"BACK TO DEMOCRACY FOR FIJI"

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Permalink Reply by Suliasi Daunitutu on February 2, 2010 at 7:36pm

New section included under treason offence

A new section is included under the Treason and other Offences Against Government Authority part of the Crimes Decree, and it mainly focuses on the court to have regard to which a conduct occurred including whether the person charged with an offence under this part conducted the act in good faith.
The section deals with the determination of certain elements of offences under the part of the decree which the court should take into regard.

Section 70 of the Treason part of the decree states that for the purposes of determining whether a person has intended that force or violence shall occur in the context of an offence under the Treason section, the court shall have regard to the context in which the conduct occurred, and whether the person conducted the act in good faith to show that the President, the Prime Minister, their advisers or a person responsible for the government of another country were mistaken in any of their counsels, policies or actions.

Under the Treason Section of the Crimes Decree, the courts shall also take into account on whether the person acted in good faith to point out errors or defects in the government of Fiji, the constitution, legislation of Fiji or another country and the administration of justice of or in Fiji, or another country, with a view to reforming those errors and defects.

The court shall also have regard on whether the person charged with an offence under the Treason section is pointing out in good faith, any matters that are producing or having a tendency to produce feelings of ill-will or hostility between different groups, in order to bring about the removal of these matters.

Meanwhile the statute of limitation of two years for the offence of treason is no longer in place after the Crimes Decree came into effect on Monday.

Under the Penal Code which is now repealed, a person could not be tried for treason, misprision of treason and instigating invasion, unless the prosecution is commenced within two years after the offence is committed.

Now there is a major change because in the past, police and prosecutors faced major difficulties and could not charge a person with treason or other treasonable offences if two years had lapsed after the offence was committed.

The two year limitation has been taken away under the Crimes Decree.

Former High Court Judge Nazhat Shameem said this problem no longer exists for the police and the prosecution.

Under the Crimes Decree, a person commits the offence of treason, if at the time of the offence being a Fiji citizen or resident, the person causes the death of the President or the Prime Minister, causes harm to the President or the Prime Minister, or imprisons or restrains the President or the Prime Minister.

Under the decree, a person can also be charged with treason if he or she instigates a person who is not a citizen of Fiji to make an armed invasion of Fiji.

The penalty of treason is life imprisonment.

Receiving or assisting another person who has committed treason with the intention of allowing him or her to escape punishment or apprehension, also carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

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Permalink Reply by Suliasi Daunitutu on February 2, 2010 at 7:38pm

WTF...which one is it ? is there a two years period or not in the decree for a prosecution to be valid ?

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Permalink Reply by Loruama Tawawili on February 2, 2010 at 7:48pm

How does one act in good faith to commit treason? She is suggesting that if good faith is done by someone pointing out the errors of the govt of Fiji with a view of reforming those errors then they are traitors.
This description fits Bainimarama to the T except the in good faith part because overthrowing a democratically elected Govt is a bad idea.Thos interpretation by this woman is unbelievable. Now she is saying that the 2 year period for the validity of prosecution is gone. This cannot save Baini9marama nor the President anyways.

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Permalink Reply by David Mitchell on February 3, 2010 at 5:13am

What ...?

Justification for Treason, redefines the word Treason itself.Expanding the stipulations to justify an act of wilful tyranny is treacherous to the english language per se. Dua tale mai gaga aule !

It clearly illustrates the IG's intent on administering policies to subjugate the civil pursuits of common men, on empowering itself to further expand its civil suppression of rights of individuals and the greater goal of harnessing support among its weak links.

Which is the greater evil?... a Military Regime never fairly voted in by the polls, justifying its act of spontaneity or expanding the stipulations of self style decrees to paint a rosy picture of the status quo... neither one because evil begets evil...

We can only ponder, as to what would infinitely come in next...a Decree to pardon individuals for premeditated - random acts of violence aganist the general public done...to keep the (good) faith. Dou bula !

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Permalink Reply by LOne rAnger aka StRYka on February 3, 2010 at 9:55am

Bula Vladmir,

levu la na decree buli tiko me ratou protect taki tiko kina na i lawalawa nei bainipuaka

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Permalink Reply by Suliasi Daunitutu on February 2, 2010 at 7:40pm

$30m owed to Water Authority

The Water Authority of Fiji has got a total amount of $30 million owing to them from non-payment of water bills pending from past years.

Chairman of the Water Authority of Fiji, John Prasad said the amount is huge and they are tightening on some areas especially with the payment of bills while some are seen to be involved in illegal connections of metres.

Prasad said people should not be complacent and wait for the last minute to pay their bills.

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Permalink Reply by Suliasi Daunitutu on February 2, 2010 at 8:14pm

Slap a decree on them Bainimarama !....I wonder why they cannot afford to pay their water rates....maybe they were not actually using water......THEY ARE BROKE !!!

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Permalink Reply by Suliasi Daunitutu on February 2, 2010 at 7:45pm

Missing cash’ trial continues

The High Court in Suva has heard closing submissions from the defence and the prosecution in the case of Satyna Nand, a Fiji police exhibit writer charged with the theft of $22,090.

State prosecutor Ana Tuiketei told assessors the prosecution had shown that the accused was the one who stole $22, 090.

“And he attempted to steal the rest. Prosecution has proved this beyond reasonable doubt,” Tuiketei said.

Nand, who faces charges of larceny by servant, attempted larceny and forgery is alleged to have stolen the money from police exhibits.

The cash was kept in the police exhibits room between January 2003 and January 2009, at the Central Police Station.

The $22,090 was robbery money recovered by police for investigation.

Nand is represented by Suva lawyer Mehboob Raza.

The case is before Justice Salesi Temo.

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Permalink Reply by Suliasi Daunitutu on February 2, 2010 at 7:48pm

Inflation at 6.8% but should improve: RBF
February 02, 2010

The Reserve Bank of Fiji says inflation in December 2009 stood at 6.8 percent, an increase of 0.8 percent from the previous month and a 0.2 percent increase over 2008.
Increases in food and transport prices together with other miscellaneous items have been the main cause, according to the RBF January economic review.

This despite its earlier inflation forecast of 9.5 percent for December 2009 following last April’s 20 percent devaluation of the Fiji dollar.

While the RBF estimates inflation in 2010 at 2.0 percent, risks that may affect the forecast include higher commodity prices especially oil in the coming months as the global economy picks up, as well as higher prices of market items in short supply following Cyclone Mick that hit Fiji last month.

The RBF also said that Fiji’s trade deficit up to September 2009 narrowed to $1.2 million, while personal remittances (which grew by 56.5 percent from the previous year) strengthened the current account.

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Permalink Reply by Suliasi Daunitutu on February 2, 2010 at 7:52pm

Visitor arrivals down 7.8% in 2009
February 01,

Fiji's visitor arrivals last year declined by 7.8 percent over 2008 figures to stand at 539,405, However, the Reserve Bank of Fiji January economic review report said the decline is much narrower than what the RBF had forecast, mainly due to increased numbers in the latter part of 2009.

This, the RBF attributed largely to the introduction of new airlines and routes together with strong advertising and promotional campaigns by Tourism Fiji.

On a broader note, the central bank said that despite the global recession, it is forecasting growth in various sectors locally including manufacturing, agriculture and forestry, wholesale and retail trade, hotels and restaurants, construction, real estate and mining.

Figures in the RBF report also showed that 29,703 ounces of gold was produced by Vatukoula Gold Mines Ltd up to November 2009, indicating a 38.7 percent increase from levels produced in the previous financial period.

The increase has been attributed to the upgrading and introduction of new plant and machinery at the mine and diversification into surface mining by the company.

The RBF is forecasting further improvements in foreign reserves levels over the month of January, where liquidity is expected to reach $335 million by 28 January 2010.

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Permalink Reply by Suliasi Daunitutu on February 2, 2010 at 7:55pm

VAT refund scheme to lift Fiji’s profile

Tourists spending FJD$500 or more while in Fiji can now claim a tax refund upon departure commencing today as part of efforts by the government to enhance Fiji’s profile as a tourist destination.

The Fiji Islands Revenue and Customs Authority (FIRCA) and its designated refund agency, the ANZ Bank, have signed an agreement Friday formalising the new Tourist VAT Refund Scheme.

Under the agreement, departing visitors can collect their refunds at the ANZ Nadi International Airport branch or the Suva Wharf for cruise liner travellers.

FIRCA CEO Jitoko Tikolevu said the scheme would boost the tourism industry further and position Fiji as a competitive shopping destination for tourists.

"As a start, the actual refund will be paid out in Fijian dollars with credit card options to be explored later," Tikolevu said.

Refunds, exempt of service fees, can also be paid in a foreign currency using ANZ’s currency listing.

An estimated $1.7 million is expected to be paid out in refunds this year.

Norman Wilson, ANZ CEO for the central Pacific and general manager Fiji said the joint venture would strengthen ANZ's relationship with the Fiji government, while sustaining its foreign exchange business.

Eligible visitors must be over 13 years and spend FJD$500 or more in a VAT registered outlet. Refunds are valid for a two-month period.

Fiji citizens and holders of Fiji passports are exempted from the scheme. The exemption also covers those working in Fiji for the past six months and members of airline flight crews.

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Permalink Reply by Suliasi Daunitutu on February 2, 2010 at 8:19pm

Sa lako mai eso na incentive vei ira na tourists to spend big, me qai mai tax refund taki i Nadi....Vosota o kemuni na se vaka Fiji Passport tiko..nahi yarrr !!!...so just spend $499.99 per trip.

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