Conviction could end Chaudhry's political career

Transcript

An Australian National University expert on Fiji says the conviction against the leader of the Labour party is his end in politics.

The Fiji High Court has found former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry guilty of breaching the Exchange Control Act on Saturday, for investing $1.5 million Australian dollars outside Fiji without informing the Reserve Bank.

Brij Lal from the Australian university told Christopher Gilbert it will be the end of his political career.

BRIJ LAL: He has had a long and distinguished career in Fiji but I do think that this is the end of the road for him. He is 72, he will not be able to contest this election because of this impending conviction, so I think the road ahead for him is very difficult, I think his political career is over. This must be a matter of grief for him given that his once illustrious career has come to an end in this fashion.

CHRISTOPHER GILBERT: And if he gets a sentence of six months or more he is guaranteed to be out of politics isn't he? He's not allowed to go back in.

BL: The rules in the country are such that if you are convicted of any crime you will not be able to stand for elections, and really the elections are just a few months away now in September, so I think that he will realise himself that his days are over.

CG: He's a dominant force in the Labour Party, what does it mean for the party itself?

BL: That's right. I mean, Mr Chaudhry was the Fiji Labour Party - the party was identified with him, and he dominated its proceedings for well over two decades. Those who disagreed with him were dismissed or others simply left to form other political parties, particularly the Fiji People's Democratic party. There's no one [who's] second in command who has the visibility and the authority that he had. It will be a long, long struggle for FLP. I would not write it off immediately because the party has been around for a long time, it has a presence in peoples consciousness. It will go on, but in a very diminished capacity.

CG:The case against him has been around for three or four years now, but it is convenient for the regime isn't it? That his conviction comes - and his sentencing will come - in the election year.

BL: Well I don't think it's so much convenience, I think this was the way it was orchestrated at this point in time just before the elections. Well, he is out of the elections and so is the former Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase. So the visible and potentially threatening opponents of the regime are now really out of action and I suppose the question that some people will ask is this: 'Yes these people committed crimes, but at the same time on the other hand people who have committed the biggest crime that is tearing up the constitution, overthrowing a democratically elected government are free and vying for the highest office in the land.'