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Issue No: 741; 9 May 2001
More evidence of abuse of funds by regime's Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase has been revealed now. Qarase is launching his political party, called the Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua (SDL) at the Holiday Inn in Suva. Concrete evidence shows that Qarase was working towards the formation of this new party for the many past weeks. In this process he used his office time, office facilities, office staff, and office funds. Neither Qarase nor any of his ministers have any personal staff paid outside of the government. Yet, they have organised a lavish launch of the party at the most expensive hotel in Suva - with invitation cards, an RSVP phone number which is a minister's phone, snacks, etc. Well-placed politicians state that the organization was done from the Prime Minister's office itself. Over the past few weeks, Qarase's speeches have been appearing in paid advertisements, stretching many pages in newspapers, and costing the taxpayers many thousands of dollars. In 1992, state funds were similarly used to form and launch another political party, the SVT. The SVT is now in ruins after losing the last election, and planning an illegal deposition of an elected government. The use of public funds for political purposes has haunted Fiji for long. One analyst stated that many people in Fiji, especially ethnic
Fijian political leaders who have been propped up by others, believe that the
nation owes them power, prestige, and a living. "It is this mentality which
is the biggest threat to democracy in Fiji", said the academic. He stated: |
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People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands |
