Opposition MP Jone Usamate has criticized former Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, labeling his claims of moral superiority as hypocritical and self-serving. In an interview with FijiLive, Usamate pointed out that during Sayed-Khaiyum’s time as General Secretary of FijiFirst, he vehemently opposed the controversial $15,000 constituency allowance for Members of Parliament, a position his party actively supported in Parliament.
Despite his opposition to the allowance, Sayed-Khaiyum later accepted it for FijiFirst and redirected $5,000 per member to settle party debts attributable to his poor financial management. Usamate argued that if Sayed-Khaiyum truly held to his stated principles, he would have donated the money instead of using it to alleviate the financial liabilities he created.
Usamate further criticized Sayed-Khaiyum, alleging that he left FijiFirst with debts nearing $700,000 and dissolved the party, neglecting his creditors. He stressed that Sayed-Khaiyum now seeks to impose ethical standards on others while his actions are contradictory, lacking genuine commitment to fairness.
Highlighting the significant financial challenges faced by MPs, Usamate contrasted their modest salaries of $50,000 with Sayed-Khaiyum’s own remuneration of $235,000 per year, an amount nearly six times higher than what other government MPs and opposition backbenchers earned. Usamate emphasized that such a disparity exemplifies Sayed-Khaiyum’s leadership style, which he views as prioritizing personal gain over equity and ethics.
He urged that if Sayed-Khaiyum is sincere about advocating for transparency and morality, he should donate the $400,000 amassed from his inflated salary to pay off FijiFirst’s creditors. Usamate concluded that Sayed-Khaiyum’s record of self-interest and hypocrisy should not be overlooked as he lectures others on ethical conduct.
FijiLive has made attempts to contact Sayed-Khaiyum for a response.
In summary, Usamate’s remarks bring to light questions about the integrity of political leaders, particularly in their roles regarding financial management and ethical behavior. The dialogue opens up important discussions about accountability and the responsibilities of those in power to their constituencies. There is hope that this scrutiny could lead to broader reforms in political ethics and transparency, fostering trust among the populace.
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