RFMF unable to recover $1.1m in Malaya veterans’ pension payments

The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) has been unable to recover more than $1.1 million owed by an overseas authority for Malaya War veterans’ pensions.

The debt has been accumulating for at least five consecutive years, according to the Auditor-General’s 2024 report.

The outstanding balance of $1,109,675 relates to pension payments made by the RFMF to former soldiers who served in the Malaya campaign between 1952 and 1956.

Under the arrangement, the RFMF pays the pensioners directly and is later reimbursed by the relevant overseas authority.

Of the total amount, $1,080,610 — or 97 per cent — has remained outstanding for more than a year.

“The Force should investigate and follow up with the relevant authority on the reimbursement of funds so that the outstanding balance is cleared,” Auditor-General Finau Nagera recommended.

RFMF response

The RFMF said it has scheduled a meeting with the Defence Attaché to resolve the matter and remains committed to ensuring it is addressed in a timely manner.

The findings contributed to the RFMF receiving a modified audit opinion, meaning auditors were unable to fully verify the accuracy of its financial statements.

This was linked to a separate $177,043 unreconciled variance in the Engineers Plant Pool trading account.

Other audit findings

The report also highlighted several other issues within the RFMF, including:

• $1.3 million in asset purchases — including computers, tents, drum sets and kitchen equipment — not recorded in the Fixed Asset Register;
• The RFMF Band Account, which earns revenue from public performances, is not recorded in the government financial system. The account balance stood at $13,619 as at July 2024;
• $189,328 in expenditure was charged to incorrect budget allocations; and
• A $547,107 capital construction budget remained unspent after project tenders were approved too late in the financial year