INVESTIGATE THE PUPPET PRESSIE

What will it take for the IG and Col Kurusiga to realise that in to order eradicate endemic corruption in Fiji, there must be one rule applied to all without exception.

The selective manner in which the IG and Kurusiga team are investigating the NLTB and specifically targeting Qarase is becoming so obvious,the IG is scrambling to find any dirt to throw at Qarase to restore some credibility to their already lost cause.

Again, in their blatant crusade, they have by-passed major legal hurdles, which will cause their demise should the matter proceed to trial.

Allegations of condoning corruption and mismanagement implicate the whole Board and can not be restricted to Qarase alone.

Section 3(1) of the NLTB Act [Cap 134] defines the Boards composition, as: Ratu Josefa as President, Qarase as Chairman, GCC nominates five members,FAB nominates 3 members from names submitted by the Provincial Councils and not more than two names from other races appointed by Ratu Josefa.

Section 4(a) defines the quorum as five and from the other four, two shall be Fijians.

Section 4(b) states that questions before the Board shall be decided by a majority of votes an in case of a tie, the person chairing the meeting shall have the casting vote.

So for any decision to be made by the Board, there first needs to be a quorum and secondly a majority of votes on a question before the Board.

It follows then that Qarase alone can not be held responsible for any Board decision because the decision needed a quorum and majority of votes or casting vote.

Section five allows the Board to make its own rules as to its own proceedings, which is normal business practice and most Boards adopt flying minutes.

It seems quite plausible the NLTB would have adopted this procedure to expedite certain matters, as its Board members would be scattered across Fiji.

It is also normal business practice for Board minutes to be circulated to members at least one week priorto its meeting, so members come preparedfor if they are unable to, have the opportunity to register their vote to the Chairman concerning certain issues listed on the agenda.

These are some ofthe questions, which willbe asked during trial, and the President will be subpoenaed if not charged to explain his role in the Board.

For instance, if the minutes do not reflect his vehemently, opposing any alleged illegal or improper practice, then he will be deemed to be condoning the same, irrespective of whether he attended the meeting or not because he had the opportunity to register his objection.

Therefore, Qarase is quite correct in asking why isn’t the President investigated as well?

For Col Kurusiga and Ganilau’s benefit,the investigationsshould not only include Ratu Josefa, but also extend to all Board members, irrespective of whether or not they were present at the meeting, otherwise their efforts will not amountto anything.

One disturbing feature throughout thisclean-up campaign is the great hatred the military has towards Qarase, which underlies all their effort and is seriously impairing their judgement and objectivity.

This crusade is becoming so personal, that it is dangerously going off on a tangent and losing any resemblance of rationality.

If the IG is fairinkum in eradicating endemic corruption in Fiji,then it has to apply one rule to all,otherwise it is doomed to fail.

Tui Savu

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