The People’s Alliance party will lift all restrictions imposed on University of the South Pacific’s vice chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia. Responding to comments made by Attorney-General Aiyaz SayedKhaiyum on regionalism, PA leader Sitiveni Rabuka said their government would always respect the rule of law and administrative justice.
“Fiji’s Minister for Economy, has recently spoken about regionalism, meaning the process of cooperation for the common good among Fiji and its neighbours,” he said.
“But while he was pronouncing on this, he continued with his single-minded vendetta against the University of the South Pacific over disagreements on administration and management.” He said USP staff members and students did not agree with the AG.
“To try to bend the university to his will, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum is withholding the Fiji Government’s mandatory contribution to this regional university.
“The amount could be approaching $70 million.
“This kind of strong-arm tactic has never been employed before by an island member country against an institution that is the most outstanding example of regional cooperation.”
He added that Fiji had the largest number of USP students and staff. “Imagine their feelings of embarrassment and anger at the vindictive action of Mr Sayed- Khaiyum and the FijiFirst Government. Nothing like this had ever happened in the region before.” Questions sent to the A-G on Tuesday remained unanswered
