Fiji border enforcement gaps under scrutiny after tax debtor's departure

Concerns are mounting over a significant lapse in border security after a tax debtor managed to leave Fiji despite a Departure Prohibition Order. The issue surfaced during a review of the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service's (FRCS) annual report, where a committee member questioned how the individual, allegedly owing a substantial sum, was able to depart.

FRCS Chief Executive Udit Singh explained that the department issued the departure order and confirmed with the Ministry of Immigration that it had been entered into their system. However, complications on the immigration side apparently allowed the individual to leave the country. Singh stated that the departure order was issued at 2 p.m. on the day of travel, after the individual had already been cleared.

Following the incident, FRCS and the Ministry of Immigration have convened to enhance their coordination and streamline operations. The case highlights broader questions about the effectiveness of current border enforcement systems in preventing individuals with outstanding debts from leaving the country once prohibition orders are in place.

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There have obviously been some complications on their side, as we understand it that allowed the gentleman to depart on the day. We issued the departure order at about 2 o'clock. We only did that at 11 o'clock that morning. We had received confirmation from Immigration that the departure order was in place.