It is astonishing that Biman Prasad and Richard Naidu hold the Fijian people in such contempt that they maintain the pretence of that they are independent of each other when they are one and the same. The Fiscal Review Committee – which is chaired by NFP stalwart Richard Naidu – is a creation of Biman Prasad. He uses it as a device to give “independent advice” to government when it exists to endorse the policies that Prasad and Richard Naidu privately agree on as close associates and members of the same party.
As Biman Prasad’s long-time political advisor, Richard Naidu would no more express an independent opinion in public that hasn’t been cleared by the man who made him FRC Chair than be seen dancing at Signals with Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
It is all very convenient. Biman Prasad’s stooge tells him in the name of the FRC what policies he should adopt but they are policies on which they both agree. Then Biman Prasad uses the FRC’s endorsement to make pubic pronouncements on economic matters that he can, in turn, use to influence his Coalition partners , the PAP and SODELPA. They are being softened up, just as the nation is being softened up, to accept whatever measures Biman Prasad wants to introduce in next week’s budget.
Take a look at our main photograph. Even Richard Naidu looks embarrassed as Biman Prasad tries to pretend that the report from the FRC is independent. It is not independent in the least. Because Richard Naidu is an intimate of Biman Prasad, advises him and according to Prasad’s cabinet colleagues, has even been present at cabinet meetings with the Minister of Finance.
It is all a cynical charade. The veneer of independence is an illusion. They are one and the same. And this charade is from two men who spent years attacking Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum for his chronic manipulation of public opinion.
If the government wants a truly independent Fiscal Review Committee – and it doesn’t (or at least the NFP doesn’t ) – they clearly wouldn’t have a chair who is one of their own but someone who is genuinely independent. But oh no, we wouldn’t want that. The manipulation of the electorate by these jokers is as bad as that of the last government. But they have the gall – as Richard Naidu did on the weekend – to boast about a new era of democracy in Fiji. They are just as manipulative as FijiFirst ever was.
When is the Fijian media ever going to say to Biman Prasad: “Hang on. If the Fiscal Review Committee is independent and not just a rubber stamp, why do you have one of your own people as Chair?” They won’t. Which is why these two can get away with playing Bib ‘n”Bub in their own tawdry pantomime and no-one is any the wiser.
Doesn’t Baimaan have a PhD? And here he is, taking advice from Dick Naidu. What a shambles!
This committee has made and is making recommendations in relation to public funds. It must be beyond reproach with the very highest standards applied to it. Right now there are huge concerns as reported by Grubsheet, Fiji Leaks and Chaudhry and others on social media.
There’s a simple way to move forward:
A) AG determines the legal basis of the Fiscal Committee and puts in place conflict of interest rules to provide public confidence going forward
B) government revisits recommendations made so far where active conflicts of interest were not declared and either confirms the decisions or nullifies them on the basis of conflicts
C) any wrongdoing so far is referred for independent investigation
There must be assurance that tax payers funds are subject to appropriate safeguards and tax rules apply equally to all including the super rich.
The two stooges.
More like the “Two Ronnies” ….that comic pair on UK TV
Historical fact: the FRC dates back to the days of the Ratu Mara Government so this is not something new but just being revived.
Yes Richard is an NFP supporter but has no special powers in the committee as the Chair. Look at the composition of the committee, some truly independent professionals are members of the committee.
Read the report , has lots of hard facts and data which any Government can extrapolate for analysis and decision making. Numbers don’t lie.
According to the report only about 22,000 people actually pay income tax, bet no one knew that years ago and VAT is around 80% source of income for the Government.
These are the types of data that are crucial in decision making. The work of the committee is valuable and hope future Governments always will have such a committee as a source for verified and helpful data.
More spin from the “Gorvis” of the NFP. Anything you say, old chap.
I am simply stating facts Mr GD, opps I forgot you are the expert on spin having worked for Qorvis to spin everything Frank and Aiyaz did .
You have no shame but accuse me of spin when you were the biggest spin doctor for Frank and team.
Perhaps the cold Sydney winter is severely affecting you and giving you a brain freeze.
I am as warm as toast. And having had some experience in the darks arts of spin, I know a fellow practitioner when I see one. There’s nothing wrong with your perennial defence of the NFP. But it has become so perennial, that I am not the only one in these columns to remark on it. Do carry on, spinner. (Good name for a comic movie?)
But where did the urgency to help Fiji Water come from?
Was this an urgent situation that needed to be dealt with by the new government?
How has this decision helped the nation?
I just do not understand how this was put right at the top of the things to do list?
Can you tell us Rajiv?
Truly independent professionals? Like Edwin Chand the son of NFP president ? Like that Patel person from NFP lautoka ? Rajiv likes to suck up to dick aka Richard Naidoo – no pun intended that he has lost all clarity.
Aahhh right eh? Data that leads to decisions to raise vat, award tax exemptions to billionaires, spend 8+ millions on MPs, write-off 600+ million dollars of TELS, get parents to pay for tertiary education? @ rajiv Sharma, you twat.
It’s rather sad that Biman Prasad appears to have so little confidence on his achievements of a Deputy Prime Minister that he now chooses to use the honorific title of a university “professor” on his official communication thus polishing his CV and personal presentation. To claim the title of “professorship” without a formal appointment or recognition seems like fraudulent misrepresentation. What a pathetic little arrogant man!
What has Bee-man Prasad achieved since becoming DPM?
What a stupid statement: “ only about 22,000 people actually pay income tax, . . . and VAT is around 80% source of income for the Government.
VAT is a universal tax, if VAT provides 80% of govt revenue then surely more people pay income tax than the 22,000 ?
A play on words by the two Ronnies of Fiji politics.
You fool , name does suit you
VAT is not an income tax’s but a consumption tax.
Don’t you know the difference between income and consumption tax?
Yes only 22,000 income tax , rest pay tax through VAT which is about 80% of tax revenue collection.
Rajiv, where do you think people get money from to pay VAT? They get it from income. They can’t get it out of thin air.
Hi Fool Me Once,
PAYE is different from VAT. Everyone pays VAT when we purchase something. But not everyone who buys something pays PAYE from their income (e.g. someone earning $25k would surely buy food but falls under the PAYE threshold).
The numbers are obtained from FRCS. Could have been presented better, sure. But is more likely than not to be accurate
Off course they earn income other sources of revenue but the point is that only 22,000 people actually pay income tax which is a direct tax and yes everyone else pays indirect tax which is VAT.
You serve difference???
Therefore the income tax base is relatively small but the indirect tax base is large
Income tax is deducted at source while VAT is only paid when one actually purchases goods and services. So in theory if you don’t purchase any good or service you pay zero tax.
Please understand before you pile on and make a fool of yourself.
Hi Rajiv,
Correct me if i am wrong but i feel it is safe to assume that the workforce is at least 350-400 thousand. Are you saying that less than 10% of the workforce earn more than $35,001 per annum?
Hi surprised,
This is the number the FRC reportedly got from FRCS. FRCS would be knowing who pays PAYE
something does not add up there. MOF reported a labour force of 376,303 in 2022. hard to believe 5.8% of that workforce earns firstly 30k and above (as this would be the 22,000 paying income tax).
If only 22,000 individuals are paying income tax, that would be borderline insignificant.
Yes that’s is what the data shows. Read the FISCAL REVIEW REPORT. It has wealth of data and factual information and the data contained in the report is apolitical.
From one con job to another
Pot calling kettle black
Aiyaz con was like pop star going around and talking about budget to school children and vulnerable
These guys are doing a different style but same con
Governance best practices cover transparency, accountability, conflict of interest and so on. Conflicts of interest do happen but as long as they are flagged by the affected parties. So far however, no such declarations have been made publicly, not only by the Chair but by other members too. After all, FRC is taxpayer-funded. Perhaps, Committee members have done so internally, who knows? But taxpayers must know. Simple.
And Sir James Ah Koy used to ridicule PhD as Phoney Degree!
I was reading Jone Usamate’s article posted on Facebook yesterday. He was blaming Baiman for the current financial mess in Fiji . I think he has let the cat out of the bag regarding a govt of national unity. Methinks talks are underway to kick this kaidia out. In fact kick NFP out and get that sweet falla as minister of finance. So Bib and bub etc. Days are numbered.
Two con-artists doing what they do best … smoke and mirrors!
Baimaan and Richie Rich …both thriving and helping their friends proper whilst the poor suffer and are unable to afford basic necessities!
Stop with the garb will you two …
The problem here is the tax holiday. It is fairly inexplicable and so raises concern in the public interest.
The chair of the committee who made the recommendations is keeping quiet about what he may or may not have disclosed to the rest of the committee.
The issue isn’t going away because Fiji leaks has reported a $10,000 donation from the chair to the political party headed by the Minister of Finance.
The Fiji Labour Party is showing itself to be the only effective opposition because it’s asking probing questions. Tax payers can see the unfairness. Put simply why should this company not pay tax? The reason provided that Fiji wants to encourage the plastic bottle water industry does not add up.
The chair it seems is professionally tied to the beneficiary of the recommended tax holiday. But to what extent if any it was in the Chair’s interests to recommend the tax holiday is unclear.
But in terms of public perception it is not looking good.
Assuming the report of Fiji leaks is true, the questions for the FRC members (not the chair) are:
1. Did the chair disclose his $10k payment to NFP?
2. Did the chair disclose his professional ties to the beneficiary of the recommended tax holiday and if so what steps were taken to ensure he was not part of the decision?
3. Did anyone question why giving special treatment to a foreign owned water bottling company had such a high priority to be a first order of business?
One things is certain. As certain as Tuesday will follow Monday. Rabuka and Biman fooled the people of Fiji. How? They promised integrity and transparency. All we got was vesu mona and a PM who can’t stand up to his ex, for whatever reason.
Isa, may God help Fiji indeed.