No guarantee of success for Fiji Times despite decision to sacrifice editor

The Fiji Times has got your back .... it might have been true once, but certainly not any more judging from the events of the past week. And definitely not for editor-in-chief, Netani Rika, who has been forced to leave the paper.

The new owner, the Motibhai Group and its chairman, Mahendra Patel, and publisher Dallas Swinstead are taking the paper in a new direction - straight into the arms of the military regime - in an effort to win back the favours of the dollar disposers, Frank Bainimarama and Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum.

Swinstead insists Rika's departure was agreed to (closer to the truth, perhaps, was his earlier comment Rika had made the 'sacrifice') but Coupfourpointifve has it on good authority that Rika, and his deputy, Sophie Foster were shafted because they wouldn't comply with the new direction.

Foster has taken leave and it's not sure whether she has decided to follow Rika or succumb to Patel and Swinstead's edict to bow down to the regime. We note, though, that  Rika's replacement, Fred Wesley, is already using words like 'mutual'.

Not so confused about the sucking up to the regime, is the International Federation of Journalists who has joined the Pacific Freedom Forum in voicing its concerns for the future of a critical and independent media in Fiji following Rika's sudden departure. 

The chair of PFF, Susuve Laumaea this week said: “There is little doubt that Rika and the Fiji Times news team have worked in difficult times to be nothing less than the best journalists possible for their Fiji audiences - reporting without fear or favour and under the cloud of repressive military tactics clearly aimed at shutting them down."

PFF co-chair Monica Miller added: “The connection between the media controls and regime attempts to curb free speech are already well established, with Fiji’s regime leader on the record justifying his silencing of the churches and chiefs in Fiji as part of his leadership strategy. Silencing voices by restricting freedom of assembly is just taking control over free thinking and debate to the next level.”

The permanent secretary for information, Sharon Smith-Johns, earlier welcomed Rika's departure, saying: "Netani Rika has always held this government with contempt."

Smith-Johns and the new troops at the Fiji Times might yet feel the contempt of its audience, an audience not so impressed with a paper that has lost its edge and integrity. Reports from some shops and readers show sales have dropped since Motibhai and Swinstead took over.

Pictures: End of an era (top) and winning times.

Added Wednesday October 13:

Ex Pacific Beat, Radio Australia

The former editor of the Fiji Times, Netani Rika, says his leaving the 141-year-old masthead - and most probably Fiji for an indefinite period - is something that has been forced upon him "by circumstance".

Speaking with Geraldine Coutts on Radio Australia's Pacific Beat program, Mr Rika has continued his understated style by describing his acceptance of an offer from Australian National University as being able to 'pay the mortgage' and put his children through school.

ANU in Canberra has offered the acclaimed editor, winner of last year's Pacific Islands News Association Media Freedom Award, a chance to write about his experiences coping with a military regime's control of the nation's media.

Mr Rika has nothing but praise for the staff he is leaving behind.

"I have to say it is the most hectic, tense time in my career as a journalist having to have more than the usual number of news articles ready to run just in case the censors decide they don't like something. So a tremendous amount of work had to be done by the people in the newsroom," he said. "The business kept changing, sometimes minute by minute, from 8 o'clock [am] to 10 o'clock [pm] on what to run."

Fiji's military-installed interim government has placed censors in every newsroom in the country. The Fiji Times under Mr Rika has contantly stood-out from other media outlets by his solid defence of a short but powerful description of the regime - an "interim government". This description is known to irritate Fiji's leadership.

The International Federation of Journalists has joined the Pacific Freedom Forum in voicing concerns over the future of a critical and independent media in Fiji.

Lisa Williams-Lahari from the IFJ's Pacific Media Freedom project, based in New Zealand, tells Pacific Beat's Bruce Hill that Netani Rika's departure is a sign that media freedom is in serious trouble in Fiji.

"I think it's clear from Netani's departure that the state of turmoil that we have seen in Fiji's media freedom landscape is going to continue. And I think that is one of the most serious problems that is going to increase and probably continue in Fiji for a long time to come."

Bainimarama pay out: the biggest rip-off in Fiji’s 40 years of Independence

BAINIMARAMA: Playing nation for a fool with outrageous back pay claim. Payout authorised by Chaudhry (below).

Frank Bainimarama’s fraudulent back pay of thousands of dollars does not add up on paper and from his CV

By VICTOR LAL
He began life as an ordinary midshipman on a paltry pay in 1975 but after his 2006 treasonous coup ordered Warrant Officer J. Degei, a low ranking officer in the military and the RFMF’s chief clerk, to hand over to him a cheque, authorised by his then illegal Finance Minister Mahendra Pal Chaudhry, of $184,740. In total the military leader and self-appointed Prime Minister stole a whooping $205,147.29 from the taxpayers of Fiji under the guise of leave pay and other payments he claimed was due him for thirty years.

In order to make sense of his controversial and daylight robbery back pay, we need to look at his 2004 Terms of Employment Contract, and his own CV which he provided when he demanded that the then Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase re-appoint him as Commander of the RFMF in 2004.

As I noted in a previous instalment, the above documents are contained in the Cabinet files that were made available to me from inside the Military High Command at Queen Elizabeth Barracks shortly after the coup.

According to the documents, Bainimarama was born on 27 April 1954. He attended Marist Brothers High School in Suva. On 26 July 1975 he joined the Fiji Navy as a midshipman, an officer cadet or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank. He was twenty-one years old when he was put to sea. On 28 November 1977 he passed his Midshipman Fleet Board Certificate, which qualified him to become a commissioned officer.

Let us begin with the RFMF Leave Computation Form (RFMF LCF) in our possession titled “21915 Commodore J. V. Bainimarama PM/COMD RFMF – Last Tour Commenced from Date of Enlistment: 26 July 1975”. We will then compare with the other above-mentioned documents, also in our possession. His backdated leave pay begins in 1978 but there is no mention of the date or month in that year.

According to RFMF LCF, Bainimarama claimed the following for 78/79: Annual Leave: Total, 37 days, Taken, 16 days, Balance, 21 days. But what was this mediocre midshipman up to in the years 1978-79?  According to his CV, on 23 January 1978 he was attending a midshipman supplementary course in Australia. And, between January-June 1978 he was attached to HMAS Jervis Bay for Navigation Training. The following year between January and June 1979, he was attached to Le Esmeralda, the Chilean Navy Training Ship.

Esmeralda – The Ship of Death and Bainimarama’s sojourn on Board
As a digression, the above Chilean Navy ship has a brutal and bloody terrifying history. In 1973, in the aftermath of a bloody coup, supported by business leaders and the CIA, against the democratically elected government of President Salvador Allende, the Chilean Navy helped the new military junta led by General Augusto Pinochet, to be used as a prison and torture chamber.

According to testimony collected by Amnesty International and the Organization of American States, at least 110 political prisoners - 70 men and 40 women - were interrogated aboard the ship for more than two weeks without charges or trial.

The former Mayor of Valparaiso, where the ship was stationed, described being tied to one of the ship’s masts and subjected repeatedly to electric shock. “I couldn't sleep for six days because they woke me up every six minutes, night and day,” he said. “We could hear how the others were tortured right where we were.”

According to a Chilean lawyer held on board, military officials stripped and savagely beat the prisoners and shot them with high-pressure jets of water that produced “an unbearable pain in the head, ears, eyes, and lungs”. At least one of those tortured on board La Esmeralda, a British-Chilean priest named Michael Woodward, died as a result. His body was thrown into an unmarked mass grave. The ship was under the Command of Jorge Sabugo Silva and his Eduardo Barrison. In 1979, Bainimarama had a taste of the ship of death.

Meanwhile, according to the RFMF LCF, Bainimarama earned 30 days Long Service Leave in 1980/1981, 56 days in 1983/984 and 56 days in 1987/1988. Amazingly, given that he joined the Navy in July 1975, he had already in thirteen years of service earned 142 days of LSL.

What was the dictator up to during these years? Again, let us turn to his CV. In December 1980 he passed his Second Mate Certificate Pacific Island Vessels; January 1981, Junior Command & Staff Course, RNZAF, NZ, October 1981 NBCD Course, NZ, March 1892, Completed Short Navigation Course, HMAS Watson, September 1983, attached to the United States Coast Guard Training Centre, New York, March 1984, EEZ Surveillance Familiarization, NZ.

As noted elsewhere, according to the RFMF LCF, Bainimarama did not take a single day’s leave in 10 years between 1983 and 1999, and again in the 8 years between 2000 and 2008.  What was Bainimarama doing up to 1999 before he took up the Commander’s post, which he did not deserve, according to highly classified Military and Cabinet documents? Let us, again, allow his CV to guide us.

Bainimarama: Promotions and Appointments, 1976 – 1999
On 9 August 1976, he was promoted Able Seaman, 12 December 1976, Appointed Midshipman, 1 November 1978, promoted Sub-Lieutenant, June-December 1978, Appointed Navigation Officer HMFS KIRO, June 1979 (NB: in 2008 he claimed annual leave at $263.77 per day for 21 days on so-called $96,276 per annum salary and throughout his career until 2008: what was his salary in 1979?), Appointed Executive Officer HMFS KIRO, August 1981, Promoted Temporary Lieutenant, 1 November 1984, Promoted Lieutenant, February 1985, Appointed CO HMFS KIKAU, 17 February 1986, Promoted Temporary Lieutenant Commander, September 1986-September 1987, Served with 2FIR [MFO], Sinai, as Company Second in Command [2IC], October 1987, took delivery of FNS LEVUKA, LAUTOKA from US Navy, 19 April 1988, Appointed Commanding Officer [CO] Fiji Naval Division, 4 October 1988 Promoted Temporary Commander, 1 November 1991 Promoted Substantive Lieutenant-Commander, January 1992, Resumed Command of Fiji Naval Division, 3 October 1994, promoted Acting Captain [Navy, N], 1 September 1995, promoted Temporary Captain[N], 10 November 1997, Appointed Acting Chief of Staff, 18 April 1998, Appointed Chief of Staff, RFMF, 1 March 1999, Appointed Commander, RFMF and promoted Commodore, on the recommendation of a co-kana loto Epeli Ganilau, his predecessor and raider of the RFMF Regimental Funds and the collapsed National Bank of Fiji.

Meanwhile, in 21 December 1990-21 December 1991, Bainimarama was attached to the Malaysian Armed Forces Staff College, October-November 1992, Maritime Surveillance Course, Warfare College, Newcastle, Australia, May-June 1993, Disaster Management Course 15, Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand, June-August 1994, Exclusive Economic Course, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada, and January-June 1995, with the Australian Joint Services Staff College.

The Swindler’s Other Payments
The RFMF LCF reveal that Bainimarama collected another $29,139.11 in expense and ration allowance.  His service allowance came to $3,832.02, duty allowance was $23,013.92, gratuity for one year was $24,069 and for another 10 months was $20,057.50. The RFMF LCF shows a FNPF deduction of $20,406.71 which went directly into his FNPF account. What the RFMF LCF did not disclose was that the taxpayer had to fork out a similar amount ($20,406.71) to FNPF as the Employer’s contribution to Bainimarama’s account.

Tax Fiddler Chaudhry endorsed his Master Swindler’s Payout
Probably as a favour for protecting him from his own tax fiddling and secret $2million in Australian and New Zealand bank accounts, the then illegal Finance Minister (and in previous incarnation a Government Auditor) Chaudhry claimed that there was nothing sinister about the leave pay. In July 2008, he said he was not aware of any irregularities regarding the payment of $184,740 paid to Bainimarama for leave owed from 1978.

Chaudhry said while some people criticised the payout they could not produce evidence there was some impropriety in the 698 days. “All they are saying is that Commodore Bainimarama is not owed the leave,” he said. Chaudhry said previous governments should be asked why they allowed the leave to accumulate. He omitted to include his own short-lived FLP-NFP Coalition government from 1999-2000. “We are trying to clear all liabilities and that is why we paid it out,” he said. Chaudhry saw nothing sinister about the rate of $263.77 per day based on Bainimarama’s basic salary the payment was made on. “Every day you carry this forward it will be claimed on higher costs,” he said.
 
2004 Terms and Conditions of Salary and Other Allowances
We wonder if Chaudhry had enquired or had even seen the Terms and Conditions for the post of Commander that was signed between Bainimarama and the Government on 5 February 2004, before signing off the cheque to Bainimarama. As pointed out elsewhere, it is clear that simple arithmetic throws up glaring arithmetical errors in the RFMF LCF, let alone the justification of the entitlements. For instance in 1985/86 the schedule shows that Bainimarama used up all his leave but Degei allocated 8 days of outstanding leave, and Chaudhry turned a blind eye to it.

As noted above, Chaudhry said while some people criticised the payout they could not produce evidence there was some impropriety in the 698 days. Well, did he recall the Terms and Contract of Bainimarama’s appointment? The RFMF LCF of February 2008 states the following calculations: Basic salary, $96,276.000, Daily $263.77, Days 698, Gross $184,441.46; Service Allowance, $2003.05, Daily 549, Days 698, Gross $3,832.02; Duty Allowance, $12,034.50, Daily $32.97, Days 698, Gross $23,013.92; Gratuity (1yr) Annual $24,069.00, 10mths $20,057.50, Gross $44,126.50; Expenses Allowance, $12,5000, Daily $34.25, Days 698, $23,904.11, Ration Allowance, $2,737.50, Daily $7.50, Days 698, $5,235.00. Gross taxable $255,083.90, Tax (31%) $79,076.01, FNFP, $20,406.71 Net $155,601.18, Expenses Allowance 23,904.11 (Non-Taxable), Ration Allowance, $5,235.00 – Net Total: $184,740.29.

Like his own fraudulent tax returns to FIRCA, Chaudhry and other defenders of Bainimarama’s back pay of $263.77 for 678 days can not defend their position. Bainimarama’s basic annual salary is stated as $96,276.00 on 1 February 2008 in the RFMF LCF. And yet, on 5 February 2004, from his Terms and Contract, Bainimarama was hired on a basic fixed salary of $89,352 per annum. In four years, in 2008, his salary has jumped by $7,000. Even setting aside the sum, how on earth was Bainimarama paid a consistent amount of $263.77 per day for 678 days when his salary in 2004 was not $96,276? His CV also reveals his various positions in the navy – are we to believe that the midshipman’s salary in 1978 was $96,276? He was, after all, in that year, a navigation officer on the HMS KIRO. 
 
Again, from the RFMF LCF of February 2008, Bainimarama is cited as being owed annual leave of 29 days each for March 2004, April 2005, and May 2006, before the treasonous December coup. How, on earth, can those defending Bainimarama, including Chaudhry, claim that in March 2004, a month after he was appointed Commander, he was owed $263.77 per day for 29 days on a salary of $92,276 when Bainimarama had, on 5 February 2004, agreed to take command of the RFMF on a basic salary of $89,352.00.

Maybe, it is time those over-paid Sri Lankan lawyers with FICAC should be called in to look into the scandalous back pay, and investiagtive Bainimarama, Chaudhry, Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum and all others who colluded in robbing the taxpayers of over $185,000. According to foot soldiers at Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Officers and Other ranks have been corruptly known to sell back leave owing at HQRFMF.

They claim that prior to the Dec 2006 coup, Bainimarama gained a lot of officer support by officers cashing in on outstanding leave. The practise has been highlighted by previous audits of RFMF and all ranks have been always told to always take annual leave owing when in the country. It is plain corruption what Bainimarama did - order a low rank in the RFMF pay office to make out his annual leave entitlement, the foot soldiers claim. Did Bainimarama sell his own annual leave and went on to pocket $185,000?

Other Allowances in Bainimarama’s 2004 Contract
For the record, here is what other allowances Bainimarama had agreed to in February 2004. Ration Allowance of $2,737.50 per annum; Housing, a rent-free Government housing from the RFMF Institutional Quarters; Reimbursable Allowance: telecommunication, a telecommunication allowance of $1,200 per annum, Official Expense (An Official Expense Allowance of $1000 per annum), Professional Subscription (Professional Subscription Allowance of $1,000 per annum; Vehicle, a fully maintained vehicle for official purposes; Superannuation (A Superannuation contribution in accordance with the FNFP Act at the rate of 8% by the Employee and 10% by the Employer); Insurance, (1) A 50% Government contribution towards a life or medical insurance cover of the Commander’s choice subject to the insurer’s terms and conditions, (2) In lieu of overseas travel insurance cover the death of the RFMF Medical Scheme will apply to the Commander; Overseas Travel, A Business Class Overseas Travel package with a Per Diem of 10% loading on the United Nations prescribed and applicable rates. Local Travel: Hotel Accommodation, Hotel Meal Allowance and Subsistence Allowance.

As pointed out in an earlier story on Coupfourpointfive, Bainimarama had agreed to retire at the age of 55 when he signed the 2004 Terms of Contract with the Government of Laisenia Qarase. He was, however, reminded in no uncertain terms: “You are aware that in accordance with the Constitution and the RFMF Act, the Commander RFMF is responsible to the Minister in exercising executive command of the RFMF and in the proper management of public funds approved for the RFMF by Parliament.”   

The $44,126.50 Gratuity Payment on back of 2006 Coup
On 11 March 2004 Bainimarama acknowledged the letter of his appointment but he touched on the issue of a payment of gratuity and the required age to retire at fifty-five. “A common provision that has been provided to the Chief Executive Officers of Government Departments and Constitutional Office holders is a payment of gratuity, recognising the services of the office holder,” he wrote. “The position of Commander is much different in that, whilst other Constitutional Office holders or Chief Executive Officers are permitted to work until they reach the age of sixty, the Commander is required to retire at the age of five-five. We are of the opinion that it is only appropriate that the Commander be paid a gratuity at the end of his service the sum of two times his annual gross salary,” he stated in his letter.

In other words, he agreed to the terms and conditions regarding the retirement age as well placing himself under the control of the Minister and to properly manage public funds approved for the RFMF by Parliament. But four years later, in 2008, he not only refused to retire under the State Services Decree (exempting himself), but collected nearly $45,000 in Gratuity payments, while providing a park to the 55 plus whom he has thrown to the dogs.

Leave Pay Unlawful
In the end, it took one of the supporters of the Peoples Charter, Akuila Yabaki of the CCF, to call upon Bainimarama and the regime to reverse the “unlawful, flawed decision to award leave pay for 698 days dating back to 1978”. Yabakii said the normal practice was that all outstanding leave had to be used before the end of any contract period. “As far as CCF is aware, Bainimarama's previous contract as army commander ended in January 2004. Therefore, all leave prior to January 2004 that had not been utilised by Bainimarama would have become null and void," he said.

Yabaki said Commodore Bainimarama's new contract as army commander began in February 2004. “As such, he can only claim for leave not utilised after the February 2004 date. Even for the post-February 2004 period, Bainimarama should not claim for leave pay outstanding beyond one year, unless he can provide good reason why he did not utilise his leave,” Yabaki asked. He said if Bainimarama did not want to use his leave since 1978, then he should accept that was his choice. “To claim for that leave now is bad governance and shows poor and non-transparent leadership," Yabaki said.

But Yabaki’s comments fell on the deaf ears of Bainimarama, the self-appointed Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, National Planning, Public Service, Peoples Charter for Change and Progress, Information, Sugar, iTaukei Affairs, and Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Provincial Development.

RFMF should hang its head in shame on Independence Day
As Fiji celebrates its 40th anniversary of the independence on 10 October, the master “Indian Rope” trickster has come out with a message to the nation: “Our post-Independence history has been dissimilar to some other countries. We have had events which we could have done without. We have had politics which we could have done without. These situations led to regression as opposed to progression. It led to stagnation as opposed to modernization. Today, however, is not a day of condemnation or recrimination. Today is a day of celebration. I wish you all a happy Fiji Independence Day.”

The biggest thief in Fiji’s history will be flying the national flag on the country’s 40th independence anniversary, with other crooks and kana lotos singing his praise. We say, instead of saluting their thieving army chief, the soldiers should be hanging their heads in shame. For they are led by a crook and swindler who, after joining as a midshipman four years after Fiji’s independence in 1970 now, forty years later, has swindled the nation of $205,000 in bogus back pay.

In his 1971 New Year message, the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, as Prime Minister of independent Fiji, described 1970 as the “year of hope fulfilled”. The peaceful transition from colony to independence for him was “a pearl of great price which can perhaps be shared with the world at large.”

As we celebrate Fiji Independence Day, we must ask ourselves what price needs to be paid, in sweat, toil and even blood(for there is no easy walk to freedom), to return the country to democracy, to free ourselves from the economic fraudster and his supporters, who have made corruption and oppression their plaything – and giving themselves obscene salaries forty years after independence under various illegal decrees.

Fiji, The Way The World Should Not Be! Independence means FREEDOM.

Natuva accused of cooking military books

Minister Natuva attacks RKS kitchen standard and yet silent on his own “cooking of military budget books”

By Victor Lal

While visiting my old alma mater, Ratu Kadavulevu School in Lodoni, Tailevu, the illegal Minister for Works and Public Utilities, Colonel Timoci Lesi Natuva recently expressed concern at the poor state of the RKS kitchen and also on the food that is being served to the boarders.

According to news reports, he stood in the dining hall and witnessed the preparation of lunch for students. Natuva told his officials both the kitchen and the food was unacceptable. He has called on his senior officials to find immediate solutions to the issue and negotiate with the Education Ministry on how maintenance work is carried out for the kitchen. Last term RKS was closed down by the Health Ministry for not meeting OHS standards.

We may recall that I wrote that one of the reasons the Dictator carried out coup was to suppress fraud and police investigation into falsification of LPOs and Invoices by the military. The Auditor-General had also wanted the Director of Military Resources investigated for possible fraud.

Natuva and Teleni linked to abuse of funds

Military sources at Queen Elizabeth Barracks say that the financial abuse took place under the watch of two Directors of Military Resources – Natuva and Esala Teleni. The sacked police commissioner Teleni was the Director of Military Resources at RFMF Strategic Headquarters, Berkerley Crescent from 2000-2003. When Teleni was away at Defence College, Canberra in 2004, Natuva replaced him as Director of Military Resources in January 2004 to January 2005 before being posted to Iraq in 2005.

Teleni again took over in January 2005 as Director of Military Resources then as Chief of Staff Strategic Headquarters from April 2005 to December 2006. Teleni and Natuva were fully responsible with the dictator for the oversupply of all goods in anticipation of the 2006 coup.

Soldiers who were ordered to carry out the treasonous coup claim that up to three containers of these oversupplied goods were still in front of QEB Logistics Support Stores that was never explained to them, which had made them all suspicious that the dictator and his conspirators might be planning a coup against the SDL-FLP multi-party government.

Telen’'s resignation from the police (because of corruption) may also be seen as Bainimarama “covering his arse and sacrificing his bum boy”, they said. They claim that in their opinion Teleni, apart from the dictator, was the most corrupt officer known to them – “a free chow”.

According to RFMF Act, “All officers occupying Government quarters of whatsoever type or self contained flats will be required to pay rent at the rate of eight percent (8%) of basic salary with maximum limits of rent for different grades of quarters”. The Auditor-General’s unpublished Report for 2006, suppressed by Bainimarama/Teleni/Khaiyum states that the audit of the RFMF’s quarters records at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks revealed that some officers occupying government quarters were not paying any rent. 

Teleni, along with former Military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Mosese Tikoitoga, were among the defaulters. The Report cites:  “22348 Esala Teleni Col. Strategic HQ 07/03/02 3,922.92”.  Teleni, who went on to become the Police Commissioner and also chairman of the Military Council, was unwilling to pay the rent through salary deductions.

Teleni and LPO’S IN EXCESS LIMITS

Teleni was also identified as one of the major culprits in signing invoices in excess of the authorised limit: 22/11/05 Vinod Patel, Captain Esala Teleni $5,000 (limit) $9,777.75 (Paid); 22/11/05 R.C.Manubhai, Captain Esala Teleni $5,000 ($ 8,090.44); 22/11/05 Mass Stationeries,  Captain Esala Teleni $5,000 ($9,176.50); 22/11/05 Wingate Hardware, Captain Esala Teleni $5,000 ($8,628.57); 23/11/05 Vinod Patel, Captain Esala Teleni $5,000.00 ($5,218.40); 23/11/05 Wingate Hardware, Captain Esala Teleni $5,000 ($7,302.80); 07/11/05 R.C.Manubhai, Captain Esala Teleni $5,000 ($9,840); 30/11/05 Skaffworks, Captain Esala Teleni $5,000 ($93,101); 17/10/05 Budget Pharmacy, Captain Esala Teleni $5,000 ($27,46).

We are not surprised that, on assuming office as Police Commissioner, Teleni had over spent his Police Budget by a massive $17m in a period of 10 months.

In November 2006, he had assured the nation and the world, while deputising for Bainimarama who was “inspecting” troops in the Middle East, that there was no danger of a coup in Fiji; a month later a coup happened. 

As a result both, Teleni and Natuva, escaped police investigation into the falsification of LPOs and Invoices which happened under their watch as Directors of Military Resources.

Now, the cooks at RKS are being told by Natuva on how to cook better food – he should know, for along with Teleni, the two had been accused by the Auditor-General of “cooking the military budget books”. 

Josefa Rauluni 'victim of immigration scam'

Media in Australia are reporting today that Josefa Rauluni, who committed suicide at the Villawood detention Centre last month, had put his faith in a church minister. It's being said he gave the minister $2,000 to get him out.

Tthe ABC: The Australian Immigration Department is investigating a number of visa scams within the Fijian community.

 

Josefa Rauluni committed suicide at Villawood Detention Centre last month just before he was to be deported back to Fiji.

Now, the ABC's Lateline program has uncovered evidence indicating he and his family were victims of a migration scam.

The family claims that prior to his death, they paid $2,000 to a man who promised he could get Mr Rauluni out of Villawood.

His brother, Tevita Rauluni, says the man claimed to be a religious pastor within the Fijian community. "He rang me and he said, I put the money in, he'll help them get out of Villawood," he said.

Immigration Department spokesman Sandi Logan says a number of similar cases are being investigated. "We currently have a number of investigations afoot in a number of communities where these allegations have been made."

Refugee advocates say increasing numbers of Fijians are seeking asylum in Australia to escape Fiji's military government.

Fiji academics explore credible political solutions

Some of the gruntiest specialists on Fiji come together in Australia today to provide an analysis on the issues that have affected Fiji since its Independence. 

The Fiji at Forty workshop is being held at College of Asia and the Pacific, The Australian National University, in Canberra.

The speakers, and issues covered, include:

Stewart Firth Introduction to the Workshop

Jon Fraenkel Critical Junctures in Fiji;s Post-Colonial Journey

Robert Norton Fijians and the State - Ethnic Nationalism versus Muti-ethnic Nation Building: From Sukuna to Bainimarama 

Robbie Robertson Contextualizing Fiji's Coup Culture

Steven Ratuva Coerced Transformation: The Coup Culture in a Fragile Democracy

Padma Lal BitterSweet: The Unenviable Fate of the Fiji Sugar Industry

Jone Baledrokadroka The Military in Postcolonial Fiji

Nic Maclellan, Trade and Labour Modalities

Brij Lal Where Has All the Music Gone? Reflections on the 40th Anniversary of Fiji's Independence

Organisers hope the workshop will generate credible academic solutions to the present political situation, saying rigourous discussion and debate is anticipated. Pictures: Lal (top left), Fraenkel's book (right) and Baledrokadroka (bottom left).

Dictator's hogwash Independence Day speech

Fiji's self-appointed leader, Voreqe Bainimarama, has predictably, used the 40th Independence Day celebrations to try and justify the way he forcibly took control of the country, and the introduction of subsequent public emergency regulations and decrees to strip people of their rights.

Ignoring dissent, he yesterday proclaimed that Independence Day "... heralds a change in guard, a new political system." It is a manifestation of the desire of a people to stand up on their own feet. It signifies maturity. It signifies a vision. We have had events which we could have done without. We have had politics which we could have done without."

He said "Today is a day of celebration. A celebration that says that despite the colonial legacy, despite post 1987 Fiji, which resulted in the absence of true nation-hood and political and institutional systems that were replete with discrimination, prejudices, chauvinism and marginalisation, we Fijians today are able to overcome these challenges. We have tenacity and indeed we now have a vision. A vision to modernize and liberalize."

He claimed the People’s Charter for Peace, Change and Progress and the guiding principles of the Strategic Framework for Change sets out legal, constitutional, economic and social change for a fair, just and modern Fiji for years to come.

Bainimarama boasted about his one Fiji policy saying "this means a common name for all, which the past politics could not deliver ..... We today, the citizens of Fiji, must be all proud Fijians, bound in our common allegiance to our country."

And despite the sanctions by the international community, including being suspended from the Pacific Leaders Forum, he claimed "we now have more diplomatic relations than ever before. In all of these reforms, the people of Fiji, have shown a willingness to embrace and support these initiatives. The people of Fiji have shown an open mindedness."

Pity the dictator isn't so 'openminded' himself - he refuses to get rid of the public emergency regulations, he continues to oppress citizens and media, he continues to turn a blind eye to corruption within the ranks, to ignore the crippling poverty and the shattered sugar industry and to withhold democratic elections.

Picture: The ungodly Bainimarama repeats lie after lie.

South Pacific Stock Exchange suspends FSC trading to protect shareholders

The South Pacific Stock Exchange has suspended all trading in the Fiji Sugar Corporation until further notice as it believes the FSC does not have a sufficient level of working capital.

SPSE CEO Jinita Prasad says the decision was made to try and protect investors and shareholders investments. One of the requirements of the SPSE Listing Rules is for listed companies to have at least 12 months working capital and FSC failed to meet this requirement.

She added that the Exchange will contact FSC to establish the direction in which the company is headed in order to ascertain the next steps to be taken.

A list obtained by Coupfourpointfive reveals the following shareholders in FSC. As at 31 May 2009, the twenty largest shareholders held 43,267,016 shares which is equal to 97.45% of the total issued 44,399,998 fully paid shares of 50 cents each:

The Government of Fiji 30,239,160
Fiji National Provident Fund 7,810,806
Fijian Holdings Ltd 3,933,900
Unit Trust of Fiji (Trustee) Co Ltd 374,539
Reddys’ Enterprises Limited 250,120
Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society Ltd 250,080
Sugar Cane Growers Council  119,401
Robert Lee 98,720
Morris Hedstrom Limited Scholarship Fund Trustees 40,800
Lionel Ding Sun Yee 18,360
Pacific Transport Ltd 18,000
Manohar Lal 15,450
Amraiya Naidu 14,800
Rotuma Development Fund Government Station 14,400
Saimone Lutu 12,120
Fiji Public Service Association-Investments Co-op Ltd 12,000
Johnson Fong 12,000
Joyce Due & Rasmus Due 11,320
Sugar Milling Staff Officers Association 10,800
Heihachiro & Masako 10,240

US president notes Fiji's 40th anniversary

The US Embassy in Fiji has released a statement from President Barack Obama, regarding this week's Independence:

To the People Fiji:

I extend congratulations to the People of the Republic of the Fiji Islands on the ocassion of the 40th anniversary of Fiji's Independence on October 10.

The People of our nations enjoy a friendship founded on the mutual commitments of our societies to peace, freedom, rule of law and democractic ideals.

In addition, we have always enjoyed a relationship that is based on trust and mutual respect. It is through our shared commitment to these ideals that the bond between our countries has remained strong over the years.

In addition, we have always enjoyed a relationship that is based on trust and mutual respect. It is through our shared commitment to these ideals that the bond between our countries has remained strong over the years.

As Fiji celebrates its Independence Day, the United States continues to stand with the people of Fiji, and I am confident that we will build ever closer ties between our countries in the years to come.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama

FLP steamed over C4.5's Goat Curry story

The Fiji Labour Party has reacted to Coupfourpointfive's story about its leader, Mahendra Chaudhry, being arrested before a goat curry lunch was ready. 

The FLP says Chaudhry is a strict vegetarian on Friday, so it's inconceivable he requested the meat dish. It says both his driver and Sanjeet Maharaj, are vegetarians.

Coupfourpointfive stands by the information it was given and notes that as a devotee of Lord Hanuman, Tuesday is the day  the former prime minister devotes to his faith.

Coupfourpointfive also notes that Chaudhry ordered red pork for himself on a union trip to Australia in 1998,  on a Tuesday. Hanuman devotees are strictly prohibited from eating pork and eating it on Tuesdays is crass!

The FLP also says it's impossible Chaudhry would've been drinking grog so early in the morning since he was arrested at 11 o'clock. Everyone knows yaqona is the chosen drink of most social or important gatherings, as was on this occassion in Rakiraki,no matter what time of the day it is!

We've also been told that after the court appearance on Monday in Tavua, Chaudhry and co went to Baijnath Singh's house only to take off when they realised the police were watching them.

Coupfourpointfive reiterates what we said earlier - Chaudhry (as he himself has this week admitted) was being monitored by police who knew exactly how long he had been in the Rakiraki house on Friday before they arrested him. 

Coupfourpointfive has no reason to doubt the information it has been given.

 

New FSC acting CEO John Prasad will continue to swindle the country as he did at Water Authority of Fiji

Prasad gave water contract to his Kiwi chum without tender process – with Khaiyum’s approval

On 21 August 2007 the then ailing and dementia afflicted illegal President Josefa Iloilo signed the illegal Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum’s Water Authority of Fiji Promulgation 2007. A New Zealand citizen and former milk technology assistant turned bogus economist, John Prasad was appointed the new chairman of the newly-established Water Authority of Fiji.

Two years later, in February 2009, Khaiyum announced that besides his buddy Prasad as chairman, the other board members were to include Sunil De Silva, Illisapeci Bole, Ram Shandil, Saipora Mataikabara and Lasantha Thennakoon. The Water Authority was to operate from the premises of the Ministry of Public Enterprises, headed by Khaiyum.

Recently, Prasad was appointed as acting CEO of Fiji Sugar Corporation at its Lautoka headquarters after being kicked out of the Finance Ministry for failing to provide his CV to the Public Service Commission. He has been accused of falsifying his academic and employment achievements.

A Coufourpointfive investigation reveals that Prasad worked for LPS Management Limited (LPS), a swimming pool operator in New Zealand, otherwise he was unemployed. He worked with one Mark Dawson, previously a car salesman in Hamilton, NZ, now calling himself a water treatment specialist. Both, Prasad and Dawson are accused of owing a lot of money to Tennix Robert Stone water contractors. At one point the two fell out, but the 2006 coup brought them together when Prasad’s buddy Khaiyum set up the new Water Authority of Fiji.

After Suva Grammar School, Prasad joined Rewa Dairy Company as a milk technology assistant. He was working under one Suruj Bail, production manager. When Bali migrated to Australia, Prasad migrated to New Zealand after his mother inherited some flats in Herne Bay, Hamilton. Prasad recently married Robert Khan’s daughter, sister of the dictator’s propaganda NZ Radio Tarana owner.

Fiji Water Authority of Fiji and Tender Scam
Coupfourpointfive has obtained documents which reveal that Prasad gave Dawson and one David Cox the contract to review the water treatment works in Suva. The Report is titled “Review of capital Investment program and Waila Water Treatment Works in Suva/Nausori”.

According to the Report, the Consultants identified a number of key strategic issues related to the water supply situation that will have a long term effect on water supply in the region and the organisation’s ability to deliver improved services in future. In addition, the Consultants have received and reviewed a number of documents related to the Department itself or the technical aspects of the water supply.

In particular, the focus has been to ensure that the time spent by visiting specialists has been maximised by the acquisition of valuable information. Information was gathered in the following ways: site visits such as visits to water treatment works and depots; meetings with relevant agency staff; formal and informal requests for information and document review; presentations; and informal discussions with Planning and Operational staff. The information collected was reviewed and analysed.

Consultancy Mobilisation
Name: David Cox, Designation: Team Leader, Mobilised: 20 April 2008; Mark Dawson, Water Treatment Specialist, 20 April 2008. According to the Report, the above staff was actively engaged in meetings and site visits for the duration of their stay from the 21st to 25 August 2008.

Now, it has emerged that the Report was already prepared by Prasad’s cronies in Fiji, and the four-day visit of the ‘Consultant Team’ was a smokescreen. The NRW Specialists Pty Ltd, the reviewers, was from where they formed the Water Authority of Fiji.

Dawson reportedly boasted that he got a $13.5m contract to do the water works in Fiji from Prasad, with the former milkman technologist pocketing thousands in kickbacks, held in his New Zealand bank account.

Coupfourpointfive sources say both Prasad and Dawson have no experience in water management, and that LPS is $100 Company, run by Prasad (describing himself as Contract Project Manage) and Dawson. Along with Khaiyum, the two are also holding accounts in Malaysia and the Philippines.

The sweet talking conman Prasad is now in temporary charge of sugar in Fiji. And his wife travels first-class, courtesy of the FSC which has no money but pays business class fares for spouses.

Prasad (pictured above with the Fiji Development Bank board) must be hoping that there will be no sweet revenge for his continued perpetuation of fraud on the people of Fiji. If so, he is mistaken. Sooner, rather than later, he will ‘drown’ in his own bogus money milking machine.

Editor's Note: Some valid questions that need asking:

1) Is John Pasad's mother first cousin to Joe Singh?
2) Were they living next door to late Peter Pritipal Singh's house at the corner of Tanoa Street?
3) Was Prasad's father, the late Saten Prasad, a close drinking buddy of Mahendra Chaudhry when he was a live?
4) Is his economist experience coming from merely managing his mother's multiple properties, hence no real experience at all?

Fiji Times editor-in-chief and his deputy 'forced out of job'

Coupfourpointfive has been told the editor of the Fiji Times, Netani Rika, and deputy editor, Sophie Foster, are being forced to leave the newspaper by the new owner and publisher.

Sources say publisher Dallas Swinstead announced Rika's resignation to Fiji Times staff and issued a media release when Rika had not even resigned yet. 

Rika still hasn't put his resignation through.

And, now, the deputy editor, Sophie Foster, has taken sudden leave.

Sources say like Rika, Foster has been told to bow down to the interim regime like Dallas and owner, Mahendra Patel want, or resign.

It's no news that Swinstead and Patel  want the paper to get on with the Frank Bainimarama regime because it's all about the money for them.

Coupfourpointfive has been told  Swinstead, who is on a six month work permit, wants to get on with the regime so the paper can re-secure government advertising.

The morale at the Fiji Times newsroom today is said to be sombre after journalists learnt the truth about Rika and Foster being pushed out. 

There have been teary sessions and staff are depressed because the Fiji Times has lost its reputation as the newspaper that upheld democracy and journalistic principles.

Chaudhry under surveillance - case adjourned

Mahendra Chaudhry and five others charged with one count of unlawful assembly under the Public Emergency Regulation, have pleaded not guilty in the Rakiraki Magistrates Court today.
 

A new magistrate, Usaia Ratuvili, presided over the case after Tavua Magistrate Faizal Koya excused himself on Monday saying he was a close associate of Chaudhry's.
 

The five were defended by Rajendra Chaudhry.
 

The case has been adjourned to November 11.
 

Until then, Chaudhry is under surveillance and has to report to a police station near him once a week.
 

If found guilty, Chaudhry could be fined $1000 or two years imprisonment, or both.

POLICE ARREST CAME BEFORE GOAT CURRY LUNCH!

Coupfourpointfive has established that the Fiji Labour Party leader, Mahendra Chaudhry, and five of his cohorts were drinking yaqona for TWO hours before being arrested by police last Friday, for breaching Public Emergency Regulations.

We understand that they had already met a few cane farmers and that Chaudhry, accompanied by his puppets, were at Gajraj Singh's house to drink yaqona and meet Gajraj's farmer neighbours, before they were arrested. We have been informed that Gajraj Singh's neighbour was also arrested but was released because he had only been invited to the home.

But the yaqona session lasted two hours and would have gone for another hour - because a goat had been slaughtered and was being skinned and cleaned in preparation for lunch for Chaudhry.

We have been told the former National Farmers Union President, Sanjeet Maharaj, had requested the animal for his boss. But the slaughtered and cleaned goat could not reach the pot before police zoomed in on Chaudhry and his puppets.

We, therefore, question Chaudhry's claim he was carrying out a drought survey to assess the extent of damage to the sugarcane crop.

After having confined Indian cane farmers to a second girmit, via his unequivocal support and participation in Frank Bainimarama's military regime for 18 months as its Finance and Sugar Minister, Chaudhry now hopes farmers will sympathise with his plight.

But the majority of them, we have been informed, understand Chaudhry's well-rehearsed cons, especially his penchant for making appearances like a pageant or festival contestant, or queen, who has to show her face to the crowd to buy support.

While a pageant contestant's objective is to win popular support to help grab the crown, similarly, Chaudhry is playing his tricks to con farmers into sympathising with him.

What kind of leader would wait two hours to enjoy fresh goat curry at a drought stricken farmer's home, whose income has been severely depleted not only by the drought, but also by losses incurred as a result of the problem plagued sugar mills?

If Chaudhry were indeed a kind and caring leader, he would have insisted the farmer sell his goat to earn some valuable dollars and boost his meagre income; even if the farmer had offered to slaughter it out of respect.

But sources say it is Chaudhry's perennial style to feast, even at the expense of the electorate he professes to serve. We need look no further for a prime example of this false benevolence than the $2 million Australian dollars sitting in Australia that he collected in India in the name of the poor following the 2000 coup.


Editor's Note: Chaudhry is expected to appear in court today on the charge of breaching the Public Order Act.

MONEY FROM MISSING MILLION DOLLAR HEIST TURN UP IN QUEENSLAND TOWN

The Queensland paper, the Chronicle, has reported today that a local woman withdrew the stolen $20 notes from a bank in Toowomba - a town 127 kilomtres west of Brisbane!

Australian police are not quoted in this story but Fiji police are:

By Callum Johnson of the Chronicle

TOOWOOMBA resident Jamila Verdouw was expecting to spend her Fiji vacation relaxing on the beach, not explaining to police how money stolen in a recent million-dollar heist ended up in her pocket. The truth was, she had no idea how it got there either.

Miss Verdouw's heart skipped a beat when she arrived at the airport in Fiji only to be told the 10 $20 Fijian notes she withdrew from a Toowoomba bank were the same ones stolen in a recent $1 million robbery ($A556,000).

“I was just like ‘oh my God, what is going on?',” Miss Verdouw said. “Customs scanned the serial number of all my $20 Fijian notes then started talking into their walkie talkies in Fijian. “Police then came and told me I was carrying stolen money and I had to follow them into a room for questioning.

“I told them I hadn't stolen the money. I didn't want to go into that room; I didn't know if I could trust them. It was quite terrifying.”

The real thieves had managed to steal $1 million worth of $20 Fijian dollars from a container which arrived from England on September 5. How the stolen money ever made it to the Toowoomba branch of an Australian bank and into Miss Verdouw's hands is still a mystery. “Who would have thought that money stolen from Fiji would ever make its way to Toowoomba somehow?” she said. “It wasn't just one note either, all the $20 notes I withdrew in Toowoomba were from the stolen shipment.”

After two hours of police questioning, a startled Miss Verdouw was allowed to start her vacation, albeit with half her spending money confiscated. “I'm just lucky that I had bank paperwork with me and that I didn't try to spend the money somewhere in Fiji,” she said. 

“I thought it could have been at scam at first until I called an Australian friend who confirmed that a shipment of $20 Fijian notes actually had been recently stolen. “While it was a scary start, I ended up having an amazing vacation and the bank thankfully reimbursed all my confiscated money.”

Editor's Note: There is still no official update from Fiji authorities, that includes the Fiji Reserve Bank and the police, about the missing money which at one stage was reported by the Fiji Sun as actually being $200 million dollars. Interpol was supposed to have been brought in to investigate the supposed heist but, again, nothing has been said about that either.

What Fate Awaits Dictator’s Followers?

Chaudhry chose to dangle from the dictator’s ‘Indian Rope Trick’ and now the noose is tightening around his own muscular neck

By VICTOR LAL
GIVE a man enough rope, and he will hang himself. In a dictatorship, the rope is used to either hang your opponent or dangle the dreaded rope in front of your partner in crime for that person to keep quiet.

In Mahendra Pal Chaudhry’s case, the dictator dangled the ‘Indian Rope Trick’ in front of him shortly after the coup, and the Fiji Labour Party leader and former Prime Minister Chaudhry happily and treasonously agreed to dangle from it. The Indian Rope Trick, according to commentators, is stage magic, a great illusion, involving a magician, a length of rope, and one or more boy assistants.

The reasons outlined by the drunken magician, the dictator Frank Bainimarama at the post 2006 coup press conference for his treasonous act, was a great hoax played on the nation state. But he had no shortage of treasonous assistants, who were willing to grab hold of the ‘rope’; and Chaudhry was among them, high up there in the dictator’s Cabinet as the illegal Minister of Finance.

Chaudhry signed off cheques on behalf of the dictator, including that bogus back pay running into thousands of dollars. He travelled to Brussels to negotiate the sugar loan from the EEC. Power had gone into his head, or so he thought. One can give a litany of examples, for which he could be in and out of court, for the next fifty years.

But why is the illegal regime dangling one of its former own by the ‘rope’? Firstly, Chaudhry should have realised that the dictator was no friend of his, for he had bluntly refused to restore the Chaudhry government after George Speight overthrew it in May 2000.

Chaudhry is being dangled before the courts because he went along with the dictator and other treasonous assistants in prolonging the election date – he thought the longer the dictator delayed the election, the better were his chances of re-emerging, perhaps, a winner at the polls. This arrogant belief was reinforced by the fact that his political nemesis, the former Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, had already been charged, and silenced under the Public Emergency Decree.

It was a fatal mistake on Chaudhry’s part; he should never have colluded with the dictator and his assistants in arguing that Fiji was not ready for the polls. The longer the delay in holding the election, the greater the chances were that the ‘rope’ could be used for other purposes.

He forgot that the dictator’s ‘rope’ could be used against him, for that is what the ‘Indian Rope Trick’ is for – for the dictators to hang those who become too powerful around him.

If there is any lesson to be learnt from Chaudhry’s arrest and charges, it is that the dictator will not hesitate to hang his own ‘assistants’. So those supporting him, including those in the Military Council, should cut themselves loose from the dictator’s ‘Indian Rope’.
Like Chaudhry, sooner rather than later, they will also be ‘dangling’ from that ‘rope’ in a police cell.

For Chaudhry, the noose is likely to tighten further, as Fiji awaits the promised election in 2014. We should not be surprised, if he will also be accused of sabotaging the sugar mills around the country!

Let us hope that the regime will display the same zeal and determination in bringing to court all those, like Chaudhry, who have been exposed by Coupfourpointfive for various crimes.

And, finally, we wonder whether the ‘Coup Magician’ and his assistants themselves will be prepared to stand alongside treasonous Chaudhry in a court of law for the highest crime – the crime of treason against the people of Fiji.

In Chaudhry and Qarase’s cases, at least the two have submitted themselves to the scrutiny of the law. Justice is blind.
  

A reader's perspective on the arrest of the year

A fictional look at the events that took place from last Friday until today.

Actors: Rajendra Chaudhry Mahendra Chaudhry and the five men arrested with him - Sanjeet Maharaj, Ganga Dharan, Gajraj Singh, Abhay Raj Singh, Shammi Kapoor 

The night before the meeting, around the kava bowl:

Sanjeet Maharaj: Barka (endering word used by Labour party supporters to each other) tum sure hai hum log beyaan meeting karega.

Translation: Barka you sure we going to have the meeting tomorrow. 

Mahen Chaudhry: Hah, aabi barwa overseas hai tho kuch mange kare. Tab hum log ke supporters boli hum log kuch odoom karta.
 
Yes while the idiot is overseas we have to do something. only then will our supporters have faith that we are doing something and will gain us support. 

Rajen Chaudhry: But dad, phir se hum log court jayega. Hum taak giya tumar wasteen kaam kare benaa paisa. Humar paas be family hai aur reccession chale abhi.
 
But dad we going to court again. I'm tired of representing you in court for nothing. I have to support too during this recession. 

Ganga Dharan: A reh Rajen, tum sab time kali apaan baire me sochta, tumar bappa ke wasteen kabhi kabhi socho be.
 
Oh Rajen, you always think of yourself, try and think of your father too sometimes. 

Rajen Chaudhry: Dad this is the last time really, that I'm going to represent you.
 
The day of the meeting:

Mahen Chaudry at a farmer's home: Accha baiyo ...agar koi poochi konchi hoye yaha pe, bolna hum kali aiya nagona piye. Tum log sab jaanta hum ketna concerned hai ke konchi hoye humara dess mei. Bainimarama hum log ke dess naass kardees. Edam tatti kardees. Kuch mange kare yaar.
 
Ok brothers, if anyone asks what we are doing here, tell them we just drinking kava. You all know how concerned I am about what's happening to our nation. Bainimarama has destroyed Fiji. it's full of shit now and we need to do something. 

Gajraj Singh: Barka, tum batao konchi kareke hai, hum log sab ke rally kare ga, worry nai karo.
 
Barka you tell us what we should do and we will rally everyone. 

Sound of police sirens 

Sanjeet Maharaj: A reh, kaun mama log ke boo laidees yaar.
 
Who called the police. 

Abhay Raj: Chupe baito aur tamaku pio. Hum jai ke baat karega mamu log ke.
 
Sit quiet and finish you cigarette. I will go talk to them. 

Inspector  Tevita Kutu: Oi what you people doing here?
 
Sanjeet Maharaj: What's the matter gang?
 
Inspector Kutu: I said what's going on over here. Don't try to bullshit me. I know what's going on here eh. Where's Chaudhry, tell the fulla come out here or I come inside.
 
Rajen Chaudhry comes out: io tavale, what's the matter.
 
Inspector Kutu to his fellow officer Baku: Raica dokadoka, nona tavale noqu sona.
 
See this one, calling me his brother-in-law, brother-in-law my ass. 

Inspector Kutu to Rajen: Where's your father, tell him come out here. This is an illegal meeting and I'm arresting all of you people right now.
 
Rajen Chaudhry: Under what section of the law officer.
 
Inspector Kutu: For breaching the public emergency regulations. Don't ask me what section, you think I'm stupid. 
Now all you people get into the van.
 
Rajen Chaudhry: Not me officer, I have only just arrived.
 

Friday night at the police station:

Sanjeet Maharaj to Mahendra Chaudhry: Barka aab konchi hoi.. Hum log ke peetee tab konchi karega.
 
Barka what's going to happen now. They going to beat us up.

Mahen: Worry nai karo, koi nai peete. Main hoon na. Kuch poochi tum log kali bolo ki hum log nagona peeta raha.
 
Don't worry, no one will beat you. I'm here to protect you. If they question you keep saying we were only drinking kava. 

Sanjeet Maharaj: Barka hum log tume trust karte aiya hai aaj tak. Tum agge peeche tho nai kare ga hum log ke saat .....naito hum log sab ke batai dega tum kaha India wala paisa chup paya hai.
 
Barka we have always trusted you, and hope you won't leave us in the dust. If you do, we will reveal where you hid the milliions of dollars you got from India. 

Mahen: A reh bachao humar chaati peerae. Jaldi koi ke boolao hum abhi nai mangta mare.
 
Please help, my chest is paining. Call someone quick, I don't want to die yet. 

Sanjeet: A reh barka wait karo Shammi bolae. Letho floor pe hum CPR aur mouth to mouth karta.
 
Oh barka Shammi is calling someone, lie on the floor I will apply CPR and mouth to mouth. 

Inspector Bolekava arrives: What's the matter. You Indians can't sit still, always bothering us while we playing cards.
 
Shammi Kapoor: Boso help Chaudhry please, his chest paining.
 
Inspector Bolekava: Real pain or bullshit kind. You sure not gas in the stomach.
 
Shammi: I dunno. But see he on the floor and Sanjeet giving him CPR.
 
Inspector Bolekava: Wailei trues up. Ok I'm calling the ambulance to take him to Suva Private.
 
Ambulance arrives to take Mahen to the hospital, he was given some gas release medicine and sent back to the police station.
 
The whole weekend passes ...then Monday 

Inspector Kutu: OK get up get up. Man you people boica saraga. No bath all weekend eh. Smell like curry baigani
 
Ok get up, gosh you people stink so much. smell like curry eggplant. 

Officer Baku and other officers laugh 

Inspector Kutu: Ok get in the van, you people going to court now.
 
Mahen: But can I brush my teeth first and put on some perfume.
 
Inspector Kutu: Wailei whoose gonna smell you, just get in the van. Toothbrush too expensive and no datoon  around.
 

Outside  the court house:

Rajen Chaudhry to Mahen: Dad worry nai karo, hum log ke admee judge hai, Faizal Koya. Agar release nai kari uske petai lagai ga baad me.
 
Dad don't worry our own man is the judge. If he doesn't release you he will get a hiding later. 

Mahen Chaudhry: Tab tho set hai. Uske batao hum log ke chordo tab phir ek deen uske hum minister banai dega. 
 
Oh that it's all set. Tell him let us go and I will make him a minister one day. 

In the judge's chambers: 

Rajen to Faizal: Tab kaise janaye barka, tum kar payega?
 
So you think you can pull it off. 

Faizal Koya: Patani yaar, tum janta agar Barwa ke hawa lag ge, hume aacha se dandaa dei.
 
I don't know man, you know if Bainimarama finds out, he will make sure I get the stick. 

Rajen: Tum uske baire me worry nai karo. Kali ee kaam kardo, humar bappa baire jai ke saab set kar dei. Aur agar tum hum log ke mircha kara, taab tum dekna.
 
Don't worry about that, my father will fix everything when he is out. And if you backstab us, then watch out.   

In the court room no plea was entered ..... Faizal released his barkas on bail and excused himself because he was poo-pooing his pants.