"Fantasy Island Developer Loses Hope in Government"

A renowned Nadi developer has lost all hope in the Coalition Government.

Abbas Ali, the owner of Fantasy Island, did not mince his words, Fantasy Island owner Abbas Ali. criticising the facade of so called independent institutions and their functions.

Mr Ali called the ongoing crisis over the appointment of the new Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) Commissioner, Barbara Malimali, a joke.

Ms Malimali was under investigation by FICAC, and a day before her appointment was announced, FICAC investigators had searched the Electoral Commission office where she served as chairperson.

Her role at the Electoral Commission remains unclear. The Constitutional Offices Commission secretariat has yet to confirm Ms Malimali's resignation.

Mr Ali is a former civil servant.

He taught for 26 years as a teacher and has spent over 30 years developing more than $90 million worth of projects on Fantasy Island.

He called on Government to get its house in order – otherwise it would collapse soon.

“No way, there is no hope at all,” he said.

He claimed that from the time of the election until now, there had been no progress.

“Nothing is there because they are protecting themselves. I have been making some observations about what is happening in the country. There is no change in what people want. Suppose it goes on like this, than this country has no future.

“The Ministers do have their issues, but when will they start sorting out the issues of the whole nation?”

Appeal

Mr Ali called on Government to change its priorities and stick to their manifesto.

“They put themselves first, rather than the people. If the confidence level of the public diminishes, then the Government is in trouble,” he said.

Mr Ali warned the Prime Minister and his Cabinet to keep their ears to the ground. If not, they would follow the same road as the FijiFirst government.

“Why was FijiFirst removed? People will speak out; they will go after them on polling day. They will be removed by the people, by the voters.

“The voters expected something better from this Government.”

With the three-party Coalition Government well into its second year in power, Mr Ali is pessimistic of its future.

“A Coalition Government will never work for Fiji.”

When Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Biman Prasad was approached for a comment yesterday, he said, “People have the right to make comments about the Government.

“They have the right to criticise. We are an open Government. We provided that freedom. And so, people have the right to have a view about Government.”

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