17 Dec 2005

Fiji PM publishes claims opponents linked to sugar reform millions

8:20 am on 17 December 2005

Fiji's prime minister has published documents which he says show an attempt by the Labour Party senator Anand Singh and party leader Mahendra Chaudhry to benefit from the US$52 million sugar reform.

The publication in the form of a three-page newspaper advertisement comes after the Suva High Court rejected an application from the party to gag the media on the issue.

It contains an email from Senator Singh to the leader of the Indian Sugar Technical Mission, J J Bhagat, dated December 15th last year complaining about being "sick and tired of being left out of being paid progressively."

Senator Singh also asks whether anyone was interested in paying his fares to India.

Another email from Mr Bhagat to the Fiji Prime Minister's Office complains of "obnoxious" emails from Senator Anand Singh about trying to get money and a text message threatening it was the last days before court action.

The publication also contains a long letter from Mr Chaudhry offering to take over the government's majority shares in the Fiji Sugar Corporation on behalf of cane farmers without payment.