Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has announced that Youth and Sports Minister Jese Saukuru has been summoned for a one-on-one meeting amid growing concerns about his official travel to New Zealand and related issues involving the Fiji Sports Council. The meeting comes in response to questions raised regarding the details of Saukuru’s travel arrangements and the implications of his actions on public trust.
The travel request was made by the Permanent Secretary for Youth and Sports on January 20, 2025, seeking approval for Saukuru to accompany the Fiji Sports Council’s Under-20 Rugby Sevens team to New Zealand from January 28 to February 6, 2024. The application received approval following an invitation from the Fiji Sports Council. However, it has been revealed that the request did not disclose that Saukuru would be accompanied by his spouse.
Prime Minister Rabuka emphasized the importance of transparency, stating that while ministers may travel with their spouses at their own expense or sponsored by a host nation, such arrangements must be explicitly outlined in the original travel submission. This oversight has raised eyebrows, especially as reports surfaced indicating that Saukuru’s spouse traveled on a business-class ticket funded through a Fiji Sports Council contra arrangement with Fiji Airways. This arrangement, intended for official FSC purposes, has faced scrutiny due to allegations of potential misuse.
Saukuru has admitted that both his and his spouse’s airline tickets were covered by this contra arrangement. He has expressed his willingness to repay the cost of his spouse’s travel. The issue was initially flagged by a whistleblower, who later asserted that the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) found insufficient evidence to pursue the matter further.
Prime Minister Rabuka clarified that the government has no influence over FICAC, countering allegations of political interference. He acknowledged that concerns regarding both the New Zealand trip and other Fiji Sports Council-related matters prompted him to convene a personal meeting with Minister Saukuru.
This controversy has ignited discussions on the necessity for greater transparency, accountability among ministers, and improvements in governance within Fiji’s sporting realm. It also aligns with ongoing calls for enhanced oversight of public institutions and the responsible use of public resources. Rabuka reaffirmed his government’s commitment to accountability and ensuring that ministers maintain ethical standards in their public office conduct.
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