New Commissioner vows to lead the force to the highest level
WATI TALEBULA
SUVA
New Police Commissioner Bernadus Groenewald believes he has what it takes to bring the standard of the Fiji Police Force to the highest level.
He assured members of the force that together with his deputies, they would lead the force to be one of the best in the world.
Commissioner Groenewald made these comments after he was officially welcomed at the Police Academy in Nasese yesterday.
“Be assured that we as a team; me and my deputies will lead the Police force to be one of the best in the world,” he said
“I do thank you and I hope that we will work together as colleagues and also become friends in the years to come.”
Feedback:  wati.talebula@fijisun.com.fj

Nemani Delaibatiki
Suva
People’s Democratic Party leader Felix Anthony has had a slow start in the latest Fiji Sun poll.
In his debut, after his election as leader, Mr Anthony, comes in on the 12th weekly poll at two per cent with Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry, in the Preferred Prime Minister stakes.
National Federation Party leader Dr Biman Prasad is on three per cent and SODELPA leader Ro Teimumu Kepa is now running second at four per cent.
Prime Minister Rear Admiral (Retired) Voreqe Bainimarama is still way in front although he has dropped from 83 per cent to 77 per cent.
In the Preferred Political Party poll, SODELPA has clawed its way back to second place with seven per cent.
The proposed FijiFirst is still enjoying a comfortable lead at 67 per cent, an increase of three per cent. NFP is at five per cent, PDP at four and FLP at two per cent.
The crowded standings mean there is very little separating the four registered parties.
This is expected to significantly change once the candidates are confirmed and their manifestos released. The parties have not really started campaigning.
In a major vote for Mr Chaudhry, 87 per cent of the people polled say FLP cannot survive without him.

nemani.delaibatiki@fijisun.com.fj

Police send loitering students home in bus

AQELA SUSU

Police officers yesterday ordered three students, loitering in Samabula, Suva, during school hours, to go home.
They made sure the students from Gospel High School boarded their bus. The  crackdown on students playing truant is part of a national campaign to ensure students are attending school.
The students were partly dressed in their school uniforms.
One of the Police officers, who wished not to be named, said they patrolled the internet shops everyday to monitor the students.
“When we asked them why they were here they said they had Parents Day and their parents were not aware that they were in the internet shop,” he said.
“So we brought them out and made sure that they boarded the next bus that takes them home to their parents.”
Police spokesperson Inspector Atunaisa Sokomuri had sent out a warning to students who were found loitering in public places.
“Our officers around Fiji do these everyday to  monitor the students especially now that the Government has given free education; we do not want to waste the Government’s money but rather save it by seeing that all school children go straight to school,” Inspector Sokomuri said.
However, Gospel High School principal Diana Nainoca said they had Parents Day yesterday and the school children were under the supervision of their parents.
Ministry of Education deputy secretary for primary and secondary education, Basundra Kumar said it was the parents’ responsibility to accompany their children to school during Parents Day.
“All parents must control their children and during parents’ and teachers’ interview it is the sole responsibility of parents to ensure that their children go straight home afterwards,” Mrs Kumar said.
She said the ministry did not condone students loitering out of the school compound during school hours.
“We do not condone behaviours of this nature and the ministry wants all school-aged children to be in school.
“The ministry is paying for the students’ tuition grants and bus fares so that the children can be in school and we are advising all principals and head teachers to keep monitoring students, especially those with regular absenteeism and get hold of their parents,” she said.
Mrs Kumar also requested parents to play a supervisory role and counsel their children.

Sacked Tebara Bus driver Vijay Kumar shows the LTA letter in Suva. Photo: RAMA

FARISHA AHMED
suva

The Ministry of Labour is investigating a case where a driver was sent home because he refused to drive a defective bus.
Vijay Kumar, of Bau Road, Nausori, told this newspaper that his employer, Tebera Transport Limited, had ordered him to go home because he did not want to drive a defective bus assigned to him.
He had a compliant paper from the Land Transport Authority which stated that the bus had a “leaking ceiling and difficult to start”.
“I have been driving for the company for three years and they sent me home for not wanting to drive that bus,” Mr Kumar said.
“I refused because I was scared that something wrong could happen. They sent me home without my pay but when I went through a mediation session with the Labour Department they helped me get my outstanding pay.”
Mr Kumar claimed that whenever any damage happened to a bus, money was deducted from the bus drivers’ pay.
The bus company’s owner, Arvind Maharaj, refused to comment but said it was an internal matter.
The Minister for Labour Jone Usamate, said no employer could force a worker to drive a faulty bus or any motor vehicle or use any faulty equipment at the workplace.
“We are currently investigating the case of Tebara Transport Limited and workers are being interviewed by our investigation team,” Mr Usamate said.
“The case of Mr Kumar is before the Employment Tribunal as the matter was referred to the tribunal after no agreement was reached by the parties during mediation.”
He said under the Employment Relations Promulgation 2007 [ERP], workers have the right to challenge their termination of employment by raising an employment grievance.
“The worker has a right to refuse and if the employer terminates the service then he/she can very well lodge an employment grievance for unfair termination,” Mr Usamate said.
He said no employer had the right to make any unauthorised deductions from the employee’s pay.
“The Employment Relations Promulgation 2007 is very clear in terms of wages deduction and no employer has the right to deduct the wages of any worker for not meeting the quota. An employer can face a fine of up to $50,000 for making unauthorised deductions,” the minister said.
Feedback: farisha.ahmed@fijisun.com.fj
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Transport companies investigated >P15

Firefighter examine the Raiwaqa bus that veered off the road at Kubukawa Road, Nasinu, last Wednesday. Photo: Paulini Ratulailai

farisha ahmed
suva

The Raiwaqa bus involved in the Kubukawa Road accident last week was given a defect order, says the Land Transport Authority.
Chief executive officer Naisa Tuinaceva said the bus was issued a defect order on Monday (26/5/14) for a malfunctioning hand brake.
“The bus should have been grounded for repairs but that did not happen,” he said.
“When we see a bus on road not in proper condition we give them orders and this bus was also ordered to go and ground the service, fix the problem and return to LTA for approval to run on the road again.”
He said it was unfortunate that it did not happen and an accident occurred a few days later.
“If a legal order is given to the driver, he should take the bus, the car or any vehicle for that matter to the garage and get the problem fixed,” Mr Tuinaceva said.
“But the order was ignored in this case and we would like to warn bus drivers and operators to ensure that their buses are fit to operate as we cannot compromise the safety of passengers.”
Meanwhile, Ministry of Health spokesperson Sunil Chandra confirmed that only one child was still recovering at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital while all others have been discharged. He did not reveal any other details.
Last week the said Raiwaqa bus was carrying passengers and school children when it veered off the road. Many of the passengers suffered injuries and were admitted at the hospital for treatment.
Attempts to get comments from the bus company proved unsuccessful.
Feedback: farisha.ahmed@fijisun.com.fj
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Do the right thing >P8

WATI TALEBULA
suva

Blood donors were at Vodafone Headquarters in Suva for a blood drive organised by the Vodafone customer service department in conjunction with the Fiji National Blood Services last Saturday.
Viliame Raqauqau, 29, who was a first-time blood donor, said he was doing it for the sake of saving other lives.
“I hope one day that the people who receive this donation will survive and live on with their life in the future; that is what we all hope for,” he said.
“I have never donated before so I just thought why not give it a try.”
Vodafone customer service organiser Prisila Tuiloma said the blood drive was to help the hospital’s blood bank.
“We heard that the blood services needed 50 pines of blood a day so I thought why not organise one as this is a good initiative,” Ms Tuiloma said.
“However we know that due to people being busy and the number of donations we have already received that we may not be able to hit that number.”
Feedback: wati.talebula@fijisun.com.fj

Year 10-01 students clean up at old People’s Home
WATI TALEBULA
suva
Year 10-01 students of Suva Grammar School (SGS) had a different approach on how to spend the weekend.
Last Saturday the students were busy planting vegetables and cleaned up the Old People’s Home in Samabula.
Their teacher, Rosie Avia, said she engaged the students with social activity to help build team work among them.
“This is the first time we have organised something like this and I am pleased with the students who have made it today (Saturday),” Mrs Avia said.
Mrs Avia said this would also help motivate the students to give back to the community.
“Some of these students don’t have grandparents at home and this is one way they can talk with the senior citizens at the home,” she said.
“I want the students to understand that they will also grow old one day.”
At least 25 students helped out at the Home.
Feedback: wati.talebula@fijisun.com.fj

by Jyoti
Pratibha

Fiji on the
a list path
Many are of course aware of Mel Gibson’s investment in one of Fiji’s islands, but what many do not know about is the plans American musician and former husband of Pamela Anderson-Tommy Lee.
Mr Lee is investing in a recording studio in Fiji and has already signed on the dotted lines to acquire an exclusive getaway property. And that is not all.
A number of Hollywood A-listers have made their intention known to purchase holiday homes in Fiji. Read more about Mr Lee and other investors in tomorrow’s Fiji Sun Business news.

Politics of convenience
Talks about a possible coalition of Labour and SODELPA is making news these days?
How times change for politicians. From arch rivals to bosom buddies?
Old-style politics leads to some interesting marriages of convenience. Surprisingly, one of the parties have been rather mum on this potential marriage of convenience.
Still trying to figure out what to tell the voters?

The silent parties
Why are certain political parties not making their views about gay rights known?
When will they tackle this?

Sailing ahead in our isles
$20 million dollar vessel in Fiji? A secret millionaire who has been calling Fiji home for the last three years has not been sitting idle while here.
A very exclusive and one of its kind cruise ship is being renovated by this Italian/Australian millionaire, which will have an 18 caret gold bath tub.
His rationale for having this? Because no one else in the world has done it before.
There is a lot of good happening in Fiji that many are still unaware about or simply ignoring.

Which forum?
Kiwi PM John Key is island hopping in Polynesia this week. One of the issues the NZ media is getting excited about is he will talk about Fiji’s possible readmission to the Pacific Islands Forum.
Just shows how out of touch some of those journalists in the land of the long white cloud are.
Fiji is busy pushing ahead with the new Pacific Islands Development Forum.
It has shown no interest in rejoining the Pacific Islands Forum.
Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj

Fiji Council of Churches president, Manumalo Tuinanumea with his family at their home in Delainavesi. Photo: Paulini Ratulailai

Wati talebula
suva

The new president of the Fiji Council of Churches is ready for whatever challenges that come his way.
Manumalo Tuinanumea, of Saint Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church, in Samabula, was elected during the recent council’s annual general meeting.
“When I was appointed I felt it was a big challenge but I am ready because I believe that it is God’s calling for me,” Mr Tuinanumea said.
“I don’t have the theological knowledge because I am a retired schoolteacher but I am learning a lot.”
Mr Tuinanumea said his aim was to bring in all the churches to be part of the Fiji Council of Churches.
“I meet with the churches that are not part of the Fiji Council of Churches because I believe that we should work together,” he said.
“I will do my best because I believe that no compromise is to be done and we need to respect other denominations.”
His wife, Temalesi, said she would stand by her husband.
“I believe that behind every mighty man is a strong woman and I thank God for choosing me to be his helper and companion to support him,” Mrs Tuinanumea said.
“I am ready to support the responsibility laid on his shoulders and I thank God because without Him I wouldn’t be able to do this.
Mr Tuinanumea is from Kioa Island.
Feedback: wati.talebula@fijisun.com.fj

Tuapati Kacivi with his children at their home in Laqere yesterday. Photo: Paulini Ratulailai

Fiji Corrections Assistant Superintendent Chief officer Tuapati Kacivi, will miss his family.
This was Tuapati Kacivi’s reply to the Fiji Sun when asked about his one- year peacekeeping posting to Sudan
“I will miss my family, especially my children, but this is my call as an officer and I will try my best to always support and look after my family’s interest while I’m away,” Mr Kacivi said.
“I’m only used to internal posting and that is only around Viti Levu and this is my first oveseas posting and it will be very challenging for me.”
He has been married for more than 10 years and has four children.
The Nasau, Moce, Lau lad said he regarded his family as his inspiration and for this he has pleaded forgiveness from his family.
“My wife has accepted the fact that I will be leaving them behind since its part of my duty as one of Fiji’s officers.”
“Despite the hardships, I’m certain that I will be able to face it with the help of my family’s prayers.”
He is leaving today and is one the four Corrections officers to be part of the United Nations mission in South Sudan.

newsroom@fijisun.com.fj

WATI TALEBULA
suva

People who hire Veivueti Taxis, based in Nausori, are happy with the company’s service.
The company’s secretary, Ilisoni Navila said they were simply sticking to their motto.
“Our motto is ‘Your call our priority’ and we are doing it. Our customers are our top priority. We want our customers to be happy with the service we provide,” Mr Navila said.
He said they got calls from far off places at times.
“We operate 24/7 and we get calls from as far as Nadi, Naitasiri and Tailevu for pick up and we do not charge fees for going to the location they are at,” he said.
“We try our best to always meet the expectation of the public.”
Regular customer, Akata Cinavilakeba, said she was satisfied with the service provided by the taxi company.
“I live in Davuilevu and I always call them if I want to go anywhere. Their service is satisfying and I am happy with the driver’s attitude,” she said.
The company will soon be having a gas tank at their base. Veivueti Taxis has 40 taxis and one minibus. It was established in 2011 but was officially opened by the prime minister on November 12, 2013.
Feedback: wati.talebula@fijisun.com.fj

police

MAIKA BOLATIKI

Only a coward burns sugarcane farms, says the Permanent Secretary for Sugar, Lieutenant-Colonel Manasa Vaniqi.
Lieutenant-Colonel Vaniqi said the so-called cowards involved had not valued the time and money farmers spent on their sugarcane farms to get a good crop for the harvesting season.
“Now all their efforts are in ashes,” Lieutenant-Colonel Vaniqi said.
“We are now working with the Police to stop sugarcane burning especially when the crushing was just weeks away.”
Lieutenant-Colonel Vaniqi said this cowardly act must stop and he has warned those involved that they would be taken to task when caught.
Lieutenant-Colonel Vaniqi was back in the country yesterday after attending the International Sugar Organisation (ISO) Council meeting in Algiers, Algeria with the Prime Minister, Rear Admiral (Retired) Voreqe Bainimarama.
Already there are three cases of crop fires reported to the Police in the West and one from Labasa.
Fiji Police Force spokesperson Inspector Atunaisa Sokomuri confirmed yesterday they were investigating three cases of sugarcane burning in the west.
West cane farmer Kositela Tabulawaki, 47, valued his loss at $6275. Inspector Sokomuri said an unknown individual allegedly set fire to another sugarcane farm belonging to a 55-year-old farmer, destroying 150 tonnes of matured cane valued at $9000. Still in the West, 60 tonnes of mature sugarcane was allegedly set on fire at a farm belonging to a 63-year-old in Naviago, Lautoka. The crop is valued at $4000.
In the Northern Division, Mool Deo’s sugarcane farm at Nagigi was burnt last week. He alleged it was done deliberately. He claimed he lost 200 tonnes of sugarcane and was now left with nothing.
“This is my only source of income for my family and life is difficult now,” he told the Fiji Sun.
“I have two children attending Nagigi Primary School and I have nothing, not even money in my pocket.”
The Industry Tribunal has already announced that the crushing season will start on June 17 at the Penang Mill in Rakiraki.
This is to be followed by the Labasa Mill on June 18 and the Rarawai Mill on June 19. The Lautoka Mill is to commence crushing on July 1.
Inspector Sokomuri said the Police had also issued a stern warning to individuals who were illegally burning cane fields.

Buses need daily checks under QAM guideline

With the increase in bus accident, the Government is planning to run state owned buses. Photo: Ronald Kumar

Indonesian president also at the meeting

MAIKA BOLATIKI
suva
A high level delegation from the Middle East will be attending the second Pacific Islands Development Forum [PIDF] meeting this month in Nadi.
This was confirmed to the Fiji Sun by Fiji’s Ambassador to the United Arabs Emirates (UAE), Robin Nair.
He said funding to host the PIDF last year came from donor countries from the Middle East region.
“This year, the second meeting of the PIDF in June will have high level representative delegations from Turkey, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE and the Seychelles,” he said.
Mr Nair is now the accredited Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Iran, the Seychelles and permanent representative to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
The chief guest is the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Feedback: maikab@fijisun.com.fj

Talebula Kate
Suva

High Court judge, Justice Paul Madigan, yesterday ruled that there was a case to answer in the human trafficking case yesterday.
The accused persons, Inoke Raikadroka and Mohammed Sheefaz Jameer Sagaitu are facing 19 counts of charges ranging from slavery, living on the earnings of prostitution, knowingly permitting premises to be used as a brothel and domestic trafficking in children.
The both deny the allegations.
Raikadroka lawyer, Jeremaia Savou, last week submitted that his application was pursuant to Section 231, Subsection 1 of the Criminal Procedures Decree.
He said there was no case to answer in relation to the seven counts of domestic trafficking in children and slavery. Sagaitu’s lawyer, Romanu Vananalagi, also made an application for two counts of domestic trafficking.
talebulak@fijisun.com.fj

The complainants were willing to work with me: Raikadroka

Inoke Raikadroka. Photo: Ronald Kumar

Mohammed Sheefaz Sagaitu. Photo: Ronald Kumar

Not a UK barrister, not admitted at Lincoln’s Inn

TALEBULA KATE
suva
Former Fiji lawyer, Muhammed Azeem Ud-Dean Sahu Khan, was ordered to pay $3000 to the Chief Registrar for the costs of his appeal.
This was after the Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal.
Sahu Khan is alleged to have misrepresented on his letterhead that he was Bar-at-Law (Lincoln’s Inn) since 2009. He was neither a United Kingdom barrister nor was he admitted at Lincoln’s Inn.
When he appeared before the Independent Legal Services Commission for the first mention on July 15, 2013 he admitted the allegation.
He presented his mitigation submission to the commission on the same day and the Chief Registrar’s office also presented an oral submission on aggravating factors and subsequently filed written submissions on penalty.
Sahu Khan’s lawyer, Devanesh Sharma, informed the court that the appellant had complied with the order to pay the fine of $20,000.
By notice of appeal dated August 13, 2013 the appellant sought an order from the court that the orders made by the commission on July 30, 2013, be partially set aside.
The appellant’s appeal is limited to the order that he be suspended from practicing law for 18 months and that he pays a $20,000 fine.
The grounds of appeals are that the said sentences whilst according to law were unreasonable and manifestly harsh having regard to all circumstances.
Also that the learned commissioner had failed to give due weight to the following factors:
- The appellant’s circumstances in relation to his legal practice , his clients and employees;
- The appellant has acknowledged his error;
- The appellant had shown remorse;
- The appellant had already taken steps to remedy the offending product;
- The appellant was a first offender with no history of complaints.
Feedback: talebulak@fijisun.com.fj

NFA attends to two fires in last three days

LITIA CAVA
suva
Two families are homeless following separate fire incidents.
An Indian couple in Davuilevu Housing was alerted by neighbours yesterday morning that their home was on fire. The couple was at work at the time of the incident.
Malti Devi, 40, was in tears when she explained how they had received the bad news.
“My husband and I left early morning for work and when we were called up and was told that our house has been destroyed by the fire,” Mrs Devi said.
Meanwhile, another family home in Saqale place, Nadera, on Sunday lost their home in a fire last Saturday.
National Fire Authority chief executive officer John O’Connor said the family was lucky no one was injured or killed.
“The parents were able to alert other members of their family,” Mr O’Connor said.
He is urging the public to be more cautious and responsible.
Authority spokesperson Ritesh Kumar said they have recorded 42 structural fires from January to April.
The authority is still investigating the cause of the fires.

newsroom@fijisun.com.fj
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Editorial >P14

Rotary Club, Ministry of Health partner in campaign

Minister for Health Dr Neil Sharma (left) during the launch of RHD National Awareness Week campaign yesterday.