Opposition MP Jone Usamate has strongly criticized former Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, accusing him of hypocrisy and self-interest in his recent claims of upholding ethical standards. In a conversation with FijiLive, Usamate pointed out that while Sayed-Khaiyum opposed the $15,000 constituency allowance for MPs during his time as General Secretary of FijiFirst, he later accepted the allowance for himself. Usamate contended that Sayed-Khaiyum’s acceptance of these funds was a stark contradiction to his previous stance against them, suggesting that he used the money to pay off debts incurred through poor financial management.

According to Usamate, Sayed-Khaiyum left FijiFirst burdened with a hefty debt close to $700,000 before dissolving the party and leaving its creditors unpaid. Usamate questioned Sayed-Khaiyum’s integrity, emphasizing that if he truly adhered to his principles, he should have donated the excess funds rather than using them to settle party liabilities.

Usamate also highlighted the obligations that MPs have towards their communities, pointing out the challenges they face on modest salaries of $50,000 compared to Sayed-Khaiyum’s annual earnings of $235,000, which is nearly six times that of government MPs and opposition backbenchers. He argued that such significant income disparity underscores Sayed-Khaiyum’s leadership style, which he characterized as self-serving.

Closing his remarks, Usamate reiterated that Sayed-Khaiyum’s history of inconsistency regarding ethics should not be overlooked, stressing the importance of accountability in political leadership.

The article sheds light on the ongoing tensions within Fijian politics, underscoring the significant financial and ethical issues faced by leaders. It serves as a reminder of the importance of integrity among public officials and highlights the complexities of political finance and leadership accountability.

In a hopeful view, these discussions about ethical leadership can serve as a catalyst for improving transparency and fairness in governance, potentially leading to reforms that better serve the Fijian people.