The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad, has threatened to take legal action against the Fiji Labour Party unless Mahendra Chaudhry issues an apology and pays reasonable compensation. This ultimatum follows Chaudhry’s demand for accountability regarding a $200,000 grant for Girmit celebrations allocated to a discredited organization, where his wife and a close political ally served as trustees at the time.
Chaudhry stated that he has received correspondence from Prasad’s legal representatives, Sherani & Co., requesting the removal of all references to the Girmit funding and Prasad’s involvement from the FLP’s website, which they claim are “false and defamatory.” He indicated that his legal team is handling the situation.
“Such threats will not deter us from insisting on accountability from the minister for the $200,000 granted to an organization that was deregistered in 2022 for failing to submit audited accounts and annual reports since its inception in 2017,” Chaudhry said. He also pointed out that there were additional payments allegedly made to close associates of the Minister that require clarification.
Chaudhry remarked that the Government had previously assured the country that detailed accounts of the funding would be made public soon, amidst the controversy that emerged early last year. “Despite 18 months passing, we are still waiting for the promised audited accounts. The Labour Party will persist in demanding transparency and accountability.”
He emphasized that the public deserves an explanation regarding these matters. “Given the questionable manner in which the 2023 Girmit celebration funds were reportedly allocated, the Labour Party has called for comprehensive accounts detailing the payments made to individuals and organizations,” Chaudhry concluded.