Opposition Member of Parliament Premila Kumar has harshly criticized Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka for his recent decision to appoint three new Ministers and four Assistant Ministers, labeling the reshuffle a “sham.” Speaking to FijiLive, Kumar expressed her disappointment that instead of addressing the inefficiencies among his current cabinet members, Rabuka has opted to expand the government, which she argues is merely a bailout for underperforming officials enjoying their positions at the cost of hardworking Fijians.

Kumar highlighted that the current administration has now surged to a total of 34 ministers and assistant ministers, making it one of the largest cabinets in Fiji’s history, with 22 Cabinet Ministers and 12 Assistant Ministers. She noted that this expansion contradicts earlier promises made by both Rabuka and Deputy Prime Minister to reduce the size of the government and curb unnecessary expenditures, an issue that has been repeatedly raised by critics across the political landscape, including former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry.

“If the current ministers and assistant ministers were delivering results, why expand the cabinet? The answer is clear: they aren’t,” Kumar stated, emphasizing that this cabinet enlargement is an implicit admission of leadership failure. She further warned that the unbudgeted appointments could redirect crucial resources away from essential development projects, straining public services already suffering due to rising living costs.

Kumar’s criticism underscores her belief that the government should prioritize accountability over preserving alliances, arguing that Fijians deserve a leadership that genuinely prioritizes their needs rather than a cabinet that rewards inefficiency.

The broader political discourse surrounding these appointments could potentially lead to significant changes in governance. Advocates for reform remain hopeful that as discussions continue, the government might reshape its policies to better align with the needs of the populace, strengthening public services and restoring trust between the administration and Fijian citizens.

In summary, while the recent cabinet expansion has prompted considerable backlash, it also opens up avenues for reform and a renewed focus on accountability. This situation represents a crucial moment for the government to reassess its strategies and potentially lead to improvements in the overall governance of Fiji, prioritizing the interests of its citizens.