The Interim Prime Minister has stressed that the Interim Government is not undermining the interests of Fijian businesses.
Following the Soqosoqo Duavata Ni Lewenivanua (SDL) statement that it takes exception at the attempt by Interim Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry to undermine business attempts by the Fijians, Commodore Frank Bainimarama said the SDL just turns everything into a race issue.
Commodore Bainimarama also said it is not right for the SDL to say that there were high handed dealings in relation to the Kadavu House tenancy issue.
"They’re trying to make racial issues – that’s what they’re trying to do when they target Mr. Chaudhry. The fact of the matter is that it’s not Chaudhry – it’s the government of the day and me, as Prime Minister, we decided on that. If they had read the lines between the contract with Kadavu House, they would understand but then of course with the abuse of funds over the few years – they wouldn’t understand what we’re trying to do. We’re trying to get the government out of bad management and fine tune spending. That’s what we do. It’s nothing to do with targeting indigenous companies. We’re really looking at good management of our finance. But then SDL don’t know that. They’ve been abusing our funds over the last few years. They wouldn’t know the difference."
The SDL said Chaudhry is undermining the business attempts of the Fijians to enter slowly in the field of business where Indians and foreigners currently dominate.
It feels that equity in business will build partnership and some small support for Fijian businesses should be seen in the context of the magnitude of the Fijian landowners to give their land and resources to support tourism, agriculture, housing, mining, energy, water, roads and all other major projects for the benefit of all the people of Fiji.
