The Misappropriation Allegations and Resignation
The allegations centred on a visit to India that Raj made early in 2004. According to a report from the Auditor-General, Raj had chosen not to fly business class, which the government had paid for, and had opted for the cheaper economy class. Raj had allegedly pocketed the difference, instead of refunding it to the government. He had also allegedly taken his official driver to India, and had taken excess per diem for his own extended stay there.
Raj told the Fiji Times that he was innocent of the charges, and that he had chosen to resign in order to protect the government. "I have great respect for the Speaker of the House, the Parliament, Prime Minister and the nation," he said, "and don't want such allegations to tarnish their image. The only proper action is to resign voluntarily while the legal process and police investigations take place." He was sure that the ensuing police investigation would clear him.
Prime Minister Qarase accepted the resignation with regret, saying that Raj was one of his best-performing ministers. He announced that rather than replace Raj, he would take on responsibility for the Multi-Ethnic Affairs portfolio himself, pending the outcome of the police investigation. If exonerated by the inquiry, Raj might then be reinstated, Qarase said. He reiterated this position on 16 December 2004.
Read more about this topic: George Shiu Raj
Famous quotes containing the word resignation:
“How could a man be satisfied with a decision between such alternatives and under such circumstances? No more than he can be satisfied with his hat, which he’s chosen from among such shapes as the resources of the age offer him, wearing it at best with a resignation which is chiefly supported by comparison.”
—George Eliot [Mary Ann (or Marian)