Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama questioned the silence of National Federation Party leader Biman Prasad on matters relating to the University of the South Pacific in Parliament.

He questioned why Mr Prasad chose to raise issues about USP through The Fiji Times and passed on the opportunity when the 2017 annual report of USP was tabled in Parliament.

He further questioned whether Mr Prasad’s silence was to avoid any questions on Mr Prasad’s wife’s recent appointment as a Director at the USP, a position which was not internationally advertised.

Previous Director-level positions of USP staff have been advertised internationally.

“I want to state that Biman, never uttered a single word in the session last week when Parliament covered the 2017 USP Report, especially during this time, the Opposition used that opportunity to attack the Government,” Mr Bainimarama said.

“He did not utter a single word, because he knew, he will be caught out with his wife’s promotion.”

“Last Saturday’s Fiji Times covered Biman’s attack on me and the Speaker of Parliament.”

“But being Biman, he could not help himself with his comments.”

“As per USP policy, the post should have been advertised internationally, but that was never done.”

However, under Professor Pal Ahluwalia’s leadership, this position was internally advertised and out of the four shortlisted, Rajni Chand was named to the position.

“And the sad thing is, someone went to the extent to justify her appointment by saying, Immigration would not allow anyone from overseas to take the post, they think we’re a bunch of kids,” PM said.

“He keeps referring to me as a dictator. Really, he lacks the strong and decisive leadership, which is needed.”

He said that there was great opposition from the unions, from the NGO’s and the political parties.

Attack On Military
Mr Bainimarama also questioned why Mr Prasad has often been quick to attack the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.

“Again, I can’t figure out, why Biman is always attacking the military. Maybe in 1987, someone from the Force gave him a clip in the ear.”

“But he should go out and see what the military did for the stricken people of this nation during and after the last storms,” the PM said.

USP:
Mr Bainimarama said critics of Professor Ahluwalia were being threatened at the USP and asked why no one was questioning this.

“Professors who speak their minds are threatened,” he said.

“We have someone who is very vocal in the council, who uses his position to rally people against the Government and it is done as a covern up for being paid large amount of money for an IT project which has not been completed.”

Last night the Fiji Sun received emailed communication from Munro Leys Partner Richard Naidu putting the newspaper on notice.

Mr Naidu wrote: “The Prime Minister made certain defamatory comments about both our clients today. One of them has responded to the comments but that does not change the fact that they are defamatory.”

“Our clients are taking legal advice on their options against the maker of the statements and those who have published them. You should take appropriate legal advice before you do the same.”

Feedback: laisa.kabulevu@fijisun.com.fj