Gibson 'grabbing' Pacific island
2005-03-02 07:49
Suva, Fiji - Hollywood star and director Mel Gibson has purchased a Pacific island hideway in northern Fiji, but the sale faces a legal challenge from villagers who claim their ancestors were forced off the island, an official and news reports said on Wednesday.
The director of The Passion of the Christ and star of the "Mad Max" films purchased the 2 164ha Mago Island from Japan's Tokyu Corp for about US$15m - about R88m.
The Fiji government's Cabinet approved the sale last month, principal lands officer Laisa Raratabu said on Wednesday.
"We received all the papers from Mel Gibson's agents in mid-December last year and approval from the minister (of lands) and endorsement from the Cabinet came on February 9," he said.
Any legal challenge against the sale is likely to be difficult now that Gibson is the legal owner, but a landless tribe of indigenous Fijians say their ancestors were forced from the island in the 19th century and that they want it back.
The 500 tribespeople are raising funds to challenge the sale in court, the Fiji Times newspaper reported.
Island sold for 2 000 coconuts
"Our island was sold for 2 000 coconut plants, and stories told by our forefathers are that they were forced to leave at gunpoint," tribal member Timoci Waqalevu told the newspaper this week.
The clan also wants to approach the traditional chief of the Cakaudrove area, whose ancestors used to own Mago.
That chief, Naiqama Lalabalavu, who holds the title of tui cakau - or king of reefs, is also the minister for lands, who approved the sale.
Members of the tribe were not immediately available to comment.
But Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase said the government won't interfere with the sale of private property.
"The sale was between the owner who has found a willing buyer," he said. "The government cannot do anything because it is a freehold property."
Under the deed of sale, Gibson also bought the lagoon around the tropical hideaway, an unusual step, Raratabu said.
"I think there's only one other island in Fiji that is in the same situation as Mago," with the sale of its lagoon included, he said.
Under Fiji law Gibson is required only to "honour the sovereignty of Fiji" now that he owns the island - and explain his reasons for buying it.
Raratabu said the purchase documents show the Australian-born star said he wants to turn Mago into his own private getaway.
"He has stated his intention to retain the pristine conditions of the island. He said he wouldn't want to disturb the environment of Mago," he said.
- AP