Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has stated his willingness to initiate an investigation into the professional relationship between iTaukei Affairs Minister Ifereimi Vasu and his business partner Jason Zhong, should the matter be formally presented to him. Zhong has a history of legal issues, having been convicted twice over the last two decades for sex and drug trafficking offenses. He is a co-owner of a ginger farming business with Vasu.
Rabuka’s comments follow a report from the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), which cited a document from a Fiji police briefing in 2020 that included a profile on Zhong, highlighting suspicions of his possible ties to local organized crime. Although Rabuka has not yet received any formal report regarding this issue, he expressed a desire to first consult with Vasu before proceeding.
The report also revealed that Zhong is currently facing separate allegations from Fiji’s anti-corruption commission related to bribery of officials associated with the iTaukei Land Trust Board. Despite these serious allegations, Zhong and Vasu maintain a close friendship, and corporate records indicate they’ve previously collaborated on a farming venture outside of Suva since 2017.
Interestingly, the OCCRP’s investigation noted that both men recently traveled together to Hong Kong, with Vasu confirming plans were related to a personal family matter for Zhong. Vasu opted not to comment further when approached.
This situation underscores the importance of transparency in governmental relationships and the public’s right to understand potential conflicts of interest involving public officials. An active investigation could lead to more clarity on any improprieties and ensure that governmental integrity is upheld.
In a hopeful sense, this scenario also presents an opportunity for the Fijian government to demonstrate its commitment to accountability and transparency, which could foster public trust in governance and lead to improved workings between officials and business partnerships in the future.
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