Biman Prasad once told Grubsheet in writing that he and Sitiveni Rabuka intended to make Christopher Pryde chief justice. Instead the NFP leader remained silent while Rabuka appointed Salesi Temo to the apex of the judiciary and has enabled Temo’s full-blown assault on the rule of law in Fiji.
It is entirely typical of Baimaan Prasad’s constant appeasement of Rabuka and his extremist agenda, whether it has been his failure to speak out when the minorities in Fiji were labelled “vulagi” – visitors in their own country – and that was excused by the Prime Minister; his silence as the civil service and offices of state have been ethnically cleansed and the minorities disadvantaged; or the succession of scandals that have plagued the Coalition’s time in government.
Biman Prasad said to hoots of derision the other day that the rule of law has been restored under the Coalition and the judiciary is genuinely “independent”. It is the biggest lasulasu-jhoot of all. Indeed, Biman Prasad has been one of the principal beneficiaries as the rule of law has been twisted to protect him from being charged with abuse of office.
That’s precisely what was about to happen on September 5 last year. The former deputy FICAC Commissioner, Francis Puleiwai, was about to charge Biman Prasad when the Coalition moved in to prevent it from happening. Barbara Malimali – a government stooge – was parachuted into the corruption watchdog, Puleiwai was forced out and the prosecution of the NFP leader was quashed. It is one of the central issues being played out at the current Commission of Inquiry into the circumstances of Barbara Malimali’s appointment. And is a time bomb under Biman Prasad.
In relation to Christopher Pryde, Biman Prasad has stood by for the best part of two years as the man whose decision not to prosecute him over the Taniguchi sex harassment allegations on the eve of the last election saved his political career, has been subjected to a sustained attack that continues to this day. This included his salary being suspended unlawfully just when he needed it to defend himself in the courts.
Kept waiting 21 months for justice, Christopher Pryde – even without being there – was eventually cleared of trumped-up charges of misbehaviour and reinstated to the position of DPP. But never once did Biman Prasad speak up in his defence or against the unconscionable delay in hearing the case against him and the termination of his salary. He let him swing and he is still letting him swing.
The NFP leader has control of the nation’s finances. At any time, he could have suggested a financial settlement to spare the DPP the extraordinary ordeal he has been subjected to by the former attorney general, Siromi Turaga, and the current Chief Justice, Salesi Temo, as they tried to destroy Christopher Pryde’s reputation and remove him from office. Temo even falsely called him a thief. What did Biman Prasad do? Nothing. And he is still doing nothing.
The DPP confirmed in his media statement yesterday that Biman Prasad and the rest of the “New Order” are defying the following directive contained in the President’s letter of reinstatement to Christopher Pryde on January 7.
“Immediately”? Five weeks later, it still hasn’t happened. The DPP has yet to receive all of his entitlements. And the question that arises is why.
Is Biman Prasad also party – as Finance Minister – to the refusal by Salesi Temo and the Judicial Services Commission to accept the verdict of the Pryde Tribunal judges and continue the campaign to dislodge him? Is he party to the conspiracy that has seen Nancy Tikoisuva – Temo’s handpicked Acting DPP – lodge two successive complaints against the substantive DPP to prevent his return? Because it sure looks that way.
With one phone call or stroke of the keyboard, Biman Prasad as Finance Minister could ensure that Christopher Pryde finally gets what the President of the Republic himself promised him on January 7? Why isn’t he doing it? Is it because he is part of the conspiracy against the DPP? Or is it because he is again too afraid to cross his Coalition partners and their lackeys in the criminal justice system?
Either way, it is yet another example of Biman Prasad’s constant appeasement, which would be pathetic enough on its own yet has been accompanied by preening self-righteousness in the ludicrous claim that the Coalition’s respect for the rule of law is superior to that of its predecessor.
It is not. It is worse. And Biman Prasad and his NFP colleagues are going to pay for their kow-towing, hypocrisy, cowardice and betrayal of principle just as soon as a fresh election is held.
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POSTSCRIPT:
Christopher Pryde is also asking, quite reasonably, that the State pays the costs for the unsuccessful prosecution against him – his legal bills to defend himself – which is standard practice in civil cases.
Once again, Biman Prasad is in charge of the purse strings. Is he finally going to do the right thing?
What’s your guess, Fiji?
UPDATE: MONDAY AM:
The Fiji Times belatedly returns to the story…
And also on Monday, more evidence that Biman Prasad has become the Coalition’s finger-pointer-in-chief.
Incredibly, on top of blaming virtually everything on the FijiFirst government despite having been in office for more than two years, he blames the crisis in the sugar industry on the 2006 coup. 19 years ago!
It isn’t going to work, Professor. The Fijian people aren’t that stupid.
Prasad won’t do what’s right, he can’t, because they are all part of the house of cards. Take one away and the whole house collapses. He knows that, so he has to sit it out, telling lies, doing what he is told. With not an ounce of integrity left in the sad excuse for a man.
Is he not part of a group that believes in karma , because if he truly believes in it, he must be really suffering by now.
Maybe the Sword of Damocles has swung from being over the DPP’ s head to being over Bimans head and is about to drop. He might be considering if Pryde really does come before a fall………Let’s hope so.
GD
In the Civil Rules Procedure (CPR) it is at the court’s discretion whether to award any reasonable costs to the winning party. This Hearing was before a Tribunal, which is different from the courts and they follow their own procedures regarding the conduct of the hearing and had criticised Pryde for not appearing in person. Also, in their judgment at one point they had criticised Pryde for not cooperating or attending the Tribunal hearing.
I suspect that in light of the above it is unlikely that any costs will be awarded in my opinion, but however, he should have received all his back pay, pension entitlements and so on. But now, I have a gut feeling that the nasty and vindictive Temo and his gangbangers will delay paying his back pay pending the outcome of the new trumped up allegations/charges against Pryde. Rather sad to see the situation getting from bad to worse!
Baimaan is a moral coward. Fiji’s worst finance minister in history. As the Fiji Labour Party aptly described it, he is Rabuka’s concubine. Indo-Fijians call him badia bull Baiman”. It means as useless as a castrated bull. The man with no balls.
I only wish Australia and New Zealand, the biggest donors to Fiji, could step in and take over, at least to see that the law of the land is upheld and dealt with correctly.
Regrettably we all know that can’t happen!
Biman Prasad is one coward . Sitting there for the post only (kariya motor lal batti) . He thinks 2026 GE people will vote for him . No way 👎 . People of fiji had enough of you and your lies. I don’t know how he faces his kids and his families. Bloody chor.
Baimaan is a sick man.
This Dud Biman Prasad appears to be all talk and no results .
Almost every speech he delivers he has to reference previous governments like he is fixated on it and can only make himself feel good by pontificating on the past to show he is supposedly better. It makes him sound really messed up! … and is perhaps indicative of his lacklustre contribution and voice he holds in the Coalition government.
Being a professor and being a practitioner are two totally different things …. At the heart of any leadership role or position is the innate ability to care and be guided by one’s values … this man has neither. … which is why he perfectly fits into the coalition government mix of parties and people. They’re all collectively Lost – just trying to be people pleasers while looting the public funds, without any moral compass to guide decision-making. Who are they pleasing ? Obviously not many, just the same handful of people who voted them in although from the last few years I think that may have decreased even more due to scandals, tax holidays, increased basic taxes on everyday people and increasing distrust in government and its decision making.
What good does it do any of these people to keep talking down previous administrations ? Get on with the job !
Let the results speak for itself and may they be reminded and be humble enough to admit that some of the results they are reaping under their watch is the fruit of seeds / initiatives prior to their existence as a coalition.
But also being mindful that any government of the past, today or in the future will always just be stewards for a pocket of time and hand the baton on to the next . That is how governments work …. At least democratically elected ones… you serve for a fixed term and if your citizens think you are worthy you are fortunate to get another term . It ain’t a fairy tale story forever and ever … wake up guys ! You have a fixed term to deliver your campaign promises/ strategies – and right now it ain’t looking good at all …
Maybe there is no money ?
Is that why they can’t pay Mr Pryde ?
I recall the PM recently saying in the local mainstream media that he thought the cross over MP’s who recently became appointed as Ministers he thought it would cost only $1m but it cost us the taxpayers $2.1M … Laugh out loud … PM was given wrong advise and it may cost this Dud Biman PRASAD his job, not to mention he may be the scapegoat for the non payment for Mr Pryde in the end anyway.
Biman Prasad will just end up being collateral damage in the piss fight that is about to erupt amongst our elected officials … it is just a matter of time – wait and see . I recall Lynda Tabuya also threatening this Professor early on in the game saying she will expose and take him down too …
Tick…. Tock … tick … tock
Coalition government is on thin ice.
And I forecast there is about to be a huge storm that’s going to crack the very thin ice and scapegoats are going to sink or be sunk as they all scramble for relevance and power in their final lap of their term. …
And tick tock … tick tock … bring on the 2026 elections!
Fiji deserves to be a country that when the Head of State issues a directive that it is followed through.
We the Fijian people deserve better than this.
Christopher’s issue will be dragged on until the 2026 election and beyond or until his contract expires. After that his contract won’t be renewed and he’ll be made to vacate his position and let go. So no use making Christopher come back since he’ll be gone in the future. After all, this whole Christopher issue got boring a long time ago.
Another idiot who is “bored” by the assault on the rule of law. You will get what you deserve and see how exciting that is.
So what do I deserve? The thing is that this blog is dominated by Christopher and Lynda articles.
One is a searing injustice and outright assault on the rule of law. And the other is a Coalition MP who is an adulterous drug-taker and porn star posing as an anti-porn crusader. Neither of which is being covered adequately in the mainstream media.
If this blog is not to your taste, it isn’t compulsory reading. This is a free service and you can take it or leave it. But I’ll write what I think is important whether you like it or not.
I hardly read the articles on your blog. I just read the titles and get the idea of the articles without wasting time on them. What you don’t get is that you posted about Christopher and Lynda and made your point. But then you started doing the same thing over and over about them. You’re obsessed with a few people in Fiji. You’re letting a few people from Fiji dominate your life. You’re wasting your life on a few people while they aren’t even bothered much about what’s happening to them. What’s the worst that could happen to Christopher? That he doesn’t get his pay and his job gets taken away from him and he returns to his country. What’s the worst that can happen to Lynda? That she doesn’t get to contest the 2026 election either under a PAP ticket or under the ticket of any other party. Even if she contests, she won’t make it to parliament because people have already made up their minds about her. And then Lynda can return to her usual life and enjoy it since her husband has good income. Neither Christopher nor Lynda will be affected much. As for this rule of law that is being assaulted, well it is Fiji and the rule of law being assaulted has always happened in the country. It doesn’t matter how much you post on your blog about it. It wouldn’t change a thing. In the 2026 election people will vote how ther prefer. You’re not the one making a big difference. You can spend your life posting about a variety of things such as why the 90s used to be so good, the youth culture of USA from 1998 to 2004 and how it influenced the world, raunchy teen comedy movies like American Pie, pop punk, skateboarding, professional wrestling, etc. But instead you’re choosing to post about politics about a third world dump like Fiji – a joke of a nation, and you cry about it everyday. Everyday you post a blog article about something you’ve already posted about before, and the rest of the boys circle jerk around it. Anyone who disagrees with you, gets called an idiot. You aren’t the first person who I have observed behaving this way. There have been other blogs where the writers criticize the commenters and label them as idiots for disagreeing with them and pointing their flaws out. Now that you’ve been told off by me, you’ll take the way of the coward and not post my reply – like you’ve done before since you have a habit of doing so. Freedom of speech doesn’t exist on your blog, does it? Being from a journalism background you should be the first person to know that. I come to your blog thinking that you would post about things that could change Fiji and modernize the country instead of it being uncool with uncool people. But instead I see the usual political garbage that you cry about over and over without you making any real difference. And like I said above, when you get owned by someone, you tend not to post their comments. Instead you want to make it look like as if you owned the commenter instead by not allowing his or her comments to be posted but letting yourself have the last comment. You have a choice. Do you want to waste your life away by crying over an issue over and over thinking you’re making a difference? Or do you want to turn your blog into something that is going to be remembered for years?
Like I said. Someone who can’t read the articles, just the headlines. Like a kid who looks at the pictures in a book and can’t read the text.
I don’t need to censor you. You have just self-immolated intellectually.
The only one of my readers who says I don’t matter but takes the trouble to write column inches of tortured rhetoric to make their point.
Guess what? It doesn’t make it any more relevant. Just the usual dross. Moce!
I’ve come to the conclusion that you both need to get a life. You both don’t live here in Fiji and seem to have too much time on your hands with your addiction to cyberspace. Is that some kind of mental health condition, or are you labouring under some physical disability that you can’t go enjoy outdoor activities?
And yes, LT is Fiji’s parliamentary porn star whilst CP is not coming back, fullstop. Good night.
I have a life, thank you. I rose early this morning and wrote my article on Biman Prasad, swam 50 laps of a sizeable swimming pool, had a splendid lunch and siesta and played backgammon into the evening with my esteemed Marama.
Tomorrow I will swim another 50 laps first thing and then drive just over 3 hours to Orange in the central west of NSW where I will enjoy the countryside, visit a vineyard and have an early dinner before succumbing to the sleep of the righteous.
So I am having plenty of “outdoor activities”, don’t have a “physical disability” or “mental condition” (other than frustration with events in Fiji) and you needn’t worry about me. I have always been a fast writer so my website is not a chore and I enjoy checking in occasionally to review the comments of my readers, many of whom appreciate my commentary even if you don’t.
You may think it is an “addiction” but rest assured that when it gets too tedious and I don’t want to do it anymore, I won’t. It earns me no income but for now, I rather enjoy dabbling in the vituperative arts. So your concern is misplaced. I hope you too sleep the sleep of the righteous. Good night.
Those that are bored or claim the same are either plain dumb or season ticket holders of the current circus.
The dumb and bored have a hard time understanding fundamental functions of any judiciary and governance.
Racism and inferiority complex equates to a special type of ignorance unique to Fiji.
Maybe if Baimaan wasn’t so busy delivering useless speeches that sound like a broken record, cutting ribbons and hobnobbing with the elites, he’d get some real work done. This man will even open toilet doors just to get some publicity.
Biman Prasad has more than enough legislative power to carry out the lawful direction of the President of Fiji.
But he is spineless! He will not do a thing that could endanger his current position because he is more interested in maintaining his ‘status’ and perks (money, travel, cars, invitations to events) than actually governing.
He and his other party members will be removed just prior to the next election as Rabuka has the support of the Gang of 9. Rabuka is only retaining them so they do all the dirty work for him and he can blame them if something doesn’t happen!
At the next election Biman and his party will be annihilated as voters (their support base) repay them for their betrayal.
Innocent until proven guilty, Biman Prasad should have his day in court and the chance to clear his name. But the system is clearly broken with the CJ disrespecting the President and everyone trying to influence prosecutions.
This unseemly spectacle of a rogue CJ and coupists in FICAC and ODPP must end. One obvious first step is to scrap FICAC and have all their files transferred to the ODPP. Two prosecutorial arms are not required.
Turning to the NFP, in government they were always going to be strange bedfellows with PAP. In that uncomfortable place it’s a wonder someone like Biman Prasad gets any sleep at all. If they have any integrity, NFP members and their lawyer must now be regretting the compromises and conflicts of interest. The greatest of these is the relationship with Rabuka, an ethno-nationalist wolf in sheep’s clothing.
At what price this so-called freedom and promise of reform? Or is this more about the NFP’s lust for power?
Is this the true legacy of the NFP? A story of power at any cost? A party prepared to compromise on its principles, where the means justifies the ends. A party that betrayed itself in the lead up to Independence, when Siddiq Koya cut a deal with Ratu Mara, shredding AD Patel’s demand for one person, one vote.
It all sounds familiar: compromise with the promise of reform and a share of power. As it turned out, with division in the party the bid for power backfired in the mid ‘70s.
Since then, and after so many compromises along the way, today we witness the NFP enabling someone who trashed the country in the ‘80s and ‘90s.
As they enjoy some of the trappings of office, is it now a case of the tail wagging the dog… with Rabuka and Tabuya using the NFP and the former army officers they’ve lured across the floor of Parliament? What have they been promised?
If NFP supporters search their conscience they may recognize they have more in common with what’s left of Fiji First and the new multicultural parties forming to prevent Fiji from sliding.
Perhaps they need assurance Frank Bainimarama and Aiyaz Saiyed Khaiyum are fully retired from political life. Their time and Rabuka’s should be over, but so long as the threat of prosecutions hangs over them and there appears to be an opportunity to ‘load the dice’ and influence the system, all of these guys will want to stay in the game, discouraging the next generation from offering themselves for public service and leadership. Worse, the new ones will learn their bad habits.
Didn’t Biman the baimaan bull with no balls give over a million dollars to his wife under the guise of the girmit institute? Didn’t he then cover it all up later.
Explains why this government has no money to pay Pryde his salary when a crook is put in charge of the government finances!
He and his family are shameless and a black mark against the entire Indian community in Fiji.
Baimaan attended the once a year big prayer session at the temple in Nadi a few days ago. He tried to shake hands with the devotees there and got serious blowback.
Not only did a large part of those present refuse his outstretched hand but a fair few gave him a mouthful. He lamely fired back: “Well, I don’t have to shake your hands anyway “.
Loser. These were the salt of the earth, cane farmers, labourers, cane cutters, taxi drivers, ie the people AD Patel and Koya built the NFP with , not that he’d know or care about that. Judas.
Did the promise of CJ’s post have a bearing on Pryde’s decision not to prosecute Biman for the allegations of sexual harassment. If the promises were made after the elections, was it to keep Pryde contained until they got rid of him – which explains why Biman did the Brutus on Pryde.
It’s highly likely because prior to the election Biman made similar promises to others including former SG Sharvada which included putting in a complaint against the now deceased CJ Kamal Kumar in return for reinstatement as SG or as a Judge. This never saw the light of day.
Funny enough none of the promises were kept. Biman got what he wanted and as a true corrupt politician he was able to manipulate people for his personal gain.
These and many other promises were made to ensure they achieved their sinister agenda. They needed Pryde to ensure he didn’t lay any other charges until he was out.
There is no difference in what Siromi did to Pryde and the stunt Biman pulled. Which also explains the support for NFP.
Bainimarama and Khaiyum also told me they were considering making CP CJ at one stage. So the notion was being bandied around on both sides of politics. Was that a carrot too? Talk is cheap and it didn’t stop Pryde from refusing to bow to intense pressure that he charge Biman whatever the strength of the evidence against him in the Taniguchi affair.
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/fiji-police-dpp-clash/101642136
As I have said before, Pryde was fiercely independent in my experience and I witnessed it at first hand during my time in Suva, most notably facing down Frank Bainimarama to prosecute the killers of Vilikesa Soko (including Bainimarama’s bodyguard), who the PM had vowed would never be brought to trial.
There’s no doubt on that Pryde did his work at times in very difficult circumstances. It’s also true that the carrot was being dangled from both sides, and in the case of Bainimarama, it was prior to Gates departure.
You’re well aware that Pryde wrote to Gates somewhat demanding that he be considered for the CJs post (as a recommendation) when Gates was on his way out? Gates opted to recommend Gounder. And it didn’t go down too well when Kamal Kumar was chosen over him. The disappointment was visibly evident and was well known in the legal fraternity.
We all have ambitions but you have to admit that there is truth in the carrot being dangled by Biman to entice Pryde which unfortunately had some impact on how things turned out for Biman, especially when the initial carrot dangled by Bainimarama was retracted.
Whilst it is sad and extremely frustrating how Pryde is being treated by the coaltion thugs, he should not give up this battle. A lot of us support him in this difficult time. He has been wronged. He has been played by both sides. The difference being Bainimarama didn’t stoop to the level of Baiman and still renewed Pryde’s current 7 year contract.
I wasn’t aware of Pryde writing to Gates “somewhat demanding that he be considered for the CJ’s post”. Unlike Daniel Gounder, Pryde didn’t have experience on the bench. And the “carrot” wasn’t “dangled by Biman as an enticement”, as far as I know. His comment to me was after Pryde had decided not to prosecute him for harassing Madam Tanaguchi. Otherwise it would have been corruption.
What prompted Rabuka (and presumably Prasad) to change their minds and opt instead for Salesi Temo (assuming what Prasad told me was true) is something only they can answer. But they would have presumably been aware of Pryde’s reputation for independence and not doing what he was told by Bainimarama and Khaiyum. And if they were looking for a rubber stamp, they had the wrong man.
In choosing Temo, they got a rubber stamp alright. And I am firmly of the belief that is why they no longer want Christopher Pryde as DPP because they can’t control him.
UPDATED RESPONSE: I am informed that at no stage did Christopher Pryde ever write to Anthony Gates “demanding that he be considered for the CJ’s post”. It didn’t happen. In any event, it was not in Gate’s gift. The attorney general presides over the appointment. So an urban myth.
Some people really think I am stupid. Two comments lobbed here on the same theme – one called “Cowards” and one called “Disappointed” – that were so similar in sentiment that it was uncanny. So I checked the URL and it was the same person pretending to be different people.
Because they were so virulent in their criticism of Christopher Pryde, they can only be part of an orchestrated campaign.
Memo to whoever it is. Nice try but no banana. Any more propaganda from this URL will be dumped in the dustbin of cyberspace where it belongs.
And a suggestion. If you want to engage in character assassination, make sure your underpants (or knickers) aren’t around your ankles. As we used to say in Viti Makawa. Labasa!
Baimaan thinks that the citizens of Fiji are stupid. Everything is coming crumbling down. There’s no skirt high enough for him to hide under or a g-string thin enough for him to hide behind. His wife’s failed Girmit organisation will come to light. He is also saying that crime is exaggerated in the country where there is literal evidence of theft happening yet he is turning a blind eye.
The money is now spent on finest selection of lamb chops. He is the living example of what you read in books is not what is real life. Being a Professor in Economics and screwing a country in real life. The greatest achievement for him is at an expense of everyone in Fiji with the 15% VAT. Everything happening in the country right now, all changes are completions of previous government. This coalition government is being forcefully pushed to do stuff for improvement of people’s use, like the CWM issues and the Suva Bus Station. If it was not for people voicing the issues out, they would have never done anything. There is not a single achievement to show for their impact.
When resigning prior to his failed campaign in 2014, he emailed all USP students to support him in the election. Thank god the cohort for the year was not that dumb. How did USP allow this? Goes to show the independence of the institution from political affiliation and what is happening at the moment.
Biman chorwa hiding all the money collected in taxes to raise ministers pay and hire more ministers soon.