Opposition MP Mosese Bulitavu has accused former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum of engaging in unsophisticated political maneuvering and deflecting criticism against those who either voted against or abstained from a pay raise earlier this year. Bulitavu challenged Sayed-Khaiyum’s moral stance, questioning his past contributions to charity while earning a higher salary than MPs during his tenure.
Bulitavu remarked that Sayed-Khaiyum is now targeting the G16 bloc in Parliament, which also opposed the salary increase yet stands to benefit from it. He pressed the point by asking whether Sayed-Khaiyum had ever made significant charitable donations from his larger salary during his 16 years in office.
In a recent parliamentary session, the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence presented a review of the Annual Reports of the Office of the Attorney-General from 2006 to 2023. Bulitavu criticized Sayed-Khaiyum for neglecting to update his own Annual Reports, while others were meeting their obligations.
Further, Bulitavu highlighted that the Presidential Pension Act is being amended to adjust the term of the President from five years to three, aligning it with the 2013 Constitution, a step he claims Sayed-Khaiyum had failed to undertake during his time in office.
Bulitavu also drew attention to Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica’s revelations regarding wasteful spending of taxpayer money at Walesi, the communications organization overseen by Sayed-Khaiyum during his tenure as “super Minister”. He stressed that such findings raise serious questions about the accountability and management during Sayed-Khaiyum’s leadership.
Another shocking revelation from Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo during a tribunal hearing highlighted that suspended Director of Public Prosecutions Christopher Pryde allegedly took an unauthorized superannuation payment. Bulitavu pointed out that this mismanagement occurred while Sayed-Khaiyum was in a supervisory position.
As political tensions continue to unfold, Bulitavu’s comments underscore significant concerns regarding governance and accountability in Fiji. The discourse reflects a critical examination of past leadership and aims to hold former leaders responsible for their actions.
This situation provides an opportunity for the current government to demonstrate transparency and accountability, cultivating public trust during a challenging political environment. The revelations made in Parliament could also serve as a catalyst for reforms, ensuring future leaders prioritize the welfare of citizens and responsible governance.
Leave a comment