31 Aug 2007

Fiji's Chaudhry opens legal proceedings after TI claims he drew two salaries

9:42 pm on 31 August 2007

Fiji's interim finance minister, Mahendra Chaudhry, has accused the chairman of Transparency Internationals Fiji chapter, Hari Pal Singh, of lying to discredit him and the interim administration.

Mr Singh had claimed through a newspaper report that Mr Chaudhry was being paid two salaries as a cabinet minister and also as the general secretary of the National Farmers union and that this amounted to conflict of interest and corruption.

Describing this as a lie, Mr Chaudhry says he had never drawn a salary or any other remuneration from the National Farmers Union since he became its general secretary in 1978.

He says the newspaper which carried the report was equally guilty of publishing lies without finding out the facts for itself

Mr Chaudhry says he has instructed his lawyers to begin legal proceedings on the matter.