Fiji Coupfourpointfive

How Frank Bainimarama benefited from the 2006 coup

2021-02-19T17:28:00.002+13:00

Last week in Parliament, while pushing through a Bill to establish the Anti-Corruption Court, Frank Bainimarama's right-hand man Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum, who is prepared to die a thousand times for his boss, lamented that corruption was rife in the country. And here we thought the 2006 military coup was a clean-up campaign as claimed by coup leader Bainimarama.

Back in 2006, he also said that nobody in the military's interim regime would benefit from the coup and those serving the regime would not be allowed to contest any elections.

Yeah Right!

Starting with Bainimarama and Khaiyum, most of them contested the 2014 elections. Another major player who was the first finance minister, Mahendra Chaudhry, was barred for 8 years after being convicted for an offence. Now he too is busy laying the ground to fight in 2022 when he will be 80 years old.

It didn't stop there. Bainimarama himself had a financial windfall under the guise of holding multiple ministerial portfolios.

Remember Bainimarama proclaimed loud and clear that he was only going to be paid the salary of the Commander of Republic of Fiji Military Forces and not for holding the position of Prime Minister in the regime!

Well, that changed in January 2010. He got the Commander's salary increased from $96,0000 to $230,000 and obtained other benefits, increasing his total salary package to over $316,000 per year.

A letter from sources close to Government House and Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, who was President in 2010, shows how Aiyaz Khaiyum , who was then Attorney General, wrote to Nailatikau and got the package approved for his boss.

Apart from other benefits including full medical treatment for him and his family, from January 2010 until the elections in September 2014, Bainimarama’s earnings are as follows:

Base salary: $230,000 per annum

Extra Duty Allowance: 12.5% of base salary which is $28,750 per annum

25% Gratuity for every 12 months of service: $57,500 per annum

Total salary per annum: $316,250

This was his salary for 2010,2011,2012, 2013 and until 3rd October 2014 when it was increased through the parliamentary remunerations decree to $328,750.

This isn't corruption in Bainimarama and Khaiyum's dictionary.

No wonder Nailatikau, who has always lived off state resources, is back earning a fat salary of $150,000 per year as Speaker, for approving the other fat cat Bainimarama’s salary.

And no wonder his salary was never listed in the Civil Service List published every year containing ranks, names and salaries of all civil servants.

Read the letter for yourself.

USP VC deported, move University out of Fiji!

2021-02-04T14:57:00.006+13:00

Professor Pal on the flight to Brisbane

It is time for the University of the South Pacific to be moved out of Fiji after today’s deportation of the VC Professor Pal Ahluwalia and his wife.

Last night plain clothed immigration officials detained the two, saying the reason for the deportation was that they were a public risk.

The dictator government deemed Professor Ahluwalia to be "a person who is or has been conducting himself in a manner prejudicial to the peace, defence, public safety, public order, public morality, public health, security or good government of the Fiji Islands".

The good Professor has been driving efforts to clean up the governance of USP since he began in his role two years ago.

Since then the cronies of Frank Bainimarama and Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum, have been trying to get him removed. They were successful in getting him suspended in June last year and now have succumbed to getting him deported.

When will these idiots realise that Fiji does not own the university?

Nor can it sack the VC because that is not Fiji's call.

USP belongs to the region and is owned by 12 Pacific Island nations!

Fiji continues to sink lower and lower on all levels. It is no longer the New York of the Pacific!

Shame, shame, shame.

Fiji news headlines for September 18

2020-09-18T10:42:00.003+12:00

As a service to our followers and subscriber list, we will be providing headlines from Fiji newspapers daily.

This is an opportunity for you to be informed of what's happening in Fiji and comment in the comments section below.

We hope you enjoy this new service. If you are not subscribed to our email list, please subscribe on the link on the right of this blog.

Leaked email shows Fiji's debt being hidden

2020-07-12T11:27:00.000+12:00

Proof of the budget being ballooned to hide the huge amount of debt Fiji is in, has emerged in an email from the CEO of the Fiji Revenue and Customs Department.

The email is proof of how Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum has been instructing the revenue department to play around with figures to show fake money, low debt and hide the crash in the economy.

In the email sent to Fazrul Rahman and other internal staff, Visvanath Das instructs them to delete any traces of real budget reports on their system so the truth of debt owed is not exposed.

Das further instructs meeting to discuss how to adjust more budget adjustments to hide the lies.

The email was sent in August last year, 5 days after the closure of the 2018-2019 financial year and shows that the revenue figures had to be inflated to match the false figures in the budget and therefore show a deficit of only 2.7 percent.

This shows how Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum and his cronies have manipulated the FRCS and even the Reserve Bank to hide the deep shit they've put Fiji in.

The next budget is being presented this Friday, no doubt all the figures will be changed to hide the fact that Fiji is drowning in debt.

We all know this is true, look around and you will see poverty is rife, people are struggling to put food on the table, there are no jobs and COVID-19 has put a stop to tourist income coming in.

BDO report into USP show multiple policy breaches

2020-06-17T15:49:00.003+12:00

Coupfourpointfive has been handed the controversial BDO Investigation into allegations of mismanagement of monies at USP.

The 110 page report details allegations and findings which we have posted as images with this post.

Here are some of BDO's key obeservations and recommendations:

* We are of the view that the oversight, governance, and control of remuneration is a key weakness across USP. This was a key theme throughout our investigation as many of the matters raised in the Paper, or the likely motivations behind those matters, relate to remuneration.

* We have noted a consistent theme of policy breaches in respect of bonus payments. Specifically, we have noted instances where staff members have been awarded ‘multiple’ bonuses which is not allowed under current policies. Payroll records indicate that bonuses totalling $1,890,129.08 was paid to staff across the three years ended 31 December 2018. Bonuses are discussed in detail below (refer to paragraph 72).

* We are of the opinion that the cumulative effect of this lack of oversight and control has resulted in breaches of policy (where policies exist) and numerous instances where staff members, particularly those in senior roles, are remunerated well outside Council- approved salary bandings. Examples of this are outlined below using the SMT and some members of staff that are named in the Paper.

The full report can be read below:

Bdo Report PDF by coupfourpointfive on Scribd

Has Bainimarama lost control to Khaiyum? Who is in charge?

2020-04-18T14:41:00.001+12:00

Two events on Thursday and Friday strongly point towards the fact that coup leader and Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama is more than likely to have become a stooge of his Attorney General, Minister for Economy, multiple important portfolios holder and control freak Aiyaz Sayed Khiayum.

In other words, the master has likely become the puppet because of his inability to do anything and be totally dependent on who he has many times called his right hand man in Khaiyum.

Bainimarama, who has more than often portrayed himself as a strongman, has become a poodle or a lapdog who only barks when Khaiyum wants him to do so.

Sources within Fiji First Cabinet have been telling us this. They say the real PM is Khaiyum because Bainimarama doesn't want to bite the hand that feeds him.

Late Friday afternoon, Bainimarama announced a Cabinet reshuffle. And Khaiyum had his way because in came his buddy Faiyaz Koya, the near bankrupt man who desperately needs money to save his properties from being seized by the HFC bank that loaned him a couple of million dollars when he was in Cabinet before the 2018 elections.

He took over tourism, trade and commerce that were part of Premila Kumar's portfolios. She has been left with local government, housing and community development, which most likely means development of squatters.

So Queen Premila, who portrayed herself as one of the most prominent and visible ministers has been dethroned and left with minion portfolios while Faiyaz Koya, a man close to Khaiyum and who replaced Ashneel Sudhakar as a MP, is elevated to a ministerial position over many who received a whole lot more votes than him, but are either assistants ministers or backbenchers.

This is the Open Merit Recruiting System touted by Khaiyum as rewarding the most meritorious of any post. For Bainimarama, announcing the appointment of Faiyaz Koya as a Minister is no big deal because Khaiyum wanted it - and Fiji First cabinet sources tell us Bainimiarama will always agree what Khaiyum does or tells him because all the PM cares about is bundles of notes for him and his family.

Still on reshuffle, Dr Mahendra Reddy's wings have been clipped with rural and maritime development being taken away from him, leaving him with agriculture, waterways and environment.

This, according to Fiji First insiders, means Reddy has lost control of advisory councillors and has his travel to outer islands for picture opportunities slashed, he is now confined to distributing seeds and making sure the drains are clean.

We suppose that is what happens to a person who licks his or her own spit. In Reddy's case he was charged by FICAC that is controlled by Khaiyum, had to spend many thousands of dollars in legal fees, got acquitted but damage was done, yet he decided to trust Bainimarama who is not in control of what's happening around him.

Fiji First Cabinet insiders say Reddy and Premila Kumar will now be even more alienated by Bainimarama.

An example of why Frank is beholden to Khaiyum

Fiji First Cabinet sources tell us that another classic example of Frank being beholden to Khaiyum is how the AG used the acting Chief Justice to basically quash a Nadi magistrate's decision to acquit those who were arrested and charged but the charges were defective.

They were acquitted because the PM's order was mentioned as being issued under the Public Health Act when clearly the PM doesn't have any powers to do so. His announcement during a press conference cannot be taken as an order as an order has to be legal and gazetted.

The Public Health Act has not been changed to give powers to the PM to make any orders.

But around midday Thursday, Khaiyum called a press conference to criticise the magistrate and the acquittal and said the police commissioner was talking to the DPP to appeal the decision within the required 28 days.

But a few hours later, he re-appeared and said the acting Chief Justice Kamal Kumar had also opposed the acquittal and ordered that the case be recalled. Kamal Kumar's statement spoke the same language that Khaiyum did in his midday press conference.

Both said the magistrate should have asked the police precaution to correct the charge but the prosecution never at any time sought permission of the court to make such amendments.

Fiji First Cabinet insiders tell us that Bainimarama was impressed by Khaiyum's show of decisive authority in getting the acting CJ to interfere on his behalf and correct his (PM's and police error). Even if it meant that government was interfering and influencing the judiciary that is supposed to be totally independent.

They say the bond between the two strengthened overnight and Bainimarama said YES to the reshuffle including appointing Faiyaz Koya as a Minister.

And we have established that while Khaiyum was talking to Bainimarama over the phone on Thursday night to confirm the plan, Faiyaz Koya was seated next to Khaiyum at the posh flats on Princess road that are owned by the top Fiji First fundraiser Sanjay Kaba. The flats are near Home of Compassion.

But certainly there is no compassion for those who fall prey to this government. It is because, as the Fiji First cabinet insiders say, Banimarama has been told in no uncertain terms by Khaiyum that his security and safety at the hands of voters is in his (Khaiyum's) hands.

They tell us that Bainimarama realises that Khaiyum controls all independent institutions such as the Elections Office, Judiciary and Human Rights Commission. So there is nothing to worry about because Khaiyum reminds him that if he goes down, Bainimarama will go down with him as well.

Bainimarama’s controls the Army and Police through Nautpoto and Qiliho.

So it is a case of both catching each other's backs.

But while Khaiyum and acting CJ Kamal Kumar attacked the magistrate and his ruling for picking out the mistake in the defective charge, they did not pay attention to what the police were doing under Bainimarama's man Qiliho who has been busy recording statements of those arrested.

We have a copy of a statement that looks more like a template out of North Korea, thanks to Qiliho, than a statement recorded by a well-trained police force in a democratic country.

Watch this space as we will reveal the template from North Korea and why Acting CJ Kamal Kumar will do everything that Khaiyum wants.

Fiji Revenue and Customs CEO resigns

2020-02-13T08:46:00.004+13:00

Viswanath Das, the embattled Chief Executive Officer of the Fiji Revenue & Customs Service, has resigned from his post more than 3 years after being appointed.

We have been told that this comes after he, Faiz Khan and Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum, were seen together at the premises of FICAC - the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption.

Remember, last week FICAC cleared Khaiyum's aunt Nur Bano Ali of benefiting from $500,000 of taxpayers funds after rejecting the Auditor General and Fiji Court of Appeal findings that no tenders were called for the restructure of Rewa Dairy some years ago.

So what was cooked that saw Das resign? Why was Khaiyum's blue-eyed boy there in his master's company? And why did Khaiyum, as the Minister responsible for FICAC, go to its office knowing it is an independent office - or is supposed to be seen to be independent?

Das and Faiz Khan have been implicated in allegations of unlawfully authorising payment of legal fees to Haniff Tuitoga lawyers, to defend former FRCS Director Shameem Khan who is facing corruption charges. And both are implicated in allegations authorising payment of salary to Shameem Khan after he was charged and hauled to Court.

Is Khaiyum trying to save his friends, just like he saved his aunt Nur Bano Ali? And has Das has become the sacrificial lamb to escape any charges?

Sources say most at FRCS have no idea of this move and will only be aware after an announcement by either Das himself or the new FRCS Board.

So who is salivating at Das's resignation and thinks he will become the new CEO?

Enter Fazrul Rahman.

For almost two years until August 2018, Rahman was Director Corporate Management. In August 2018 he was appointed Director Revenue Management. Sources say this is when Das and Rahman didn't see eye to eye.

Sources say both of them started building their own inner circle and the power struggle saw FRCS operating as two entities instead of a unified body.

Das reportedly also had in his inner circle like Fane Vave, the Director Corporate Services who had succeeded Rahman after he was appointed Director Revenue Management. Then he had senior personalities like Kapil Raj who as we revealed made the payments to Haniff Tuitoga to defend Shameem Khan.

We have been told Vave has also resigned eight months into her new role following Das's resignation.

Rahman did not sit quietly either. He also went about building an inner circle and tried to undermine Das with his eye firmly fixed on the ultimate prize of the next CEO. And in his corner is also Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum who last year made sure Rahman return to his job after his contract was not renewed by Das.

Rahman went to Khaiyum, opened his laptop and revealed how Dass was practicing nepotism in making appointments, while all the time hiding his own acts of nepotism and favouritism.

We are aware that last year FRCS staff signed a petition and individual staff provided details of how Rahman was ill-treating them and at the same time displaying arrogance because he knew he had the hand of Khaiyum on his shoulder.

Sources say it will be a mighty relief to see both Das and Rahman go as their terms had expired. Das was re-appointed for a term of 3 months until April but we had predicted he wasn't going to last till then.

Meanwhile Rahman's inner circle includes his Deputies Shavindra Nath and Shalini Kumar whose absenteeism is ignored by Rahman. Sources they are in cohorts with Rahman in sabotaging revenue collection to undermine Das.

Another of Rahman's puppets, Mohamed Rizwan Khan has escalated from being a mere Customs Officer to Manager and is now being eyed for a lucrative post for secondment to UNTACD – the United Nations Conference on Trade & Development. We are told before becoming Rahman's puppet, Rizwan was Shameem Khan's boy and his relative who received the first promotion under Shameem Khan.

Sources day FRCS staff will be glad to see the back of both Das and Rahman. Sources add that the staff want Revenue and Customs to be separated to what it was two decades ago so there is no clash of responsibilities and personalities.

As separate entities there was an Inland Revenue Commissioner and a Comptroller of Customs.

Sources say there are many examples in the world where consolidation of both revenue making bodies hasn't worked. They point out that both Canada and Papua New Guinea have reverted to the original system of separating both entities after merging them didn't work.

They point out if this happened, there won't be the kind of nepotism, undermining or organisation and clash of personalities like what is being seen now.

Exclusive: National Registration Bill leaked

2020-02-12T10:43:00.001+13:00

A draft of the National Registration Bill shows that all citizens of Fiji will need to be registered, giving the government access to all your personal and private data.

Once it becomes law, this Bill will officially allow the government to spy on you.

The Bill (read its full contents at the end of this news) is authored by someone called "A" and the Minister responsible it is the Minister for Communications who is none other than Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum.

Aiyaz while editing the document seems to refer to Singapore's laws on the same.

Briefly, in the Bill:

All citizens are compelled to register
There are jail terms of five and 10 years and fines of $5000, $10,000 and $100,000 for corporate companies
No public official or organisation is liable for any type of prosecution or legal action for their commissions and failures that cause losses or damage to citizens
A police officer or the Registration Officer can enter and search any property including forcing and kicking open doors and windows of homes at any time if he suspects citizens of breaching provisions of the Bill
No person can use a rank, title or award in his or her name which means if your current name contains Ratu or Adi - you cannot use it in your National Identity Card
A citizen will be required to promise finger prints or hand prints, facial identity, Eye (Iris) ID) for this purpose
All government statutory organisations will be linked and can spy on on your identity.
Ironically the Ministry of Health that requires a patient number is not included but organisations such as Elections Office are

In simple terms, the government will have all your personal and private data, including your bank accounts and other assets like your home. You will be required to submit returns at whatever time the government requires of your home and property.

This is the new economically depressed Fiji that we are living in - being hounded and making being spied on lawful.

It is also very similar to what they are doing in Communist Countries like China.

Now read the Bill for yourself below.

National Registration Bill ... by coupfourpointfive on Scribd

Khaiyum's blue-eyed boy, Faiz Khan, part of corrupt dealings

2020-02-01T23:17:00.000+13:00

Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum was in Singapore last week and early this week receiving two stents to treat his stressed heart.

The overworked heart would’ve been under the pump when he heard that his blue-eyed boy Faiz Khan could very soon be under the microscope of Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) for his dealings while a Board Member of Fiji Revenue & Customs Service (FRCS).

A clear-cut case of abuse of office.

Faiz Khan: Under microscope

We have confirmed through reliable sources that on Monday 27th January, FICAC raided the law firm of Haniff Tuitoga lawyers at Garden City on Grantham Road, Raiwaqa, Suva.

The reason? Haniff Tuitoga lawyers were paid an undisclosed sum by FRCS to act as the defence lawyers for FRCS's suspended Director Compliance Intelligence & Investigation and Chief Ethical Officer, Shameem Khan, who was last year charged on corruption-related offences.

Shameem faces one out of abuse of office and one count of general dishonesty causing a loss. His trial will be held later this year.

The charges relate to allegations of him falsifying a investigation report causing FRCS more than $4 million loss in revenue.

We have confirmed that Haniff Tuitoga lawyers, whose partners are Faizal Haniff and Tomasi Tuitoga, were chosen by FRCS Board, particularly Faiz Khan to defend Shameem Khan and the law firm to be paid by FRCS using taxpayers funds.

Faiz Khan developed close ties with Shameem and we have been told by sources their ties started when Faiz Khan became a Board member with years ago. Sources say Faiz Khan, amongst other things, runs a family a trucking business that we are told is also given log carting business by Tropik Woods whose Chairman is Faiz Khan. The business also does work for Fiji Sugar Corporation.

Faiz Khan was using Shameem Khan to investigate and harass rivals to tarnish their names in order to promote the family business.

We are told he recommended Haniff Tuitoga as the law firm to represent Shameem Khan at taxpayer’s expense because as Airports Limited Executive Chairman, he had engaged the law firm for AFL. Even now when AFL has become Fiji Airports Limited and Faiz Khan as its CEO, Haniff Tuitoga are its lawyers.

How did this corrupt deal surface?

Sources have confirmed that almost two weeks ago FICAC entered the office of FRCS CEO Vishwanath Das and seized his laptop.

We have confirmed this happened after new FRCS Chairperson Faye Yee filed a complaint with FICAC to investigate alleged corrupt dealings in respect of abuse of taxpayers funds through payments to Shameem Khan while he was suspended was charged and had appeared in Court.

The new Board did not include Faiz Khan and its former Chairman, Ajith Kodagoda, who had used FRCS has its executioner against those they didn't like or rivals in business.

It is also confirmed that Das will be a short-term CEO, possibly until April if he is lucky, as he had authorised FRCS to continue paying Shameem Khan his full salary and until recently half salary. This full salary was in access of $130,000 per annum making Das also guilty of abuse of office like Faiz Khan.

We are told that the payment to Haniff Tuitoga lawyers was discovered after FICAC went through Das's laptop.

That is where the connection to Faiz Khan was discovered.

However, it must be remembered that the Minister responsible for FICAC is Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum. Whether or not anything will happen to Faiz Khan is is your guess as good as ours.

Because so far FICAC hasn't moved against Khaiyum's aunt Nur Bano Ali over her benefiting to the tune of over $500,000 in fees as part of carrying out the restructure of New Dairy without a tender called for the task.

This is a wait and see game to see whether Khaiyum's blue-eyed boy Faiz Khan is hauled in for abuse of office or if Das is made the sacrificial lamb.

DPP says sufficient evidence but no charges against Bainimarama

2019-10-17T12:46:00.001+13:00

The DPP has now closed the investigation into Frank Bainimarama assaulting Pio Tikoduadua saying nothing further can be done since Parliament has already dealt with the situation.

Christopher Pryde says there was sufficient evidence of the assault for the case to go to court but since Parliament has already ruled on it, the matter cannot be dealt with in court since Parliament has higher powers.

The Speaker of the House, Frank Bainimarama and Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum would already have known, as we did, that if Parliament ruled, that would be the end of the investigation.

Yet another huge miscarriage of justice with Frank Bainimarama getting away with his thug behaviour yet again.

Still believe Fiji is a democracy where there is fairness, transparency, accountability, freedom of the press for all?

Hopefully, those who support the Fiji First Government are coming to their senses and realising that there are two rules of law in Fiji - one for the citizens and the other which sets Frank Bainimarama and his merry men free of any criminal activities.

Welcome to Fiji - the way the world shouldn't be.

Qiliho defends arrest of 16-year-old by soldiers

2019-10-08T13:20:00.001+13:00

The Commissioner of Police, Sitiveni Qiliho, has come out today saying there was nothing wrong with two off-duty soldiers arresting a 16-year-old for allegedly “writing vulgar language” about Frank Bainimarama.

Qiliho quotes Section 131 (2) of the 2013 Constitution saying it is the overall responsibility of the RFMF to “ensure at all times the security, defence and well-being of Fiji and all Fijians”.

He adds this is not the first time that the army has assisted police in arresting persons of interest in relation to criminal offences such as drug-related offences.

What purpose does the Fiji Police Force serve if the military is doing their jobs?

Don’t the military have better things to do than engage in the arrest of minor offences? Other than peacekeeping duties there is no other purpose for the existence of the RFMF — hence ‘helping’ the police justifies their existence.

And the REAL question is why this 16-year-old is being targeted for writing something vulgar about Bainimarama on Facebook?

What about the video showing Frank Bainimarama assaulting Pio Tikoduadua – when will that justice be served Mr Qiliho?
Social media is rife with anti-Bainimarama comments – will all these thousands of people be arrested as well?

Fiji is not a democracy then is it Shammi Lochan.

Lochan, a Programme Manager at FBC which is headed by Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum’s brother, Riyaz, has announced a new programme on all six FBC stations from 8am-9am to identify fake news on social media.

FBC says “Fiji is a democratic country and there is no space for fake news in the country”.

Bainimarama gets away with a crime, Pio asked to apologise

2019-09-06T13:03:00.002+12:00

The Privileges Committee has ruled that both Bainimarama and Pio Tikoduadua issue apologies in Parliament and if they fail to do so, they will be suspended for 6 months.

As predicted, the Committee's decision saves Bainimarama from facing criminal charges for assaulting Pio.

The Committee only viewed the official CCTV footage provided by Parliament and not the video evidence we released.

Pio Tikodudua provided the committee with the video evidence we released but they did not take that into account.

Why should Pio apologise when he did not commit a crime?

And will Pio apologise - we don't think he should and he won't - this is a matter of principle and the crime was not committed by him.

The sad thing is that the victim - Pio - will then be suspended from Parliament instead.

Fiji's thug Prime Minister gets away with a crime AGAIN while his victims get punished.

From the Committee Report:

"After hearing evidence from Hon. Pio Tikoduadua, the Committee reviewed the CCTV footage again and noted that the Hon. Pio Tikoduadua only took one step back as opposed to being thrown back.

"The Committee established that there was no evidence of a forceful shove/push/touch from the Hon. Prime Minister as alleged by Hon. Pio Tikoduadua.

"The Committee noted from the Hon. Prime Minister’s testimony that he pulled the collar to attract his attention about what he said about him.

"Furthermore, whilst responding to Hon. Mosese Bulitavu’s question, “Can you recall what words did you say?”, the Hon. Prime Minister responded and said “Well I abused him.

"The Hon. Prime Minister further stated in his testimony that he was distraught and depressed.

"The Hon. Prime Minister admitted that he was remorseful. He realised that he was wrong and immediately on the same day at around 3.30 p.m. he apologised to the Hon. Speaker. He also advised the Hon. Speaker that he was willing to apologise to Hon. Pio Tikoduadua.

"In that regard, the Hon. Speaker attempted to arrange a meeting with Hon. Pio Tikoduadua and the Hon. Prime Minister but this meeting did not eventuate. Hon Prime Minister made another attempt to apologise to Hon. Pio Tikoduadua
a week later but was again unsuccessful.

"During the examination of the Hon. Prime Minister, the Committee noted that he was remorseful of his actions and again offered to apologise.

"When Hon. Pio Tikoduadua was asked by the Committee whether he would accept Hon. Prime Minister’s apology, he responded “Why should I apologise?” and later he replied that he will require time to think about it.

"When asked whether he would apologise to Hon. Prime Minister, he replied that he has done nothing wrong and therefore has nothing to apologise for.

"The Committee after hearing all evidence and considering all relevant matters is satisfied that there is a breach of privilege on the part of the Hon. Prime Minister and the Hon. Pio Tikoduadua."

Full Report:

Final Privileges Committee Report September 2019 by coupfourpointfive on Scribd

Privileges Committee report delayed to tomorrow

2019-09-05T12:44:00.001+12:00

The Speaker of Parliament says the Privileges Committee has asked for more time to decide whether Frank Bainimarama is guilty of assaulting Pio Tikoduadua.

The Committee was supposed to present its report this morning in Parliament but will now instead present it tomorrow morning.

It's been 2 weeks since we released video evidence of the assault and almost a month since the incident happened outside Parliament.

Yet still no update from police on how the investigation into the assault is going.

The Police investigation should be ongoing even with the Privileges Committee having their meetings because a complaint was filed.

Yesterday Pio Tikodudua and Frank Bainimarama both appeared separately in front of the Committee to give their version of events.

We won't be surprised if the Committee believed Bainimarama's version of events over Pio's - even with the video evidence.

Are they in military barracks or are they elected MPs?

2019-09-04T09:37:00.002+12:00

Opposition Leader Sitiveni Rabuka has done a u-turn on the Privileges Committee not because it was the right thing to do but because it was a command from a senior officer.

"We wrote to the Speaker ... he wrote back and at the end he hoped that we would continue.

"On that note I agreed to continue because he had answered our concerns and he was coming to us as a Speaker of the House, and I'm a member of the House...

"I'm a leader of the Opposition, and I also go back to an old 'ism' that we observe in the military - an invitation by a senior officer is a command. I took that and was willing to carry on with the meetings today."

Rabuka also said that as the former head of the Fiji Military Forces he had attempted reconciliation between Bainimarama and Tikoduadua because he wanted the military men to set an example.

All three - Rabuka, the Speaker and Bainimarama are former military personnel.

The Speaker, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau is also a former military guy.

We remind them that they are no longer in the military running soldiers - they are elected officials accountable to their voters and the law. Frank Bainimarama assaulted Pio Tikoduadua and the law is that he needs to be arrested and charged for that crime.

Fiji has had two elections: they've been elected as representatives of the people of Fiji but continue to act like soldiers and treat Parliament like a military camp.

Rabuka: Resorting to military protocol to resolve what is clearly a police case.

SODELPA won't boycott Parliament

2019-09-04T09:34:00.002+12:00

Opposition Leader, Sitiveni Rabuka has confirmed that he and SODELPA MP, Adi Litia Qionibaravi did not attend the first meeting of the Parliamentary Privileges Committee called at 1pm today to discuss Frank Bainimarama’s assault on Pio Tikoduadua.

Rabuka told Fiji media they will not be attending any of the committee meetings because he doesn’t want to jeopradise the outcome of any police investigation.

While this move is commendable, it would have been more strategic for Rabuka and the rest of the SODELPA MPs to boycott Parliament with NFP. From there, both should’ve continued to put pressure on the Police to investigate.

Because whatever way you look at it, Bainimarama and Khaiyum have so far managed to weasel their way out of Bainimarama being criminally charged for assault.

The Privileges Committee will continue without Rabuka and co because there is a majority of Fiji First reps on it, so they have a quorum and can make and pass decisions.

If SODELPA joins NFP in the boycott, it will at least send a clear message of unity and keep the heat on Police to do its job.

The NFP boycott is an excellent idea but shortlived; if they boycott for longer no doubt some law from somewhere will suddenly appear and deem the boycott illegal and then the suspension of those boycotting follows.

How can justice be served if the lawmakers themselves are guilty of the injustice?

The police have obviously had orders to drop the investigation and leave the Privileges Committee to rule on it. This is in Bainimarama’s favour and that of Fiji First, not Pio Tikoduadua and the citizens of Fiji.

There is video evidence there was an assault so:

Where is the legal challenge to passing the matter to the Privileges Commitee?
Where is the unity to defeat this decision?
Where is the Police neutrality?
Where is FICAC on this - why is it not investigating?

Where is the fire in the belly that we are seeing in Hong Kong?

Speaker refers Bainimarama assault case to committee not Police

2019-09-02T12:56:00.000+12:00

First acknowledgement by Fiji Parliament of Bainimarama’s assault of Pio Tikoduadua was brief this morning with the Speaker referring the matter to the Privileges Committee.

The Speaker Ratu Epeli Nailatikau said there has been a breach by both Bainimarama and Tikoduadua.

What breach is this? The assault took place outside Parliament and there is video evidence of this. This is a Police matter - there is evidence and witnesses of the assault so why hasn’t there been an arrest?

The police should be charging Bainimarama not a Committee filled with a majority of Fiji First puppets tabling a report of the assault.

This is Bainimarama’s way out of the assault and not getting charged.

The committee has to come to parliament with its report on a Thursday.

Committee members are Deputy speaker and Fiji first MP Veena Bhatnagar as Chair, AG, Inia Seruiratu ( leader of government business in parliament ) and Alvick Maharaj ( government whip ) . Opposition Members are Leader of the Opposition and Adi Litia Qionibaravi.

So that’s 4 government reps including the Deputy Speaker and only two reps from the Opposition.

There you go folks another miscarriage of injustice in coup coup land where the PM Bainimarama and his Fiji First followers get away yet AGAIN.

NFP have boycotted Parliament this week, 3 empty seats as you can see in the picture.

Beddoes's questions Speaker of Parliament's inaction with Bainimarama assault case

2019-08-28T11:45:00.003+12:00

OPEN LETTER TO THE SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT, THE CHAIR OF THE PRIVILEGES COMMITTEE, THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
CASE OF ASSAULT OF HON PIO TIKODUADUA

It is now 17 days since the assault took place and 4 days since the video showing the actual ‘assault was released to the public.

In light of the ‘inaction thus far I will assume that you have paid no attention to your individual obligations under the 2013 constitution and therefore I have taken the liberty to spell it out for you.

Sec 26 Right to equality and freedom from discrimination
(1) Every person is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection, treatment and benefit of the law.

(2) Equality includes the full and equal enjoyment of all rights and freedoms recognized in this Chapter or any other written law.

(3) A person must not be unfairly discriminated against, directly or indirectly on the grounds of his or her—
(a) actual or supposed personal characteristics or circumstances, including race, culture, ethnic or social origin, colour, place of origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, birth, primary language, economic or social or health status, disability, age, religion, conscience, marital status or pregnancy; or
(b) opinions or beliefs, except to the extent that those opinions or beliefs involve harm to others or the diminution of the rights or freedoms of others, or on any other ground prohibited by this Constitution.

(4) A law or an administrative action taken under a law may not directly or indirectly impose a limitation or restriction on any person on a prohibited ground.

(5) Every person has the right of access, membership or admission, without discrimination on a prohibited ground, to shops, hotels, lodging-houses, public restaurants, places of public entertainment, clubs, education institutions, public transportation services, taxis and public places.

(6) The proprietor of a place or service referred to in subsection (5) must facilitate reasonable access for persons with disabilities to the extent prescribed by law.

(7) Treating one person differently from another on any of the grounds prescribed under subsection (3) is discrimination, unless it can be established that the difference in treatment is not unfair in the circumstances.

Mr Speaker and Madam Chair of the Parliamentary Privileges Committee, when your predecessors dealt with Ratu Naiqama’s case, for saying 2 words in a political meeting in Nasinu in 2015, they took just 7 days to call the Privileges Committee into session, drew up their terms of reference, conduct their meetings, arrive at a conclusion, and presented their findings and justification for his expulsion and despite calls from the opposition to play the audio of the meeting which was the main evidence before the matter was put to the vote, the Speaker who was party to Ratu Naiqama’s alleged ‘crime did not recuse herself and instead presided over the proceedings where the Fiji First majority and the Speaker took on the role of prosecutors, jury, judge and executioners and Ratu Naiqama was suspended for 2 years and lost all allowances and salaries and privileges as an elected representative of the people.

For Hon Tupou Draunidalo it took the same officials just 3 days in their roles of prosecutors, jury, judge and executioners to suspend Hon Draunidalo for the remainder of her parliamentary term which was also more than 2 years.

The Parliamentary process proceeded and was concluded without any waiting for or involvement of the Police, Ratu Naiqama’s alleged utterances was in Nasinu. The incident involving Hon Tikoduadua and the Prime Minister was in the Parliament Car Park, the video is clear as daylight.

Commissioner of Police, you had a lot to say when Felix Anthony and the FTUC were trying to get a permit to protest the ADB Conference and in the wake of the Water Authority dispute, yet when it comes to the PM assaulting the President of a political party, which is captured on camera, you have had almost nothing to say about this national embarrassment?

The credibility and the integrity of the Parliamentary process and the independence of our police force is at stake and the people are watching. Each of you owe your positions to the Prime Minister, and therefore none of you can act impartially or with neutrally in this matter and you must all step aside including the Attorney General.

By removing or recusing yourselves from any involvement in this matter and allowing 3 neutral and independent persons to act in your place, you will in effect help protect the integrity of parliament and the police and demonstrate to all that the due process adopted is fair, transparent and just.

To do otherwise will just be a sham!

Statement from C4.5

2019-08-27T22:03:00.001+12:00

14 hours ago Shailendra Raju threatened to reveal who runs Coup Fourpointfive for publishing the video evidence of thug Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama assaulting NFP MP and President Pio Tikoduadua, within the precincts of Parliament on August 9.

MP Lynda Tabuya endorsed Raju’s threat, posting comments supporting his threat to reveal the identity of the person(s) operating this site - which has been in existence and the source of truth for the people of Fiji since April 2009, when the military regime clamped down on the media. Did we see Mr Raju or Tabuya back then? No.

We can imagine Raju being peeved (he said he had the video and had even talked to media about it but chose not to run it), but Tabuya is a lawyer and SODELPA’s whip, who should know better about supporting calls that go against freedom of speech in a country that has been under the rule of a military strongman for the past 13 years.

We welcome debate, but Fiji has too long been weakened by people practising liu muri, shifting camp when it suits their agenda or when they haven’t thought something through.

As a result of C4.5 releasing the video for people to see for themselves that Bainimarama did verbally and physically assault Pio Tikoduadua as he had reported to the Speaker and Police, international - and more importantly Fiji media – wrote stories that were not propaganda. They wrote stories that showed they saw through the lies of Bainimarama, that revealed his thuggish behaviour, and these stories made it to the front pages.

Such accurate and free media coverage has not been seen in Fiji for a very long time. This progress needs to be celebrated and encouraged, not undermined by Facebook posts that play into the hands of Frank Bainimarama and those working to him to keep Fiji citizens oppressed.

Because for the first time in a very long time, Fiji media is doing their job – covering and writing stories that question the actions and lies of Bainimarama – with journalists writing without fear about life in a country taken by force by military in 2006.

So, let's work together to bring back real democracy to Fiji
instead of threatening each other, promoting claims that have no basis to them,and which give Bainimarama something to hide behind.

Bainimarama tells Tikoduadua 'watch out': video

2019-08-24T11:23:00.000+12:00

Still doubting Frank Bainimarama assaulted Pio Tikoduadua?

This slow-motion grab shows the menacing intent of Bainimarama when he accosts Tikoduadua and verbally attacks him, then physically assaults him.

Here’s what happened.

He calls out to him: “ Lako mai ike” meaning "Pio come here"

As Pio turns to walk towards him, Bainimarama starts swearing “Magaitinana – mother@#$%&!” and “caiti-tamana - @#$% your father.”

When he grabs Tikoduadua by his lapels, it’s with enough force to push Tikoduadua several steps back and for one of the lens of his glasses, to fall to the ground.

Bainimarama tells Tikoduadua: “Qarauna tiko - watch out "magai-tinamu – fuck your mother*” and “caiti-tamamu"- @#$% your father.”

#TuNaDa

#Glassgate

Video proof of Frank Bainimarama assaulting MP

2019-08-23T15:49:00.001+12:00

We've obtained a video showing Fiji's thug PM Frank Bainimarama assaulting NFP MP Pio Tikoduadua.

In the video Frank the thug pulls Pio by the collar, pushes him so hard it causes his glasses to fall to the ground and verbally abuses him.

You can see a few witnesses including NFP MP Lenora Qereqeretabua.

You can also see Bainimarama's bodyguards smiling and chasing people away.

Grabbing and pushing is common assault.

Where in the world is Frank Bainimarama?

2018-12-14T14:53:00.001+13:00

The lawyer acting on behalf of Fiji First parliamentarians, Devanesh Sharma, tried to get the Suva High Court to delay court proceedings because one of the respondents of the petition, the Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama was out of the country.

He told the court that while the court has made the order for the petition to be advertised in the newspapers, the petitioners should be aware that one of them is out of the country.

Justice Kamal Kumar responded saying the advertisement in the newspapers today means that everyone has been served, whether they're in the country or not.

So where in the world is Frank Bainimarama?

We invite you all to try and find out where he is by posting photos of him and his family or any other information you can find.

You've been served!

2018-12-13T14:16:00.001+13:00

The Suva High Court has allowed SODELPA and NFP to place an advertisement in the two newspapers of the election petition that was to be served to Fiji First MPs and Faiyaz Koya.

The High Court judges have said that once the adverts are published, it will be considered served.

Fiji First parliamentarians have locked themselves up at Suvavou House since Tuesday to avoid being served.

The High Court judges say the hearing will begin next Saturday and could go on for up to 21 days, including weekends and Christmas/New Years.

Here is part of what SODELPA and NFP are taking Fiji First to court for:

Frank Bainimarama being a candidate for election in the General Election was guilty of an illegal practice in that on or about 29 october 2018, in Rotuma, with his knowledge and consent a government employee (his driver Kepani a public officer) conducted campaign activities – distributing t-shirts and sulus bearing the logo of Fiji First – a breach of s.113(2) of the Electoral Act 2014.

Fiji First banners were affixed to fences and buildings at Rotuma Airport – a breach of s112(3) of the Electoral Act 2014.

Faiyaz Koya guilty of bribery in awarding 1,937 micro and small business grants each in the sum of 1,000 at Subrail Park in Labasa in order to influence the votes of recipients and their dependents or to gain the support for the Fiji first Party, in breach of s.140(2) of the Electoral Act 2014.

And there are many many more breaches of the Electoral Act no wonder #FijiFirstLamusona are in hiding!

Here is the full petition.

10.12.18 - Petition Final by on Scribd

Election results challenged: Fiji First goes into hiding

2018-12-13T10:51:00.003+13:00

Opposition parties are taking High Court action to overturn the November results, citing a number of Electoral Act breaches by the Fiji First Party.

SODELPA and NFP have joined forces to petition the Court to recognise the breaches and overturn the results that gave FFP majority government.

The court sction to overturn the election has forced Frank Bainimarama and co into hiding taking refuge at Suvavou House to avoid being called to court with military guarding them.

More to come.

Husband of Electoral Commission member key fundraiser for Fiji First

2018-09-08T14:07:00.000+12:00

Kavita Raniga

Follow the money.

That's what we've done and that's why we can reveal here that an Electoral Commission member is the wife of a Fiji First donor and a prominent fundraiser for the ruling party.

A First First donation list, courtesy of a bank statement that's been provided to us, shows AJAY RANIGA gave $10,000 to Fiji First before the 2014 election.

Raniga is a Fiji First financier and fundraiser, who is frequently seen with Aiyaz Khaiyum.

His wife, Kavita, was appointed to the Electoral Commission early last year.

The Raniga's $10,000 donation was banked in the Fiji First Account on the 7th August 2014.

From the same bank statement it can also be seen that in July 2014 over 15 days, Fiji First's account ballooned from more than $85,000 to $530,000 plus!

Coup4.5 can also reveal that a month after Kavita Raniga was appointed to the Electoral Commission, her husband organised a fundraiser on Denarau Island at the Bombay Lodge Curry House and Beer garden.

The fundraiser was attended by Frank Bainimarama and Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum, plus 55 leading local businessmen. The fundraiser took place less than 18 hours after a similar function at the Ba home of an RC Manubhai director, Bhavesh Patel.

Insiders have confirmed that Ajay Raniga, along with Bhavesh Patel and Ashok Patel all directors of hardware giants R C Manubhai - are dedicated Fiji First fundraisers.

Sources say Raniga and others have exerted money from businessmen, refusing to settle for less than $10,000 from small to medium businessmen, extracting exorbitant amounts from prominent members of the business community who donate in the names of family and relatives to circumvent the $10,000 limit (a year) on political party donations.

Most of these businessmen and their relatives have gone on to be appointed to boards of major statutory organisations.

Ajay Raniga's wife, Kavita, is on the Electoral Commission

Bhavesh Patel is on the Water Authority Board

R C Manubhai director, Dinesh Patel, chairs the Fiji Roads Authority Board

R C Manubhai director and Fiji Football Association president, Rajesh Patel, is on the Board of Fiji Development Bank

Ashok Patel, the company's Suva based director, is a member of the Land Transport Authority Board.

Kavita Raniga was appointed to the Electoral Commission early last year. The entire former Electoral Commission chaired by lawyer Chen Bunn Young was not reappointed and Raniga was one of the 7 new members of a Commission chaired by controversial Suva lawyer Suresh Chandra.

Sanjay Kaba is a member of the Constitution Offices Commission, that is supposed to be an independent body. He is closely involved with interviewing Fiji First candidates, that came to light in July this years and this hasn't been denied by both Kaba and Khaiyum.

Insiders say Ajay Raniga has so much influence and power that he, like others, threaten businessmen that they will be investigated by Fiji Revenue Customs Authority if they don't make a donation.

Ajay Raniga and Kavita Raniga operate a chain of stores under Budget Pharmacy of Nadi and have other business interests as well.