Page 8 - IB August 2020

Whispers

Futile FEMM? to the US. The US Drug Administra- lutely honest, it’s a real struggle to try
Fiji’s Minister for Economy, Aiyaz tion (USDA) is investigating the matter, and ask questions here in this country…
Sayed-Khaiyum seemed somewhat which sees unsolicited seeds arrive in We have so many blocks. We understand
underwhelmed by the Forum Economic people’s mail. Recipients have been that time is of the essence and there
Ministers Meeting (FEMM) this month, warned not to plant or dispose of are processes – I just want to say that
telling local reporters “to be frank the them, but instead send them in for test- we are here and our job is to ask ques-
FEMM meeting was discussing a lot of ing. The USDA believes it may be part tions.” Meanwhile in Tonga, journalists
issues where the horse had already of a “brushing scam” in which people say new regulations that would penalise
bolted. The reality of the matter is receive items from a seller, who then reporters for publishing or broadcasting
that COVID came to the Pacific in early posts false customer reviews to boost so-called “sensitive information” were
February so a lot of the issues that had sales, however many recipients fear approved without consultation.
been discussed at the meeting was something more ominous.
about how to react and how to coor- Reno reality-check
dinate, whereas many countries had Curfew breakers rights Fiji’s Prime Minister has answered
already had to do that. Not necessar- There’s concern in PNG over the criticism of the $7million (US$3.2 mil-
ily by choice but by force in many treatment of a curfew breakers. A blind lion) renovations earmarked for his
instances.” university student was allegedly kicked office, saying he won’t live forever, and
Various parties to FEMM called for and forced to do press-ups in the middle the complex will benefit his successors.
more regional cooperation on debt for- of the road after being found out after Opposition leader Sitiveni Rabuka says
giveness and aid assistance, but Sayed- the 10pm curfew. PNG commentators the renovation plans show how out of
Khaiyum said in many cases, that has say the student has been beaten by touch the government is with the needs
already been dealt with bilaterally. He police before, and still carries injuries of Fiji’s poor, vulnerable and unem-
did say the Forum could play a role, if it from that incident. ployed. Community organisations have
had the resources to do so, in collating called for the money to be reallocated.
information. Pricey real estate
The Sydney home which had housed PPE and politics
Keeping blue lanes open the son of former PNG Prime Minister, Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
A yachtie currently visiting Fiji has Peter O’Neill has been sold for $12.35 donated by Taiwan to the Solomon
suggested that the country’s Blue Lanes million and O’Neill’s wife has purchased Islands province of Malaita will finally
initiative, which encourages sailors to a home in another toney Sydney suburb be released to the province. Solomon
visit after completing quarantine proto- for just under half that price. Australian Islands deputy PM Manasseh Maelanga
cols, should be copied by New Zealand media reports the Point Piper home sold made this promise as local lead-
and Australia. off-market last September to Shi Wei. ers expressed their concern over the
Zatara skipper, Keith Whitaker says O’Neill is now back in PNG where his presence of COVID-19 in neighbouring
the model is worth emulating, and its involvement in the UBS loan continues Bougainville. Malaita Province applied
long-term sustainability into the cyclone to be subject to an inquiry. PNG leaders for the COVID-19 equipment under a
season relies on NZ and Australia offer- allegedly acted illegally in approving a Taiwan humanitarian support. However
ing similar entry opportunities. Austra- 2014 $US1.2 billion load from the Swiss Solomon Islands recognises China, and
lia’s Minister for International Develop- bank. the PPE was confiscated over political
ment and the Pacific, Alex Hawke says sensitives and protocols.
while the Blue Lanes are an example of Media moves
Fijian innovation, “It is a difficult ques- A new newspaper, the Bougainvillean, Generous islanders
tion for us to open our borders at the has launched as Bougainville holds its Donations collected by Pacific
moment. ” Fiji says 66 yachts had been first election since the independence Islanders in response to the bushfires
issued with permits to enter by late referendum last year. The newspaper is that ravaged parts of Australia earlier
August. Some communities in Lau have owned by Arthur Hannet, son of former this year have now made their way to
said they don’t want foreigners coming Premier Leo Hannett. affected communities. $60,000 was col-
to their waters until borders completely Less positive media news in Samoa, lected by the people of Morobe, PNG.
reopen. where editors are complaining that they Most of the funds were donated to the
have been unable to ask questions or Bega Valley Community Disaster Relief
Solomons seeds gather information during the state of Fund in a town where some families are
Mystery still surrounds the posting emergency. TV1 Samoa News Manager, still struggling to recover. Bega Valley
of seeds from a number of countries, Renee Kahukura-Iosefa, told senior gov- Council Shire Mayor Sharon Tapscott
including Solomon Islands and China, ernment officials: “If I am being abso- told the PNG organisers, “I’m coming to

8 Islands Business, August 2020