Minister denies allegations over ties to Jason Zhong

Minister for iTaukei Affairs, Ifereimi Vasu (pictured), has rejected claims that he is involved in alleged criminal activities with convicted drug and sex trafficker, Jason Zhong.

Mr Vasu’s response follows a Facebook post by his Permanent Secretary, Jone Navakamocea, questioning his leadership and raising allegations of his involvement with Mr Zhong.

Mr Navakamocea wrote in iTaukei on Facebook: “Kua ni la’ki vosa vakadinadina vei ira na cauravou kei na goneyalewa baleta na waigaga ni veivakametenitaki ni rau veiwekani jiko kei Jason!” (Stop advocating against the use of drugs to young men and women when you have personal links to Jason).

Responding to this, Mr Vasu said: “Jason and I farm together, for agriculture, nothing illegal is going on, we have known each for a long time.”

Mr Vasu and Mr Zhong have been co-owners of an agricultural enterprise since 2017, registering it as Qera Mai Lagi PTE Limited. They operate large scale farms on Viti Levu.

In July 2023, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka defended Mr Vasu when Opposition Members of Parliament questioned the link between the two, saying that Mr Zhong had served his time and Mr Vasu met constitutional require-ments for public office.

Mr Zhong was charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption in 2024 for allegedly bribing officials at the iTaukei Land Trust Board, which Mr Vasu chairs.