The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Biman Prasad, has his knickers in a twist about the Fiji Sun reporting a complaint against him to the Fiji Elections Office and the FEO passing that complaint on to FICAC.
He attacks the Fiji Sun for spreading allegations that he describes as “malicious and without substance” – joining the Attorney General, Siromi Turaga, in targeting the one newspaper in Fiji even trying to take advantage of the supposed new era of media freedom. And he clearly believes the FEO has an obligation to inform him before it refers anything to FICAC when it has no such obligation legally to do so. (See Tuesday afternoon’s statement by the Supervisor of Elections below)
Biman Prasad chooses to ignore the fact that the letter of complaint to the Fiji Elections Office was first published by Victor Lal’s Fijileaks. But like the Fiji Times in relation to the reporting of Lynda Tabuya’s sex and drug scandal, why bother targeting a critic 16,000 kilometres away in Oxford and beyond your reach? Better to aim at your local critics in Gorrie Street.
The Sun’s “crime” is to have published a legitimate document that the Fiji Elections Office has referred to FICAC because it wasn’t directly related to electoral matters. Biman Prasad claims that the Sun didn’t approach him for comment before publishing but twice now, the Sun has reported that it did.
Biman Prasad was muttering loudly enough about legal action yesterday for FijiLive to remove its own reporting of the letter of complaint to the FEO. But fortunately for the rest of us, the Fiji Sun isn’t so easily cowered and after a front page story yesterday, it has again laid out the precise nature of the complaint today. So this isn’t going away.
Rather than huff and puff in self-righteous indignation, Biman Prasad would do well to start directly addressing the points that have been raised in the complaint instead of shooting the messenger/s. It’s all here in the original document first published by Victor Lal. But don’t expect that to happen.
The Coalition government is already mired in scandal with Tabuya-gate and however much Biman Prasad is anxious to avoid being covered in dirt, it is too late. We know now why the Acting Supervisor of Elections, Ana Mataiciwa, passed the complaint on to FICAC. Because Biman Prasad has some very serious questions to answer. And he would do well to start answering them, including the precise circumstances in which he awarded public money to his wife.
It is another nail in the NFP leader’s credibility on the long, sorry downhill path to ignominious defeat whenever a fresh election is held. Because far from being the honest broker we all hoped he would be, “Baimaan” too has been enveloped by the stench of corruption and political decay.
He has not only betrayed the trust of those who put him there to ensure that the Coalition governs for all and upholds the rule of law but this is more evidence that the man who was meant to use the NFP’s five seats to keep the bastards honest is unfortunately one of the bastards himself.
——————–
First, the original letter of complaint to the FEO first published by Victor Lal at Fijileaks.
Biman Prasad’s furious response yesterday to both the FEO and the Fiji Sun, ignoring Victor Lal altogether.
The Fiji Sun doubles down today on its original story and again insists that it did contact Biman Prasad. Someone is engaging in lasulasu-jhoot. Who do we think that might be?
FijiLive drops its original story on the allegations after reported threats of legal action and replaces it with one leading with Biman Prasad’s response.
And on Tuesday afternoon, the Supervisor of Elections humiliates the Deputy Prime Minister by stating what we already know – that she was fully entitled to refer the matter to FICAC and, indeed, it was her duty to do so.
So, we replaced one set of baddies with another set of, not so baddies?
How dumb were we to believe their promises ????????????????
How dumb are the people of Fiji who think that recycling a crackpot and despot from 37 years ago will fix their problems? Absolutlely mind boggling. I just cannot fathom the idiocy of the whole saga. Third World mentality or just stupid people, I guess.
Too much praying and fasting to a vulagi god.
TRUTH
does not mind being
questioned.
A LIE
does not like being
challenged.
With those skills, he might have a chance at the vacant Fiji Cruiserweight belt. His corner man should ensure there is some wasabi on hand 🙂
It will be interesting to know who will be footing the bills for his legal letters to the FEO and to the Fiji Sun. I have a feeling that the tax payers may be footing these bills because as a DPM he may be entitled to these sorts of things. Just speculating.
Extremely disappointing watching it all unfold. Biman is a lost cause along with his sinking financial prospects for the nation taking Richard Naidu with him. What ever happened to Mr Naidu’s threat to take Grubsheet to court? All talk no action by the look of things.
The Government is in a shambles only half way into their term. No progression, no innovation, investors are weary, rather rapid decline backed with scandal after scandal. PM is likened to a debilitated fool watching it all play out in front of his very eyes.
Today the PM has stopped all overseas travel for Ms Lynda Tabuya. Is that all he can do?? She would do best to resign with whatever dignity she might have left; if any.
Maybe he wants to get higher and do some brutalising himself.
Sooner or later leaders of this country past and present will have to realise they are answerable for their actions and they are not immune to the consequences of their misbehaviour . People may turn a blind eye and you get away with illegal and corrupt acts when your government is in power but sooner or later there will be a change of government and the long arm of the law will come looking for you . Also remember you took an oath to God when you were sworn in to obey and uphold the constitution, so even if you think you might get away with things in this life , you will have to face God in the next life and explain why you broke promises you made to him. That applies to all parties past, present and future.Repent now before it is too late .
It always hurts when the boot is on the other foot. Baiman used every opportunity under the sun to label the previous lot corrupt.
Its his turn now so he should be man enough to face it. If he claims the allegations are false, then he has nothing to fear. If he knows they’re facts, he needs to tighten his dhoti or chaddi because his world is about to be turned upside down now that FICAC has the case.
The fact that his actions were done so publicly makes it difficult to quash but then again, when you have Rabuka as your boss, anything under the sun is acceptable.
I think Baimaan now needs some of the blessings from his taxpayer funded visit to the the unfinished Ram Temple in Ayodhya recently. This is the time one needs divine intervention.
Well what do we expect from a man who harassed the wife of another man.
Lowlife that is Biman.
Well Fijians of Indian descent who voted NFP will be regreting their choices of how nepotism and racism is clearly being carried out.
He is real BAIMAAN. GO BACK LA OR EAT KASAVA MANDRAI
No, we don’t want this bimbo in Labasa. He better stay out and away.
He can live with Richard Naidu.
Where is that clown BTW? Not a sign. Maybe he can save Baimaan.
I cant beleive Baimaan is the same guy I voted for. This guy duped so many.
Appearing as the person who could really paddle this country forward, once elected he has only looked after his own and his friends and family’s interest.
The debt has shown no sign of getting smaller either and racism against Fijians of Indian descent has never been worse in the last 17 years.
He will do well to rake in 500 votes come next election.
A true deceiver and liar of the highest order just like his make Richard Naidu.
Grubsheet
Please come back to Facebook and bring Victor Lal too
You have no idea how Indo Fijians are suffering in Fiji
My parents just lost their farm with improvements and we living with relatives. Please help us
Ramesh, I am sorry to hear about your plight. Unfortunately I am banned from Facebook forever for contravening its community standards by publishing censored photos of Lynda Tabuya, including the infamous turtle tattoo that establishes that it is her once and for all and that the leak from Aseri Radrodro’s phone wasn’t fake. My regrets.
I am glad that he is investigated now.
Even the Girmit Foundation in NZ is upset by his dodgy ways. He has lied to the leaders at home and afar. No one is coming to Fiji this May for any girmit service.
Investigate his wife, Ganesh, Ahluwalia and anyone else. We have no trust in this man. He has betrayed the people who trusted in him from Australia and New Zealand.
Where is Lal’s wife now?
Another family that were abused by Biman.
If Mrs Lal has any intellect she better keep away from this corrupt Biman.
Hang on Biman!
The complaint is about you with a huge allegation. It is fraudulent what you did dumbtard.
You now decide to use your party’s official letterhead and respond to a complaint about you?
How dumb are you as a professor?
And how dumb is your party!
FFS Biman!
Now your under the table qualification really shows.
An academic can be a good politician but this is rare. Here’s quite an informative analysis by AI. You’ll find it interesting.
A university professor may fail as a politician for several reasons, despite their expertise in their field. Here are some possible explanations:
1. Lack of Political Experience: While a professor may be knowledgeable in their academic area, they may lack experience in navigating the complex world of politics. Politics requires a different skill set, including negotiation, persuasion, coalition-building, and public speaking, which may not be emphasized in academia.
2. Inability to Connect with Voters: Professors may struggle to connect with a diverse range of constituents and communicate effectively with them. They may find it challenging to relate to people from different socioeconomic backgrounds, cultures, or life experiences.
3. Limited Understanding of Political Dynamics: Politics often involves compromise and making decisions that may not align perfectly with one’s academic principles. A professor may struggle to adapt to the realities of political decision-making, which can be messy and require balancing competing interests.
4. Difficulty in Campaigning: Successful political campaigns require strong organizational skills, fundraising abilities, and a compelling message that resonates with voters. Professors may lack experience in running effective campaigns or may find it challenging to transition from an academic style of communication to one that is more accessible and appealing to the general public.
5. Negative Public Perception: Depending on the academic field, a professor may carry stereotypes or biases that could hinder their appeal as a politician. For example, they may be perceived as out of touch with the concerns of ordinary people, elitist, or overly intellectual.
6. Opposition from Established Political Figures: Entering politics often means competing with established politicians who have extensive networks, resources, and name recognition. Professors may face resistance or opposition from these figures, making it difficult to gain traction or support within their party or constituency.
7. Ethical or Ideological Constraints: Some professors may be unwilling to compromise their academic principles or integrity to engage in the political process. This could limit their effectiveness as politicians, as politics often involves making pragmatic decisions and navigating ethical gray areas.
Overall, while a university professor may possess valuable expertise and insights, success in politics requires a unique combination of skills, experience, charisma, and adaptability that not all academics may possess.
—-we might have all been duped and chose to elect someone with acclaimed academic eminence but he may not know the fundamentals of politics and to serve our people with courage, loyalty, trust, fairness and transparency which we haven’t quite seen apart from cronyism and pushing his own self-interest! There is a gaping void of good leaders – Fiji urgently needs them but where will they come from if the current anarchy continues to serve our people as a role model. The failing state of affairs and the ethical & moral bankruptcy also reflects the quality of our education that we may not be producing the ‘true leaders of tomorrow’! Over 50 years of local university education certainly come into question. God Bless Fiji!
Lack of practice experience in the real world.
Lack of leadership of teams
Real world is more than modelling and research projects.
Application of academic knowledge in the real world requires years of experience, ups and downs, success and failures to achieve any kind of credibility for politics and business.
Baimaan Saadhu has none of that.
The Ministry of Finance is crippled by an academic professor with no practical experience in his field, who believes in a brand of economics that has no real life application and who has a permanent secretary who in the previous government in 2021 was preaching that Fiji would have a “V-shape recovery” from Corvid while the IMF, World Bank etc were predicting a longer recovery. It turned out they were right and he was wrong yet he blithely continues in his office today advising the Minister as if nothing happened. Both he and his Minister should be removed, shift Biman to Education and let his assistant Minister, Esiromy Emmanuel take over. He has more relevant finance background, speaks well and has proved himself capable.
I agree! Move Assistant Minister Eserom Immanuel to Minister Finance and move Biman to Trade. And make Agni Minister for Education.
Moving/switching chairs on the Titanic are we?
Agni had one case to solve that the nation is waiting on. That is for the young person who fell from CFLs Showcase event. What happened to that case? Will Agni take a whole year to complete the investigation on this case?
”Clouds on the horizon”
I think Baimaan has nothing to worry about. Just the the crackpot PM did not sack the Temptress. Baimaan’s issues will be swept under the carpet. These laws and code of conduct does not apply in certain cases if “Moses” says so.
The people of Fiji are truly blessed.
Amen
I doubt that he was ever an academic of any calibre at USP.
He just sucks at everything.
Talking about academic, I remember on Twitter there was a wild fire when Ahuwalia said Fiji Indians are like the convicts of Australia. Yes, he likened us Fiji Indians to first Australian colonizer convicts. Then he said that he did to Fiji what Fijians couldn’t do to Fiji within Fiji. And that he was the master mover of the elections and throwing Bainimarama out.
Where is Ahuwalia today, Biman?
Nowhere near USP Laucala Campus. Staying in expensive resorts in Samoa paid by the regional nations of USP because he is scared to return to Fiji for good. This is what Biman did and supported. Fijians now call Ahluwalia a dog. Never before has a VC has had no respect in Fiji.
Ahluwalia must be fully investigated and I’m glad that this report mentions him too. USP staff are fed up of him in Fiji and Samoa as I have heard from both sets of staff.
I cannot wait to see these two men hang their heads deeper in shame. Not long to go Mafatu.
Went to Dreketi recently.
The indo-fijians were swearing at Biman and the Coalition.
Went to Labasa.
Same effect.
Swearing at Biman.
Even Gujirati Mahajans were not holding their frustrations back. They said they regretted their vote.
And those who didn’t vote can’t wait for 2026 to throw the Coalition out.
The poverty is high and the farmers are struggling. Whole of North is.
For all those who voted him in…where are your mouths now?….Hiding under a rock now…or the words can’t come out.
Remember every dog has its day…it’s time for this dog (Bimain Kuli) to stop barking.
“I do not see how the Acting Registrar of Political Parties and Supervisor of Elections could reach the view that there was a case for FICAC to investigate without first asking for answers from me. My lawyers will be writing separately to her on this.”
NFP leader Biman Prasad
Biman you gadha. No one needs your permission to send you to FICAC. FICAC is an independent organisation. Grow up. It has exposed you for all wrong doings. A curse from our Girmitya’s for using their name and abusing taxpayer dollars. Hang your head in shame Baimaan.
Good job by the acting elections lead.
It dosen’t take a rocket scientist to figure what PAP is doing:
1. Send all ffp threats to jail
2. Boot out NFP and Sodelpa.
3. Come into power alone.
4. Drive their ethno-nationalist agenda with no hindrance.
In short, Baimaan will be history soon. If he has any smarts he will see the writing on the wall but then he deserves it for betraying the voters.
PAP can keep dreaming ! Rabuka and his inefficient PAP Ministers don’t have a chance at re election ! We might be seeing a whole new set of MPs in parliament in next elections ! People have now woke up to Rabuka’s sex scandals and inefficiencies not to mention PAP’s con during elections !
Such attitude and arrogance! No humility.
Biman, as Koya said, it has been a year of nothingness from you. Nothing at all.
Your economic summit was a failure.
Girmit Day was a failure.
High VAT increase.
Poor becoming poorer.
You used taxpayer funds for Girmit to gain fame for yourself and your wife.
You have no place in the society.
And you know very well how government procurement practices work but you were dodgy.
PM (none the wiser) must stand his ministers down during any investigation.
Signed
Descendent of a Girmitya
Bimaans days are numbered…if not it is Fiji’s days that will be numbered.
The state of affairs in Fiji is going from bad to worse by the day. The crime rate is as high as it has ever been. People with skills are migrating in the thousands by the month and this donkey minister is just tooting his own horn.
I beg the PM to reconsider who he has in cabinet. Some of these people aren’t worthy of being in civil service forget about leading Fiji.
We are headed for the home run that will kick us so far back that Fiji and her children will not be able to recover. What a mess we have created. Please bring elections forward.
We have collected a whole lot of garbage and called it the coalition. The stench is getting unbearable. We must clean it before it starts spreading disease.
God bless Fiji and her children.
One big con-man Doctor. Such a shame. Idiot!
Fiji Unite Against Curruption before you turn into Haiti!
Sack Baiman, Tabuya, Shamima and investigate all claims!!
Remove Rodrodro from parliament forever.
What are you waiting for?
The only positive outcome of this situation is that the Acting Supervisor of Elections is taking action on complaints against government ministers. This wasn’t seen frequently with the previous Supervisor, especially regarding reports lodged against ministers at that time.
Selectively. With meddling from the grinning village idiot. Don’t get your hopes too high. End of the day, nothing will come of it; just a diversion tactic to take the heat off the shake—more smoke (weed) and mirrors (vanity) from the clowns. The voters shot themselves in the foot. The adage ‘better the devil you know’ has not been more politically appropriate in our history. And our free media is all over every public interest story. Freedumb indeed.
Jale Moala, a former reputable editor of the Fiji Times who now resides in New Zealand once wrote recently along the lines of…
Every time Biman opens his mouth he says a lot but says nothing. He is the most clueless leader Fiji has seen.
There we have it.
Thank you Ana for doing the one job you have right. Don’t let these bullies get to you. Stand your ground.