A prominent developer in Nadi has expressed his disillusionment with the Coalition Government. Abbas Ali, the proprietor of Fantasy Island, did not hold back as he criticized the purported independence of institutions and their functionalities.
Ali referred to the ongoing controversy surrounding the appointment of Barbara Malimali as the new Commissioner for the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) as nothing short of farcical. Malimali was under investigation by FICAC, and merely a day before her appointment was confirmed, investigators conducted a search at the Electoral Commission, where she previously held the position of chairperson.
The details of her role at the Electoral Commission remain ambiguous, with the Constitutional Offices Commission secretariat yet to officially acknowledge her resignation.
Ali, a former civil servant and educator with over 26 years of teaching experience, has spent more than three decades investing in projects worth over $90 million on Fantasy Island. He urged the government to prioritize necessary reforms or face imminent collapse.
“There is absolutely no hope,” Ali remarked, pointing to a lack of progress since the election. He claimed that the government’s focus has shifted towards self-preservation rather than addressing the public’s needs. “If things continue like this, the country has no future. The Ministers have their individual issues, but when will they address national concerns?”
In his appeal, Ali urged the government to realign its priorities with its manifesto. He criticized officials for placing their interests above those of the public, warning that dwindling public confidence could spell trouble for the government.
Ali cautioned Prime Minister and his Cabinet to remain aware of public sentiment, noting that if they fail to do so, they could face a fate similar to that of the previous FijiFirst government. “FijiFirst was removed because of public discontent. Voters will express their dissatisfaction on polling day,” he stated, adding that the electorate expected more from the current government.
With the three-party Coalition Government now more than two years into its term, Ali remains skeptical about its prospects. He declared, “A Coalition Government will never work for Fiji.”
When asked for comments, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Biman Prasad acknowledged the public’s right to voice their opinions, emphasizing that the government promotes openness and freedom of expression.