Ba has claimed the first tournament for 2012 after defeating Rewa 2-0 in the Pillay’s Garments Champions League this afternoon.

Stylish midfielder Avinesh Swamy who missed Friday’s match against Suva broke through from his left side, beating two Rewa defenders to give a neat cross for Isimeli Naresia to score the opening goal late in the first half of the game while Malakai Tiwa added another classic in the second half.

Meanwhile earlier in the day Suva defeated Labasa 1-0

Fiji’s Representative to Indonesia, Mr Seremaia Cavuilati presented his Letter of Credence to the President of the Republic of Singapore, His Excellency Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam at Istana, Singapore’s Government House on December 29.

Mr Cavuilati also presented, as is customary, the Letter of Recall of his predecessor, Mr Jioji Konrote who was the last High Commissioner of Fiji to Singapore based in Canberra. Mr Cavuilati also inspected a Guard of Honor prior to his presentation to President Tan.





In their brief conversation over a cup of tea, President Tan expressed his gratitude over the fact that Fiji-Singapore relations have been strong and cordial so far.

He specifically was happy that Fiji has been able to utilise and benefit from his government’s cooperation programs over the years.

The President also expressed the hope that High Commissioner Cavuilati would work closely with the officials of Government and the private sector of Singapore to further build on the goodwill that Singapore has to aid Fiji’s growth and development.

Mr Cavuilati used the opportunity to convey His Excellency President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau’s well wishes for President Tan’s continued good health and the prosperity of the people of Singapore.

The High Commissioner added that there could not be a better country for Fiji to learn and draw lessons from in her quest for modernization and in building a better Fiji than Singapore.

He undertook to continue to encourage the utilization of the Cooperation Programs that Singapore has in place for developing states and to delve more into the investment and business realms given Singapore’s developed status and wealth.

Both President Tan and High Commissioner Cavuilati agreed that direct air links between Singapore and Fiji, if possible in the near future, would no doubt boost the countries economic ties and most of all the people-to-people engagement so essential to enrich the already cordial relations that exist at the Government-to-Government level.

President Tan was also pleased to learn of the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding between Singapore Health Services Pte. Ltd and the Ministry of Health of Fiji that facilitates, among others, training and attachments of Fiji’s doctors and nurses in Singapore hospitals and medical institutions.

Mr Cavuilati will now function as High Commissioner to Singapore from Jakarta concurrent to his responsibilities for Indonesia. He was accompanied by Mrs Josivini Cavuilati for the presentation

Today’s open house visit by the Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital saw the opening of new classrooms.



Reflecting government’s commitment to providing education, the new classroom is to enable a learning environment for students who are admitted to the hospital on a long term basis.

The brainchild of one of the nurses at the hospital, the two classrooms opened today by the Prime Minister included classrooms for pre-school and primary school learning for classes 1 to 8.

CWM Medical Superintendant Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete said the initiative is to provide education to children who are patients and stay longer at the hospitals.

“We need to be open to new ideas and are looking at options of having computers, library and textbooks for the children. Kids are alienated when they are away from school and the ministry is supporting sick children through this education initiative,” Dr Waqainabete said.

The classroom set up was funded by Vinod Patel hardware and the Ministry of Education will be providing a teacher for the hospital to teach children who are patients with classes starting from next year.

Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama this morning officially launched the Prime Minister’s Office website.

Commodore Bainimarama said that the launch represented government’s commitment to be transparent and accountable in the delivery of our national goals.

“It is a basic premise that the acquisition of information equals knowledge and that knowledge equals power,” Prime Minister said.

“Through this Website, we at the Prime Minister’s Office will communicate and empower our clients, stakeholders, partners and various audiences with enabling information that is useful in their respective pursuits and endeavours.

“It is also an effective marketing tool that allows us to reach the wider community, at national, regional and international levels.”

Commodore Bainimarama said that the website will provide a relatively, cheap, quick and easy way to make information available to the public and allow people to interact with my office.

“In terms of overall marketability, I know the website is user-friendly in its design and presentation. I, therefore, urge you all to browse it and have a feel of what our Website offers,” said Prime Minister Bainimarama.

“Our Website will undergo regular updating and maintenance to ensure currency, accuracy and relevancy of content. I urge you all to surf it and tell us what you think about it. We would be happy to capture some of your views in order to make it more informative and helpful.”

The website can be accessed at www.pmoffice.gov.fj

Ba soccer team has won the National Soccer League title for the 15th time.

The Men in Black thrashed Savusavu 4-nil and have finished on top of the points table with 49 points.

Ba now qualifies to represent Fiji again in the O-League competition next season.

In addition, Ba also has grabbed a spot to play in the Champions league series for the 19th time in January next year.

Meanwhile, Courts IDC champions Labasa were thumped 6-nil by minnows Tavua this afternoon.

Despite the score line, Labasa will finish second on the points table with 42 points.

Also today, Tailevu-Naitasiri was crowned the Premier Division Champions after they drew 4-all with Dreketi while yesterday they defeated Dreketi 6-1 in the first leg.

In his annual budget address , Fiji's Prime Minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama announced his government is cutting taxes for 99% of Fijian taxpayers in 2012 and beyond.

The top marginal income tax will be dropped to 20%, and the tax threshold will increase to $15,600, eliminating taxes for low-income earners.


Prime Minister Bainimarama said that the new progressive tax structure is designed to “put more money in the pockets of Fijians” in a way “that grows our economy and ensures fiscal sustainability.”

“My Government wants to see all Fijians live up to their potential and have happy, productive, successful lives,” Prime Minister Bainimarama said in his address.

Government will also lower the corporate tax rate from 28 percent to 20 percent.

Prime Minister Bainimarama said, however, that “for too long the ‘99 percent’ have been shouldering most of the tax burden. They have the lowest incomes, but contribute the most towards our PAYE collection. This just isn’t fair.”

As a result, a temporary “Social Responsibility Levy” will be applied to the wealthiest 1% taxpayers to support programs that help the poor and marginalized. The levy will be reduced and eventually eliminated as people progress off of welfare program and/or as Fiji’s GDP grows. New taxes will also be applied in some services areas.


The Prime Minister said, “We have to accept the fact that there are certain members of our society who need help. In this way the top 1 percent of taxpayers will now be contributing more fully to the social good.”


He also issued a stiff warning to tax evaders. “No longer will Government look the other way with regard to people and businesses not paying taxes,” and he announced new strong enforcement measures and harsh penalties for those who neglect to pay taxes.


“For decades, Fiji was steered off course by greed, poor management, and selfishness,” Prime Minister Bainimarama said. “I hope you can see by the actions of my Government in recent years that we have been working to set things right for all Fijians.”


The Prime Minister affirmed that no later than September 2012 Fiji will commence work on a new Constitution that establishes a fully representative government that is founded on an electoral system that guarantees equal suffrage. “For the first time in Fiji’s history,” he said, “we will have a truly democratic system: one person, one vote, one value.”


As a demonstration of the Bainimarama government’s commitment toward elections, the government has allocated $5.9 million in the 2012 Budget for electronic voter registration.


In addition, the Bainimarama government will expand aid programmes to “reach the most vulnerable and marginalized in society through targeted social assistance” The budget also extends the education system to rural areas so Fijians can learn trades. “Fiji will be transformed into a “Knowledge Based Society.” the Prime Minster said.


Prime Minister Bainimarama announced more major infrastructure projects. “As we invest in the people of Fiji, however, we must also invest and improve the institutions and infrastructure of our country.”

Today, Bappi Lahiri turns 59 and plans to bring in his birthday quietly. “We’ll have a party later to celebrate the success of The Dirty Picture,” he says, ecstatic that his song ‘Oo la la…’ is topping the charts. “Back in the 1980s, I had 12 jubilee hits in a year-and-a-half. This song is in the same-Jeetendra-Sridevi Mawwali style and after the recording I had told the composers Vishal-Shekhar, that we had created a superhit.

But I had never imagined that it would sprint ahead in three weeks, faster than last year’s ‘Sheila…’ and ‘Munni…’,” he admits. The composer, who has sung for several actors from Vinod Khanna (‘Bambai se aaya mera dost…’ from Aap Ki Khatir, 1977) and Amitabh Bachchan (Raat baaki… from Namak Halal, 1982) to Sanjay Dutt (Tamma tamma… from Thanedaar, 1990) and John Abraham (Bambai nagariya…’ from Taxi No. 9211, 2006), is thrilled by the response to ‘Oo la la…’

“People still like my voice. Recently at a show in Kolkata I had to sing it three times,” he beams, pointing out that his jazz album, Walking On Love Street, is on CMJ’s Top 5 New World Adds Chart and and WONY Oneonta, New York — Top Ten Jazz Playlist Week. “My song with American Idol winner Shaun Barrows is playing in 38 radio stations, and also hotels, airplanes and stores.”

Walking On Love Street that has Diana Williams as Bappi’s co-lyricist, Doron Zor on the guitar and features five-time Grammy nominee Jeff Lorber. It was recorded at Hollywood’s Rusk Studios, with the acoustics, including sitar, flute and santoor recorded in India with Bappi himself on the tabla. The album is dedicated to his wife Chitrani, who he met at a recording studio. “I was 23 with just three films to my credit, Zakhmi Aurat (1988), Chalte Chalte (1976) and Aap Ki Khatir. She was 19. It was love-at-first sight and I told my parents that this was the girl I wanted to marry. We came home in a car and then on a whim, went walking down love street. We’re still there,” he smiles.

With 462 films to his credit, Bappi who completes four decades in the industry, points out that he’s won many awards and celebrated many jubilees. But this is the first time that two of his songs are topping the charts, in India and abroad at the same time. “It’s a rare feat for any musician and I didn’t need a Danny Boyle to boost me. I did it on my own with an album I produced, composed, wrote and sang for,” he points out. “For years, people have been calling me a copy cat, but these are original. RD Burman, Shankar-Jaikishen and I were merely ‘inspired’. Today’s music directors just take songs from every country and simply ‘chaapo’ (produce) them under their own names.”

India’s High Commissioner to Fiji, Vinod Kumar laid the foundation for Fiji’s new kidney dialysis centre at Extension Street, opposite the Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital’s Accident and Emergency entrance today .

Kidney Foundation of Fiji president Mr Dewan Chand Maharaj told those present at the function the assistance of US$100,000 by the Indian Government prompted them to begin fundraising for the new building and to start looking for a piece of land in Suva.

“About six weeks ago I sighted this piece of land and God is always great he gave me this land and we bought it. It has been a long journey for us. The assistance by the Government of India through its generous donation started our fundraising. It has given us life,” Mr Maharaj said.

Two lots of land, next to each other on Extension Street in Suva were purchased

“We bought one lot for $220,000 and the next one for $280, 000,” Mr Maharaj said.

“Other donations included US$3,000 by Vodafone Fiji, US$100,000 from an American citizen who sent his donation through Fiji’s Embassy in Washington, donation by Westpac Bank and also donation from US famous actor Mel Gibson.”

Mr Maharaj thanked the assistance of the Department of Town and Country Planning and the Government for their generous assistance.

“Let me reiterate the Prime Minister’s wish for everyone to move forward together which I believe is possible, and this is your centre and I need your support.” the Kidney Foundation president said.

The Indian High Commissioner Mr Vinod Kumar said he was honored on behalf of his Government to be laying the foundation of the new Kidney Foundation of Fiji Dialysis Centre.

“We are proud to be part of this ceremony, I think it is wise for the Kidney Foundation to have a separate building and provide treatment facilities here for Kidney patients at a very low cost,” Mr Kumar said.

The Kidney Dialysis Centre, which is run by the Rotary Club, a non profit organization is charging patients less than the rate charged in Australia.

“We have been working together with the Government of Fiji and institutions here in the spirit of cooperation, and the main strength of the cooperation is the assistance given to the health sector and to see that this centre which started a few years back is able to provide the services not only to the people of Fiji but also to other developing countries in the Pacific,” Mr Kumar said.

While conveying his well wishes Mr Kumar said he hoped the centre would continue to grow and become the source of good health for kidney patients in Fiji and the Pacific.

Fundraising for the new centre began way back in 2008 when the Prime Minister officially launched donations with $25,000.

The Kidney Foundation centre is situated at the old CWM Hospital and the construction of a new building for a new centre augurs well with Pillar 10 of the Peoples Charter for Change and Progress,which is to improve health service delivery Fiji.

Fiji’s first fiberglass super-frozen vessel the “Ocean Bountiful 338” was launched by the Department of fisheries permanent secretary Commander Viliame Naupoto at the Narain Wharf in Suva today.

It belongs to Ocean Bountiful Limited, owned by a Taiwanese family, who migrated to Fiji a few years ago and reside in Lami Town outside Suva.

“Now we are heading into a new era of fishery development whereby we aim to have a fleet of our own for Fiji,” Commander Naupoto said.

The new vessel is smaller than the normal super frozen vessel used in other parts of the world with size ranges from 500 to 800 tonnes.

“Small super-frozen vessels like Ocean Bountiful 338 consumes an average, one tonne of fuel per day and returns to port every two to three months to offload their catch,” Commander Naupoto said.

“This vessel will surely provide more business opportunities for on-shore service providers.

“Each time this kind of vessel calls into our port it will spend a minimum of $120,000 on basic services like fuel , food, and port services.”

Commander Naupoto revealed that services provided to these kinds of vessels in Fiji raked in an annual income of $70million.

Ocean Bountiful Limited executive director Chi Tien-I Jack said he bought the shell of the ship from the Fijian Government and imported parts and technology on the ship from Taiwan.

Commander Naupoto said local ship builders were employed by Ocean Beautiful to clean up the shell of the vessel and marine engineers fitted parts of the super frozen vessel.

“I would like to encourage more local entrepreneurs, vessel owners and vessel charters to join in this existing industry,” Commander Naupoto said.

He concluded by wishing Ocean Bountiful 338 fair winds and a bountiful catch.