13 May 2003

More opposition in Fiji to party fundraising company set up by top ministers

6:16 am on 13 May 2003

The Fiji Democratic Party has added its voice of opposition to the formation of a company involving top government ministers in what they say is a fundraising tool for their ruling SDL party.

The Democrats' leader, Filipe Bole, says the registration of the company is tantamount to overt bribery and corruption of the first magnitude.

And the National Federation Party says the government will find it difficult to introduce policies free from outside influences.

NFP President, Prem Singh, says large donors who contribute to the company will want something in return.

He says the Qarase administration is now vulnerable to large donors seeking political favours.

Mr Singh says laws must be introduced to stop the possibility of large donors seeking favours from the government in return for their handouts to the company.

"The initiatives by the government will lead to corrupt practices...we are very much worried that the Government's payback system is being institutionalised..we are trying to force the Government to have legislation whereby the political parties can have a limit to what people can give, and a code of conduct bill also needs to be implemented"