Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has indicated a willingness to investigate the professional connection between iTaukei Affairs Minister Ifereimi Vasu and business associate Jason Zhong, should the issue be formally raised with him. Mr. Zhong, who has a history of convictions for sex and drug trafficking over the last two decades, is a co-owner of a farming business with Mr. Vasu.
Rabuka’s comments follow a report from the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), which highlighted a 2020 police briefing document profiling Zhong as a possible associate of a suspected local organized crime group. Rabuka stated that while he has not yet received any formal reports, he would discuss the matter with Mr. Vasu first if it comes to his office.
The OCCRP report mentioned that anonymous sources within the Fiji Police confirmed the existence of the briefing, which had also profiled Fugang Zhao, a hotel owner in Fiji. Despite his past issues, Zhong currently faces separate corruption charges related to bribery of the iTaukei Land Trust Board, which manages land leases for traditional Fijian clans. Notably, the report asserts that Zhong remains friends and business partners with Mr. Vasu, the minister overseeing these land dealings.
In 2017, Vasu and Zhong established a ginger farming venture near Suva, which has received positive recognition from the Agriculture Ministry in the past. According to asset declarations from 2022, their joint stake in the farming operation is valued at approximately 1.1 million Fijian dollars. Recently, both men were seen boarding a flight to Hong Kong, where Vasu confirmed they were traveling for Zhong to observe the anniversary of his father’s burial.
While Vasu has indicated he will not provide further comments on this matter, the situation raises important questions about the ethics surrounding political connections and business relationships in Fiji.
This case underscores the complexities involved in governance and accountability within influential circles. It also sheds light on the ongoing challenges Fiji faces regarding corruption and organized crime, which affect public trust. Transparency and integrity in political relationships will be crucial as the investigation unfolds.
In summary, Prime Minister Rabuka is open to exploring links between Minister Vasu and Zhong amid serious allegations, with the issue raising significant implications for governance in Fiji. The investigation, should it proceed, could provide an essential opportunity for greater accountability and transparency in the political landscape.
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