Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says a proposal by the Macau-based David Group to allocate a 1 per cent net income to the Great Council of Chiefs would not be allowed.
At a press conference yesterday aimed at clearing speculation in the public domain about the group’s proposal to build a casino and 1000-room resort in Nadi, Mr Rabuka said they could not direct part of their revenue to a body such as the GCC.
“It can go to the Government and the Government can determine where it should go, but it must go to the Government,” the Prime Minister said.
On the authenticity of the David Group’s modus operandi, Mr Rabuka said a background check would be done on the group “if the application was received”.
“As far as I’m concerned, no application was received,” he added.
“I do not know about the guidelines. I have not run a casino before, and I have never considered any application for a casino.
“We will have to canvas widely. When I say widely, it means we have to canvas views of like-minded societies around the world where we have to weigh up the balance between economic and financial advantages against the social or hang-up of the population.”
Asked if he was briefed by Mr Kamikamica on his trip to China to meet the investors, Mr Rabuka said: “We spoke after and before the consideration of the cabinet paper.
“We may have our views on this, and it has to be treated very cautiously, taking into account all the stakeholders’ interests, particularly the social stakeholders in Fiji.
“The Cabinet paper was on the sole licence issued to FNPF and that has been deferred.
“The Government won’t consider their proposals until the guidelines are met.
“They are wasting their time (because) they don’t have that agreement.”
