National Anti-Money Laundering Conference

Fiji will adhere to international obligations

Nov 09|15:35 pm

Fiji will always ensure that it adheres to all its international obligations irrespective of the political position, says the Attorney General and Minister for Justice and Anti-Corruption Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

While opening the 3rd National Anti-Money Laundering Conference organized by the Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said that Fiji would always collaborate with the international community to address the issue of money laundering.

“The FIU has entered 12 bilateral agreements, this notwithstanding the fact there have been some political gestures and maneuvering behind the scenes,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.

“But when it comes to money laundering and extradition, you will find that all the jurisdictions will collaborate.”

This year’s conference theme is “Prosecuting Money Laundering Crimes” which is why the discussions today saw the presence of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Police Force and the Anti-Money Laundering Council.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum highlighted some of the initiatives Government will take next year, such as a number of advancements that will include accountability measures, especially in the case of public office holders.

The Attorney-General stressed that in cases of money laundering it was pivotal that prosecution and investigations were done with utmost detail as well as collaboration with all concerned agencies.

“If it is not done so then we will be sending out a message to would - be perpetrators that Fiji is in fact not ready for it” he said.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said one of main reasons for highlighting such cases was due to the deterrence impact it will have on the other people thinking of committing similar crimes.