuka-led Coalition Government did it for Rt Ului Mara, allowed him to come and go as he pleases despite an active Court sentence remaining against him since he fled Fiji to Tonga on a naval ship he snd his extended family conspired together to arrange with the Tongan royal family and the navy. Pita Driti took the hit like a man and served his time in prison while Rt Ului relaxed in Nukua’lofa wining and dining with his mates at the Nukua’lofa Club.
Yet I thought under the seperation of powers principle government cannot interfere with the judiciary and its rulings. By right government implements Court rulings and should have arrested Rt Ului the moment he set foot on Fiji soil.
Mac Patel and Lautoka lawyer Aman Singh, meanwhile, continue to live in exile in Australia because of double standards displayed by this Coalition Government. What’s worse, Manoa Kamikamica speaking as deputy prime minister at a recent Lau Provincial Council meeting assured his government’s backing (meaning taxpayers’ money) for the installation of Rt Ului at Tui Nayau set down for next year.
Why favour Rt Ului while others are treated differently? The Constitution promises a fair and equal citizenry, but here we are seeing the old failings of Fijian leadership -/ one law for the people and another law for chiefs.
Many can’t see Ratu Ului’s case.
They see Mac Patel as wanted fugitive.
@fair and equal–The fugitive from/in tonga and other guy you mention are nothing but gory human rights abusers and over glorified ‘decorated’ tin soldiers with tin medals and fake barrets.
They’d be the envy of Kim Jong Un’s generals in full regalia.
Talked to any one dragged to delainabua in the 2000 and 2006 violent power grabs. They will not have easily forgotten the special treatment metted by these two free-rider thugs and their brethren goons.
One is a grifter extraordinaire sucking the Tongan people dry (they deserve him) for years and has never held a real job his entire life.
The other pretends to be a foreign policy expert albeit unemployable. He “warned” people who dared to think humanely not to protest Gaza atrocities committed by his favorite country. Because he said, the natives will not stand for it and threatened retaliation through violence to any peaceful protest.
Remember the isileli-loving ‘christian pilgrims’ scared shitless when hotilites brokeout? They ran for the plane with their tails between their christian asses? Still owe $3m. That lot. Wonderful christians all.
Back to our subject: Neither of the two are Fijian patriots. Tonga natives haven’t moved to their beloved Isileli.
Both of them and many other self-promoted and self-entitled ‘decorated’ grifters have lived their entire lives sucking on the teats of the state. Including the current god of water.
He who lives the high life and willingly looks the other way (wink, nudge) as this weed and bonking/women beating/serial adulterous Collusion government rides rough shod over the constitution.
*Tonga natives haven’t moved to their beloved Isileli.*
Corected text: Surprising more natives have not moved to their beloved isileli.
The proper question the Commander should be asking if he considers his role under section 131 (2) of the Constitution is, “how can we save Fiji democracy from these politicians?”
. . . and we might also add, politicians who have a shoddy track record of protecting any of Fiji’s past Constitutions.
This latest dribble from a wanted fugitive who has a lot of money, influence, and power, is a very clear indication of where Fiji will be in 2026. The ensuing chaos is inevitable and it won’t be a surprise as the flood gates open to the largest population exit in Fijis history. Fiji will be left in the hands of the Chinese and their CCP sympathisers.
… the flood gates open to the largest population exit in Fijis history.
And the big house. Gates of the big to open too.
GD – Page 38 of The Fiji Times details out Aiyaz’s medical conditions – and despite all that was in his Affidavit, as reproduced by the Court and by Anish Chand in his ‘beyond the scope’ article, the Court declined his application for travel for medical reasons – again.
Yes, I read that and was appalled. Of course, he is not a flight risk with his entire family in Fiji. It is just cruel, vindictive and degrading.
Fiji will welcome back Mac Patel in exchange for jail time for Khaiyum and his co-religionists who plundered Fiji.
Whats one freakin wall clock between friends?
Mac has done much for Fiji.
“One freakin wall clock”? It was a giant outside clock on the Post Office Tower. And it is a criminal act if you are Chair of a public utility to get that utility to buy anything from your private company. It is called CORRUPTION, you idiot.
Stand by for more revelations to come.
So they should have bought from tappoos
End of the story.
Even though Prouds are agents for some renowned brands,just don’t buy from them because their owner is the chairman of a board.
Is that correct Graham.?
Willy nilly villy is back. Buckle up people for more bigotry and racism.
But wait, GS says ‘there’s more to come.’
But it seems Willy nilly milli vanilly villy don’t read so well. Musta fell off a coconut tree and hit his head on a rock, splitting the rock in two.
Good old fake milly vanilly villy.
.
Vili:
Mac has done much for Fiji:
Beware of people who give with one hand and take much more from their other hand.
A Rolex watch and Seiko clock both have 2 hands!
Usually what is visible is what the one hand gives but generally hidden is what the other hand takes back , much more than what it gives.
I must say that opinion piece by Mac Patel is a bit lame, for person of his stature.
What will changing the constitution achieve? What problems will it solve?
And not making full disclosure is lame by the Fiji Times.
I guess under this regime all sense of any standards are gone. Especially when you have an idiot as PM of the country setting all the standards. But the people love it and are totally unaware.
Dear Seiko.
Classy Duty Free shop @ Nadi international airport…yes owned and operated by late senator Collin Weaver.Overnight new owners from Ba became duty free retailers and rest is history . Like in art world provenance is what matters.
Amazing what a few ‘his&hers’ gold rolexes can do. Boxes of fine wine and perfumes delivered to the right people gives you a leg up too. You gotta grease the skids then bust a move.
Lorraine says;
“The proper question the Commander should be asking if he considers his role under section 131 (2) of the Constitution is, “how can we save Fiji democracy from these politicians?””
Section 131 (2) IT SHALL be the overall RESPONSIBILITY of the RFMF to ensure at all times the security, defence and WELL BEING of Fiji and (all) Fijians.
It is very clear in the Constitution what the RFMF obligation and duty is to the Fijian people.
Our WELL BEING is not being served by the present Government, represented by individuals and Parties sitting in our Parliament, that one will be hard bent to declare democratic. One party, the largest party in Parliament, has been de-registered, and if it had been put under proper scrutiny prior to the elections would not have been eligible under Article One of the Constitution. Imagine a political organisation, one given life by its founders, having then being subject to the continued participation and or life of the founders.
Section 1 (One) of the Constitution, YES, THE VERY FIRST LINE!
1. The Republic of Fiji is a SOVEREIGN DEMOCRATIC STATE founded on the values of –
(a) common and equal citizenry and national unity;
(b) respect for human rights, freedom and the rule of law;
(c) an independent, impartial, competent and accessible system of justice;
(d) equality for all and care for the less fortunate based on the values inherent
in this section and in the Bill of Rights contained in Chapter 2;
(e) human dignity, respect for the individual, personal integrity and
responsibility, civic involvement and mutual support;
(f) good governance, including the limitation and separation of powers;
(g) transparency and accountability; and
(h) a prudent, efficient and sustainable relationship with nature.
My estimation of the reality we are in.
The 2 biggest parties that are, were in parliament, represent two GANGS, PAP and FFP . At least NFP, SOLDELPA, FLP have some semblance of parties, with branches around the country.
The situation of members of Fiji First Party sitting in Parliament as independents is in my mind illegal.
With the de-registration of FFP, all members of that party are null and void and must exit parliament. None of them garnered 5,000 registered voters to support their eligibility. Can not find any clause in the Constitution that deals with a de-registered Party or its members, but there is something in the Act. But the Constitution specifically says that no law can contradict the Constitution, the supreme Law. So, no Parliamentarian can sit in Parliament as an independent without having the nomination of 5,000 voters or winning 5% of votes cast.
The Electoral Commission should have called for an election, or at least a by-elections for 26 seats. That is if Section One of the Constitution is to be adhered to in Law and in Spirit. What we now have in Parliament are representatives that did not get 5,000 or 5%, but in fact people who got less that 1,000 votes who are in Parliament which is unconstitutional.
This is a question, in my opinion, for a Constitutional Assembly, as there are many others, as witnessed by the great clamour by some people for Constitutional change.
I make my case for the re-institution of the Constitutional Assembly as proposed by the Constitutional Commission (2013), headed by Prof Ghai , which is the basis of our present Constitution.
The Way forward:
46. (2) No person or body other than Parliament has authority to make any law in Fiji,
except under authority conferred by this Constitution or by a written law.
131. (2) It shall be the overall responsibility of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces to
ensure at all times the security, defense and WELL-BEING of Fiji and all Fijians.
82. In the exercise of his or her powers and executive authority, the President acts
only on the advice of Cabinet or a Minister or OF SOME OTHER BODY OR AUTHORITY ( RFMF ) prescribed by this Constitution for a particular purpose as the body or authority on whose advice the President acts in that case.
I believe that there is enough direction in the Constitution to allow the RFMF , with its responsibility to the people of Fiji, clearly, according to Constitutional provisions, to act in concert with the President of Fiji to avoid chaos by re-instituting the provision in the 2013 Constitution for a Constitutional Assembly that was removed by the RFMF.
It is understandable that the Head and members of the RFMF at the time were concerned with their amnesty provisions.
The RFMF, with the President, can surely make the case to the people of Fiji that the Constitution needs to be flexible when exposed to real world application and practice. The drafters of the Constitution fully expected their document would be challenged and so had included a Constitutional Assembly, a body to review the Constitution on an ongoing basis. The Constitution clearly states that it can not be abrogated or suspended, but can be amended.
What I am suggesting, is that, rather than the Government going to the High Court, as the Commander RFMF suggests, that it actually favours the RFMF to pursue what I am suggesting, and that it works in concert with the President to maintain the WELL-BEING of the Fijian people by being proactive and re-instate the Constitutional Assembly.
The RFMF, in re-instating the Assembly, can declare clear guidelines and parameters for it to work within.
For instance, that the amnesty provisions are off-limits to change.
That the Constitutional Assembly Chairmanship,will be the prerogative of the RFMF for the first 2 years of its life.
The biggest challenge will be the selection of men and women to the Assembly. Whom will we draw representation from amongst the people? Political, Military, Religious, Vanua, elders of the Communities and in what proportions.
To take the Constitution to the High Court simply on the basis of its high threshold for change, is too narrow. The Nation can not be subject to every line of the Constitution being challenged in Court, it is a recipe for community apprehension and chaos.
A Constitutional Assembly is what we need to allow for well thought out proposals for discussion and argument and deliberations given full access to the people to participate in, before final amendments are put to Parliament, to be assented to, prior to being subject to referendum by the people.
As GD has been asking, as the people of Fiji would like to know, what parts of the Constitution do people who want it changed, want changed ? Without this question being answered, the people are left in trepidation and fear, and rightly so.
RFMF, President and Government, please work for the WELL BEING of the people of Fiji.
As for me, I will wait for the Constitutional Assembly to be formed, whence I will submit to the people my case for a One Party State.
I made 2 submissions to the Ghai Commission, got one and a half. The RFMF took half, that put me back at 1.
RFMF, please put back half, I will hope to get the other half from the Constitutional Assembly to make it 2 and die a happy man.
What was the one I got in the Constitution.? Section 121.
Yep, its there in the book. Myself and 6800 of 7000 submissions to the Constitution got something we all wanted, that would keep them honest, and true to form, despite them swearing oaths to their God to uphold our Constitution, our politicians/representatives still have not made law for the implementation of Section 121 – The Transparency and Accountability Commission. This would NEVER HAPPEN in a One Party State. There will be no politicians in a One Party State, just peoples committee representatives that are tasked with ensuring that resolutions passed are implemented.
God, wouldn’t you like that?
Oooops, my God, that is biblical, leaders of 10, 100,…….your system , that might just work. Any examples?
Japan, India, Singapore – One Party States by free choice of the people for years and years, decades in fact, and no Communist Party in sight.
Ian S is not always wrong or crazy…one the face of it some good points. We can’t keep doing things the same way and in the face of terrible outcomes hope that same old methods will give better outcomes.
Novel ideas have to be given consideration to see if they worth implementing.
I would question though the qualifications of the RFMF to be of such an influence or decider in maintenance of the Welfare of Fiji and all it’s people. Why such power to the armed forces – just because they have weapons? Leave them to manage the area of their expertise (for the navy it may be questionable if they can give very capable instructions on how to ground a vessel, multiple times). The RFMF should not be the great council of wise leaders tasked with overall welfare of us.. that should be the elected parliament or cabinet. RFMF stick with armed forces role-to include modern evolving threats like cyber warfare as well the more traditional guns and artillery threats, espionage, and defense from foreign armed threats.
Overall responsibility for welfare of the nation is too broad a mandate. It is more a god like mandate. And they are not the nation’s god.
@Ian. Go do your blog and see who follows it. Crikey.
Commander of RFMF is right.
Change the constitution and military should have NO say in running of a government .
The world military should never appear anywhere.
If Forbes or some other respected competent entity was to do an analysis on wealthiest persons or families in Fiji and come up with a list it would not be a surprise to see that a very small community collectively owns a very disproportionate amount of net wealth in Fiji. (And not just in Fiji)
If not Forbes then Fiji’s statistics dept.
The methodology that is used to obtain such wealth and retain it is no surprise, especially when $$$ is the paramount god of that exclusive community.
If it is done ethically, in compliance with legal and tax laws that would be acceptable but as the golden Rolex ticks it also talks ( toks) of much that really goes on underhand.
While trying to avoid stereotyping unfairly, as an example – in South Africa political scandals and business involvement in corruption guess whose (sur)names come up involving the political leaders and business interests..no surprises. The rot of unethical mindset and corrupt behavior in pursuit of wealth and $$$ (but not political power) is widespread wherever the sailing ships have taken the opportunists.
Not alleged when he’s been convicted of a crime! He is a convicted criminal. He withdrew his appeal from the Court of Appeal after he ran away to Australia. He had no shame in doing that. If he was innocent, he would have at least carried on with the appeal.
Yes, you are right. He appealed against his most recent conviction and leave to appeal was granted. But he declined to proceed with the appeal. Removing the “alleged” as you have suggested.
Aiyaz and Frank went witch hunting after Mac Patel. Ok, he sold the clock, they could have ordered him to pay the money back with interests. I am sure he would have paid back, stayed in Fiji and helped Bai & Kai make more progress in Fiji.
Motibhai employs thousands of employees. These employees feed their families becuz of Motibhai. Not that they are in business for few years, they have been in business for decades. For decades they feed these employees and their families.
Bai & Kai did the same thing to Ratu Suli & Niko. “Entrapment”. The parliament secretary knew that they are taking money under false address but stayed quiet till the quantum was substantial enough to warrant a longer custodial sentence.
“Witch Hunters”. Bai got hunted. Now Kai is next. Karma pays with interest.