Whistleblowing former University of Portsmouth pro vice-chancellor deported by Fijian government

Pal Ahluwalia, who used to live in Southsea, moved to Fiji in 2018 to take up the position of vice-chancellor of the University of South Pacific (USP).

In 2019 he wrote a report detailing allegations of widespread financial mismanagement, abuse of entitlements, and millions of dollars improperly spent under previous administrations. The report caused uproar within the country’s government with the university having been held up as an educational beacon, with generations of regional leaders on it its list of alumni.

It has been reported that the prime minister Frank Bainimarama ordered the deportation of professor Ahluwalia whose presence was described as ‘prejudicial to peace’.

Up to 15 immigration, police and military officials forced their way into his home in Suva on Wednesday night (February 3), revoked his work permit and escorted the vice-chancellor and his wife, Sandra Price, to Nadi international airport. He was then forced onto a flight under military guard to Australia on Thursday.

Mrs Price said: ‘I was instructed to get dressed and they confiscated all electronic devices including our phones, iPads, laptops, watches and passports. I was not left alone to change or even use the washroom. Where were my moral and human rights?

‘There were at least 15 people in our house after curfew.’

Speaking after his deportation, Professor Ahluwalia added: ‘This is a classic case of beating the whistleblower up’.

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Before boarding their flight to Brisbane the couple were issued with a letter stating they had been declared ‘prohibited immigrants’ as they had been deemed to be ‘prejudicial to peace, defence, public safety, public order, public morality, public health, security, or good government of the Fiji islands’.

The move has caused outrage amongst staff and students at the university who accused the government of using ‘gestapo tactics’.

One member of staff who wished to remain anonymous said: ‘This is nothing short of a coup by the government of Fiji on the USP and its vice-chancellor. This is the government forcefully imposing its will on USP staff and students who overwhelmingly support this vice-chancellor’.

Despite the deportation, professor Ahluwalia has said he will continue in his role.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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