The Labour Party leader and former prime minister, Mahendra Chaudhry, has renewed his call for the Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, to release the Ashton-Lewis Commission of Inquiry report into the appointment of Barbara Malimali as FICAC Commissioner, saying its findings uncover “sinister collusion between officials high up in the executive, the judiciary and the legal fraternity”.
For the first time publicly, the Labour Party leader specifically cites his arch rival, the Deputy Prime Minister and NFP leader, Biman Prasad, in relation to the removal of the former FICAC deputy commissioner, Francis Puleiwai.
He tells the Fiji Sun that Puleiwai was replaced by Barbara Malimali “on the same day Puleiwai was set to arrest and charge Biman Prasad for allegedly breaching the Political Parties Registration, Funding and Disclosure Act”. “Six other cabinet ministers were also under investigation by FICAC at the same time”, Mr Chaudhry added.
The Labour Party leader again called on the Prime Minister to release the Ashton-Lewis report and to remove Barbara Malimali as FICAC Commissioner, saying her credibility had “suffered badly” and she must go to restore confidence in the corruption watchdog.
Will this be the week that Fiji gets to see the COI findings? We shall see. But as we’ve reported before, Sitiveni Rabuka is stuck between a rock and a hard place.
The report is reportedly devastating for several of his ministers, including Biman Prasad, and is rumoured to also contain recommendations for the removal of Barbara Malimali and the suspension of the Chief Justice, Salesi Temo. Yet if it is suppressed, the political pain will arguably be greater because it will inevitably leak and give the Coalition’s opponents a stick to beat it with all the way to the next election.
To paraphrase the famous Bette Davis line in the movie classic, All About Eve: “Fasten your seat belts. It’s going to be a bumpy week”.
GD
The “Whistleblowing” law (the Public Interest Disclosure jurisprudence) carries legal precedence and protects anyone (civil servants) who has access to the CoI Report; and who reasonably believes that this report is in the public interest to be leaked to the press or general public and shows that there might have been breaches of findings of a ciminal offence, or a failure to comply with a legal obligation, a miscarriage of justice, corrupt practices et al – go on and BE BRAVE AND RELEASE THE DAMN REPORT, and keep us out of our misery!!
At one NFP RALLY Biman Prasad was yelling, Quote
“Jai Ram Reddy trusted Rabuka. The NFP trusted Rabuka
The people of Fiji trusted Rabuka
And that’s enough for me. I trust Rabuka ”
Unquote.
Rabuka will put Biman in Naboro
Don’t drop sandsoap in shower Biman. Mead Road boys waiting for you.
Hey we Mead Road guys dont do that to others in the showers.
The Raiwaqa and Draiba gang do that.
Banana republic is no longer applicable. We must put Biman in gaol. That’s it.
It is unlikely Baiman will respond to the allegations; rather, he will engage in his usual personal attacks on MC and the FLP.
Having observed the NFP half-wit they appointed as a deputy PM, Baiman has a developed a peculiar habit of obfuscating legitimate questions put to him, by throwing tantrums or resorting to name calling like some child in school.
The reality is that this shallow cretin has nothing original nor the intelligence to answer anything professionally. From his slovenly dress code and wearing an imbecilic smile all the time, Baiman is the purest definition of a bludger and is only in office for the money and glory. Forget the people of Fiji.
These turds must be flushed in 2026.
Baiman – bludger, womaniser and sellout.
Kamikamica – I will work harder if you pay me more.
Rabuka – I know nothing and was not advised.
Both Baimaan and the long dead Jai Ram Reddy, who abandoned Fiji and its Indian population a long time ago to retire in NZ are Rabuka’s shameless c**k suckers.
Why would people be convinced of Jai Ram Reddy’s policy of sleeping with Rabuka, when the man abandoned Fiji a very long time ago. Unless of course, you have religious prejudice, and more importantly you are a complete idiot. Just like those who voted for Rabuka with his long history and now have regrets. A vote for Baimaan was a vote for Rabuka, but none in Fiji including those who are on this forum realise that. My mind boggles.
The headline with double is a big unfortunate: “Mahendra Chaudhry ‘fingers’ Biman” conjures some unfortunate mental images. 😅 you’re a rascal, GD!
Seti. It is slang for identifying someone, not digital manipulation. But yes, I AM a rascal. 🙂
Many including me would love see Biman gone.
The Finance Ministry is where the kere kere begins. I am sure Kamikamica would jump to run this department
….Kamikamica would jump to run this department….
RUIN. Ruin is the word you were looking for. If it’s even possible to ruin further, kami2 is the man.
Unemployable, talentless nitwit who has profited from the family name and by accident of itaukei birth.
Zero leadership ability–do not forget this pig’s statements about pay raise for self and the porn queen to name just two. The man is a pretentious dud.
Well by the time the 2026 elections is up, the Coalition government will need a fall guy for its inadequacies and dumb policies.
Who better than Biman. Rabuka already knows Biman will not get any votes to make the 5% threshold come next elections. If he can be used and be made responsible for the current dire economic situation for 80% of Fijians below the poverty line, Rabuka himself might save face and again win.
Also this rhetoric will appeal to all the ethno-nationalists and their supporters as a Vulagi is made responsible for for their dire situation. Make no mistake, Biman is responsible for most of the economic woes Fijians face as he chose to enrich friends and relatives while sucking the life out of the poorest Fijians with hit and run economic policies.
My bet is Rabuka will need a fall guy soon, and who better than someone who Fijians of Indian descent already hate and itaukei will have no issue with crucifying if it comes from their saviour Rambo.
On behalf of Fiji taxpayers: we need a full public inquiry into the Fiji water tax holiday.
It was the moment many of us lost our faith. What were the circumstances, and who had conflicts of interest?
Rabuka Biman and FBC are having constipation. Some comedian went and replicated a 2024 news article where Rabuka was going to get rid of NFP and that article appeared as 2025 news item. So it’s a big thing now Lynda Tabuya joined in the bandwagon proclaiming fake article about her accusing Biman of illegal Tappoo tenders. Welcome to Fijis Centrelink guys, free entertainment
It’s interesting that for 2 years now we have heard rumors and read articles on Biman Prasad’s declaration of income and assets vs. tax audit findings that appear to contradict some of his official paper declarations.
It’s even more interesting as well that his so-called lawyer, that is supposedly the Fiji Times lawyer too and NFP supporter, as well as chair of the Fiscal Review committee – had his client (Fiji Water) benefit from a tax holiday while he was in the thick of all these things.
Is it coincidental that it is also a “common knowledge” that when the coalition was brokering deals immediately after the last general elections …NFP was fixated on being influential in the tax office CEO selection. All while coalition partners SODELPA and PAP were too busy and short-sighted thinking about titles and immediate money associated with positions…. give it to NFP , they were 10 steps ahead strategically maneuvering and seeing the advantage of influence and an insider in the tax office? Keeping in mind, that the tax office also recruited and appointed a failed Political candidate from SODELPA into a director role at the tax office too?
What’s the danger of all that political influence in the tax office? The access and abuse confidential information that can mined to take out competitors, allow insider training of information to target specific business or individuals for favors or take out competitors.
I don’t know – but there seems to be something very sinister happening – and it’s away from the obvious political bickering and headlines that many iTaukei and average Fijians can see. It almost reinforces the notion that to fool an iTaukei give them a title and a little bit of money, some spotlight – massage their ego …. and work the books while the naive iTaukei are playing power games, yes while the iTaukei are fighting for attention and spotlight – design, build and execute strategic advantages in contracts, policies and procedures that are not seen above the line and will never be picked up because the iTaukei are just too dumb to notice and by the time they do… they wont be in power anymore or have the evidence to back up their claims and accusations.
I applaud the FLP Leader for chasing this particular issue continuously…. as the issue speaks to the integrity and calculated maneuvering that is taking place away from the loud and silly bad behaviors and incompetence of other cabinet members. The silliness and bickering plays well into the advantage of NFP – to keep the attention away.
When will Fijians wake up and see what is really happening here ?
why are the gate keepers sleeping ?
Have we as a nation become so fixated on surviving and making it ahead that we have truly do not care about the abuse of processes, procedures and policies ?
Is it convenient to fixate on laws and constitution – when any competent and seasoned public official knows that laws are only as good as the policies and procedures which underpin it?
While the headlines, journalists and leaders keep hounding us with CONSTITUTION and LAW … the very things that administrators and official’s control and impact us everyday … i.e. policy and procedure is being overlooked and circumvented everyday at an operational level and that is not an issue that a law change can address.
Something sinister is in the air and has been for a while … and I urge fellow Fijians to wake up and be a bit more aware and start asking the right questions of our leaders and appointed gate keepers in public service.
This is not a matter of politics or popularity so don’t let the loudest voices, personalities, Attention deficit drama queens and kings who pose as influencers and lead the news headlines distract us.
this is a matter of principle and integrity –
this is a matter of getting the fundamentals right and removing the rot and corruption
that has established systemic corruption in our nation and punishing the corporate and political enablers who thrive from this environment.
We see you!
it exists now, it existed before and will always exist until we all say ENOUGH.
There is zero problem with a private lawyer trying to get a sweet tax deal for his or her client provided that the lawyer was not also acting in a public capacity at the time, was not privy to inside information or was not able to use political connections to circumvent usual processes. If any of these circumstances apply then the lawyer should be retaining his or her own lawyer as the situation involves public money, and the State has a long memory.
@Observer Hear! Hear!
The government has ample tools in the box to address the malaise, corruption, thuggery, stealing from the treasury, cronyism, nepotism, et al.
For example FICAC. Chief Drunk Registrar. Judiciary, Auditor General. Police. ODPP. Judiciary, rfmf, Judiciary, pedo president, Judiciary. Serial adulterer, gold rolex treasonous snake. Immunity clauses, Judiciary.
Problem 1.: All these offices are staffed by government appointed tools.
Problem 2.: Supported and propped up by private sector dicks, union wolfs, legal groups, media, and NGOs greed.
Sh1t Creek. No paddle.
Look at the face of this thief from Dreketi. Sold Fijians for personal and family’s and friends gains.
Next government should lock him up on day one when he loses the election.